A Letter to My Grandson: The Good in the World
Kindness matters and how you can make a difference
Dear Sebastien,
There is something important I want to tell you about the world:
One day, as you grow big, you will meet all kinds of people. Most of them will be kind, good, and helpful. They will make you feel safe and happy, and you will see how they brighten the lives of those around them. Their kindness will lift you up, just as a warm light can brighten even the darkest places. But sometimes, you will meet people who are mean, who may hurt others, who seem selfish, or who do not think about how their actions affect those around them. You may wonder why they behave this way, why they cannot see that kindness is the best way to be. I wish I could say that such people don’t exist, but they always have, from the very beginning of time. It is very sad, but it is true.
But do you know what else is true? There have always been more kind people than unkind people. There have always been more people who choose to help, who build things, who take care of others, and who work to heal and protect. More people who want to make the world better, safer, and fairer for everyone. And just as meanness and cruelty may spread from one person to another, kindness spreads too. A single act of kindness can set off a ripple that touches so many lives in ways you may never see. And kindness is more powerful than meanness because kindness creates, while cruelty only destroys. Every time you choose kindness, you add something good to the world.
Every single person matters. No matter how small, no matter how quiet, no matter where they come from, every person has something special to offer the world. Everyone has feelings, dreams, and hopes, just like you do. That is why kindness is so important, because when we treat others with care and respect, we remind them that they matter. And when people feel valued, they are more likely to share kindness with others, creating a world where everyone feels seen and appreciated.
We are lucky, Sebastien. We were born in a country like Canada, where people work hard to make sure we all have clean water, care when we need it, and enough food to eat. Canada is a place where people believe in helping one another, in fairness, and in making sure that no one is left behind. There are also people who dedicate their lives to keeping our country safe and helping others in times of need. Your uncle, who serves in the Canadian Armed Forces, is one of the many people who dedicate their lives to keeping our country safe and helping those in need, both here and around the world. When people in other countries are in danger he and his fellow soldiers work to help bring peace and protect those who cannot protect themselves. When there is a big storm or an earthquake, they bring food, water, and medicine to those who need it. He stands up for what is right, just like many others who dedicate their lives to helping people in need.
But these things didn’t happen by accident. They happened because those who came before us cared enough to build a country where everyone matters, where people look out for one another, and where fairness and kindness guide the way we live together. The good things we have in life don’t simply stay that way on their own. People must work to protect and improve them. Keeping what is fair and just requires effort, and making the world better takes even more work. That’s why helpers are so important, because they choose to take action, ensuring that kindness and fairness continue to grow.
As you grow, you will have choices too. Choices that will decide what sort of person you will be. Choices that will help shape the kind of world you want to live in. Some choices will be easy…like smiling at someone who looks sad or sharing what you have with a friend. Others will be harder. Sometimes, it will mean standing up for someone who is being treated unfairly, even when it feels difficult or scary. Sometimes, it will mean speaking up when others stay silent. Sometimes, it will mean choosing to be patient when you feel frustrated, or choosing to understand rather than judge. Each of these choices are important, and each one has the power to make the world a little better than it was before.
One day, you will decide what kind of person you want to be. Will you choose to be someone who helps those in need? Will you choose to be the one who steps in when someone is struggling? Will you choose to stand up for what is right, even when it’s hard? Will you do your part to make Canada an even better place to live?
There are already so many good people in the world, but there is always room for more. And Sebastien, I see the kindness in your heart already…
With all my love,
Grandma