Grieving the Life We Once Knew: A Call for a Kindness Crusade

By Tommy Sheridan, MA, Psychotherapist, Death Doula

Lately, I’ve been grieving—not a person, but a way of life. A life where kindness, patience, and respect felt more commonplace. A time when we stood in line without pushing. When we held doors for each other, when being courteous wasn’t extraordinary, it was expected. Somewhere along the way, that world started to slip away.

Without diving into politics or placing blame, I can’t help but notice how much has changed. These days, it feels like we’re all in a race, cutting each other off in traffic, ignoring those around us, and treating public spaces like trash cans. The simple decency of “waiting your turn” seems to have disappeared. Every day feels a little more like “every person for themselves.”

After recently traveling to Japan twice in the last four months, I was struck by the contrast. The streets are pristine. People queue respectfully, speak gently, and move with consideration for one another. Public trash cans are rare, yet there is no garbage on the ground. That’s because the culture places value on shared spaces and collective responsibility. Stores only accept trash generated from their own products, which reinforces the idea of accountability. It’s subtle, yet powerful.

Returning to Chicago, I took my dogs to the park and was stunned by what I saw: a KFC bucket, discarded chicken wings, empty beer cans, and even a used condom littered in the grass. What are we doing? How did we get here?

Maybe this slow erosion has been happening for years, and I’m only now seeing it with fresh eyes. Or perhaps the shift has accelerated more recently, leaving many of us in quiet mourning for the world we once knew, a world that, while imperfect, still held onto basic human decency.

So, what do we do?

We start a Kindness Crusade.

What if each of us committed to just one act of kindness a day? One moment of patience. One deep breath before reacting. One gesture that reminds someone else that they matter. These aren’t grand gestures, they’re small, everyday choices: letting someone merge in traffic without scowling, picking up litter that isn’t yours, or simply smiling at a stranger.

Because while we can’t single-handedly change the world, we can influence the space around us. And those small ripples add up.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. About choosing to respond rather than react. About reclaiming the grace and civility that once felt like second nature.

I’m not ready to give up on kindness. Are you?

So, here’s my invitation:

Join the Kindness Crusade. One day.

One act. One person at a time.

Let’s see what kind of world we can rebuild, together.