The Pause That Taught Me…
DR. CHRIS CULVERHi, Friends! It’s been a while…
For the past few months, this space has been quiet. Silence can feel uncomfortable at times, yet it often carries lessons that words cannot. I stepped back from writing, not because I lost my love for kindness, but because I needed to practice what I so often encourage others to do. I needed to listen, reflect, and be kind to myself.
The pause reminded me that life rarely follows a perfect rhythm. Some seasons are filled with constant movement and energy. Other seasons invite rest, reflection, and renewal. During the time away, I discovered that choosing kindness toward myself allowed me to return stronger, clearer, and more deeply rooted in the work that matters most.
Kindness begins with presence. It cannot always be rushed. I found myself in moments of stillness noticing small details that had previously gone unnoticed: the way a smile changed the tone of a conversation, the calm that came from slowing my breathing, and the quiet joy of connection with people I love. These are reminders that the foundation of kindness is not performance but presence.
Returning to The Kind Voice feels like coming home. This blog has always been about more than words on a page. It is about the belief that kindness can shift culture, change perspectives, and create ripples that extend far beyond what we see. My time away only reinforced that truth.
Over the summer months, I had the privilege of traveling on The Kindness Tour, working with organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and schools on the profound impact of kindness. I continue to remind others that kindness is not one more thing — it is the only thing. In that same effort to make kindness go viral, I launched a TikTok live series to spread the message further. These opportunities gave me the space to reflect, to be intentional, and to focus not only on what kindness does to us, but also on how it looks in practice. Kindness is not the fluff stuff. It is a real, intentional choice we make every single day. It is not a personality trait, but a habit built from practice.
TRY THIS
Pause Before You React: When tension rises, take one intentional breath (6 seconds) before responding. This small shift reduces stress in the brain and often changes the tone of the conversation.
Notice the Ordinary: Each day, find one overlooked detail that sparks gratitude. It may be the warmth of your coffee, the sound of laughter, or the comfort of a familiar place. Naming it grounds you in the present. Make it the first thing you do when you wake up - grateful to open your eyes.
Practice Self-Kindness: Replace one self-critical thought with a statement of encouragement. For example, change “I did not get enough done” to “I showed up today, and that is enough.” Your brain begins to believe what it hears most often. Be kind to your mind.
As I begin the blog and writing again, I want to invite you into this journey with me. You will see more here, but also resources and reflections through my Be the Light series. These tools are designed to remind us that when we choose kindness, we do not just brighten our own lives, we give others permission to shine as well.
There are more resources coming soon, including a project that has been on my heart for years. I will share more when the time is right, but for now the pause has ended, and the mission remains.
Where will you practice presence, notice the ordinary, or extend kindness to yourself this week?
Remember, you do not need a title to lead, and kindness is good for the doer, the receiver, and the observer. Even the darkest moments can be lit by a flicker of light. Use your light, even a flicker, to guide yourself and others. If you cannot find the light, be the light — and sometimes the light you are searching for is the one you already carry inside.
Thank you for waiting during the quiet season. Thank you for walking with me as we start again. As always, I am rooting for you and I am grateful for you.
All my best, always!
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