Being kind to strangers is a simple yet powerful way to spread positivity and create a more compassionate world. When we show kindness to someone we don’t know, we are not only making their day a little brighter, but we are also contributing to a culture of kindness and empathy. As Sam Walter Foss wrote in his famous poem “House by the Side of the Road,”
“Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.”
This quote reminds us that we all have the ability to be a friend to others, regardless of whether we know them or not. By extending a hand of kindness to a stranger, we can make a meaningful impact on their life and ours as well.
Whether it’s a simple smile, a kind word, or a small act of service, being kind to strangers can have a ripple effect that spreads far beyond the immediate moment. It can inspire others to do the same and create a chain reaction of kindness and positivity.
In a world that can often feel divided and disconnected, being kind to strangers is a powerful way to bring people together and foster a sense of unity and compassion. So let us all strive to live in our “house by the side of the road” and be a friend to man.
Ricky Morisseau, B.F.A.
National Chaplin (2022-2024)