Just for Today, I Will Be Kind to Every Living Thing

There’s something beautifully grounding about the phrase “Just for today.”

It pulls us out of the overwhelm of trying to be “better forever,” and it gently places us back into a single day—this day—where we can choose again.

This is the final Reiki principle in the series I began sharing after my Reiki I class about a month ago…

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

At first glance, it sounds simple. Even obvious. Of course we should be kind.
But this principle isn’t about being polite. It’s about living with reverence—moving through the world with the quiet awareness that life is happening all around us, in big ways and small ones, seen and unseen.

And lately, this principle has been showing up in my world in the tiniest possible forms. This photo is from one of our November adventure road-trip stops—my husband paused long enough to hand-feed this tiny passer-by a peanut. I’m not sure who was more excited about the encounter. 💕

I used to spot spiders or ants in my home and react quickly—without much thought—because it felt easier, cleaner, faster.
“My home, not yours.”

But then I paused and thought: Where did we build our home… over theirs, perhaps?

So now I try something different. Maybe I grab a paper cup, gently scoop them up, slide a napkin or piece of paper underneath, and walk them outside.

“Sorry about that, little fella—let me redirect you to where you’ll feel more comfortable.”

Winter? I bring them to an indoor plant and talk them through the logistics of the “for now” plan. 😉

I started noticing how often my “automatic” reactions were rooted in agitation, impatience, and stress—not in who I truly wanted to be.

So now… I have a different reaction. I walk them out with a little pep talk.

A spider in the sink becomes a pause. A deep breath. A moment of curiosity instead of irritation.

And here’s the surprising part:

This isn’t just about being nice to bugs.

It’s about training the nervous system to choose calm over reactivity.

Because when you practice kindness in small moments, you’re also practicing:

• slowing down

• softening your response

• choosing intention over impulse

• remembering that you are safe enough to be gentle

Kindness becomes a form of regulation.

It becomes a statement:

“I don’t need to move through life in fight mode.”
“I don’t need to be harsh to feel in control.”
“I can be calm and still handle what needs to be handled.”

And this principle is bigger than what happens inside our homes.

Kindness to every living thing can look like:

• speaking to yourself with compassion instead of criticism

• treating your body like it’s on your team, not a project to fix

• offering patience to a loved one who’s struggling

• being mindful with animals, nature, and the energy you bring into a space

• choosing words that heal instead of words that wound

And if you’ve been following along as I shared the Reiki principles one by one, let this be the closing thread that ties them together:

A calmer life isn’t built through grand declarations.
It’s built through small choices—practiced daily.

The fifth Reiki principle is the quiet practice of compassion in everyday moments.

So here’s your gentle invitation:

Just for today, practice kindness—on purpose.
Not perfectly. Not endlessly. Just for today.

And if a spider shows up in your bathroom sink, maybe let it be a reminder that you’re allowed to be softer than you used to be.

Because when you’re kind to life…
you become kinder to yourself.

Just for today.
That’s enough. 💗

Just for Today, I Will Do My Best

Some days, we don’t want to show up. Here’s how we still move forward—without forcing, faking, or falling apart.

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Some days you wake up and you already feel
behind.

Not behind on your calendar—behind in your energy. Behind in your mood. Behind in your motivation. You’re tired, heavy, distracted, or simply not feeling it. And the idea of “showing up” feels like pushing a boulder uphill with a smile you don’t have.

If you’ve been there, you’re not broken. You’re human.

And this is exactly why the phrase “Just for today, I will do my best” is so powerful.

Because it doesn’t demand perfection.
It doesn’t ask you to pretend.
It doesn’t require you to overhaul your whole life by noon.

It simply asks you to stay with today.

What “Just for today, I will do my best” really means

To me, this phrase is a nervous-system-friendly commitment.

It means:

• I’m not judging myself for how I feel.

• I’m not borrowing worry from tomorrow.

• I’m not dragging yesterday into today as evidence that I can’t.

• I’m choosing one honest, doable step—because I still matter.

Your “best” today might look like a workout and a green smoothie.

Or it might look like:
showering, answering one email, feeding yourself something real, and going to bed early.

Both count.

Because “my best” isn’t a performance.
It’s a relationship—with your real life, your real capacity, and your real season.

Why we don’t want to show up (and why it’s not laziness)

Usually, when you don’t want to show up, it’s not because you don’t care.

It’s because something inside you is saying:

• “I’m overwhelmed.”

• “I’m depleted.”

• “I don’t feel safe.”

• “I’m scared it won’t matter.”

• “I’m tired of trying so hard.”

Sometimes it’s emotional fatigue. Sometimes it’s decision fatigue. Sometimes it’s grief, stress, burnout, hormonal shifts, or the weight of being the strong one.

When your system is overloaded, motivation doesn’t vanish because you’re lazy—motivation vanishes because your body is protecting you.

So the goal isn’t to shame yourself into action.

The goal is to create a bridge from where you are… to the next right step.

How to combat the “I don’t want to show up” days

Here are a few ways to meet yourself with compassion and stay in motion.

1) Shrink the goal until it becomes possible

If “do everything” feels impossible, choose the smallest version of showing up.

• Instead of “clean the house” → “clear one surface.”

• Instead of “start the project” → “open the document.”

• Instead of “work out” → “stretch for 3 minutes.”

• Instead of “fix my life” → “drink water and breathe.”

Momentum doesn’t require a big leap. It requires a start that your system can tolerate.

2) Use the “5-minute agreement”

Tell yourself:
“I only have to do this for five minutes.”

Most of the time, once you begin, you continue.
And if you don’t continue, five minutes still counts.

This is the difference between discipline that punishes you and discipline that supports you.

3) Choose one “Non-Negotiable of Care”

On low-energy days, pick one act of care that anchors you.

Examples:

• Water + protein

• A 10-minute walk outside

• A shower and clean clothes

• Medication and a real meal

• Turning your phone off for 30 minutes

• A short grounding practice

Your non-negotiable isn’t about productivity.
It’s about stabilizing your system so tomorrow is easier.

4) Ask: “What would make this 10% easier?”

Not “How do I fix everything?”

Just: What would make this 10% easier?

• Put shoes by the door.

• Text a friend for accountability.

• Set a timer.

• Do the first step only.

• Lower the standard.

• Remove friction.

Tiny shifts compound. That’s how you build trust with yourself.

5) Replace the inner critic with an inner coach

When you hear: “I’m failing,” try:
“I’m having a hard day. What’s the next kind step?”

When you hear: “I should be doing more,” try:
“What’s realistic with the capacity I have today?”

You don’t need harsher self-talk.
You need steadier self-leadership.

A simple “Just for Today” reset (60 seconds)

If today feels like a lot, try this:

1. Exhale slowly (longer than your inhale). Do it twice.

2. Put a hand on your chest or belly and say:
   “Just for today, I will do my best.”

3. Ask: “What is one doable next step?”

4. Do it immediately—before your brain starts negotiating.

That’s it. No drama. No overthinking. Just direction.

Closing thought

Some days, showing up looks like shining.

Other days, showing up looks like staying.

And staying is not nothing. Staying is strength.

So if you needed permission to be human and still move forward, here it is:

Just for today, you don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to be honest—and take one intentional step.

Just for today, you will do your best.
And that is more than enough.

Sending you love and courage,
Mary-Anne