encouragement | Wear The Cape Kids

“Plain and simple: Mean people need Jesus. They will be in my prayers tonight… 1 Peter 2:1-25” – TWEET BY CARRIE UNDERWOOD

What you’ve just read is the tweet that Carrie Underwood wrote in response to all those who crucified her acting in last week’s live Sound of Music production on NBC.

While I am in no way a holy roller, I give Ms. Underwood credit for her classy reply to all the unkind people out there taking shots at her. (Side note: I doubt many of these critics could ever dream of looking as gorgeous or singing as beautifully as Ms. Underwood, and they probably couldn’t hold a candle to her in the acting department either – you go, girl.)

The whole thing got me thinking: Why does our culture love to hurl insults? To try to tear down people when they’re on top? Why should someone who has a lot of blessings have to prepare to be the target of some form of abuse or cruelty? Or is this just part of the deal folks strike in exchange for fame, success and/or prosperity?

We were taught, back in the day, that, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” But Twitter and other social media sites have created forums where folks get online and, in a rather crude fashion, unleash on any topic that they wish.

To anyone tempted: Rather than trash-talking online, step away from your computer and spend time thinking of ways to improve yourself. And to satisfy the itch to share ideas via the web, how about using your keyboard to touch (rather than stab) people’s hearts with positive, inspiring, supportive messages?

Wear the Cape, people. You are the building blocks of our future.

Less than a week ago when Wear the Cape and the kidkind foundation successfully launched, an insightful woman commented that she felt like the WtC mission, tagline and kidkind foundation gave her a “cup of hope” – the phrase immediately wrapped its arms around me when I read it! There’s just something about sitting down, drinking something warm and toasty to nourish our bodies, our souls and our relationships. So rejuvenating, right?

That’s exactly what we want Wear the Cape to be in communities across the country, with you – our supporters – the cups full of hope. The overarching mission of both the brand and the foundation is to restore the power of kindness and good character; it’s meant to help communities regenerate with a renewed sense of values and respect for one another.

We are all running so fast every day. Our gadgets are sounding off; our inboxes are overflowing to the point of no return. There are bills to pay, activities to drive to and bosses to please. Some of us are so addicted to technology and the pressure to respond and be “on” that we may have even taken life threatening risks by texting in the car…while driving our kids! (Here’s my plug for no texting and driving: PLEASE, don’t do it! It’s so tempting but never worth it. The person sending a buzz your way can wait.)

All this goes to say that, for many, the days of taking the time to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or cider have faded – but you can give someone a cup of hope every day by doing things like opening doors, striking up friendly conversation, or leaving a note on the car you accidentally dinged in the parking lot. For a few, the ritual has not been lost. I recently had lunch with a super cool friend from college named Laura. She’s one of those people who sparkles so brightly when she walks into a room that you can’t help but be swept up in her joy for her life. She appreciates every moment she’s been given on this earth.

Laura inspired me with a practice that should be so darn simple, but seems to be so complicated to achieve with all of our demands and devices. Laura told me that her job outside of the house sometimes allows her to be home when her girls get off the bus. She times their arrival, brewing a pot of coffee and making hot cocoa right before the girls return home. They then sit at the kitchen table and have a cup of “cheer” together as they discuss the day…the wins, the disappointments, the opportunities, whatever the case may be. Laura schedules that appointment with her kids like we would schedule any other priority.

My segment after school, however, resembles something like a traveling circus freak show, so I, for a moment, felt like a lackluster mom…but you know what? I’m working on it, I’m trying; everything we can do is all we can do. So here’s to all of us who are doing the best we can every day. Let’s raise a glass to giving others a “cup of hope” at every opportunity.

Cheers! And have a great week!