Because my liver transplant took place in mid-January, Noreta and I have been practicing social distancing of over two months now. So as most people begin this process of being practically quarantined, what is one insight I can pass on? It’s this: Be Kind.

Most of us are around our families a lot more than normal. Unfortunately, if we are not intentional, we can be harsh on our spouse and children. We think that they will love us anyway. We also have a lot of added tension regarding finances, future employment, health issues, loneliness, etc. You know the list as you are more than likely experiencing a lot of these fears. So as one who has over a two month jump on most of us in practicing this social distancing, those two words keep coming into my mind: Be Kind.

The comedian Ellen frequently reminds us to “Be Kind.” That is good counsel and we have been reminded of it for generations. Almost 2000 years ago, a man named Paul was bound by chains and quarantined in the abyss of a Roman Jail. He was sentenced there for a crime he did not commit. Alone and separated from the world (talk about social distancing) he wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.”

So in a very confusing, tense, unprecedented time let’s practice something that is within the reach of all of us: Be Kind.