When I was a little girl, my sisters and I would fight over the craziest things. We’d go on and on about silly things until mom would look at us and say, “Can’t you just be nice?”
There are times in our lives when we are so caught up with the things going on around us that we fight to be right and to be heard, but we forget to be nice. Our vision becomes narrow and limited. Even at the best of times, our lenses have become covered with smudges and we just can’t see our way toward kindness.
When I see someone rant on social media, saying hurtful things about others who don’t share their views, I just want to shout out, “Just be nice!” It’s ok to disagree, but when we make others feel small or shameful to for holding their point of view, we’ve crossed a line that’s hard to come back from.
Friendships are lost. Families torn apart. So many people wounded and lashing out to hurt others. All of this could easily be avoided if we would just be nice.
How can I make a difference, you ask? By being nice! It’s the little acts of kindness that make a difference. When you see someone cold, offer them a blanket, a cup of hot tea or a coat. When you see someone hungry, buy them a meal or give them part of your lunch.
If someone rants about something, don’t feed their fire by responding in kind. Instead, counter with a positive post. Douse the fire, don’t add more sticks and cause more hurt and anger.
People everywhere have a right to agree or disagree with you, but learn to be graceful and grateful. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same. It’s those differences that make us who we are.
So in your race this week, remember to just be nice. Spread it on and let’s change our world.