Kindness amid chaos

As a heart-centered woman, my life’s mission has been to share compassion and love in every space I enter. But lately, I’ve felt the heaviness that so many of us carry — a heaviness born from a world that is growing rapidly discordant each day. We are surrounded by news of wars tearing countries apart, divisive political changes that threaten our sense of community, and a culture that often prizes self-interest over collective well-being.

At times like these, it might not seem easy to keep choosing kindness. Yet, I feel deep in my soul that this is precisely when it matters most.

I remember reading a line from the Dalai Lama: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” These words echo in my heart every morning when I scan my subscription news articles from the New York Times. I feel the urge to retreat from current events that seem filled with harshness. Instead, I breathe deeply, center myself, and choose to see my inherent kindness not as a weakness, but as my superpower — a conscious, radical act that defies the coldness around me.

I don’t stick my head in the sand but make a second choice — accept that the world’s pain is real. Denying it or minimizing it doesn’t help me grow stronger; it only distances me from my humanity. I allow myself to feel grief over the conflicts, the injustices, and the loss of compassion in many public spaces. By honoring and accepting my emotions, I keep my heart open rather than shutting it down in self-protection.

Staying heart-centered during harsh times also means choosing where I focus my attention. I know my energy is precious. When I doom-scroll through endless streams of negativity found on social media feeds and Op Ed columns, I drain that energy and feed on despair. Instead, I seek out stories of courage and goodness. In fact, I subscribe to a newsletter called Nice News. 

I also connect with people who remind me that kindness is still alive — the neighbor who checks in on an elderly resident, or my friend who teaches and stays late to help struggling students, or my activist friends who paint beautiful murals on city buildings. They help restore my faith and strengthen my commitment to be kind.

In times of division, it may feel easier to isolate, but kindness truly thrives in a community. I consciously reach out to my circle, share my vulnerability, and invite others to do the same. Small acts — a handwritten note, a surprise meal for a friend, or simply listening without judgment — create ripples of love that extend far beyond what we can see. I’ve always admired Viktor Frankl and recall his quote, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” We can’t always change the chaos around us, but we can choose to respond with compassion.

It's also critical to practice radical self-compassion. If we think a response to these changing times would be to “hustle” and “toughen up,” it’s easy to forget to be gentle with ourselves. But kindness outward begins with kindness inward. Lately, I’ve been repeating a daily affirmation, “I’m allowed to rest, to feel deeply, and to set boundaries that protect my peace.” If I nurture my own spirit, I can fully show up for others.

Some days, it’s true, I question whether my small acts make a difference. But then I remember the metaphor of the starfish — a story about a woman who throws starfish back into the ocean one by one, even though thousands are stranded on the shore. When someone questions why, she replies, “It made a difference to that one.” My kindness may not stop wars or reverse damaging policies overnight, but it can change a moment, a day, or even a life for someone who crosses my path. I hold onto the belief that each kind act plants a seed, and even if I don’t live to see it bloom, it matters.

I also believe in the power of collective consciousness. When I choose kindness and others are choosing it too, we amplify it. We create a ripple effect that extends beyond our immediate circles and inspires systemic change. We are not powerless, and we are not alone. By choosing kindness again and again, we become living reminders that even in the darkest times, light persists.

So, to all my fellow heart-centered souls: Keep loving fiercely. Keep extending your hands and hearts, even when they are trembling. May we all continue to stand as quiet warriors of compassion, shining light in places where it’s needed most. The world needs us — now more than ever.