Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

The other day, I found myself in a situation that’s been weighing on my heart ever since. I witnessed someone struggling deeply with their mental health. It was clear they weren’t getting the help they needed — whether it was counseling, medication or simply someone to listen without judgment. Watching them wrestle with their emotions, I felt a mix of sadness and helplessness. It was a stark reminder of how much people carry silently, just beneath the surface.

It’s so easy to forget that everyone has their own battles. We see someone snap in frustration or withdraw into quiet isolation, and we might chalk it up to a bad day — or worse, take it personally. But the truth is, we rarely know the full story. What’s going on behind the scenes? What kind of pain are they waking up to every day?

As I’ve been reflecting on this, I keep coming back to something I read once: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” It’s a simple truth but one we sometimes forget in the rush of our own lives. We all have struggles — some visible, others hidden. And while it’s easy to get caught up in comparing hardships, thinking ours are somehow heavier or more unique, the reality is that pain isn’t a contest. It’s universal.

This time of year, with the holidays right around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for — family, health, a warm home and meaningful work. But with that gratitude comes a responsibility. If I’m fortunate enough to feel stable and supported right now, doesn’t that mean I should do what I can to spread kindness to those who might not be in the same place?

Sometimes, kindness feels like this big, overwhelming thing, like you have to completely change someone’s life to make a difference. But it doesn’t have to be grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as small as smiling at someone who looks like they’re having a tough day. Or pausing to check in with a friend you haven’t heard from in a while. It might mean letting a stranger cut ahead of you in line, even when you’re in a rush.

The truth is, none of us can fix the world alone. But together, through these small, compassionate acts, we create ripples. We remind each other that even in the midst of pain, there is still goodness, connection and hope.

As I sit down to Thanksgiving dinner this week, I want to hold onto this awareness — that I’m not just grateful for what I have, but that I have the capacity to share that gratitude in tangible ways. Because when we lift each other up, even just a little, we make the world a kinder place.

So, here’s to being gentle with ourselves and others, to spreading compassion like the warm glow of a candle. And to remembering that even if we can’t solve someone’s struggles, we can make sure they don’t feel so alone in facing them.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams. Her column appears every Saturday.