I have been thinking a lot lately about how we talk about being kind. Or ethical. Or whatever word feels right to you when you are questioned about your activities that affect your fellow humans and the earth. And everyone makes it sound like it is a massive task and that it would not bring any change to this world overnight. And honestly? I think that is nonsense. We are just making things harder than they need to be.
We do not need big and performative acts of compassion to make a difference. Our actions are not just judged by their presence on social media or among our friends and family. We just need to deal with the small, mundane things in our lives by choosing to be more humane.
Being humane is trying to see things from the other person’s perspective. Being humane is actively working to reduce another person’s suffering. Being humane is treating people as valuable in themselves, not just as a means to an end for yourself. Being humane is making choices that weigh the impact on others, particularly those who are powerless.
Choosing humane is not hard. What is hard is unlearning the idea that it is. It is necessary, morally good and not really an option. Even if we can not do it all, we should try to do anything small we can. It is okay to try something, realise it does not work, and try something else instead.
I do not have this all figured out either. Some days, I am still the person who fails to be just kind or fails to realise I need to show more compassion. But then I do take the time to understand and do better next time. That is part of it. Being gentle with yourself, too. So, just be humane.
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