…fighting some kind of battle.

While reading the online version of a newspaper that’s published in the area where I grew up, I came across the obituary of a woman whom I had never met. I read the obituary to find out she was somehow related or connected to someone I did know. As it turned out she wasn’t, but I learned that she lived her life by the following inspirational phrase: “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” Too often we judge people based on their behavior without knowing anything about the battles they are fighting–they could be dealing some kind of awful disease, be in a dysfunctional relationship, have a problem with one of their children or be in a toxic work situation. When people are in these types of situations they sometimes behave in ways that do not come across as pleasant. They may be grumpy or crabby, abrasive, curt with their responses or seem very self-centered. In reality, what these people are looking for are some love and kindness from those around them to help ease their pain. So, the next time you encounter one of these people, instead of judging them, be kind to them because chances are they really need it.