From the time I was a young child my parents impressed upon me the importance of being kind and showing respect to others.

Unfortunately, now more than ever, we are witness to or hear stories of people being anything but kind.

I have to be in Sydney on Mondays each week and while there, I often take advantage of the opportunity to do a little shopping. Recently I was picking up a few groceries.

The young girl that was ringing me in was obviously in training. She made a mistake on the register and had to call for assistance. The woman who answered the cashiers call for help arrived quickly.

The cashier was trying to explain to her supervisor what she had done. The person charged to help address the situation was obviously annoyed and spoke to the young cashier in a manner that I felt was disrespectful. I could see the cashier was getting upset by the tone in the supervisor's voice.

I felt uncomfortable listening to how the young cashier was being spoken to and I felt bad for how she was made to feel. The cashier apologized to me for the inconvenience, I assured her everything was fine, it was not a problem.

My husband Ed was with me that day and was waiting in the car. He was not witness to what had happened. I began telling him the story about the young cashier and how she was spoken to. He agreed it was a very unfortunate thing for me to have witnessed and for the young cashier to have experienced.

We discussed how it seems that some people these days are just so quick to anger and how they lack the ability to show compassion and understanding.

Ed shared with me a story he had heard on the news about a young woman who worked as a politician in the U.K. She was doing great work for her constituents and by all accounts seemed to love her job. Unfortunately, according to the report, she became the target of a hate-filled campaign that had people on social media calling her all sorts of inappropriate things. The hate-filled messages went beyond just wishing ill will on the politician, they were targeting her small children as well. Unwilling to accept any further criticism, the young politician resigned from her position.

Unfortunately, now more than ever, we are witness to or hear stories of people being anything but kind.

I am not one for social media, I dont have a personal Facebook account. I am not a member of Twitter or Instagram.

As a business owner and journalist, I can only assume that somewhere in the stratosphere exists criticism aimed directly at me as well. I choose not to go looking for it.

The question remains, what makes people think they have the right to be unkind to others?

Whether that be face to face, as with the young cashier, or via social media.

Have people forgotten the Golden Rule?

I truly believe to be happy in this world we need to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Whether an individual's values are based in Christianity or not, extending the right hand of fellowship is not that difficult. Exercising patience and understanding is easy for those of us who choose to live a life of kindness and understanding.

Without question, a large majority of the population displays kindness on a daily basis, especially here in Cape Breton. Islanders are known for their generosity and willingness to offer help where it is needed. Unfortunately, it is most often the actions of the unkind that get the most attention.

My wish for the new year is that we try a little harder to treat each other with respect. Try not to be so quick to react to the person who cuts you off at the intersection. If the lineup at the bank or grocery store is longer than you would like it to be, rather than complain, spend the time in polite conversation with the person in line next to you. If your boss is being extra demanding remember that they are people too. We never know what is going on in the lives of others.

The opportunity to show kindness exists all around us. The next time you have the chance to say or do something nice for someone please take advantage of it, you will be glad you did.

Sherry Mulley MacDonald is an author and freelance journalist. She is a lifelong resident of the Northside with an affection for the community in which she lives. If you or someone you know has an interesting story to tell contact sherrymulleymacdonald@hotmail.com.

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SHERRY MULLEY MACDONALD: A wish for the new year - Cape Breton Post