I don’t know if you have a social media feed like me, but you probably do. A feed that’s been filled with so much hate and people that used to be friends turning on each other throughout this whole election process. Well, the election is over and America’s next president has been declared.

Here’s what needs to happen now, kindness. Kindness needs to happen right now and it needs to start with you. You can share your political stance all you want, but do not attack the opposite party. You do not need to do that. I honestly want to cry because I have to write an article on this. An article to remind you to be kind.

Do you remember in kindergarten when we got stickers for being kind, and we got a designated time for naps and snacks? I think it’s time we reinstate those practices. Set aside time for naps and snacks, after all, that is the time where you are taking care of yourself. But don’t forget about that sticker, make sure to be kind and earn that sticker.

Aesop wrote in the story “The Lion and the Mouse,” “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop died in 564BC. It’s been over 2,000 years and this is still a lesson a lot of people need to learn. So, let me tell you about some things that can be considered acts of kindness; not writing something mean on social media, holding a door for someone, sharing food, smiling at someone, not posting a mean reply to something on social media, picking up something someone dropped, listening to music with headphones while in public, not starting an argument, allowing people to have opinions that differ from your own and there’s a lot more I’m leaving out.

Start being kind now. Stop the arguing and calling people names. Start being kind. The world needs more kindness. We need to band together and stop the hate that is spreading all over the place. I do not care who you voted for in this election, but I do care if you’re being a kind person.