Imagine a world where you can succeed by being kind. A world where you can succeed by being kind is not a fairy tale. Imagine a world where we all pay it forward. A world where everyone pays it forward is not a Hallmark made-for-TV movie.
Now, imagine a world where everyone looks out for each other, and not expect anything in return. Actually, a world where cooperation, not competition, is the most thrilling game to watch and play makes perfect sense. Don’t you think?
Yet, in 2026 we live in a world that often mistakes kindness for weakness. It has become almost common practice to see bullying defended and even rewarded at the highest levels of federal government. And at the same time graciousness has been punished.
But make no mistake, acting from kindness is one of the most courageous things a person can do. Kindness is not passive, naïve, or powerless – it is a spiritual strength that heals divisions, transforms relationships, and changes lives. Understanding this Truth is what prompted me to choose this topic as the theme of my Sunday talk.
Kindness is a quality that we all possess. It is our inheritance in the same way that we have inherited the divine powers of Faith, Strength, Love, and Imagination. The more we exercise our faith, the stronger our faith becomes. The more we act from love, the more our love grows. The more we cultivate our imagination, the more creative we become.
In the same way, the more we choose and act from kindness, the kinder we become. And like our other spiritual powers, kindness doesn’t operate in isolation.
While “an act of kindness is a selfless, thoughtful gesture that brings joy or relief to someone else,” it operates in alignment with our other divine powers such as love, wisdom, and strength. For example, acting from kindness doesn’t mean you’re not exhibiting strength. Strength and Kindness are not mutually exclusive. These qualities can be expressed powerfully simultaneously.
Look at the magnificent impact of Dolly Parton. Not only was Dolly talented and became enormously wealthy as a singer, songwriter, actress and business woman, she spread kindness wherever she went. She never forgot her roots in the poverty stricken back woods of Tennessee.
Rather than being ashamed of and hiding her origins, Dolly highlighted the importance of reading and literacy by creating a mechanism that has provided more than three hundred million books to children ages 0-5 years old.
When she heard there was a serious problem with graduation rates in the community where she had grown up, she incentivized students to stay in school by pledging that each student graduating from high school would receive $5k. That act of kindness alone transformed the entire economy of that community, as well as the futures for graduating students. Dolly’s demonstrated kindness, strength, and love changed millions of lives for the better in her life time.
I am inspired by the kindness, generosity and spiritual strength of Dolly Parton; a fully human-fully divine being. Reading about her after hearing of her passing reignited my passion for being kind-hearted and generous, regardless of what I see politicians doing.
The intentional practice of kindness strengthens us internally, emotionally and relationally. Being open to seeing ourselves as works in progress, and being generous in seeing others as a reflection of ourselves, serves as a kindness practice, and is rooted in scripture.
“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, [or] envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-25)