I’ve wanted to write this for a while now. It’s a simple thought, but one we seem to have forgotten in the rush of our daily lives: What if we just stop the madness and tried being nicer?
We Demand What We Don’t Give
Whether you lean to the right, the left, or stay in the center, we all seem to do the same thing: we demand that politicians show respect. We ask them to speak to each other without attacking. But if we look at our own lives, are we actually doing that?
We’ve fallen into a trap of assuming the worst about people. When someone upsets us—whether it’s on the news or on the street—we act as if they don’t have a life, or problems, or a family. We assume, and we keep assuming, but we rarely stop to ask, “What is going on with that person?”
The “Not That Bad” Realization
Often, especially these days, we tend to dislike anyone who doesn’t think exactly like us. But have you noticed that when you actually start talking to someone you thought you wouldn’t like, you often realize they aren’t “that bad”?
Maybe it’s time we give others the chance to be known. We may not have a lot of influence over the entire world, but we have total influence over our own lives. We can choose to stop the madness in the small moments.
I Dare You: The Interaction Challenge
Have you ever had to deal with a person you don’t really like? Every time you talk to them, it feels tense and there is a “bad vibe.” Have you ever tried to change the way you act towards them first to see how they change? I dare you to do it. Just once. Try changing your approach, your tone, or your kindness first, and see what happens. If it works, send me an email—I’d love to hear about it.
Making 2026 Different
Let’s make this year, 2026, truly different and better. To those of you starting classes with us this term: we wish you a wonderful semester.
As you start your journey, I challenge you to be intentionally nice and respectful toward your teachers and your classmates. It is important to remember that not all teachers are American, and not every teacher knows exactly what an American student expects.
It’s a funny thing—often, students will ask for a “native speaker who speaks perfect English and behaves exactly like an American.” Think about that for a second! If you only learn from people who are exactly like you, you aren’t really growing.
Take this opportunity to learn from your teachers instead of criticizing them for being different. We are responsible for the environment around us, and we change it by being “nice first.” Thank you for making the world a better place simply by choosing to study another language.
Have a great semester!
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