Is it me or does it feel like kindness is dying? What’s behind this national dread we are experiencing? Maybe kindness is only taking a back seat.
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Is it me or is society-at-large moving up the ladder of neuroticism? I could be wrong, but I still can’t help but feel it may be true. However, as a man of science, I’d rather have data that backs up my hypothesis, not just say it’s so.
With that said, I haven’t been able to find any really good data out there. By that, I mean looking at actual science. Yet despite this, I feel as if the compassion, at least at large, is slowly being deprioritized. Notice I didn’t say “melted away” or “being eroded”? Why? Well, because I don’t believe that’s what’s going on.
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What makes me feel like kindness is only taking a back seat as opposed to being destroyed, lies within the very route that is making it feel like it’s being obliterated – individualism. There is a real difference between prioritizing oneself as an individual and an individual’s act of kindness.
Here, let me explain. Firstly, it’s important to realize that self-care is not an unhealthy form of prioritizing oneself. In fact, it is needed because in this case, people usually need to stop and take a break because they give themselves too much to others. However, when one constantly prioritizes themselves over what’s best for others is what I am referring to.
Whereas, individual acts of kindness are when people give of themselves to help their friends, their neighbors, and their communities.
How you can make a difference in your community.
Now, I bet you are saying to yourself: “But John, how does this tie into mental health? Well, simple, really. For instance, are you feeling an inexplicable sadness and a feeling of dread, and that society is going crazy? Or do you have anxiety around how uncaring the world seems to be getting? If so, this will inevitably impact your mental wellbeing.
Further, I feel like many of us are in self-preservation mode from the constant barrage of toxicity produced by social media and news outlets. I can’t see how an entire nation of individuals trying to save themselves from the events of today can be good for all of us – can you?
In other words, we are in a sort of negative-feedback loop, or algorithm if you will. I look out for me, so do you and so do millions more. I sense that this only feeds the collective sense of dread. This “safe mode” is not healthy and in my view, moves us away from what’s best for everyone and closer to what’s best for me. I ask you: how can this be good for our mental health?
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With all that said, don’t despair, for many of us on individual levels are doing our best to make a real difference. A good example of this is someone you barely know offering you a ride when your car is in the shop, which is exactly what happened to me last week. A few friends had offered me a quiet place to write, a room in their home or cottage etc. People one-on-one are amazing.
- You’re Only Human
- You’ll Be Okay My Friend
- You didn’t ask for PTSD
- You can’t ignore PTSD
- You can’t control the environment
- You are more than you think you are
So, in conclusion, if you use your authentic self to help others, those around you notice and what’s more, they legitimately care about your well-being. Essentially, kindness, like toxicity, comes back to you and will either ease your mental pain or make it worse. Let’s be kind, grateful, and pay it forward.
