The Power of Kindness and the Freedom of Forgiveness

Every day, we are inundated with news of tragedies—natural disasters, horrible accidents, violent acts, and moments of unimaginable loss. It can feel like the world is unraveling at the seams, and with each headline, the weight on our hearts and minds can grow heavier. I want to know what’s happening in the world, but then I sometimes avoid the news, because it seems there is something negative happening every day. Then there are the challenges happening within our own families. It seems like it’s literally something every day. This is one of the reasons I decided to share a message today. Being overwhelmed with life can bring us down emotionally and physically. I was feeling overwhelmed, so I decided to think amount kindness and how it affects me/ and maybe you too!

There are the moments that break through the darkness—acts of kindness, small and simple, yet profoundly moving.  People helping one another just because, or someone offering a warm smile and a kind word. Sometimes I get emotional when I experience this or see acts of kindness, because it’s so desperately needed, and when I see it, I’m reminded of what truly matters, and I wish I’d see more of it. 

Not long ago, I was out running errands, feeling overwhelmed by everything on my mind. Out of nowhere, a stranger looked me in the eye, smiled, and said, “Hello.” I said hello back. Then he said, “I hope you have a great day.” It caught me off guard. In that instant, the stress, the exhaustion, the sadness I had been carrying felt just a little lighter. It was a simple gesture, but it was something I needed at that time. 

That’s the thing about kindness—it doesn’t have to be grand. You don’t need to donate millions of dollars or start a nonprofit to make a difference. The simplest acts—a smile, a hello, a compliment—can be life-changing for someone who’s struggling.

Something else I’ve realized is it actually takes a lot more energy to be mean than it does to be kind. Holding onto anger, resentment, or cruelty takes a toll on your mind, body, and spirit. It drains you.

Have you ever noticed how exhausting it feels to be around someone who is constantly negative or rude? Now compare that to how refreshing it feels to be around someone who radiates kindness. It’s lighter. It’s easier. It feels good.

Kindness doesn’t require effort the way bitterness does. A kind word, a small gesture, a moment of patience—these things don’t take anything from us, but they give so much to others. And in return, they make us feel better, too.

Another truth I’ve come to understand is that forgiveness is a form of kindness—to yourself.

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you accept what they did, and it doesn’t mean you excuse it. It doesn’t mean you’re saying, “I forgive you for what you did to me.” It means, I’m no longer going to let what you did keep me stuck. I’m choosing to move on.

Many people resist forgiveness because they think it lets the other person off the hook. But the reality is, forgiveness isn’t about them—it’s about you.

When we hold onto resentment, it’s like carrying a heavy pack everywhere we go. It weighs us down, drains our energy, and keeps us stuck in a cycle of hurt. Forgiveness is setting that pack down and saying, I don’t need to carry this anymore.

I know forgiving can be hard. It can feel impossible, especially if someone hurt you deeply. I used to hold onto anger, especially when I as younger. I held grudges and didn’t want to forgive someone if they had wronged me. But I learned that forgiveness doesn’t mean I was excusing their actions. It simply means that I was choosing to move forward without carrying the weight of their wrongdoing anymore.

You don’t have to tell the person you forgive them. You don’t have to let them back into your life. Forgiveness isn’t about making peace with them—it’s about making peace within yourself.

When we forgive, we create space for more kindness, more joy, and more peace in our own hearts. And when our hearts are lighter, we have more to give to the world.

Kindness can feel powerful. When we witness an act of kindness, our brains release oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone.” It helps reduce stress, lowers blood pressure, and even improves overall wellbeing. And kindness is contagious—when we see someone being kind, it may inspire us to do the same.

In a world that can sometimes feel heavy, kindness and forgiveness remind us of the good. They remind us that we are all connected, that we all need each other, and that even the smallest gestures can create ripples of hope.

Being kind may not only bring someone else joy, but it can also lift you up too. So maybe

• Smile at a stranger.
• Compliment someone.
• Let someone go ahead of you in line.
• Send a message to a friend just to say you appreciate them.
• Hold the door open for someone.
• And if there’s someone you’ve been holding anger toward—consider letting go. Not for them, but for you.

Because kindness—no matter how small—matters more than we know. And so does forgiveness.