You is kind...You is smart...You is important...

These are the words Viola Davis, actress, said to her young ward in the movie "The Help".  She would gently take the face of the little girl between her hands and say the words to her; almost like a mantra..."You is kind...you is smart...you is important."  I've watched the movie a couple of times and I initially passed off her action as simply one of benevolence.  It actually took me quite a while before the impact of her action/words really hit me.

How much better of a world would we live in if all mothers would lovingly cup the faces of their daughters between their hands and declare with certainty and affirmation..."You is kind...you is smart...you is important."  And, the more I thought about it, how much better of a world we would live in if all parents instilled these words in all of their children, male and female.

You is kind...

• How much less bullying would there be?
• How much less abuse inflicted upon women by their boyfriends and spouses; physical, emotional and verbal?
• Would we hesitate a little longer before uttering that quick retort in response to some unkindness spoken to us?
• Would the increased level of abuse to animals conducted by more and more young people today actually go down?
• Would the rate of incarceration go down?

You is smart...

For some social economic and/or ethnic groups, being smart or showing an interest in learning is looked down upon or de-valued.  Even some parents are no longer as actively involved or as encouraging of their children learning and their school work as parents used to be.  When we embrace the concept of being smart, nothing seems impossible and being smart then also tends to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You is important...

If our children grow up believing they are important, we may not have as many people with low self-esteem allowing others to treat them any and every kind of way.  When we believe we are important, we don't accept abuse or allow people to talk down to us.  If our children grow up believing they are important would they then feel obligated to live up to that image by giving back to society?  When we believe we are important, we take care of our bodies and health.  When we believe we are important, we don't settle.


You is kind...you is smart...you is important.

I am kind...I am smart...I am important.


Peace