TOO EASY!

One of the phrases we heard over and over again in Australia was, “too easy!”

When Reese asked the waiter for a kid’s bolognese with no bolognese sauce, “too easy!”

When Chris confirmed our drop off location with the tour guide, “too easy!”

When Andy gave us a ride back to our place, “too easy!”

I love this phrase. It’s as if your request is no challenge whatsoever, like Aussies are accustomed to extending kindnesses much greater than the paltry thing for which you’ve just asked.

I’ve been experimenting with the phrase for the last few weeks. When I was scrolling on my phone and Reese asked me to play a game, I squealed “too easy!” and scurried to the floor to play Uno. When Harper’s load was getting too heavy as we walked back from the grocery store and she asked for help, I (too) loudly proclaimed “too easy!” and took one more bag.

In those moments, my family rolled their eyes at me (again), but I delighted in the reminder that it is too easy to be kind. When the requests become more challenging, and when it feels harder to extend kindnesses (especially to those who might not be asking with kindness), I will work hard to make “too easy” my default response.

“Too easy” is the souvenir I am bringing back with me from Australia. Lucky for me — it packs light!