Days that get me in contact with people from different walks of life, are days that totally drain me. For it takes a lot to understand the heaviness and magnitude of every single life that passes by, and the fact that we constantly walk around knowing nothing about them.

We know nothing about the heaviness of a heart that misses being around family, and wants to quit a job that no longer serves them well. Or that of a person who’s an exact manifestation of all what anxiety’s about, only that they haven’t learned to give it a name just yet. We know nothing about that distant friend who’s just had surgery behind the scenes, and how their heart burns with every beat, for all the things they’re unable to talk about. We know nothing about the mom who’s had a terrible day at home trying to stop her baby from crying, when she wanted to cry even harder herself. Or the struggles of an entrepreneur who’s mind can’t stop generating ideas with every tick of the clock, and how everyone thinks they’re an inspiration, knowing very little about the literal hell they’ve had to go through for it. We know nothing about those who’ve lost loved ones to death. Or those who’ve lost track of the nights they stayed over at the hospital in horror and doubt.

They’re all around, everywhere. Even if we don’t interact with each of them on a more regular basis.

And yet, we rarely choose to be kind.

We rarely choose to be kind to those whose stories aren’t loud enough. We rarely choose to be kind in a world that constantly breaks us all down. Because we think we’re the only ones going through what we go through.

When we’re really just not.

Our experiences might seem different. Their intensities can vary. The pain may feel too particular. But I promise you, at the end of the day, it all hurts just as bad. No matter who thinks they have it worse. It’s not a competition. It’s life. It’s why we’re here. It’s why we haven’t witnessed the real heaven yet. And it’s exactly why we should choose to be kind every chance we get. Because there’s so much that happens behind what you think you see. So much more than your brain can possibly comprehend.

So be kind.

Please be kind.

The world needs it.