The elections and the political scene in the US, the pandemic, and now the war in Ukraine. It’s been harder than ever to recollect a world of kindness and peace.
The news and social media don’t make it any better – folks resorting to violence and verbal abuse instead of peaceful dialogue.
We start to believe the world is full of angry people. We wonder if there’s any hope for humanity.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
When we take the time and look around, we can spot kindness all around.
Like the neighbor who checks upon me and brings delicious food as I recover from the flu.
Or the dad who picks up my dog’s poop along with his dog’s, at the dog park.
Like the truck driver who reverses his truck so me and my dog can cross the street.
Or the developer on the other side of the globe who stays late to answer my Qs.
Kindness exists.
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
Mark Twain
It’s become easier than ever to miss it. Just like it’s become easier than ever to miss our chance to be kind.
But we can make a choice. To be kind. To see. To understand. To use words, not hands.
Everyone seems to have a lot on their plate. No matter what our social media portrays, we are all dealing with our own battles.
The single mom juggling home and work, the co-worker with a chronic diagnosis, the grocery clerk dealing with her mental health, the neighbor who got fired, the friend getting through a divorce, the slow driver ahead of you struggling to find his exit.
So instead of reacting and blaming others, maybe it’s our turn to make a decision. To be kinder. To be patient. To empathize. To smile and wave.
Let’s make someone’s day better. It’s good for our hearts and well-being too!