Carbon copies are overrated.

 We live in a world filled with hate, cruelty, disrespect, and an unwillingness to accept that which makes us human. There are endless people who spend their every waking moment on making others feel less than. Every chance they have, they take to insult, bully, ridicule, blame, chastise, harm, hurt, abuse . . .

It does not take much to be kind. No one gets hurt through showing and sharing kindness.

Now, I'm not talking about being taken advantage of. There is, of course, a massive difference between kindness and expectations. There is a distinct difference between kindness and a lack of respect. Everyone deserves to be respected and treated well, and that includes having your boundaries upheld.

I am not about to claim life is easy by any means; rather, I am advocating for a world in which we don't add to the pain. A world in which we strive to assist and raise each other up, nor tear our peers down.

Love and kindness has been weaponised. It is has been turned into something to despise. At least, it has by so many around us. Why? Why do an ever increasing number of people set out determined to ruin a person's day? Where is the joy in tearing apart someone's achievements? In judging their lifestyle? Their struggles?

No one person is the same. That's the beauty of life. Meeting new people, trying new things, learning, exploring, living . . . It would be incredibly tedious if we were all carbon copies of a preset make and model. Our originality is what makes life so beautiful, so worth living.

And, yet. Here we are. With the never-ending cycle of hate, lies, and pain.

Kindness doesn't cost us anything. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Kindness exists in so many forms, and it can be the smallest of actions or words that makes a person's entire day. You don't have to shout a fancy dinner or an expensive holiday across countries. It could be as simple as a smile or a wave hello. It could be a hand written message or a good morning text. It could be a sincere, "Congratulations!" Offering a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, acknowledging a person's feelings . . .

You don't always need to have a solution. Quite often, there is no solution. Sometimes . . . Sometimes, we just need to know we're not alone.

No one is demanding you give all your time to every single person in the world. No one is demanding you be best friends with every single person in the world. I know I'm not.

Rest is important, and so is self-care. We need to look after ourselves, so we can be there for others. In order to not run ourselves down. This isn't about insisting we give all we have to every single situation or request that comes our way, and we can absolutely say no. We are entitled to say no. That is a simple fact. No one, including myself, is saying otherwise.

All I, and those in agreement with me, want is a world where we don't have to fight to survive every day. A world where we have each other's backs. A world where we want to see the best for everyone, not only ourselves.

I'm not saying we bare a responsibility for others. We don't. Unless otherwise taking on such a role, such as were we to become a doctor or a parent, for instance. In general, though, no. We are not responsible for others. But. Why does that mean we must be dismissive? Why does it result in endless cruelty?

Why do so many believe that in order to succeed, we must first tear others down?

Life is not a competition. One person's success does not diminish your own. One achievement does not negate another, in the same way as one person's struggles do not detract from ours.

Why do so many people insist that one problem is not worthy of complaint or stress? Why must one be more 'valid' than another? Okay. So, one person's biggest problem might be a broken nail. It might not be much to you or I, but it is to the person with said broken nail in that moment. They are harming no one by discussing their emotions or perception of such a situation.

Where do we draw the line?

Where do we stop drafting comparisons?

The loss of one parent? Both? Witnessing tradegies? Being a part of said tradegies? Losing a job, a hobby, an ability? A friendship ending or moving houses? A parent's divorce? Grief?

When do we decide enough is enough?

I say now.

Every day is worse than the last. Social media and the internet is riddled with spewed hatred. The same tired old statement is hurled at anyone who will listen, or those who dare to call them out. "Freedom of speech!" And, yet. They forget, that does not mean freedom from consequence. They forget they do not have the right to make a person's life harder.

And, that. That right there is the key because if we cannot help, we do not have to hurt. If we don't want to do something, or we can't do something, we simply walk away or explain with respect. For that in itself is kindness at its heart.

We lose nothing by being kind.