Empathy used to be something we carried naturally, almost like a part of our identity.
Acts of kindness trigger the brain’s reward system, boosting dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin while reducing stress hormones. These biological changes elevate mood, strengthen social bonds, and improve physical health, proving kindness benefits both giver and receiver.
Perhaps saving the Earth really does start with helping Mom do the dishes. Because dishes are real.
Social media’s pop psychology fuels self-diagnosis and performative empathy, distorting genuine compassion. Counsellor Mariyam Sultana highlights class, culture, and privilege shaping empathy in Bangladesh, urging self-awareness, authentic connection, and mindful action beyond online validation for genuine emotional understanding and societal well-being.
While we continuously chase compliments on our looks, success, skills, and abilities, we often overlook the impact of being nice or kind on people, including ourselves. We fail to realise the weight of what it truly means to be kind and nice.
Dhaka means the world to me. Most of my professional life has been here and a large chunk of my personal life is intrinsically linked with Dhaka. I am never tired of the city. Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, there are resource shortages. Yes, there are insane traffic snarls. But there is one thing which is never in short supply — great people!
