No matter who you are or what you do, your kindness matters.

When I see good people doing kind things, it reminds me that there’s still good in the world.

One small act of kindness can make all the difference.

The other day, I was in the Detroit airport, returning home from a speaking engagement.

While in the TSA PreCheck line, there were two people in front of me who were obviously strangers to one another.

One was a woman who was brand new to travel, and the person behind her was a young man who was probably in his late twenties.

Because the woman was new to travel, she had no idea what she was doing and was taking everything out of her case.

She kept apologizing to the TSA agent, explaining that she was new and didn’t know what she was supposed to be doing.

The young man could clearly see her distress and offered to help her.

The TSA agent was very frustrated because he wanted her to just go through the line, do what she was supposed to, and move on.

Thankfully, though, the young man was very kind and patient with the woman.

He explained to her that she didn’t need to take her shoes off, she didn’t need to take her computer out, nor did she need to do anything else. All she had to do was put everything on the belt and let it move through the machine.

Once the woman moved through the checkpoint, you could see a huge sense of relief on her face.

We can each choose to be the good in the world.

Kindness matters. And every time we choose kindness, we are choosing to be the good in the world.

Every small act of kindness makes a difference.

The young man’s kindness didn’t end at the PreCheck line.

When the woman moved to the escalator, the same young man was behind her, and I was right behind them.

As we got to the bottom of the escalator, the woman didn’t know how to exit. She nearly fell backward, and the young man quickly caught her.

At that point, he very kindly said to her, “Can I help you get to your gate? I know this is a new experience for you, and it can be completely overwhelming. I’d really like to help you.”

The sense of relief in her face was like nothing I’d seen in a while. The man just looked back at me and smiled.

“Thanks for being a good human,” I said.

He gave a little laugh, and then off they went.

Saying thank you to the young man may not have been a lot. It may have even sounded silly. But I wanted to lift him with my kindness the way he was lifting her with his.

I don’t know if my words helped him, but his kindness definitely affected me.

We have no idea how our acts of kindness can benefit another person. So if you feel impressed to do or say something nice, just do it!

Life is very challenging for so many right now, and they need your kindness.

Our world is in chaos.

With a war in Israel, another war in Ukraine, earthquakes killing thousands, antisemitism on the rise, destructive hurricanes, and violent shootings across the nation, our world really is in chaos.

No matter how you look at it, things don’t seem to be getting any better.

And in a lot of ways, things seem to be getting more and more difficult.

Everyone is struggling, and everyone could use a little more kindness in their lives.

It didn’t take that young man in the airport very long to be kind—maybe just a few extra minutes of his time.

It didn’t put him out, and it didn’t ruin his schedule to help her. He was walking in the same direction for his gate, anyway.

But I’m certain his little act of kindness changed that woman’s entire day.

Kindness matters most to the person receiving it.

Think back to a time when you felt really nervous about something or even afraid.

Imagine if you would have had the kindness of a stranger to help you get through that experience and walk you through it.

What kind of a difference would that have made for you?

I really try to think about that when I’m approaching new situations.

Imagine being the woman in the airport and having that as your first experience with travel.

There were some unkind people, but then a kind person stepped up and helped her through a very challenging situation.

I am certain his kindness really mattered to her.

I challenge us all to be the person who steps up on a regular basis and shows patience and kindness to others.

The world needs a lot more of that right now.

We all have the power to make a difference, no matter how small.

When you are faced with a choice of how to act or react to something, I hope you choose kindness.

I hope that when you see someone struggling, rather than losing patience, you choose kindness instead.

When you see a need, I hope you fill it.

Kindness matters in every situation.

So, let’s do our very best to choose kindness.

Our acts of kindness may seem small, but I promise they can make all the difference to the person who receives them.

And who knows, your kindness to one person may have a ripple effect on so many other people in their sphere of influence.

Barbara De Angelis said, “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”

So, if you want to make a difference in your life and in the lives of others, choose kindness.

Why? Because kindness matters.

And the world needs it now more than ever.