Kindness Matters!

I have never much cared for the way some people insist that they are a "nice" person, often followed by some diatribe about how the world keeps on wronging them.

I don't much care for "nice."

It's possible that I'm a nice person. It's also possible that I am not a nice person. Truthfully, I don't have a horse in that race.

The thing about "nice," is that it's one of those nebulous and ambiguous expressions, along the lines of "having fun." What the eff does that mean? My fun and your fun might be completely different and not compatible, in which case we might each exist that the other doesn't know what "having fun" means.

And yet... we do.

So while I may not be a nice person, I do feel somewhat invested in something related, namely kindness. Which — as far as I am concerned — is in alarmingly short supply, in this world of ours.

While I feel somewhat ambivalent about giving my time and energy to nice people, I will almost always go out of my way to give my time and energy to a kind person.

For me, kindness is more than just doing favors for others in need; it addresses the way someone lives their life. And it's not just about other people, it's also about being kind to yourself.

I always find it slightly sad when someone who's genuinely kind and giving does not extend that kindness to themselves.

No, being kind to yourself is not selfish... in most instances, I would classify it as exercising healthy self-care, something we often overlook.

Kindness is also not some short-term gig. Sure, it might be kind of someone to mow their elderly neighbor's front lawn, but it's not like a contract gig in which you are "in, do the job, and then out." Authentic kindness is more like a lifestyle than anything.

And it's certainly not virtue signaling!

Genuinely kind people are alarmingly rare. I have known maybe a half-dozen such people in my lifetime, and I have treasured them all. Sadly, they have all either passed away... or they live far far away and we only stay connected through this virtual world.

The point here being that the world is a better place because they are in it.

What saddens me is that kindness is far too often taken for granted, or even abused, by those who seek only to gain from their interactions... not to exchange, and engage in relations that are — ultimately — a win-win, or give-give situation.

I have always tried to be kind to people... even to those who perhaps were not deserving of it. As I age, I have grown more discerning, as there is only so much energy to spread around.

Earlier today, I saw an old photo and found myself remembering a very early part of my childhood, and having the very clear thought — while watching older family members arguing over seemingly nothing — "why can't people just be kind to each other?"

All these years later, I still ponder this question...

I hear those who describe empathy, sensitivity, kindness and gentleness as weaknesses, and I hurt inside... while also worrying that the vast majority of the world must be mentally ill.

Or, at the very least, stuck in their trauma complexes.

Kindness matters. Please try to remember that...

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great rest of your week!

How about YOU? Do you know any truly kind people? Do you consider yourself a kind (not necessarily "nice") person? How important is kindness, to you? To the world, in general? Leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

(All text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is ORIGINAL CONTENT, created expressly for this platform — Not posted elsewhere!)

Created at 2025.09.01 18:22 PDT
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