A few weeks ago, I found myself in a lively discussion with my therapist. Telling folks about therapy isn't "by the book," but hey sometimes you gotta color outside the lines, ya know? So there we were tossing ideologies back and forth; good vs evil, right vs wrong, and we cooked up this question: Is it better to be good or kind? I’ve always picked kindness, no matter what comes back my way, but my therapist gave me a puzzled look.

“Why do you choose kindness even when others don’t?”

Right then, I had no clue. Folks often see being kind as a sign you're not tough enough. So you might wonder why stick with it. Why be kind if other’s might not

After some thought, I realized: I don’t choose kindness for others. I choose it for myself.

I often ponder this very question, and sure, I might switch out "kind person" with labels like "kind friend," "kind partner," or "kind neighbor," but the outcome never wavers. "Being good" can twist with viewpoints, yet kindness remains constant. A kind neighbor hauls your trashcan back without needing a prompt. When your day's a mess, a kind partner knows when to steps in and fold the laundry. A kind colleague gives you a hand with work stuff or surprises you with a morning cup of joe! A kind friend gives you their ear, keeping the judgment and unsolicited advice sidelined when you need someone to talk to.

Kindness, in all its simplicity, builds connection.  

Showing kindness, even if it's just a little, can close the space between us. Flash a grin, offer a hand, or ask someone, "How are you?" and truly listen to their response. It rips down barriers and lets others in. Small, kind deeds weave bonds of insight and faith. In a sometimes lonely and distant world, being kind pulls us closer. It's like a language everyone gets that tells folks, “I see you, I care, and we’re in this together.”

Kindness reminds us there’s hope.  

In difficult times, when the world feels heavy, kindness reminds us that goodness still exists. A simple gesture can turn someone’s day around, giving hope that despite everything, there are people who care. Each kind deed acts as a little beacon in the shadows signaling the survival of tenderness and understanding. Kindness proves there's still stuff worth clinging to pushing us forward.

Kindness reveals our inner strength.

Choosing kindness, especially when it’s hard, takes courage. It’s easy to respond to anger with anger or to turn away when things get challenging. But true strength lies in remaining kind when faced with indifference, hostility, or misunderstanding. Being kind proves we're bigger than those knee-jerk responses, and we pick caring over fighting. It’s a quiet resilience that, over time, makes us stronger, more centered, and deeply connected to our values.

In a world where it's tempting to leapfrog over our shared humanity, to sidestep these everyday acts of kindness, choosing kindness anchors us. It connects us in ways that goodness alone might not. We don’t choose kindness because it’s easy; we choose it because it’s genuine. And that’s what makes all the difference.