“To be kind is more important than to be right. Many times, what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks, but a special heart that listens.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
Imagine life’s a game where you’re standing at the crossroads, one path leads to ‘always being right’, the other to ‘always being kind’. I’ve tread the path of rightness, thinking it was the road to respect, to influence. Let me tell you, it’s not. It’s a hollow victory. The sweetness of winning arguments fades quickly when you realize you’re standing alone on the podium.
‘Being right’, it’s a bit like the allure of fast food – it gives you that instant gratification, that quick fix of superiority. But it’s not the diet for a healthy social life. I’ve been there, at the drive-thru of righteousness, ordering the Big Mac of superiority, only to end up with the heartburn of loneliness. Trust me, it’s not worth the price.
Now let’s pivot to kindness. It’s the home-cooked meal of social interactions. It might take a little more time, more effort, but boy does it leave you feeling full in the right way. I’ve taken off the rightness blinders and traded them in for the wholesome glow of kindness. It’s turned the tables, inviting others to dine with me, to share ideas and experiences. It’s not about the ego-stroking satisfaction of being right, but the heartwarming joy of being together.
I’ve learned from my journey. And as I move forward, I’m packing more kindness in my suitcase. Because I’ve learned, it’s not about shining alone under the spotlight of rightness, but about illuminating the stage together with the warmth of kindness.