There is much wisdom here ... I could have highlighted something in most every paragraph. It seems people go from zero to 60 on the "outrage meter" in a flash these days. The singer Jewel used to sing a song with a lyric "In the end, only kindness matters." I think many other things matter as well, but a deliberate effort on everyone's part to react with more kindness could not hurt.

When troubled children are acting out in the classroom, a good teacher doesn't respond in anger by mirroring their rage and escalating the situation. She/he calmly probes to find the underlying issue needing addressing. In some ways, no matter our age, we are all children masquerading as adults--every one of us with our various triggers and blind spots, certainly me included.

We can never change others, nor persuade them to consider another path, with rage and recrimination. For myself, I am trying to be kinder and to be a better listener. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it makes me feel hopeful. I still see kindness and generosity of spirit in others and I hope it's contagious.