Don't be nice. Be kind.

I often find myself mulling over what it really means to be “nice” versus “kind,” and the distinction has a quiet, almost poetic depth to it. Imagine you’re at a small dinner party. Being nice is like that courteous smile you flash at everyone—a socially polished gesture, carefully calibrated to keep things pleasant and conflict-free. It’s the soft, unassuming politeness that smooths over interactions, much like a well-practiced routine. It’s familiar and comfortable, but it can also feel a bit… surface-level.