Today, one of the key words in this globalized world is   sustainability . This word seems to possess the magic to captivate us and make us believe that only by promoting sustainability will we find happiness and save the world. This way of thinking lends the term a certain messianic quality that is alluring.

Sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being. Achieving   sustainable development   requires harmonizing these three fundamental pillars.

For months now, though it may seem complex, I’ve been thinking about the   relationship between sustainability and kindness . One possible way to approach this is to consider sustainability as a dynamic process that seeks a balance between human well-being and respect for the environment, and kindness as a virtue that involves acting with benevolence, generosity, and compassion toward other living beings. However, this relationship is not always obvious or simple, as there are various factors that hinder the achievement of both sustainability and kindness in a globalized, diverse, and unequal world. For example, some authors believe that the idea of ​​sustainable development can be used to justify particular interests or contradictory policies, which is contrary to the   common good . However, kindness is a universal value, and precisely because it is a value, rather than a mere quality, it leaves no room for misunderstandings, biased interpretations, or confusion.

Kindness is a universal value, and precisely because it is a value, beyond a quality, it leaves no room for misunderstandings, biased interpretations, or confusion.

Therefore, I dare to advocate for   kindness  over  sustainability , since kindness is the natural inclination to do good. Among philosophers, there are various ways to define kindness; for example, for   Socrates :   “kindness consists in wisdom, in knowing how to act, in understanding,”  and for   Aristotle :    “kindness is the determination of the will to do good to others, (…) .” Furthermore, kindness is identified with some of its manifestations, namely: kindness, affability, generosity, solidarity, (…), and, on the other hand, some of its synonyms are: love, service, charity, justice, (…). This shows us the immense intrinsic value of this word, a value recognized by all civilizations.

I often wonder why we have placed our trust in sustainable development to guarantee a better world for all, instead of   trusting in the practice of kindness , characteristic of our great Christian tradition and popular wisdom, as the popular saying reminds us:  “do good and don’t look at who.”

People can transform the world by doing good . To do this, we must consider the immense potential of kindness, in all its dimensions, or of practicing good. Furthermore, work done well guarantees sound economic and social development. Moreover, social good begins with the good of families, since the family is the basic unit of society.

Social good begins with the good of families, since the family is the basic cell of society.

We can also think of   this world’s ecosystem   as the union of different   dynamic personal ecosystems . Each of these essentially has a threefold dimension: personal and familial, social, and environmental. However, it could also be said that each personal ecosystem is multi-radial, since each person interacts with many people and many natural environments. If each person committed to caring for and improving their own ecosystem,   a better world would be achieved , both for people and other living beings, and for the various environments of this world.

The key lies in knowing   how we can do good or be kinder   to create a better world. We must be aware that, generally,   kindness boils down to giving to others without expecting anything in return . Sometimes, kindness is associated with weakness; nobody likes to be “the nice guy,” the one everyone takes advantage of. In these cases, we forget that   kindness requires strength   to control our temper or other limitations and transform them into gentleness. A kind person is also not lenient with injustices or indifferent to the behavior of those around them.

It will help us to be aware that   being kind  refines our spirit , because we know how to give and give of ourselves without feeling let down, supporting everyone around us. A kind person tends to see the good in others because they avoid having prejudices about other people’s behavior and are able to empathize with what others feel, offering them solutions. Studies show that 90% of the population believes that acts of kindness bring out the best in oneself.

Studies show that 90% of the population believes that acts of kindness bring out the best in oneself.

On the contrary, someone who constantly points out everything they have done or how they have cared for others   is not necessarily kind . A kind person is selfless, expects no return, has a great desire to serve, and avoids doing things to impress others, (…).

Being good is equivalent to doing good, and we can do good in our family and social circles: smiling, fostering optimism, being kind, respectful, understanding, and so on. These behaviors help us to be and to make others happier. From a logical standpoint, one could say that   being good is equivalent to being happy , or that goodness and happiness are interrelated.

The writer,   Patricia Ramírez , in one of her books, comments that:  “happiness depends on the capacity to be kind and affirms that there is a direct relationship between the capacity to do good, to help others and one’s own happiness, in an environment where for her, unfortunately, the value of kindness and respect has been lost, and individualism is overvalued above the good of the group.”

Our personal and family “good deeds” must be projected into our social life by seeking the good of others,   the  common good , and in the desire to care for everything around us: animals, plants, cities, mountains, oceans, (…).

The   common good   comprises three essential elements: respect for the person, social well-being, and the security of a just order. In the name of the common good, authorities are obliged to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person. Furthermore, the authorities must provide each person with what they need to lead a truly human life and ensure, through honest means, the security of society and its members. Therefore, all policies, both economic and social, must be geared toward achieving this.

The common good comprises three essential elements: respect for the person, social well-being, and the security of a just order.

Globalization means that human relationships are gradually extending across the globe, making it necessary to consider a universal common good. This good calls upon the leaders of all countries to work for the well-being and progress of their people.

Since good is diffusive,   good generates good, and it spreads . A person improving their   personal ecosystem   will cause other ecosystems to improve, these can influence others, and so on, in such a way that good could prevail over evil, construction over destruction, peace over war, (…), in this globalized world.

By practicing kindness, we could achieve   a better world   and, without a doubt, the conservation of all the planet’s resources, as envisioned by the sustainable development promoted by the 2030 Agenda. I believe it is   worthwhile to commit to kindness,   which is the greatest expression of greatness any person can possess. From a practical standpoint, we could aim to sow “seeds of kindness” or give away “pills of kindness” to create a better world for everyone.