In these days of constant negativity, it’s hard to give a person a reason to believe in the good in the world. It’s hard to see the beauty of humanity. You may not be able to fix everything, but you’re the only person who can provide that one ray of hope that someone needs to carry them through their day. Be good, help others and become a reason someone believes in good people.
In the present time it’s hard to believe someone. With all the bad happening in the world; people are losing hope in good people and it’s getting hard to find one. We need to give them a reason to believe again.
Everyone is bad, no one wants to change, then why should you? The problem is, all of us think this way. That’s why nothing change. We have to change ourself first. “Let the goodness begin with you.”
Before asking someone else to change, it’s better to change yourself first. Because you have some control over you only. There are many things you can do to be better. Things you have control over. It’s hard but if everyone does it, it should work for the better of the world.
We all know how cheerful it is to wear a smiling face all the time. So don’t hurt others but rather be the main reason why they will smile. Because of some act you may show some day, that little act can make someone happy all his entire life. And that is exactly the kind of person you should be. Not someone others will be mad to live with. That is why we keep on remembering comedians even after their death. Why because, we smile whenever they open their mouth.
Compassion, empathy, and faith in people: the pillars of kindness
Simply put, compassion is our capacity to recognize and feel sympathy towards those who are suffering. I know it may not always seem like it these days, but it’s actually something that comes naturally to us since it’s a vital element of a species’ survival.
After all, if we don’t care about each other we can’t care for each other. Since every single last person on this earth has needed someone to take care of them at some point (and not just when we’re defenseless babies), you can see imagine how quickly our species would come to an end without at least some sense of compassion.
Empathy and compassion go hand-in-hand. When you adopt a more compassionate state of mind, you’ll naturally start looking at the world through a more empathetic lens. That, in turn, leads you to assume the best of people. This is best described through an example.
Imagine that you’re driving home from the store, and a guy cuts you off in traffic. He just pulls right out in front of you, forcing you to slam on your brakes to avoid hitting him. Your first thought is “What a jerk!” You return his guilty look by flipping him off and screaming expletives at him.
Now, look at the scenario through a more compassionate and empathetic lens. Why do you think he cut you off? Maybe he just got a call saying that his child was injured at school and on the way to the hospital. Perhaps his wife just called saying that she’s in labor. Maybe he just lost his job and was lost in his thoughts about how he’ll afford to keep a roof over his kids’ heads.
There are so many potential reasons that have nothing to do with “because he’s a jerk.” No, it doesn’t’ change the fact that he almost caused an accident, or that you’re feeling a bit shaken from that near miss. But it does change how you respond to the incident.
Instead of flipping him off when he gives you that “I’m so sorry” look, you respond with a smile and a wave. At that moment, at a time when he is expecting the worst response from you and instead gets gentle forgiveness, you become the reason he believes in good people.
That mindset, that way of looking at the world and treating people, is really the heart of living a life filled with kindness. It’s how we become better people and create a gentler society.
What could be considered “goodness”?
- Go that extra mile when you see something is missing.
- Reach out to encourage, without expectation of return.
- Provide what’s needed – anonymously if possible.
- Smile even when you don’t feel like it.
- Clean up a mess, especially if you weren’t involved.
- Open doors for others – figuratively speaking.
- Be with someone. Just be. No words, or advice.
- Give a verbal hug to someone who has felt rejected.
- Let go of something. Release your anger or expectation, or…
- Care for something that’s not your responsibility.
- I’m sure there are more! What would you add?
Kenrick Vaz 