Carry kindness like spare change.

I want you to carry kindness with you every day the way you might carry spare change — small, easy to find, and ready to help when you need it. These are tiny sentences that take almost no time to say but can change how someone feels, including you. I’ll say them with you, and I hope you try them on — not like rules, but like tools you can pull out when things are heavy, scary, or confusing.

Here are simple phrases to keep in your pocket. Try to use a few of them this week and notice what happens:

• “I see you.”
• “That sounds really hard.”
• “You don’t have to do this alone.”
• “It’s okay to feel upset.”
• “Thank you — that helped me.”
• “Do you want to talk, or do you want quiet?”
• “I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”
• “Take your time.”
• “I’m proud of you for trying.”
• “I can help if you want.”

Short phrases like these work because they don’t try to fix everything at once. They make space. When someone — a friend, a sibling, or you — is hurting, the quickest thing that helps is knowing someone notices and cares. Saying “I see you” or “That sounds really hard” tells a person they aren’t invisible and their feelings matter. Saying “I’m proud of you for trying” celebrates effort, not just winning. Saying “I’m sorry” teaches you how to make things better when you mess up.

You can also keep kind words for yourself. When you feel nervous before a test or disappointed after a mistake, try telling yourself: “I’m allowed to feel this,” “One step at a time,” or “I can ask for help.” Practicing these lines when things are calm makes them easier to remember when things are not calm.

How you say something matters as much as what you say. Say it slowly, look at the person if it feels okay, and mean it — even the quiet “I’m here” counts. Sometimes a hug or a hand on someone’s shoulder is the kindest phrase of all. It’s okay if the words feel small. Small words repeated often are the kind of spare change that adds up to real comfort.

I won’t pretend these phrases fix everything — I’m not a therapist — but they are ways to build connection, trust, and emotional courage. You won’t always get it right, and that’s fine. What matters is trying, listening, and showing up. Keep a few of these phrases where you can see them, share them with friends, and watch how quickly kindness becomes part of who you are. We’ll practice together — I’ll carry extra change too.