As Aesop once said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” In the society we live in today, sometimes kindness is lost between all the hatred and sadness. Doing one small act of kindness a day could leave a big impact.

Kindness is not defined by grand gestures or materialistic objects. It isn't something you do in hopes of getting something in return. Kindness comes from the heart and has a positive impact on the people around you. Kindness radiates light and warmth that creates a positive space and environment, not just for you, but for everyone who witnessed the act of kindness. Like a smile, kindness is contagious. There are so many small acts of kindness that we can do on a daily basis. No matter how big or small, any act of kindness could totally turn a person's life around.

What happens when people are unkind? The National Bullying Prevention Center stated that one out of every five teens are bullied. While bullying can be very extreme, such as using harsh words or being physical, bullying can also be as little as making a joke about someone's clothes or the way they look. Bullying creates this feeling inside the victims that they are not wanted or that they don't fit in. I’m sure all of us have said a joke that was funny at the time, but could have really hurt the person deep inside. We never stop to think about what the person might be going through. We don’t realize that words can hurt. However, one act of kindness could help anyone and really turn how they are feeling around. Kindness creates this ripple effect and once someone experiences or sees an act of kindness the ripple just continues.

Will there ever be perfect harmony in the world? No. Will all of us be kind 100% of the time? No. But as a community, our goal is unity. So, why don’t we all try our hardest to become the best versions of ourselves we can be. Even though we may all look different or come from different walks of life, doesn’t mean we have to act like it. If we all went through our day being kind, the world would be a little brighter. I challenge you to step up to kindness and be a light in the dark.