Planting Seeds of Encouragement

I remember telling a teacher once that I wanted to be a writer. I was hovering in that fragile space where I did not really believe in myself yet. She looked me in the eye and said, 'I can see that happening for you.' That was it. Five seconds of her life, but it became the foundation of my career. Kindness has this incredible ability to act as a catalyst for someone else's growth. A single word of encouragement can change a life's direction.

For National Kindness Week 2026, I want us to look for the 'unpolished gems' in the people around us. Everyone has a talent or a dream that they are a little bit afraid to share. When you notice someone's effort and call it out, you are giving them permission to keep going. You are watering a seed that might have otherwise dried up. It is a high-impact, low-effort way to make the world better.

This kind of kindness is about being an active observer. You have to pay attention to see the work people are putting in. It is easy to ignore the quiet progress a friend is making on their fitness or the way a coworker is trying to be more organized. But when you acknowledge it, you validate their struggle. You make them feel like their effort matters, which is the best fuel for consistency.

Try to give one 'dream-focused' compliment today. Tell someone you admire their curiosity, their courage, or their unique way of looking at the world. Do not just compliment their appearance; compliment their soul. Those are the words that people tuck away in their hearts and pull out on their hardest days. Be the reason someone decides not to give up on themselves.