No, this is not clickbait, there is actually a problem with kindness and it needs to be talked about. What I have learned from my nineteen years on this earth is that people can be mean. It’s harsh, but it’s the truth. I’ve lived in many places all over the world, and no matter where I’ve been, there has always been someone who hasn’t treated me the way I deserve to be treated. And I bet a million bucks that you have experienced the exact same thing. I’m not saying this to completely bash the human race, but rather to bring the idea of a lack of kindness to our attention.
Historically, we have evolved in a way to be able to defend ourselves and unfortunately, that instinct is often utilized in the form of violence. From the World Wars, to terrorist attacks, to recent presidential elections, we have all been a witness to how cruel people can be. It seems to me that the majority of our problems are started by not getting what we want, and although it’s good to fight for what you believe in, there’s a way to fight in which kindness is still perceived. Martin Luther King Jr. knows all about that. So to get to the point, the real problem with kindness is we don’t use it enough. It’s out there, I know it is, but for some reason a lot of people in the world can’t seem to use it to its full potential.
Moving to LMU, I have been welcomed into a world of love and compassion, and I couldn’t be happier. Honest to goodness, the people here are some of the nicest individuals I have ever met and I feel so lucky to be at a school where being kind is the norm. Being constantly surrounded by such cheerful people inspires me everyday to pursue optimism and I want all of you to do the same.
As a way to be a part of a generation who can pick kindness over aggression, I’ve made a list of five things to incorporate in your daily routine that will spread the love. It’s the little things in life that make people smile, so, although these may seem small or insignificant, just know they will make all the difference. In no way do you have to do these things, but I think they’re a great place to start.
Number 1: Say hi to your professors (inside and outside the classroom)
Although you may not know them that well, they do occupy a good chunk of your week. So, if you see them around campus, say hello! Or even if you arrive early to class, fill the awkward silence with a “How are you?” or “How’s your day going?” A friendly smile is the best gift ever and it literally costs nothing at all. Your professors work really hard to give you the best education they can, so being comfortable with them and being able to say hi to them when you see them benefits both sides. Maybe a simple act of kindness may bump your grade a little. Just kidding, but seriously.
Number 2: Call your mom
I don’t think anyone in the world who is not a mom fully understands the amount of love mothers have for their kids. Any mom in the world would be absolutely thrilled to hear from her baby, so why not give your mama that little bit of happiness. Take 5 minutes out of your day (I know you have 5 minutes) and let her know how much you love her and miss her. Just a quick call will remind her that you care, especially if you live far away. And if you’re in a fight with your mom right now, or even just haven’t spoken to her in a while, all the better. Now’s your chance to reconnect and trust me, it will be worth it.
Number 3: If someone is doing a good job, let them know
Often times, our hard work goes unnoticed, and if you’ve ever experienced this, you know that it sucks. So, if you see someone doing something well or just doing something that’s special in one way or another, let them know. Even if they’re a stranger, it’s still something that you should do. And who knows, maybe you’ll make a new friend or find your soulmate just by complimenting them on what they’re doing.
Number 4: Hold the door open for someone
An average door weighs 150 pounds, but add those door hinges and your looking at a 10 pound push or pull. That’s nothing! If you see someone struggling with a full load from the distribution center or simply just a person walking towards you, hold the door open for them. The amount of times I have seen a domino effect result from one person holding the door is crazy. It also just feels really great to know that someone recognizes you and cares enough to delay their morning commute by a few seconds. And remember, the longer you hold the door, the more poppin your biceps are going to be, so you might as well just stand there welcoming people all day long.
Number 5: Remember to love yourself
This is the easiest yet the most neglected form of kindness known to man. Being able to stop for a second and recognize that you are seriously the sh*t, is so good for you. Especially on those days when you aren’t looking or feeling your best, remind yourself that there are so many people who love you, so why not love yourself? Loving yourself will allow you to feel happy, and when you’re happy, you are going to naturally pass on that joy to someone else. So, bring on the self love!!
To wrap things up, being kind is something that we are all capable of and it’s something we should all use as often as possible. I honestly believe that kindness is at the basis of all success, so if you want to see a thriving world around you, be a part of the kind club. Ellen Degeneres closes her show in the best way possible, so I’m going to close this article the same way; Be kind to one another. Bye bye :)