The Bravery of Softness

There is a profound bravery in being soft. We live in a culture that often equates cynicism with intelligence and hardness with strength. But as we observe National Kindness Week 2026, I’ve realized that it takes much more courage to be kind. To be kind is to remain open in a world that gives you every reason to close off. It’s the legacy of Rabbi Reuven Bulka—a man who saw kindness not as a weakness, but as the ultimate solution to our social frictions.

Choosing softness in a world that demands hardness is the ultimate act of bravery. It requires us to be present and to acknowledge the humanity in everyone we meet, even when it’s inconvenient. This week, as we celebrate the law passed by Senator Jim Munson, let’s think about how we can apply that law to our own personal boundaries. Kindness doesn't mean letting people walk over you; it means choosing to respond with dignity even when you’re tired.

The tools for fostering kindness are all around us, starting with how we talk to ourselves. If you aren't kind to your own mind, it’s much harder to be kind to the world. Practice some self-compassion this week. Forgive yourself for the small mistakes and give yourself the same grace you’d offer a stranger. From that place of internal peace, you can then extend your hand to your community more effectively.

As Canadians, we have this unique opportunity to lead the world in compassion. We have the legislation, we have the history, and now we have the future in our palms. Whether you are volunteering at a shelter or simply being a more patient version of yourself in traffic, you are contributing to a national movement. It is a quiet revolution that changes the world one heartbeat at a time.

Let this week be a reminder that your kindness is a powerful force. It isn't a passive trait; it's an active choice. When we choose to be kind, we are voting for the kind of world we want to live in. Let's make that vote count every single day, far beyond the third week of February.