How to (actually) change the world
Our duty to be kind
Be kind.
Aside from the Golden Rule, it’s possible this is the world’s most given advice.
To steal a phrase from the late David Foster Wallace, it has become little more than a banal platitude.
But, like the Golden Rule, this advice, if followed, can have world-changing implications.
When someone (typically from a high horse like the one I’m riding right now) offers this advice, it’s usually inferred, from both the giver and receiver, that to be kind is to go above and beyond the normal call of duty.
Even Tim Ferriss, whom I deeply respect and admire from afar, often ends his podcasts with “be a little kinder than is necessary”.
When did we set the bar so low for simply not being an ass?
I can’t remember the last time I heard someone say, “be more honest than is necessary”.
It can be difficult.
In reality, and here’s another platitude, it’s simple to be kind but it’s certainly not always easy.
We are, by nature, the center of our own universe. And life can be difficult. We have our own problems to deal with, dammit.
On top of that, not everyone is born with a sunny disposition.
So how can we be kind if it doesn’t come naturally or we’re having an off day? The same way you fall asleep each night. First, you pretend.
In a given situation, imagine what an especially kind person would do–and then do that.
It will feel unnatural. It will feel forced. That’s fine. The more acts of kindness that you perform, the more kindness becomes a part of your identity.
Ever heard the term “fake it until you make it”? That applies here.
Why does it matter?
You might be saying a couple of things to yourself: 1) I don’t believe you, and 2) why should I care?
I might read your mind and respond: 1) what does it hurt to try?, and 2) because of the world-changing implications I mentioned earlier and meant literally.
Whether it’s a product of the current social climate or it’s always been this way and we just view the past through rose-colored glasses, there seems to be a serious lack of trust in humanity.
People tend to approach new encounters with other people by assuming bad intent.
If you doubt that, the next time you’re at the store or a restaurant, casually approach someone and watch their initial reaction. I would wager at least 8 times out of 10, the reaction will be defensive.
But the moment you are kind, or are genuinely trying to be, watch that other person drop their defensive posture almost immediately.
The more often this happens, the more trust others are going to have in the goodness of humanity. This will lead to more kindness, which will lead to more trust in humanity, which will lead to more kindness, ad infinitum.
It becomes a snowball effect that can have an impact on future generations.
How’s that for world-changing?
But I’m just one person.
And snowballs begin with a single flake of snow.
At some point, everyone dreams of changing the world. You have the opportunity to change the world every day as soon as you walk out of your door.
By choosing to be a kind person.
Besides, it’s good for you. Being kind will make you a happier person. One of those ever-elusive win-wins.
I’ll end with a popular quote that I’ve added on to at the end: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always. [The future of the world depends on it].”