The Front Yard
I usually don’t sit in the front yard.
Most mornings, I find my way to the back—the quiet space, the hidden spot, the one where no one really sees you. It feels safe back there. Still. Familiar.
But this morning, something nudged me to the front.
So I grabbed my coffee and sat down in a chair that faced the street. The world felt different there—more open, more awake. I could hear the hum of cars, the wind brushing through the trees, and the soft rhythm of the neighborhood coming to life. Then I saw them—two red cardinals flying by, followed by three blue jays.
It was simple, but it stopped me.
The cardinals were bright and steady, like small flames of hope in motion. The blue jays were louder, full of energy and sound. Together, they felt like a reminder that life isn’t meant to be hidden behind fences or routines. It’s meant to be lived out front—with courage, with connection, and with an open heart.
I thought about how often I stay in the “backyards” of life—the places where it feels safe to stay unseen. We all do it sometimes. We hide behind busy schedules, quiet corners, or invisible walls that protect us from being known too deeply.
But belonging doesn’t grow in the backyard. It happens in the front yard—where we wave at neighbors, notice the sky, and let life see us back.
Kindness invites us out front. It asks us to sit where the world can find us. To be open, available, and present enough to see beauty when it flies by.
There’s a science to that, too. When we step outside and engage with the world around us, our brains respond. Natural light increases serotonin. Movement and novelty spark dopamine. These chemicals together boost our sense of calm, clarity, and connection. Simply being present—truly present—changes the chemistry of the moment.
That’s what kindness does. It brings us out of hiding and into connection, one small choice at a time.
5 Ways to Be the Light
Step outside. Change your scenery. Sit where the world can reach you.
Notice what moves. Whether it’s a bird, a breeze, or a memory, let it remind you to slow down.
Wave first. Connection begins with small gestures—a nod, a hello, a smile that says, “I see you.”
Let life see you back. Presence is an act of courage. The world needs more people willing to be real and visible.
Look for color. Red, blue, green, gold—let the beauty of nature be your daily reminder that hope is alive and near.
Being the Light doesn’t always mean doing something big. Sometimes it’s as simple as sitting in the front yard—where the world can find you, where the wind can reach you, and where life can remind you that you belong right here, right now.
Keep shining, friends. The Kind Advantage reminds us that kindness isn’t one more thing. It’s the thing that changes everything.