As the holiday season approaches, I often find myself reflecting on the purpose of kindness. Why do we give? Why do we strive to be good people, offering kindness to others even when we receive little to nothing in return? These questions are not born from selfishness but from a natural longing for reciprocity—a wish to feel the same warmth and generosity we extend to the world.
Recently, however, I experienced a moment that offered me clarity. This year, I decided to give a close friend a Christmas gift a little early. It was a book, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, one of my favorite authors and a personal inspiration for my writing. I chose the book thoughtfully, knowing my friend admired my writing style and might find joy in discovering one of the writers who inspired me.
When I handed her the book, her reaction was unforgettable. She was genuinely touched, not just by the book itself but by the simple gesture of receiving a gift from someone outside of her family. She shared that she’d struggled to make friends on campus and that this was the first gift she’d ever received from someone outside her family. In that moment, her happiness was radiant, and seeing her joy filled me with an overwhelming sense of fulfillment.
It was then I realized something profound: being a good person doesn’t require expecting kindness in return. Instead, it’s about embracing the joy you create in the world. Kindness is, in its way, a selfish act—not because we seek anything tangible in return, but because doing good makes us feel good. And I believe that’s okay. A little selfishness in the service of spreading happiness and love can only make the world a better place.
This holiday season let’s embrace kindness, not as an obligation, but as a source of personal joy. Whether through small gestures like a thoughtful gift or larger acts of generosity, every good deed adds a spark of light to the world. In giving, we don’t just enrich the lives of others; we also enrich our own.
So, as we celebrate Christmas, let us all remember that kindness is the greatest gift we can give, not just to others, but to ourselves.
A reflection shared by Aaran Robinson, Drew University
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