Out of Habit
Hello, friends! Let me be honest, none of this happened by design. It was all out of habit, the kind that sneaks up on you before you even realize it’s there.
If you haven’t read my washing machine fiasco, you might want to catch up on that one first. I’m happy to report that after hours of research trying to find a washer and dryer that won’t quit on us in a few years (though let’s be real, there are no guarantees), we finally have a new set. They arrived Saturday, installed and ready for their first test run.
One of the delivery guys called from the other room. “Sir, I need to show you something.” When I walked in, he smiled and said, “The smoke smell, don’t call 911.” I laughed and said, “Tell me more.” He explained that the dryer, like a furnace, burns off fibers and materials during its first use. “You’d be surprised how many people call the fire department,” he said, still grinning. I thanked him, he shook my hand, and they left.
There I stood, me and the new washer and dryer. They had no idea what was coming.
The first load went in, washed beautifully, and forty minutes later I transferred it to the dryer. As the clothes tumbled, I walked to the kitchen to make my favorite drink: a dirty Diet Coke. If you don’t know what that is, friend, you are missing out. It’s Diet Coke with sweet cream and lime, but I swap the sweet cream for a vanilla protein shake. It’s life-changing.
I cleaned up, walked back to the laundry room, and set my cup on top of the dryer without a second thought.
Pause for a moment. Our old washer and dryer had flat tops, so I was always setting things there: cups, papers, folded shirts. It was habit.
I turned around to grab a hanger and BAM! I heard it hit the floor. I turned just in time to watch the cup split in two and the drink spill everywhere.
I laughed. Old Chris would have been frustrated, but this time I laughed. Maybe it was the newness of the moment or maybe it was growth, but right then it hit me, what used to work doesn’t work anymore.
It’s funny how the smallest everyday moments can hold up a mirror to our lives. We all do this, don’t we? Keep doing things the same way because they’re comfortable. Because they worked once. Because we don’t stop long enough to notice they don’t work anymore. Sometimes our habits need a check-in. What’s helping us move forward? What’s holding us back? What needs to change?
Our brains love patterns. They crave predictability because it feels safe. But growth lives just outside that comfort zone—in the space where curiosity replaces control. One small spill reminded me that sometimes the only way to notice what’s outdated is to watch it fall apart.
5 Ways to Be the Light
Pause before reacting. When something spills, take a breath. The space between reaction and response is where growth happens.
Be curious about your habits. Notice what you do without thinking. Awareness is always the first step to change.
Reframe the moment. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen?” ask, “What is this showing me?”
Reset the pattern. Small adjustments often lead to big shifts. Try moving one piece of your routine and see what changes.
Choose grace. Laugh instead of lash out. If you wouldn’t scold a friend for it, don’t scold yourself.
Being the Light isn’t about getting it right every time. It’s about paying attention, laughing when life spills over, and giving yourself room to grow. Growth often begins in moments that look like mistakes. Those are the spaces where kindness teaches us something new about who we are becoming.
The Kind Advantage reminds us that kindness is not one more thing. It is the thing that changes everything.
Looking for Science of Kindness Resources? Check out the resources section.
Looking for videos of Dr. Chris delivering a dynamic, high-energy keynote and/or workshop? Check out the videos here.
Like The Kind Advantage with Be The Light strategies? Read other blog posts here.