I have a T-shirt that makes me laugh every time I wear it. It simply says, “I Match Energy.”

The funny thing is, it’s truer than I sometimes want to admit.

We returned home from vacation this evening after hours on the road. I was exhausted, and cooking wasn’t even a consideration, so I called Domino’s to order pizza for delivery.

The phone rang, and a voice answered with one word.

“Domino’s.”

No “Thank you for calling Domino’s.” No “How are you this evening?” Just… “Domino’s.”

Without even thinking, I matched his energy.

“Ordering for delivery.”

He asked for my order, quoted the delivery time, asked how I’d be paying, and the conversation ended. It wasn’t rude exactly. It was simply… empty.

A little while later, the pizza arrived. I opened the door with a smile and said, “Thank you.”

The driver handed me the pizzas, looked directly at me, turned around, and walked away without saying a single word.

Again, not offensive, just … empty.

It reminded me of something that had happened earlier in the day while we were driving home. We stopped at a familiar Shell station along Interstate 95—a place we’ve visited for years on our trips back from Florida. My husband went inside looking for ice to help him stay alert during the drive and to use the facility.

He asked an employee where he could find both.

Instead of a friendly response, he was met with a frown and an exasperated sigh—as if simply asking where to get ice and use the restroom had interrupted her day. With a look that seemed to say, “Ugh, you’re bothering me,” she replied, “It’s over at Burger King, and the bathroom is over there, too.” My husband, being my husband, smiled and jokingly thanked her for being “so kind and helpful.” (Yes… I know him well enough to know he really said it.)

He eventually found what he needed inside the Burger King attached to the station. The employee there wasn’t overly enthusiastic either, but he was cordial enough to explain where the ice was and told him there was no charge.

As we continued driving, I started noticing something.

This wasn’t an isolated experience.

Throughout the week, we encountered people who seemed emotionally absent. No greeting. No smile. No eye contact. Just transactions, and I found myself wondering…

What happened to us?

I don’t know everyone’s story.

Maybe they’re overwhelmed.

Maybe they’re carrying burdens no one can see.

Maybe finances are tight. Maybe relationships are difficult. Maybe they’re exhausted from simply trying to survive.

Life has become heavy for a lot of people.

I understand that, but I also know something else.

Every interaction leaves something behind.

As a teacher, I see this every single day. My students don’t just hear my words — they feel my attitude.

If I walk into the classroom frustrated, distracted, or irritated, they sense it before I’ve even taken attendance. Energy has a way of filling a room.

When my father and I have had conversations about young people today, especially my students, I tell him that in order to teach today’s students, I have to reach them first. Relationships matter. Respect matters. Connection matters.

In many ways, they match energy too.

That doesn’t mean I pretend life is perfect. Sometimes I’ll tell my students, “Y’all, I had a rough night. I’ve got a headache today, so if I’m a little quieter than normal, give me a little grace.”

And you know what?

Most of the time, they do because honesty invites compassion.

Choosing kindness, though — that’s different.

Kindness is a decision.

It’s choosing to smile even when you’re tired.

It’s looking someone in the eye.

It’s saying, “Welcome.”

“Thank you.”

“Have a great evening.”

Those words don’t cost anything, but they are worth so much.

Scripture reminds us,

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

—Ephesians 4:32

Kindness isn’t reserved for the people we know.

It isn’t reserved for the people who deserve it.

It becomes part of who we are.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how easy it is to spread discouragement without ever raising our voices.

Sometimes all it takes is an expression.

A sigh, a dismissive tone, or the absence of a smile.

We may never know what someone is carrying when they walk through our door, stand at our register, enter our classroom, answer our phone, or ring our doorbell.

But we do get to decide what they’ll carry away.

Tomorrow, someone will meet you.

They may only spend thirty seconds in your presence.

My prayer is that after those thirty seconds, they’ll leave feeling a little lighter than when they arrived.

Because in a world where so many people are matching negative energy…

May we become the ones who set a different tone.

Bloom where you’re planted, and let kindness be one of the flowers everyone remembers.

In love and charity,

Giselle (aka) Blooming-lillie