American writer George Saunders spoke at Syracuse University’s graduation in 2013. I just saw an excerpt of his speech in the Small Bow newsletter written by A.J. Daulerio. I’ve been working on trying to meet this goal in other ways recently. But I was struck with all well Saunders said 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 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.