Exploring the Essential Quality We All Need (Especially Right Now)

"All of us want to be treated with kindness. It seems pretty basic, right?"

So says filmmaker and philanthropist Steven Sawalich at the beginning of The Case for Kindness, a radical new documentary about hope, love, and kindness. Simple, his question hits on the nerve of our collective humanity: We all need more of the quality that makes us human. But what gets in our way?

To find out, Sawalich set off on an epic journey. He traveled near and far to interview some of the biggest hearts and minds in the fields of psychology, art, grief healing, medicine, philanthropy, spirituality, and more to learn how and why we need what he calls "the fundamental building block" of our lives. He spotlights victims and healers, parents and children, weaving a quilt that shows our need to open our hearts more. His film, The Case for Kindness, offers an insightful look, begging us to re-evaluate what we take for granted and to dig deeper into how we can cultivate more altruism and decency.

It may be obvious that the message of this film is needed, especially so given the violence and pain inflicted this past week. But The Case for Kindness offers truths that may be less well-known. It shows us how some of the darkest aspects of our humanity are merely areas starving for the deepest grace. To spotlight this point even further, The Sunday Paper asked a few stars of the documentary how kindness has changed their lives. Their answers are expansive.

We found hope in the insight of Tim Shriver, who told us, "At every point in my life where I needed to make a change, it was the kindness of someone – a family member, a friend, or even a stranger who helped me see a new possibility. Kindness not only eases burdens, but it also opens the door to the new. Kindness is the best medicine."

We found clarity in what country musicians Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks offered us jointly: "We get so caught up in what we need, and kindness is really about having grace for everybody, no matter what you happen to agree with or disagree with, that's not easy to do."

And we gained wisdom from anti-violence activist Erica Ford, who shared how kindness is a practice. "In my work with LIFE Camp, I've seen kindness save lives. When someone chooses to listen instead of fight, to embrace instead of push away, to forgive instead of retaliate, that choice ripples out and changes entire communities. Kindness interrupts cycles of pain and creates space for transformation.For me, kindness is not just something I've received, it's the practice I try to live by every day. It has shaped my mission, it has built movements, and it has taught me that peace is not a dream. It's a lifestyle."

We hope you'll tune in to this powerful documentary. One viewing has the power to shift your life and illustrate how we each have a vital role to play.

You can watch The Case for Kindness on Amazon Prime starting September 14th.