Ralph Waldo Emerson - You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late
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Welcome to The Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I’m your host, Andrew McGivern, for December 14th. Now, let me ask you a quick question: Have you done more good today? No pressure—it’s still early. But here’s why I ask: December 14th is More Good Today Day!
It’s a day to be intentional about doing something kind, helpful, or uplifting for someone else. Think of it as a gentle nudge to sprinkle a little extra goodness into the world. And what better way to frame this idea than with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said:
"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."
Let that sink in for a moment. Emerson was basically telling us, "Don’t wait for the perfect moment to be kind—just do it already!" It’s a bit like how you shouldn’t wait until you're in the gym to eat healthy. Same principle, fewer vegetables.
The beauty of this quote lies in its urgency. We often think kindness is something we can schedule for later—like, "Oh, I’ll help clean the house after one more video game," or "I’ll volunteer when I’ve got more free time." But Emerson reminds us that life is unpredictable. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, for ourselves or for anyone else.
So if there’s a chance to do good, why not take it now? And here’s the thing about More Good Today Day: It’s not about huge or important gestures. Sure, you could donate a million dollars or solve world hunger, but it’s just as meaningful to share a smile, hold the door for someone, or send an encouraging text. The ripple effect of these small acts can be enormous.
So, as you go about your day, think of Emerson’s words: You can’t be too early with your kindness, but you can be too late. Sometimes it is better late then never... but other times too late is just too late. And who wants that to happen?
That’s it for today’s episode of The Daily Quote. Go out there, spread some kindness, and make More Good Today Day count. I’m Andrew McGivern, reminding you that the world could always use more good—especially today. See you tomorrow - same pod time, same pod station for another Daily Quote!