Make a Million Generous Assumptions

"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always." — Brad Meltzer

This quote has been a long favorite of mine. It’s one of those truths that feels simple but carries a lot of weight, especially on the hard days. It reminds me to pause, take a breath, and try to approach situations with empathy and kindness—even when I’m feeling frustrated or annoyed.

Let’s be honest: 2025 has already thrown plenty of challenges our way. Many of us are fighting battles that might be more visible than before, but even then, we rarely see the full picture.

For me, empathy and kindness are core values. I try to live them out in my work and personal life by making what I call “a million generous assumptions.” I’ve learned that people’s lives are often much more complicated than they appear. Some of my most cheerful, outgoing friends have struggled deeply with mental health, and I’ve had my own moments—navigating divorce, fertility challenges, and motherhood—while trying to hold it together at work.

What these experiences have taught me is that life is like an iceberg. What we see above the surface—the polished smiles, the outward confidence—is only a fraction of what lies beneath.

As we head into February, the month of love, I invite you to join me in a challenge: make a million generous assumptions.

When someone cuts you off in traffic or seems short in a meeting, or when you catch yourself judging a parenting moment or a professional misstep, pause. Reflect. Ask yourself, What might this person be carrying that I can’t see?

Kindness isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Those small moments of grace—when we choose curiosity over judgment—can create real connections. They’re the reminders that we’re all human, figuring things out as we go.

So, let’s try it: one assumption, one moment of grace at a time. Who knows? We might just make the world a little brighter in the process.

For the world needs who we were made to be.