I think kindness is one of the best qualities to find in someone. I don’t mean the selfish and hollow kind of kindness, nor the type of kindness that is only displayed to certain people, but the kindness that is like a tiny campfire being lit or the kindness that makes you smile even days later.

A genuine and sweet act of kindness can really make me happy. A little part of my heart melts when someone holds the door open for me even when it’s really cold and we can see each other’s breath. I feel so warm inside when someone notices that I am absolutely exhausted and gives me a squeeze on my shoulder or a huge bear hug.

And a sure way to win your way to my heart is by having an honest, open conversation with me. I feel so special when people tell me about themselves, because it means they felt comfortable enough with me to reveal any small part of themselves. It truly is an honor.

How lucky we humans are to be able to give each other such warm feelings! You are endowed with the potential to brighten the day of the person sitting next to you. You have the power, right now, to turn someone’s bad day into an okay or even a good day. Exploit this power. Don’t let it go to waste. It’s a special gift each and every one of us has.

In such a busy, engaging place like Groton, sometimes kindness is buried beneath ambition and work. Perhaps you want to stop to wish your roommate good luck on his test, but instead you are rushing off somewhere to finish a homework reading. Maybe you want to listen to and sympathize with a ranting prefect, but you have to run over to a club meeting.

This tenuous balance is one that is so difficult to keep. I think and hope that every one of us, deep down, is nice. I’m well known to say, “He/she is so sweet!” and get incredulous looks from people around me. People call me gullible and oblivious, but I like to think that in such an absorbing environment as Groton, I’m just more inclined to appreciate the happier qualities of people.

This is why the smaller things will shine so much brighter in our lives. Even in the dead of winter term, even during that one week when you seem to have a major commitment in all of your classes, you still wield the power to light a little candle in someone’s day. I’m not trying to brag, but my roommate and I leave each other little notes if we don’t think we’ll see each other before a sports game or an important test. I still have all the notes she has ever left me; who knew such a tiny piece of paper could make me so happy two years after she scribbled a “good luck Hanna!!” on it?

So say your thank yous, say your how are yous, say your I love yous. It really doesn’t take much. You will probably make your parents’ days by giving them a surprise phone call to tell them you love them. Thank your lovely roommate for being such a lovely roommate. Greet someone like you haven’t seen him or her for a very long time. Ask him if he’s okay. Ask her if she wants to talk to you about it, and if she doesn’t, don’t push it. Give someone a flower, a hug, a compliment, or all three at the same time.