Let’s try kindness at the grass roots

Over the past several weekends, I hiked in the forest preserve near my home. Many hikers I encountered made no attempt to say hello nor acknowledge me. When I first hiked in this forest preserve 20 years ago, most people I met greeted me with a smile and a hello. I have pondered the root causes of this paradigm shift.

Certainly, the pandemic altered people’s engagement with others. Life has returned to pre-COVID days but people’s social interactions have not.

Technology has unequivocally altered our lives. Air pods, headphones and smartphones allow us to isolate and exist in our own cocoon. Furthermore, social media has divided us politically, economically and socially. Additionally, we are inundated daily by horrific events: wars in Gaza and Ukraine rage on, unmitigated acts of violence in schools, nightclubs, and places of worship are commonplace. A rinse and repeat cycle of thoughts and prayers is the outcome with no viable solutions offered.

Finally, the current leadership in Washington, D.C., cultivates a climate of spite, anger and disrespect. We look to our political leaders for hope and inspiration. Sadly, the political climate no longer cultivates common decency and decorum.

Consequently, we collectively experience anxiety and despair while earnestly seeking guidance and hope for a better future. Perhaps it’s time to change the narrative. Instead of looking to our political leaders for leadership, compassion and civility, it must start with each of us. Small, simple acts of kindness: holding the door for someone, letting a car merge in front of you or simply smiling and acknowledging someone you encounter can alter the narrative.

An act of kindness is not a panacea for solving the world’s problems but it’s a start. Be kind; just say hi. Let us strive to make it our mantra.

Lawrence E. Bonk

Roselle