Kindness is something we all need, yet it often feels like the world has forgotten how important it really is. Every day, we meet people who are carrying their own stories, their own struggles, and their own joys. Some of them walk into my store with a smile that lights up the room. They laugh, they share stories, and they remind me how wonderful it feels to connect with others in such a simple, human way. These are the moments that make running a store a joy.
But there are also days when someone walks in carrying a heavy spirit. They might be short with their words, or seem upset about something that has nothing to do with being here. At first, it is easy to take that personally. After all, no one likes being treated unkindly. But when I stop and think about it, I realize we never really know what someone else is going through. Maybe they just got difficult news. Maybe they are exhausted. Maybe they feel unseen or unheard in their own lives. Whatever the reason, their lack of kindness often says more about their pain than it does about us.
That is where the choice comes in. We can respond to unkindness with more of the same, or we can choose compassion. Sometimes offering a gentle smile or a kind word can soften a hard moment for someone else. I have seen it happen right in front of me. A simple “how are you today” or a genuine compliment can turn the energy in a room. It does not take much, but it does take intention.
Kindness does not just change the person receiving it. It changes the person giving it too. When we are kind, our hearts feel lighter. We remind ourselves that we are part of something bigger than our own worries. We create an environment where joy has a chance to grow, not just for us, but for everyone we encounter.
The truth is, life will always bring both kinds of people through our doors. Some will be easy to love and some will challenge us. But every interaction is a chance to practice kindness, even when it is hard. Especially when it is hard. Because the world is not in need of more criticism or anger. The world is in desperate need of more kindness.
So let us try to give a little more patience, a little more grace, and a little more love to the people around us. Whether they are strangers, customers, friends, or family, everyone benefits from kindness. It costs us nothing, but it can mean everything.
And at the end of the day, being kind is not just about how we treat others. It is also about how we choose to live. A life built on kindness is a life filled with meaning, and that is something worth holding onto.