Someone said something to me recently that has stayed in my mind ever since:
"Since when was doing the right thing the wrong thing?"
It was one of those comments that sounded quite simple at first. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised how much sits behind those few words.
Because perhaps they're onto something.
Somewhere along the way, particularly in the years since Covid-19 changed so much about the way we live and interact, it feels as though something else changed too.
We seem to have become less inclined to want to work together, to be helpful.
And I don't think this belongs to any one part of society. We see it in everyday life, in business, in the services we rely upon, in our communities and, yes, in politics too. Too often it can feel as though the question is no longer “What is the right thing to do?” but “What works best for me?”
That's not to suggest everyone behaves this way. Far from it. There are still wonderful examples of kindness, compassion and people going out of their way to help others every single day.
But there also seems to be a growing attitude of "I'll do what works for me" – even when that decision makes life considerably harder for somebody else.
And you may find yourself wondering: when did that become normal?
Doing the right thing isn't always the easiest or most convenient option. Sometimes it means giving a little. Sometimes it means compromising. Sometimes it means taking an extra five minutes because we can, and because doing so might make things a little easier for someone who is struggling.
It might also simply mean stopping for a moment and asking:
"How will what I'm doing affect somebody else?"
That shouldn't be an extraordinary act of kindness. Surely, it should just be part of living alongside one another.
We may all need help at some point.
We all have days when we're struggling with something that another person might find incredibly simple. We all depend on other people, organisations, communities and services in ways we probably don't realise.
Yet increasingly, it can feel as though people are working individually rather than collectively – following what suits them rather than considering what would actually help.
And the strange thing is that when everyone does that, life becomes harder for everyone.
I've heard people say Covid has changed us more than we realise. We spent a long period being told to keep our distance, protect ourselves and live within our own bubbles. Maybe some of that mentality stayed with us.
But perhaps life has become so pressured that people have less time and patience to think about the person on the other side of their decisions.
I don't know the answer.
And perhaps that's why those words have stayed with me.
Because consideration costs very little.
Helping somebody is still considered kind.
Maybe the world needs a little less "What's best for me?"
And a little more "It's the right thing to do?"
Because ultimately, we're all trying to navigate the same complicated world.
And it would be a great deal easier if we started helping one another through it again.
So I'll leave you with the same question that was put to me:
Since when was doing the right thing the wrong thing?
Food for thought – I'll leave this one here...
