We all have faced some harshness and unkindness in our lives. I used to believe that this was normal so I was unkind and accepted behaviour in my life that was not positive, affirming and reassuring.

Who knows why I used to settle for less than I deserved but I see it all around- people accepting unkindness and mean-spiritedness when we shouldn’t. About 4 years ago, I went through a culmination of different events that changed my perception of how I approach people and what I wanted to project to the world. Ever since then, I made a promise to myself to practice kindness as much as possible. I don’t always get it right but that doesn’t mean that I stop trying.

Here are 12 things that I would rather be as opposed to mean:

1. Kind.

2. Understanding.

3. Compassionate.

4. Mature.

5. Fulfilled.

6. Loving.

7. Happy.

8. Joyful.

9. Playful.

10. Honest.

11. Aligned.

12. Purposeful.