I think in this life it's important to be kind, be thankful, and

When Bishop Briggs declares, “I think in this life it’s important to be kind, be thankful, and always be creative,” she speaks with the simplicity of a proverb yet with the weight of an eternal command. Her words gather three great pillars of human existence — kindness, thankfulness, and creativity — and bind them together as guiding lights for the journey of life. They are not lofty ideals reserved for the rare few, but daily practices that any soul may embrace, no matter their station or circumstance.

The first pillar she names is kindness. To be kind is to see the humanity in another, to soften the hardness of the world with gentleness, and to act in ways that heal rather than harm. Kindness is a force that transcends borders, languages, and time. The ancients told of rulers like Marcus Aurelius, who though emperor of a vast empire, reminded himself daily to treat even the lowliest with patience and compassion. For in kindness lies true strength — it requires courage to meet cruelty with grace, and wisdom to place empathy above pride.

The second pillar is thankfulness. Gratitude is the soil in which joy and resilience grow. To be thankful is to recognize that life itself is a gift, that every breath, every friendship, every opportunity is a blessing not to be taken for granted. In history, consider the story of Helen Keller, who though deprived of sight and hearing, spoke often of her gratitude for her teacher Anne Sullivan and the world of learning that was opened to her. In her thankfulness, Keller found not despair, but purpose, turning her hardships into triumph. So too does Bishop Briggs remind us that a heart full of gratitude sees abundance where others see lack.

The third pillar she offers is creativity. To be creative is not only to paint, sing, or write, but to live as one who can imagine beyond what is, to bring forth new solutions, ideas, and beauty into the world. Creativity is the divine spark within humankind, the echo of the Creator’s voice that fashioned the stars. History sings of Leonardo da Vinci, whose creative spirit spanned from painting to engineering, showing that to be creative is to be alive in the fullest sense, always seeking, always building, always imagining what could be. Briggs’ call to “always be creative” is a call to never let the flame of wonder die within us.

When joined together, these three — kindness, thankfulness, creativity — form a compass for life. Without kindness, creativity becomes selfish. Without thankfulness, kindness becomes hollow. Without creativity, life becomes stagnant. But when all three unite, they lift the human spirit into a harmony that blesses both the self and the world. Briggs’ wisdom is not a suggestion but a roadmap: live with compassion, anchor yourself in gratitude, and keep the fire of creation alive.

For those who listen, let this teaching be taken to heart: practice small acts of kindness each day, speak words of thankfulness in both abundance and trial, and cultivate creativity in whatever form your gifts allow. Do not wait for greatness to act — begin where you stand. A smile, a word of gratitude, a fresh idea to ease another’s burden — these are the seeds that, when sown, blossom into lives of meaning and legacy.

Therefore, O seekers of wisdom, remember the threefold teaching of Bishop Briggs. Be kind, for the world is in need of gentleness. Be thankful, for gratitude turns even hardship into blessing. And be creative, for through creativity, the human soul mirrors eternity. Live by these words, and you will walk not as one lost in the shadows, but as one who carries a torch to guide both yourself and others on the long road of life.