Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on kindness-- something that on many days, feels noticeably absent from our society. I often ask myself: what happened to the friendly thank-you wave when you let someone go ahead in traffic? Or the simple “excuse me” when you need to get by in the grocery store? The basic hello or grin when entering an elevator with others?
My list of observations—or perhaps grievances—forces me to make a choice every day. I can let these moments leave me frustrated and hopeless about the state of our world, or I can choose to infuse more kindness into my day-to-day interactions with my fellow humans.
The willingness to assert oneself with compassion and empathy toward strangers may be seen as audacious when competition, conformity, self-indulgence, and individualism seem to be the new American dream.
This phrase often whispers in my mind:
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The Golden Rule is a fundamental ethical principle encouraging individuals to consider how their actions affect others and, in turn, treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. This concept appears in many cultures, religions, and philosophies worldwide, emphasizing empathy, respect, and kindness as the foundation for human interaction. It reminds us to consider others’ feelings and perspectives, promoting fairness and benevolence in our actions and relationships.
Therefore, even when we don’t see eye to eye, we can live with kindness, curiosity, and compassion for others—especially, and even more importantly, for those we assume are not like us, or whom we quickly judge based on how they look, what they wear, who they love, or the pronouns they use.
As we move through our days, small acts of kindness can ripple far beyond what we see. Each moment is an opportunity to choose empathy over indifference, connection over distance. I invite you to carry the Golden Rule in your heart—not as a rule to follow, but as a gentle reminder of our shared humanity.
Thank you for taking the time to reflect with me today. May kindness find its way into your day, and may you feel held by the simple, powerful truth that we are all in this together.