It was almost a decade ago that I attended a Town Hall meeting in Wausau to participate in a conversation about the suicide and mental health issues among our young people. One of the panelists at the meeting, in response to various questions about what “we” can do, repeated these words several times: Be kind; be supportive and non-judgmental. The questions were from parents, peers, members of faith communities, teachers, community leaders, neighbors, family members, health care professionals, “we” the people. The message was clear. No matter who we are or what path in life we walk, we each can do something that can make a difference in the life of another person. Be kind. Be supportive and non-judgmental.

The speaker’s simple words go well beyond helping our youth and preventing suicide. They have come back to me many times since then as I hear about almost daily eruptions of violence in our country and around the world. Since that town hall meeting, our nation has endured a pandemic, three very contentious presidential elections steeped in hateful rhetoric, and countless mass shootings in schools and other public places.

In a world where violence and anger seem to be contagious, it seems we need to hear the speaker’s simple message more than ever. It is not a new message, but it is one we must never stop hearing. Long ago, Jesus asked us to love one another as he loved us. He reminded us the two greatest commandments were about love – love of God and love of others. He taught us about care for the marginalized – the poor, the sick, social outcasts, widows and orphans. He taught us about mercy, forgiveness, compassion. And he warned us not to judge.

Mahatma Gandhi said: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” With so many in our world today struggling – physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially – could putting the speaker’s words into practice help? Could it heal the deep divisions between neighbors and nations? Could it help stem the tide of violence, hatred, anger we hear and see so frequently? It seems to be too big a task. But if there is even a small chance that putting those words into action might make someone’s day a little easier, a little brighter, how can I not try? Perhaps our kindness might even stop one act of violence, diffuse one person’s anger.

Be kind. Be supportive and non-judgmental. Imagine if we let those words open our ears, touch our hearts, soften our thoughts, permeate our conversations, nourish our relationships, and influence our decision-making in this new year. If violence and anger are contagious, can’t kindness be contagious too?

Imagine how our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools and faith communities would look if we could each take that speaker’s simple advice and make an effort to practice them every day. Be kind and non-judgmental, starting with family and friends, but also with strangers, and even “enemies”. Practice kindness with the clerk in the store, hold the door for someone, smile and greet the people you pass on the street without judging them, let someone go first in traffic, challenge yourself to only write positive comments online. If practicing that simple advice can make a difference in someone’s life, maybe someday all those differences could change our nation and our world.

Will you join me?

“in a world where you can be anything, be kind.” – Clare Pooley

-Marge Lindell

P.S. For more ideas on making kindness contagious at home, in your school or workplace, and in the community, check out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation’s website.