I have had this article in the works for a few weeks now, at least the theme of it; I just could not find the best way to write about 'being nice.'

My first choice had been to approach it objectively (whatever that means). Then I switched to writing a philosophical treatise on it. Neither seem good enough for a theme so important. So I have decided upon simple prose -- I hope you will imagine how each style would have presented these following words and appreciate beauty in its simplicity.

Once we understand that at the base of every human action is the ego (look to it without prejudice, here), we begin to understand why the world is how it is -- we are more comfortable living in ignorance if it means that our ego is left unchallenged.

The alternative is to face the unknown and to be curious -- no wonder, then that most times our first reaction to some new idea is cynicism and criticism. By this measure, we have submitted to the vice of ignorance. Instead, if we applied the same brand of curiosity that gave science and natural philosophy the developments it has, to learning of new people and new beliefs, we would be in a much better place.

I suggest that this 'new' method to be reserved be called kindness and that, we begin by practicing to 'be nice.' To understand what actions we must undertake for that purpose, we must understand its basic principles. They're the following:

1. That the word "sonder" is justified.

We are all living our own lives affected by near infinite parameters, most of which are over our control, but that we have very few to control does not deprive us of power. We are still in charge of one of the greatest powers possible...of how we make someone else feel.

If at the basis of life is validation (that love, fear, resentment, anger, etc. are all stemmed from validation), then our life must not be validated by a third entity like God or a Monarch, it must be made to have meaning by validating each other's.

2. If the first principle is understood then, we are most likely already kind people, but if some pedant somehow perverted the principle of sonder to show that first principle only applies to people we have active physical contact with, then this must supplement the first.

There are at maximum, six people between you and every other person on this planet. Our sonder circles cannot be so small that for every person that would suffer as a result of our actions, there isn't someone we already know who would know the victim.

If you are still unconvinced, know that the interconnectedness of each life goes beyond the circle of life, water cycle, etc. It applies to our energies too -- the greater the negative human energy in the world, the worse our world gets and vice-versa. This argument must convince even the most selfish people to take to being kind.

3. Since being kind and nice starts with self-love, we must be kind because there is nothing else we deserve more.

In fact, this is where my inspiration for writing an article on the theme even comes from. I met some amazing friends over the past year and these friends, in their being, inspired me to take to 'being' too.

This starts by taking care of yourself -- ridding yourself to habits you picked up for some spiteful reason (I am being a hypocrite here, but give me some time), learning to let go of regrets and to understand that we seek for validation from our past selves too (it can't happen, so it's a bad idea) and to do what makes us most happy.

4. Being kind is cool now.

I am kind, so.

5. Greater minds than mine have tackled questions of morality, but in my view, shaped by years of reading and being human.

It seems clear that morality is a truth -- that it exists in an objective form. If you agree with me here, then you will agree here too, that kindness is a moral virtue. By this way, being nice is the truthful thing to do.

Be nice. Smile!