“I need to teach her that it’s OK to fall a lot. It’s the absolute best way to know you’re flying.” – Ryan Reynolds

Need to lift your spirits? Need to know that there is kindness at work in the world? That people still care about one another?

Listen for it.

Since I’ve been working on Building Bridges Word by Word, I’ve tuned my ear to listen for examples of kindness and generosity and for words of wisdom, both simple and profound.

The more I listen for them, the more I hear them.

Each time I do, I feel a little better, a little lighter, and a little stronger.

That’s how I feel every time I read Ryan Reynolds’s tribute to Michael J. Fox for Time’s magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2024. His moving recognition of Fox’s courage and compassion and the lessons Reynolds sees there for his daughter, reminds me of how important it is to be kind, caring, and strong – no matter the risk.

What have you heard recently that made you pause, nod, maybe even smile? Consider writing a short reflection about why those words stood out to you and how they’re influencing how you’re showing up in the world. We’ll post your story here at the Building Bridges Word by Word Substack. Why? Because every story makes us that much stronger and we all could use the lift.

And then, listen some more.

You’ll be glad you did.

Click here for more about Michael J. Fox and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.