So a year ago yesterday we tragically lost a charismatic soul Caroline Flack. She was trolled terribly through all the socials and became a prisoner in her own home whilst waiting for an upcoming court case. Sadly her suicide prevented her from her day in court. A year on from these tragic events have we as a society become any kinder? read on to find out!
Kindness costs nothing but means everything!
Kindness is a type of behaviour marked by acts of generosity, consideration, or concern for others, without having an expectation of praise or reward. But is our society kind and considerate? Sadly we live in a world of very selfish, self obsessed people. Their only kindness is perhaps towards themselves. Unfortunately today’s society is I feel, anything but kind.
Obviously pre-Covid times, would you come to the aid of a lost child in a busy shopping centre? Would you give up your seat on the tube/bus for a pregnant woman? Would you knock on your next door neighbour’s door to offer to get their shopping for them in this current pandemic? These are questions we ask ourselves from time to time and we are often troubled by our honest responses.
As a society, we appear to have lost the instinct for kindness and the willingness to extend the olive branch or the hand of friendship outwards. Our responses to children, to the disabled, to older people, to strangers, are all conditioned by a concern not to offend and a for a fear of meddling in matters that do not concern us.
Unfortunately the social evils of today such as, Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok etc, highlights a real concern for the way in which society increasingly values people for their economic contributions, successes and overnight ladders of fame, rather than their natural ingrained traits of kindness and compassion.
Some blame the nature of regulation – while providing protection for some, it seems to have intimidated the majority. Others feel there has been a general decline in values, morals and hospitality. Individual gain and self importance, is seen as more significant than the ability to care for others.
Whatever the reasons, we are uncomfortable with the society we have created. The idea of the common good has been lost, and the Britain of today is experiencing a severe escalation in mental health (especially in teenagers) and sadly a social recession – the effects of which are far more devastating, longer-lasting, and isolating than the current Covid-19 crisis!
16-02-21 Written by the TLC Counselling Hub
