K is for Kindness

Kindness. It seems a fairly simple word. And it seems a fairly easy concept. I think it can be, but we often allow our filter of the world and our view of how things "should" be interfere, that we don't often leave room for kindness. The thing is, kindness is so desperately needed and so very lacking in today's world.

There's an interesting phenomena that's taken place with the increase in our use of computers and the internet. One can say just about anything and remain anonymous, which seems to give some people license to be especially cruel and hateful with what they say. Take this for example. What was a wonderful, fun moment for this couple turned into people thinking it was okay to spew meanness. Over 1) people they didn't know and 2) over something that is inconsequential and 3) is none of their business.

Or you hear more and more stories of bullying. Of people being cruel to others because of their sexual orientation, physical limitations, looks, developmental ability...the list could go on and on. It reminds me of this:

So where did it all go wrong? When did we stop imparting basic human kindness to others? When did we decide it was okay to say horrible things to another person either online or in person?

With the anniversary of Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers or Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood) birthday recently, there were a lot of articles about him and his limitless (or so it seemed) kindness for every single person he met. I think about that a lot and one of the things I aspire to is to not just be like Fred Rogers, but to be the person Mr. Rogers thought I could be. And that starts with being kind as much and as deeply as I possibly can with everyone. It's not easy some days as some people are less than lovable, but that doesn't give me permission to be mean either.

Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.