A Choice to Be Kind, Not an Obligation

You owe the world basic decency. Whenever I feel wronged or completely frustrated with someone I try to downplay my feelings by saying things like, ‘it’s their life.’ ‘They don’t owe you anything’. That’s not true though, if they had any sliver of decency or modicum of respect for our bond they wouldn’t have done that. Saying they don’t owe me anything applies when I’m asking for something they aren’t entitled to give me. As a friend or someone who has shown that they have a place for me in their heart they should be more accommodating. People say they don’t owe anyone anything to avoid having any responsibilities. No one owes anyone anything, but there are some things that should make you question your morality. I can’t walk around and see the world flow past me without trying to insert myself in any positive way I can. No one has to become a martyr or a saint, but a little help could go a long way for someone.

It feels like doing my part in the world when I can be of assistance. It’s so gratifying to be a difference that could make someone’s day a bit better. I like to think about how grateful I’d be if the roles were reversed. People experience different things everyday and you can never truly know if your help is the light through the tunnel that they need. Everyone doesn’t govern themselves with the same morals, we have varying views of right and wrong, but it still doesn’t stop anyone from being kind. It does society so much good when you can be of good service to it. The world is slowly crumbling on itself and the evil people experience is enough to last them a lifetime so why not be kind. Not to try and slowly erase what the past did to them, but to make them see that there’s still good in the world.

We aren’t forced to do charity or give more than we have, however if we can shouldn’t we? When some people use the excuse of not ‘owing’ you anything it feels wrong, especially when it is something so little that wouldn’t affect them in any way. This isn’t to say that I should get everything handed to me on a silver platter  because humans are meant to be kind. People begin to get entitled when they get treated with a little bit of favour. They expect that receiving things becomes a norm and not a moment of support. Gratitude slips out the window and is replaced with entitlement, they berate you for not giving them everything they ask for and see your efforts as nothing. The concept of people being unable to help them out skips their mind, after all the people look like they’re living so much better than you are. Regardless of how good they seem to be living though, if the help you need can’t be given then you have to accept that. The lack of consideration makes people regret showing kindness, when it starts to seem like they’d only interact with another person for help then kindness becomes a chore.

I strongly believe in the premise of showing the world love and getting it back, and even if I don’t get it back then I know deep down I did something good. I try to do as much as I can regardless of the reward, someone out there needs the sliver of kindness I could show them. The smallest thing could make their day worse and push them over the edge so why not help out when you can. It also never hurts to reciprocate when you’ve been shown love. Our values, morals, and beliefs vary but the universal gesture of being nice will always be understood. Appreciation and effort go a long way no matter how little is done. You don’t owe anyone anything but we’re all in this world so why not make it comfortable for ourselves. 

Written by, Amina Abdulkareem