IFC - S1:R30 entry; Spotlighting the Most Important Thing

The Rules: Create a blog post about the most important thing that, in your opinion, needs more attention.

No sense in burying the lead. I mean, I could be selfish and say the arts, or education, or that everyone should really get to know Jesus Christ (not the church, but the person and teachings of Christ, mind you), but that won't solve the greater issues, IMHO. In fact, I know plenty of artists, educated people, and even Christians (well, they say they are, but...) who are nothing but toxic horrible individuals. So? What is my answer? Kindness. Now, I'm not saying everyone should just "be nice". That's not the same, and there is certainly a darker side to "nice". Being "nice" just means not hurting feelings or coddling one another.

Nope to the nope.

Kindness.

Kindness can mean being nice, but it can also mean tough love. It can mean doing and saying what is difficult in order to help a person be better. Kindness helps us reach our potential in a positive manner. Kindness is an avenue for understanding and tolerance when we may not get along. Kindness is a pathway to peace - between brothers and sisters, between cultural divides, and even between nations.

If more people would adopt kindness as their default approach - their filter, if you will - to every single thing, then this world would change for the better.
People, and even animals, are generally terrible, toxic, etc. for a reason. Kindness helps us find that reason and help that horrible individual cope, and hopefully heal. Kindness, essentially, can heal the world.
Ultimately, kindness is this: treat others how you would want to be treated, be positive, exhibit compassion for others, be of use to others, and maybe most importantly, love yourself and love others.