We pass by strangers every day — at the store, on the sidewalk, at work, in traffic. We nod, maybe smile politely, and move on. But what if we could see the weight each person carried? What if grief, exhaustion, heartbreak, or loneliness came with visible signs?
They don’t.
And that’s exactly why kindness matters.
Not everyone wears their wounds on the outside. Most people don’t. That person who snapped at you may have just lost someone they love. The quiet one at the coffee shop might be struggling with anxiety. The coworker who seems distracted might be caring for a sick parent or battling their own health issues.
Kindness isn’t about grand gestures. It’s in the little things — a smile, a gentle tone, a bit of patience. It costs us nothing but might mean everything to someone else. In a world moving fast and often harsh, our smallest kindness might be the only softness someone receives all day.
So when they ask, “Why is it important to be kind?” — here’s why:
Because you never know who’s barely holding it together.
And maybe, just maybe, your kindness is the thread that keeps them going!
Kenrick Vaz 