“It is only with one’s heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye” The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

 

I read The Little Prince a long time ago, but it quickly became one of my favourite books, one I come back to time and again. Although it’s considered a children’s book, the book critiques how adults lose sight of what is truly important – love, friendship and emotional wisdom. In my journey of self-awareness, I realised that I too had lost sight of many of these things. In my busy world of being a mother, a wife, a daughter, a leader, a student – I lost sight of the things that brought me joy and embodied kindness. It’s taken stopping, pausing and re-evaluating to understand what I’ve lost and I’m working on how to rekindle this important value. The simple act of spending time with life-long friends who ‘just get me’ has really helped me to reignite what kindness and joy truly means to me.

 

Kindness begins with ourselves

 

It asks us to turn inward and meet our flaws, fears, and stories with gentle curiosity instead of harsh judgement. That’s not always easy! Self-compassion can feel like a rebellion in a world that teaches us to measure our value by productivity. But when we learn to treat ourselves with respect and patience, we begin to walk through life with a different kind of clarity. One that doesn’t require a mask.

 

True kindness is not about being nice, agreeable, or shrinking to make others comfortable. It’s about standing firmly in who we are, while extending a hand to those around us. It takes strength to offer grace when it’s not returned, to speak with honesty even when it’s difficult.

 

As I’ve explored my values, I realise how when my values aren’t reflected in those around me, I feel an inner tension – like I’m speaking a language no one else understands. It’s not about expecting sameness, but when kindness, integrity and authenticity are missing, it becomes harder to connect. It took me a long time to understand this quiet discomfort that nudged at my sense of authenticity and belonging.

 

 

Kindness is both anchor and compass

 

It guides us to do what is right, not what is easy. This can be challenging when those around you do not understand or agree with the actions you take. The Little Prince teaches that kindness is not showy or loud – it’s deeply personal. It’s about presence, love without condition, and seeing the world (and others) with the heart. It invites us to be brave enough to care, even when the world forgets how – and despite the challenges that may cause.

 

And perhaps that’s where the real power lies – not in grand gestures, but in the choices we make each day: to listen instead of dismiss, to seek to understand instead of judge, to encourage instead of compete. Each act of kindness is a spark – tiny, maybe, but capable of lighting fires in places we thought had gone cold.

 

Kindness grounds us

 

In times of uncertainty or change, kindness grounds us. It helps us lead without ego, love without conditions and live without pretending. It gives us the courage to speak truth with gentleness, to make bold moves with empathy, and to believe in our worth without needing applause.

 

So let kindness not be your last resort, but your starting point. Let it be the thread that weaves your strength, your story and your sense of self into something deeply human – and wholly powerful. Even, and especially, when others challenge you on your kindness.

 

Because in the end, kindness isn’t just something we offer the world. It’s how we become the kind of people the world needs most and the kind of people we want most in the world.