Each and every day I do my best to be the nicest person I can be, and you should too.

When I was approached to write this story, I was initially excited, but soon after was consumed by something of a disappointment. I should not have to tell people why they should be kind. The idea of being kind is something that should come naturally, no matter the circumstance, no matter the person. Poet, author, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou once said something that has stuck with me.

“If we don’t plant the right things, we will reap the wrong things,” Angelou said. “You don’t have to have an IQ of 150. Just common sense tells you to be kind, ninny, fool.”

If there is anything that can be taken from this article, it’s the fact that there is no reason not to be the nicest you can possibly be. Obviously, there will be moments where you waver, and want to say something that maybe you will regret, but regardless you should take the high road. There is more pride in that than any shade you can throw at anyone.

Let’s think about this really quick. Think of somebody, who you have impacted in a positive way. Now think about how because of the way you made them feel, how they may have impacted someone else in a positive way. Any time you can be the best version of yourself, seize the opportunity. You never know who might be impacted by your actions. If you’re someone who brings nothing but negativity into someone’s life, and they haven’t cut you out, they clearly care about you in some way, shape or form. You owe it to them to be the best version of yourself, always.

It’s the golden rule. We have heard it every year since the beginning of our academic careers, “Treat others the way you would like to be treated.” This quote, while cheesy, is one of the most relatable quotes ever. Nobody wants to be treated poorly. That’s why this quote works. If everyone could truly take this quote to heart, it might actually get through to people. When that happens, I will have impacted someone positively through this story, and there’s nothing I want more than that. We are taught from kindergarten, and even earlier than that, to be kind, be honest and be respectful. Like I said, these ideas have been pushed further and further into our heads every year since then. Due to that ideology being pounded into our brains, we lose touch with our most selfish qualities, and that is something society has needed and still needs urgently. They say money is the root of all evil. In a way, this is true, but how do people get to the point where all they care about is money? They get there through greed, and what might make someone greedy? The lust after money for their own good. Selfishness is the true root of all evil. I’m not saying it is wrong to have ambition, make your money, buy a nice car, live in a big house, do all of it. But they also say money can’t buy happiness. Happiness can be attained through so many ways, and one way is being the best version of yourself for the benefit of everyone who is around you.

It is not our job, as fellow human-beings who make mistakes, to pass judgement on who is and is not worth us being kind to. Everyone deserves to be treated kindly, even when we don’t exactly want to be. More than that, especially then. It’s a simple act. It’s telling someone they look nice today, it’s telling someone that you appreciate them, it’s telling someone that you’re glad to have them in your life. It is so simple to say these things, but they mean more than anyone will ever know. So, I leave you with this, if you do nothing else today and for the rest of your life, be the best version of yourself possible.