Human beings are naturally social. Across cultures and throughout history, communities have relied on trust, care, and shared responsibility to survive and thrive. No one exists completely alone; who we are is shaped by our relationships and interactions with others. Families, friends, institutions, workplaces, and societies function not only through rules and structures but also through daily acts of respect, support, and kindness.
Yet in contemporary society, these relational bonds often appear strained. Rapid technological advancement, political and social divisions, and the fast pace of life make it harder to connect deeply. Although we can communicate instantly, genuine presence listening, helping, and showing care is becoming increasingly rare. Appreciation is often assumed but not expressed, and conflicts are postponed rather than resolved.
In such an environment, love and unity are not sentimental ideals but social necessities. When compassion is delayed, relationships weaken and communities suffer. Therefore, love must be expressed promptly through action and attentiveness to strengthen both personal bonds and society as a whole.
Division and Emotional Distance
In every culture, death draws attention. When a life ends, messages pour in, crowds gather, and beautiful words are spoken. Regret often hides behind praise. Yet beneath the flowers and formal tributes lies a troubling truth: many of the words spoken at funerals could have been spoken earlier, when they were most needed.
People often assume there will always be more time: time to forgive, and time to say “I am proud of you,” to repair a broken relationship, to visit a parent, call a friend, or check on a struggling colleague. But life does not operate according to our schedules. Accidents happen, illness arrives without warning, and opportunities vanish. What remains afterward is not only grief but often regret.
Why do we hesitate to express love while someone is alive? Pride plays a role, as does distraction. In a fast-moving world filled with deadlines, screens, and constant noise, relationships are frequently neglected. Affection is felt but not communicated. Appreciation is assumed but left unspoken.
Our society is marked by deep divisions. Families separate over differences in belief, politics, or personal conflict. Public discourse grows increasingly harsh, and suspicion replaces understanding. In many spaces, hostility overshadows basic respect. This emotional environment makes compassion more difficult. When people become guarded, they hesitate to reach out. When pride dominates, apologies become rare. When anger becomes normalized, kindness is sometimes viewed as weakness. Yet the need for compassion has never been greater.
Many individuals carry silent burdens, anxiety, loneliness, disappointment. Not every struggle is visible. Behind confident appearances, there may be personal battles. A kind word, a patient ear, or a simple gesture can mean more than we realize. Often, the smallest acts, listening without judgment, offering practical help, acknowledging someone’s effort have a lasting impact. However, in a society focused on speed and self-interest, these simple acts are frequently overlooked.
Words versus Actions
Praise is easy at a funeral; action is harder in daily life. It is simple to describe someone as generous after they are gone, but far more difficult to practice generosity while they are living. It is easy to speak of unity in memorial speeches; it is more challenging to pursue reconciliation when conflict is still fresh.
True compassion is practical. It appears as patience during disagreement and reveals itself through forgiveness when resentment feels justified. It is expressed through consistency being present, reliable, and sincere. Love should not remain in words alone but be demonstrated through action and truth (1 John 3:18). This principle applies not only within religious communities but throughout society. Love that is postponed loses its purpose.
Rethinking Legacy
Today, recognition is often measured by visibility followers, applause, and public approval. Social media platforms amplify image more than character. Yet genuine legacy is not built on the size of a crowd but on integrity. The real question is not how many people attend a funeral, but how many felt valued while the person was alive. Did they experience kindness? Were conflicts addressed? Was appreciation communicated sincerely?
A meaningful life is shaped by daily choices: humility over pride, dialogue over silence, generosity over indifference. These decisions may never make headlines, but they strengthen families, workplaces, and communities.
Love must be timely. If forgiveness is needed, offer it now. If gratitude is felt, express it now. If someone is struggling, reach out now. The present moment is the only one we truly possess; tomorrow remains uncertain. Our life is like a mist that appears briefly and then vanishes (James 4:14). This truth should not produce fear but awareness, an awareness that encourages immediate compassion.
A Call for Practical Compassion
This call is not mere sentiment; it is a social necessity. Communities grow stronger when empathy replaces indifference. Families heal when pride yields to reconciliation. Individuals gain dignity when they are seen, heard, and valued in the present.
Flowers at a grave are symbolic; kindness during life is transformative. If society desires to become less divided and more humane, change will not begin in cemeteries. It will begin in homes, workplaces, schools, and everyday conversations, where respect is shown without delay and love is practiced before it is too late. In the end, the most meaningful tribute to any person is not what is said after they are gone, but how they were treated while they were here.
Longom S Phom
Longleng
Wednesday, February 25, 2026