Inspired by the film Wonder (2017), a reminder that kindness isn’t always the easiest choice, but it can be the most meaningful.
“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” — Mr. Browne, Wonder (2017)
It’s a simple statement, but one that challenges us to think about how we approach our everyday interactions. How often do we find ourselves determined to prove a point, defend our position, or have the last word? How often does the desire to be right overshadow the opportunity to be kind?
In the 2017 film Wonder, based on R.J. Palacio’s bestselling novel, we follow the story of August “Auggie” Pullman, a young boy born with facial differences who enters a mainstream school for the first time. Through his experiences, the film explores acceptance, friendship, bullying, courage, and the profound difference that kindness can make in someone’s life.
One of the film’s memorable lessons comes from Mr. Browne, Auggie’s teacher, who introduces his students to the idea that choosing kindness can be more important than proving ourselves right.
It’s a lesson that extends far beyond the classroom.
The Need to Be Right
We live in a world where being right often feels like winning. Whether it’s a disagreement with a coworker, a debate with a family member, or an exchange on social media, we can become so focused on defending our position that we lose sight of the person standing across from us.
We interrupt rather than listen. We judge before understanding. We sometimes measure the success of a conversation by whether we’ve convinced someone else to see things our way.
But what have we really accomplished if winning an argument comes at the expense of someone’s dignity?
Being right can satisfy our pride. Being kind can strengthen a relationship, restore trust, or give someone the encouragement they desperately need.
And sometimes, the most powerful thing we can say isn’t a clever response or a perfectly constructed argument. It’s simply, “I understand,” “I’m listening,” or “I’m sorry.”
These moments may seem small, but they can have a lasting impact.
Kindness Doesn’t Mean Weakness
Choosing kindness doesn’t mean we should avoid difficult conversations, abandon our convictions, or remain silent when something is wrong. There are times when speaking up, challenging injustice, and standing firmly for what we believe are essential.
But there is a difference between challenging an idea and diminishing a person.
We can disagree without disrespecting. We can correct without humiliating. We can stand up for ourselves and others without resorting to cruelty.
In fact, kindness often requires more strength than anger. It takes patience to listen when we disagree, compassion to understand someone whose experiences differ from our own, and courage to respond thoughtfully when frustration would be easier.
Kindness is not the absence of conviction. It’s the presence of humanity in how we express it.
The Ripple Effect of Choosing Kind
One of the most powerful messages in Wonder is that our actions affect people in ways we may never fully understand.
Auggie’s journey demonstrates how a single act of kindness can help someone feel accepted, while an unkind word or gesture can deepen feelings of isolation.
That lesson applies to all of us.
Think about a time when someone extended kindness to you unexpectedly. Perhaps a stranger offered help when you were struggling, a colleague recognized your efforts, or a friend reached out when you needed support.
Chances are, you remember not only what that person did, but how they made you feel.
Now imagine the impact if more of us approached our daily interactions with that same intention.
A little patience with someone having a difficult day. A thoughtful word to someone who feels overlooked. A willingness to listen rather than immediately judge. An act of compassion toward someone who may never have the opportunity to repay it.
These are the moments that create ripples of kindness, extending beyond the original interaction and inspiring others to do the same.
At Heartitude, we believe meaningful change doesn’t always begin with grand gestures or sweeping initiatives. Often, it begins with one person making one thoughtful choice.
Making Kindness a Daily Practice
Kindness isn’t simply something we feel. It’s something we do.
It’s reflected in how we speak to our families, treat our coworkers, respond to strangers, and engage with people whose opinions differ from our own.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s reflected in the moments when choosing kindness isn’t particularly convenient.
When we’re tired. When we’re frustrated. When someone has disappointed us. When we believe we’re absolutely right.
Those are the moments when kindness matters most.
Imagine what our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and communities might look like if more of us made kindness a conscious part of our everyday decisions.
We wouldn’t eliminate disagreement or hardship. But we could create environments where people feel respected, valued, and supported, even when they see the world differently.
That’s the kind of change Heartitude hopes to inspire.
The Choice Is Ours
The message from Wonder reminds us that every interaction presents an opportunity. We can make someone feel smaller or help them feel seen. We can deepen division or create understanding. We can insist on having the final word or choose words that leave someone feeling valued.
We won’t always get it right. We’re human, and there will be moments when frustration, impatience, or pride get the better of us.
But every new interaction offers another opportunity to choose differently.
Because ultimately, the measure of our character isn’t simply how often we’re right. It’s how we treat people along the way.
Being right might win an argument. Being kind might change a life.
Today, look for one opportunity to choose kindness. Not because it’s easy. Not because someone has earned it. But because even the smallest act of compassion can make someone’s world a little better.
And that’s where meaningful change begins.
Choose Kind. Make It Better.
Go Give It.