I Witnessed A Car Accident, And It Was Amazing!

(The car accident was a fender bender and nobody was injured.)

Let me explain that.

We are pulled in so many different directions, on so many different “offense trains” and polarized (on purpose) by so many different voices, opinions and institutions, that it is sometimes hard not to be a little bit angry all the time. Let’s be honest, it is difficult to not be VERY angry all the time!

We feel as if there is no kindness left in this world. And that is a very depressing thought. But. And this is a big BUT: kindness is not nearly as “cool” to jump onto, unlike an offense train. There is no “I am now justified in my hurt and no longer alone” moment with it. The masses are not swept up and you don’t feel as if you are part of a community. Albeit online and negative. This means that kindness is not advertised. News of kindness is not spread. But that does not mean it isn’t there!

Sometimes kindness is small and for you only, like giving yourself 5 minutes to stare out the window on a hectic day. Sometimes it is big: giving someone a car so they are mobile after losing theirs and being unable to replace it. Sometimes it is comfort: giving someone a hug when they are down. Sometimes it is silent: taking a cooked dinner to someone going through a hard time and not talking to them about it.

The thing about kindness is that it doesn’t have biases. It is just kind. And we need to learn to lean into that. We need to learn to see it, recognise it and celebrate it. Kindness is not always Oprah giving a car to every member of the audience (which by the way, was not kindness, it was brilliant marketing), it can be a smile you receive in the fresh produce isle from a complete stranger.

Still wondering about the fender bender?

I was taking my daughter to the pet shop so we can buy some bird seed for the wild birds in our garden. On the way there, I saw an older lady driving into someone who was pulling a trailer. As with all accidents, they happen in slow motion. The woman’s car was small and the entire front fender came off and a light popped out. They pulled over, to the side of the road, and I saw a young man get out of the truck that was pulling the trailer, and walk over to the woman. This is the moment where you are bit trepidacious. As this can go either way. The guy who did nothing wrong, can either be angry or not.

This man was not. The first thing he did was go over to the woman, as her if she is OK, and he just gave her a hug as she was visibly shook up. And he just held her and let her cling to him until she let go. He showed her immense kindness. And this was across gender, age and race.

Watching that moment unfold reminded me that kindness doesn’t need fanfare or social validation — it just is. It is patient, unbiased, and attentive. And the same principle applies to learning and personal growth.

In my courses, whether you are exploring neurodiversity, executive function, or sensory processing, the most meaningful change happens in environments that are supportive, empathetic, and grounded in understanding. Small, consistent acts — giving someone time to process, creating space for reflection, offering practical strategies — can have a huge impact.

Just as the young man offered comfort without expectation, learning and growth are most effective when they happen in spaces free from judgment, full of encouragement, and focused on building strengths. Kindness, attention, and empathy aren’t just moral choices — they are the foundation for meaningful learning and lasting change.