I found this inspirational quote last year and reposted it on Facebook this past week.  I got a lot of “likes” on it and I agree.  It deserves a lot of likes.  Neil deGrasse Tyson is a well known American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator.  While I do not even pretend to understand half of what he writes and talks about I do understand this quote.

Since I am the ripe old age of 63 I feel like I have a few life experiences under my belt.  There is something that comes with age.  I am not saying I am especially wise but I do feel like my years have added to my ability to react to things with a bit more maturity and calmness than when I was in my 20’s and 30’s.

So when I read quotes by people like Neil deGrasse Tyson that resonate with me like this one does I just want to scream it from the rooftops and say:

“People—just get over yourselves and realize that the world does not revolve around you!  If you start reaching out to others your life will change as well.  Look beyond yourself.”

I love the idea of lessening the suffering of others.  There are so many ways that people are suffering.  Many in silence.  None of us can ever fully know what someone else is experiencing even if they confide in us. That is why I make an effort to see past the exterior and treat every single person that I come in contact with with dignity and love and respect.

It is not always an easy task.  Especially at this time of year when people are seemingly more harried than at other times.  Bottom line — kindness matters.

So today I am going to make it a goal to be kind.  To look past the little annoyances and reach out in love.  Maybe, just maybe, if each of us makes a tiny effort to be the ripple in our little corner of the world we can reduce the suffering a little bit.  Try it.  Make a difference.