Someone posted a “game” on Facebook:

If you had to choose between being thought right or kind, which would you choose?

Was there ever a time in your life when the other was more important?

When did that change?

Now granted, it’s just a game. Nothing says you have to choose, or even play along. But thinking about it is a good exercise, for your mind and your morals.

First, when I read this I wondered what “right” meant. Nothing deep here, just does it mean that you are factually correct? or that you are morally good? Not sure it really matters for the exercise.

I recall being a teenager, being proud to be an asshole, and needed to be right, in the “correct” sense of the term. Of course, I still prefer to be correct (I have greater understanding and appreciation for the cost of lies, mistakes, etc.), but I do think now I prefer to be kind.

Is it because I’m growing older? Is it because I’m growing up?

Or maybe it’s because I see the world is being overrun by assholes?

I don’t know for sure why I’ve changed.

Maybe because more people are willing to listen to me because I’m kind, because I’m nice, because I’m not an asshole who is out to lecture with a “FUCK YOU!” attitude. I see more success in my life coming from my having been kind.

Or maybe I’m just tired, because trying to always be right is a lot of work. Being kind can be as simple and effortless as a smile.

I do like smiling at people. Just walking down the street or the hallway at work, looking at the people I’m passing, giving a genuine smile, looking them in the eye, and saying “Hello”. Not everyone gets it or reciprocates, which is fine. Those that do always bring a little joy back into my life tho — it’s nice to receive kindness. We never get if no one gives, and since we all like to get, that means we need to be the first to give.

That which is right, be it a factual truth or a moral truth, it will be there, evident and on its own. It doesn’t really need me – or you – to be right. It just is, and will be. But kindness, that’s something that comes from people. That’s something that doesn’t exist unless people are kind.

This isn’t to say I want to be wrong, and I will still strive to be right (correct, moral). But I guess if I have to choose? Kind. These days everyone wants to be right. Wouldn’t it be great if instead everyone wanted to be kind?