This last month I’ve received more alerts on my phone (courtesy of BBC News) about shootings and attacks than I ever thought would be possible in such a timespan. Orlando, Dallas, Nice. But there are also countless others that occur around the world that we don’t necessarily learn about.
But I don’t want to talk about those depressing issues. But not for the sake of remaining ignorant and out-of-the-loop, because ignorance is not bliss.
At the memorial in Dallas, honoring the officers killed by sniper fire, President Obama insisted “that we are not as divided as we seem” (Saenz and Marshall). That doesn’t mean we should be complacent about where we are.
If anyone saw the ESPYs, then you saw Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James address the recent racial incidents in the U.S. If you didn’t, please check it out: I can’t write anything that would do it justice.
There have been a lot of calls for reform and for change and for attention to issues that seem to plague us more and more. I’m not going to address those, though. What I want to do is spread my own message. And, to put it as simply as possible, that message is to just be kind to other people.
So, what do I mean exactly when I say “be kind?” I don’t know, because I don’t think there is a definitive definition to that phrase. I know everyone has their own way of being nice, like holding the door open for the person 10 feet behind you, or complimenting someone on their hair, or…whatever else.
We need to remind ourselves that we’re part of a bigger thing, and that we exist alongside one another. We’re too busy focusing on ourselves and our desires, when sometimes we need to set aside our own personal desires and instead focus our energy on helping others.
Kindness spreads, I truly believe that. If you’re kind to someone, someday they’ll share their kindness with someone else. I’d like to think of it as a ripple effect: that kindness spreads out from you. But I know that’s not the case: not everyone recognizes or appreciates that sentiment, and so not everyone spreads it. Also, there are just a few people who are jackasses.
But don’t let those people stop you. Don’t let them deter you from doing what you can do.
There are a lot of ways to help and be kind to people. You’ll find your own way, but you have to be conscious about it. I wrote an article about Jim Carrey before, and in it I referenced this quote:
“The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is. Because everything you gain in life will rot and fall apart, and all that will be left of you is what was in your heart.”
This is the mantra I choose to live by. And in a time when it seems like humanity is going in a downward spiral, remember that we’re not as divided as we seem. But that gap can be bridged if we’re willing to reach out to someone and extend our kindness to them.
Really, I’m just tired of all this violence. I’m tired of all these phone alerts. And, honestly, I’m writing most of this when I’m half-asleep, so a lot it is just rambling.
Be kind, people. Please.
