Radiation

Radiation, 2022

Is personal altruism really a thing of the past? Am I just being overly optimistic when I try to make people's days better or reduce my plastic use? It's tough to believe in the power of doing good when I'm not at the top of the social ladder. Watching my boss mistreat his wife makes me feel powerless - all I can do is lend an ear when she needs to vent. My previous boss, with all her wealth and power, seemed to think she could do no wrong just because she had money. My only recourse was quitting, refusing to enable her further. But I know she'll just find someone else willing to ignore her actions. Why is it so hard to believe in genuine kindness nowadays?

Are people just more self-centered now, or am I letting my surroundings get to me too much? I've always aspired to make the world better, even through little things like brightening a taxi driver's day with friendly chatter. If more people were kind, the world would be nicer. Am I being naive?

Consider former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung's efforts to warm relations with North Korea, called The Sunshine Policy, which was inspired by Aesop's fable of the sun, removing a person's coat with its warmth, a feat the wind could not achieve. While cynics may cast doubt and skeptics scoff, I still want to believe that the truth remains: the world is shaped not solely by grand gestures, but by the collective accumulation of countless acts of kindness and empathy.

Let us, then, continue to navigate the complexities of our society with a steadfast commitment to compassion and goodwill, knowing that each small endeavor contributes. I hope my peaceful night's sleep will help me move past the negatives and look forward to a better tomorrow.