DW's Blog

The Benefit of Kindness

by DW Green — October 2, 2019

There is no guarantee that they will return the favor

“Wherever there is a human being, we have an opportunity for kindness.” —Seneca, On the Happy Life

The first person you meet today—passing acquaintance or friend—no matter the context—positive or negative—is an opportunity for kindness. It is an opportunity for benefit. For both of you. You can seek to understand where they are coming from. You can seek to understand who they are, what they need, and what forces or impulses might be acting on them. And you can treat them well and be better off for it.

The same is true for the second person you encounter, and the third. Of course, there is no guarantee that they will return the favor, but that’s not our concern. As always, we’re going to focus on what we control: in this case, the ability to choose to respond with kindness.