When we pay attention, we all know, deep down, when something is wrong. We know that to harm another person—whether with words or with actions—runs against the grain of our shared humanity. Yet common sense, as the saying goes, may not be so common anymore.
We’ve all been surprised by kindness at some point in our lives. A gentle gesture, an unexpected word, a helping hand when we least expected it. These moments restore our faith. But how do we multiply them? How do we inspire more people, in more corners of the world, to choose kindness deliberately?
Whether you’re reading this in a refugee camp, or from a high-rise overlooking the Bay of Bengal in Mumbai, the truth is the same: acting kindly requires so little effort. Yet saying the words, “I’m sorry,” or “I forgive you”—those small but seismic declarations—can feel like acts of impossible courage. But are they really?
The Courage to Pause
Too often we speak before we pause, act before we reflect. The damage lingers. A careless word can take years to heal. A single act of violence can reverberate for generations. What would it mean if we practiced rules of kindness before reacting? A deep breath, a pause, a question to ourselves: Will what I’m about to say or do leave a wound, or offer healing?
A World on Edge
The world feels like a powder keg. Too many of us live with mental pain, fearing that one spark might set the dominoes falling and leave us powerless in the collapse. This fear is real. But fear is not destiny.
Where Do We Turn?
History reminds us that humanity has faced such moments before. We have lived through wars, injustice, famine, and despair. And yet, from every generation, voices rose—Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Wangari Maathai, Desmond Tutu—leaders who showed that compassion, courage, and that nonviolence could alter the trajectory of nations.We can, too.
A Call to Us All
So, what are we to do? Start with kindness. Begin with courage in small things. Refuse to let the spark of hate be yours. Offer the word of healing instead. If enough of us step into that courage—across refugee camps and penthouses alike—the world can shift.The powder keg need not ignite. It can become a fire of compassion.
With warmest regards,
Marilyn
