Life often throws us unexpected moments—situations where our reactions define not only the outcome but also the ripple effects we create for ourselves and those around us. One thing I’ve come to embrace fully is that, while we can’t control the actions of others or the randomness of life, we can always control how we respond and how we show up.
This morning, as I walked into a café for my usual coffee, something unexpected happened. The barista, a young man with a warm smile, accidentally dropped hot coffee on me. Yes, it hurt. Yes, it was inconvenient. But here’s the thing: despite the burn and the sudden chaos, I didn’t get upset. Instead, I took a breath, and we both set to cleaning up the mess. I could see the worry in his eyes, the silent apology as he stumbled through his verbal one.
Was it frustrating? For a second, maybe. But I reminded myself of something important: accidents happen. The barista didn’t spill the coffee on me out of malice or carelessness—it was simply one of those things that occur in life. I could have let frustration or anger take over, but what would that have accomplished? Instead, I calmly told him it was okay and helped him clean up the mess. Then I grabbed some ice to soothe the burn, thanked him for his concern, and reassured him that everything was fine.
In moments like these, it’s easy to get caught up in the immediate discomfort and forget the larger picture. But every situation offers a choice—how will we react? Will we let frustration dictate our actions, or will we lead with kindness and understanding? Today, I chose kindness. And I’ll choose it again tomorrow and the next day because that’s how I want to show up in the world.
We can’t control the coffee being spilled, the traffic we encounter, or the mistakes others make. But we can control how we respond, and in every situation, I believe kindness is the most powerful choice we can make. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Our reactions shape not only our experience but also the experiences of those around us. The barista may leave work feeling reassured, knowing he wasn’t met with anger but with understanding. And I walked away, burn and all, feeling calm, knowing that how I handled the situation was more important than the spill itself.
So, the next time life doesn’t go as planned, take a breath and remember—you can’t control the spill, but you can control how you clean it up. Lead with kindness, and you’ll always be proud of how you show up.
“You can be something.”
