23 Comments

Kindness is hard sometimes, Katrina. It's humble of you to publicly own a mistake like this - one we all make.

I believe the hug/slap is offensive, too. We all do that from time to time without meaning to.

For me, it's about extending two things: benefit of the doubt and a whole lotta grace. Meaning, to give others and ourselves time, space, room to breathe and process. Sometimes we need to be gentle with ourselves, too, when these things happen.

My motto in recent years is "repair and reconnect." I realize the latter portion doesn't always happen, but relationships are tricky, especially new ones and digital ones.

The point is that you are making your way through it and you're doing a good thing by wanting to do better.

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Thanks, Jeannie. ❤️ I feel like such a jerk. She may never see this post, but I had to write it, anyway. I like “repair and reconnect.” Wise words to remember.

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You're human. It can happen to anyone. I'm sending you lots of ❤️ from Indiana.

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I so appreciate the way you support fellow writers and friends. Your comments are always so heartfelt and genuine. You are a rare gift in this hurried world, Jeannie.

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Wow, Rachel, thank you for saying that. I guess it's just that I want to give to others what I have needed most. And I want to do what I can, however small, to help people feel less alone, less hurt. I just hope that my life, in some way, reflects kindness and tenderness.

You are right about how lacking that is in this world.

You are a rare light, too, Rachel. It's a gift to know you and through you, I met Katrina, who is also a gift. ❤️

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Jeannie said it beautifully. Circling back to repair is what we do. You are learning, we all are and we cannot know how our words may land. Wiggle room and Grace is what I try to remember. For myself first and for others. Gentle care as you sift, sort, forget and remember. I’m walking beside you or swimming 🏊‍♀️ no matter what crazy tunes are playing. Just please, No Bee Gees! Not a huge fan. 🤣

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Oh, no!! I LOVE The Bee Gees!! 😂 Thanks for swimming with me, Joanie. ❤️

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Joanie, I admit I grew up hearing the Bee Gees and I have their greatest hits album. 😬 Which I enjoy listening to it from time to time.

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LOL! I really strung myself out to dry on this one, didn't I?! I do have a true confession. I did watch a documentary on them not too long ago, and loosened my grip a bit. My finger nails no longer make indentions in my palms. 😂🤣

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That’s progress!! 😂

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As I always say, “Progression not Perfection.” 😉

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🤣🤣

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I knew it as soon as I sent it. She’s a huge fan! Lol! We can agree to disagree! 🤣💜

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I've been there! Sometimes this kind of communication can be hard for sure without knowing the intentions of the person. I've done my fair share of knee jerk reactions :) I appreciate you taking the time to share what you learned from it, it gives me motivation to keep my kindness glasses on.

I think you handled it just fine btw.. just for the record ;) XOXO

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Thanks, friend. I wouldn’t recognize you without your kindness glasses. I think you’re innately kind. ❤️

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When I haven't been fed or if I'm driving.. I'm on the opposite end of that 🫠🤣 my kindness glasses become mold tinted 🤣😍 But thank you for seeing the innate me 🫶🏻🫶🏻

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I lose subscribers occasionally for no apparent reason. I think some people subscribe and then forget they subscribed and get irritated at receiving emails. Or they subscribe and then decide the content doesn't interest them and they don't want to get the extra emails. I wouldn't worry about it.

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I hate when it’s my fault, though. I was kinda an asshole. 😕

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As someone who has been in your community for almost a decade, you, more than anyone I know, attempt to understand where someone is coming from. Today was a hard day. Give yourself grace. Look what you’ve made from it. This is what you do. I love you.

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I love you. Thanks for being a beacon for me, always lighting the way. ❤️

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“Just so everyone is aware” would have rubbed me the wrong way too, Katrina. It comes across as preachy. And I have definitely had to take a beat with certain comments on some of my posts, too. It is not always easy to sit on your thumbs. But in reading your reply, I really didn’t find it off-putting. I would hope this person is as self-reflective as you’ve been here. It takes a strong person to do that.

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Thanks, Amy. ❤️

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I subscribed today so you gained a subscriber too. Hopefully that can turn the tide on how you’re feeling.

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