The world we live in today is so fast-paced and in the now that everyone needs to remember the basics of being kind. Everyone is used to climbing on top of one another, dragging each other down to get what they want, and being rude to people just for the validation of others. Seeking the validation of others is something that is far too common these days, especially with social media. Fame, likes, retweets, and comments are all forms where people seek validation without thinking about how and what they say and do may affect people deep down and in the long run.

I am not the type to get involved with things I see online, but lately, the things I see have resonated with me for a while. I am the type of person to laugh at anything and everything – you could say that I have a dark sense of humour and don’t take anything seriously (or so I am told). But I know I do not have it in me to be rude to anyone for no reason.

What does it mean to be kind?

  • People who are generous, helpful, and think of other people’s feelings.

There are multiple meanings of being kind, but the definition of being kind I am referring to in this piece is about being nice to people – by doing the slightest thing to make someone’s day, whatever it may be.

Kindness is something that I value and cherish. Any act of kindness towards me goes a long way for me, and I always try to reciprocate it back to others the best way I can. I have always tried my best to be kind to others, no matter who they may be. I get joy from making others happy, and kindness is at the forefront of my ability to do just that.

I was brought up to always respect others, especially if they are my elders. Being brought up with those morals has taught me many things in my life – such as that if you do good to others, good will be done to you – good Karma, in a sense. I am a big believer in treating others how you want to be treated – I would even go as far as to say that I live by that in some way or form. I never go out of my way to disrespect people, be rude or upset them for the sake of it.

I am human, so I know there have been times when I have done others wrong or caused them pain in some way. Times when I have lost my cool during tense situations where I was indeed out of character towards those I love. There are times when I have been rude to people out of annoyance and frustration – times I have regretted since. You can’t make everyone happy, no matter how much you try to. Hands-on my heart, I can say that any wrongdoings I have done to those around me were never done with any malicious intent, but rather than me foolishly not thinking and acting out based on emotion and not logic.

As much as being kind can be positive to others, it also has its downfalls and can be negative to those who can feel drained from being nice to those constantly. I know it can be cliché, but people honestly take others’ kindness for weakness, especially in today’s world. In the world we live in today, everyone has a crab-in-the-bucket mentality where they will stab people in the back to do better than them. People in the world will take advantage of those who are always kind to them and use them to better themselves. This would be the one thing I would say I dislike most about being kind – that no matter what, there will be people who will use it against you for their gain.

Being kind is a necessary art form of life and an art form that has been lost. Everyone needs to be more kind to one another, not just for the sake of it, but because you never know how your positive actions may brighten the day of someone you come across. Everyone in the world is going through things; everyone has struggles, so why not be kind to make someone’s day better? Life is hard enough; why make it harder by being rude and negative towards people? What is there to gain from that?

One of my main purposes in life is to remain as positive as possible. It can be challenging – in a hostile world, it can be challenging to smile every day, to see the light in a dark world and society, and be optimistic about things where negativity rules. I hope those reading this understand why I feel the way I do about being kind to people. I hope they can take away from this piece and understand my intention to share my belief that kindness is essential in life.

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.