Remember all those times your mother told you to chew with your mouth closed? (Mine had to repeat it approximately 7,492 times.) Well, guess what? I grew up to be a properly-chewing, tantrum-free adult – not because of the endless reminders, but because I watched my mother embody grace and consideration every single day. It turns out that actions really do speak louder than words, even when you're speaking with your mouth closed. 😉
Here I am now, a single mother of two, wearing multiple hats as a minority, an immigrant, a proud Mexican, and a grateful US citizen. And lately, I've been running out of explanations for my children about why the world sometimes seems to forget its own heart. You know that feeling when your tea gets cold before you can finish it? That's how hope can feel sometimes in today's world.
But here's the thing about tea – and Humanity: Sometimes you need to steep a little longer to bring out the best flavors.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what happens when the village seems to be having an identity crisis? When prejudice creeps in like unwanted weeds in a herb garden, and fear spreads faster than gossip at a family reunion? As parents, we're trying to cultivate gardens of kindness in our children's hearts while the world sometimes seems intent on planting walls instead of flowers.
I find myself teaching my children what my mother taught me through her actions: that love isn't just a feeling – it's a frequency we can choose to vibrate at. Like brewing the perfect cup of tea, creating positive change requires intention, patience, and the understanding that every small action matters. One act of kindness might seem as small as a single tea leaf, but if you combine enough, you can create something transformative.
Remember Charlie Chaplin's words from "The Great Dictator"? In 1940, he spoke about Humanity needing more kindness than cleverness, more heart than machinery. Eighty years later, and here we are, with smartphones in our pockets but sometimes struggling to make smart choices with our hearts. (Though I bet Chaplin never had to explain to his kids why someone was mean on social media.)
But here's the magic – and yes, I'm calling it magic because sometimes hope feels exactly like that: Every time we choose kindness, we create a ripple effect. Every smile, every held door, every moment of choosing understanding over judgment adds another drop to the ocean of change. It's like that moment when you share a warm cup of tea with someone – the conversation flows, hearts open, and suddenly, the world feels a little more connected.
So what can we do? Start with ourselves. Be the person you want your children to become. Show them that:
- Kindness isn't weakness – it's a superpower
- Different isn't wrong – it's just another flavor in life's tea blend
- Small actions matter – like how a single herb can change an entire recipe
I say what Chaplin said to those feeling discouraged: "Do not despair." Instead:
- Brew kindness daily
- Steep in understanding
- Share your warmth with others
- And remember that every positive action, no matter how small, adds to the collective cup of Humanity
Because maybe, just maybe, while we're busy trying to raise our children, we're actually raising the vibration of the entire village. And that's a blend worth sharing.
(P.S. - And yes, please still chew with your mouth closed. Some lessons from mom are timeless.) 🌿✨