What I have learned, is something most children already know.

This post is not about life lessons, I will save those for when I turn 80.
Besides I am still learning every day:

Learning about running a company
Learning about being a good mom
Learning about making the most impact
Learning about balancing everything.

What I have learned, is something we teach our children every day:
The power of kindness.

To me kindness is not just about helping an old lady cross the street.
It also means being Kind, with whatever privilege you have.

This is important.

Most of us were lucky being born in a stable, wealthy country. That is a lot more lucky than children in many places, let alone children now in Sudan or Gaza.

It breaks my hart to see the images coming from those places. I feel powerless and angry. With kindness we can turn our empathy into action.

Even if we cannot help that specific child, there are other children as well who need help, and there is always something we can do.

Through organizations like Rode Kruis Nederland, UNICEF or The Hunger Project, we can help children in need. Even if we do not see them directly.

You can be Kind in every role in life and in every profession you choose.

So for me that is turning 40. Grateful for my family and the privilege I have, and happy to be working with The Social Handshake - B Corp, where we support people and companies who want to make their kindness count.

Thank you for all who have been on this journey with me.