“Here’s something I know to be true, although it’s a little corny, and i don’t quite know what to do with it:
What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.
Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded… sensibly. Reservedly.Mildly.
Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember the most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth?
Those who were kindest to you, I bet.
It’s a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I’d say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than:
Try to be kinder. “
— George Saunders
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I agree with you. When I think back to my greatest regrets, it often has to do with not being kind enough, especially in what I say or write. I like to “tell it like it is” but sometimes, the best thing to do might be just to hold my tongue! Gotta keep working on that. Thanks for a great blog btw – I subscribe on Google and read you regularly!
Lea,
Just wanted to thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate the kind words.
Kindness is a wonderful thing!
I really do appreciate this quote. It’s true. It really is the kindest people who leave the greatest impact on us. There have been times in my life when I feared that I was “too” nice – that I might get taken advantage of, or that I might drive someone away. And then a friend of mine would also tell me something she learned from her mother, which is that if you’re going to err, then err on the side of being too kind.
I agree with your sentiment, Cecilia. Sometimes though, I must confess, I’ve erred in the direction of kindness and been burned. I’ve learned that I still need to work on extending kindness without expectation. Thanks for your insight, Cecilia.
It’s hard to disagree with any of this. Not only do we feel it, but it’s logical. Why is it so easily forgotten? What has happened to this culture that we dismiss kindness without realizing?
Excellent question, Wolf. It is worth exploring and you’ve offered me some inspiration to write a piece about kindness. Thank you so much.
What a fantastic quote! I’m using that one for sure. Kindness is one value that can never be understated. Have a good weekend!
I love this quote and any quote to do with kindness… I’m constantly sharing quotes about kindness with my students because I think it’s so important!