Every December, people like to look back and reflect on how their year went. It’s a time to reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s also the time that people decide what their New Year resolutions will be. Every year, you hear the same typical answers; live healthier, workout more, try something new, get all A’s next semester. Whatever the resolution may be, somehow at the end of each year, we disappoint ourselves. We work hard for about a month or so striving to stick to our new plans but for most, we fail at keeping up with it.

This past year has been a whirlwind of upsetting news and a divided country. Not to sound too political, but it’s disheartening to see so many people be at odds because of political views, beliefs, ethnicity, and gender. Throughout 2017, there was pain, anger, hatred, distress, trauma, and suffering. Every time you turn the TV on it seems like there is another story about heartbreak or hatred. It’s sad to think that this is the kind of world we live in. Where we must tiptoe around important issues because we are afraid of being condemned for our beliefs or views.

The world needs more hope, happiness, and kindness. Too many of us sit on the sidelines and watch the world become divided and fractured. Often, I find myself on that sideline often, not wanting to be dragged into conversations that become hostile because of different beliefs. But as I’ve reflected on the past year, there is one underlining thing that I believe can help change the way we think and that is through kindness.

It never hurts to be kind to those around you. As individuals, we decide every day whether we want to be kind and loving or closed off to others. As 2017 comes to an end, my resolution is to be more kind to those around me. So why should you join me? Because you never know what someone is going through. Our words and actions do have an effect on those around us. Imagine seeing someone struggle to carry their books across campus or someone who looks distraught after an exam. It never hurts to walk up to that person and offer your assistance or an encouraging word. It can change their mood, their day and from a wider perspective, it can change the way people view others entirely, which is exactly what we need.