By McKenna Leavens
I never thought I’d live in a world where kindness was hard to find. I was raised with the idea that everyone does the best they can with what they know.
I try my very hardest not to judge people but by nature we all judge and not just people but things. What sets you apart from the next person is realizing your judgment and reflecting on why you judged someone or something.
Right now we are living in a world consumed by bias. Everyone has a different opinion on how to handle COVID-19 and everyone thinks that their way is the right way. I truly believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own beliefs.
Now if that just pissed you off take a second and reflect on why. Take a second and understand that it’s okay to not be validated in your opinion hence why it’s called YOUR opinion.
I go out in public and see a lady in the mask glare at the child not wearing one, I see people staring at the ground afraid to make eye contact with the cashier. I see fear, unkindness, and resentment.
I am indifferent, I see both sides of the story and I can empathize with both. I feel sad for people who have lost loved ones during these times, as I know how painful it can be to lose someone you love very much.
I also understand what it’s like to lose a job, none of this is easy but being a downright asshole is not going to make it any easier I promise.
I think the scariest thing of all is that COVID-19 isn’t in anyone’s control. We don’t know the full story and so as human beings we try to finish the story with our own thoughts and opinions, well the problem with that is we all have different ones.
Growing up I always heard “listen to someone else’s side of things, I promise you’ll learn something.” I think it’s a beautiful thing that we can live in a country where we are allowed to disagree with one another and openly display that.
It’s okay if someone starts talking and you think they are absolutely insane, but at least you learned something from that conversation- you took away more knowledge than you started with.
Start looking at life with some gratitude instead of what it has taken away from you. ALL of us have some work to do, just start with being kind.