It’s so easy to bitch and moan about how screwed up the world is. So simple to vent about how petty and selfish and abusive people can be. So satisfying to be bitter and angry and chock full of well-deserved rage. Life is full of disappointment. And when you’re looking for reasons to be pissed off, they’re certainly not hard to find. But every once in a while people surprise you. As humans, we don’t always do the right thing. And we can be savagely cruel — often without even trying. We lash out when we’re hurt and wounded, and we hurt others to mask the pain. But humanity is often noble and good, and random acts of kindness abound. We are capable of great love, selfless generosity, unyielding friendship, fierce loyalty and a real desire at our core to do what’s right.

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most brilliant. Sometimes the most mundane acts of kindness can turn the worst day around. Everyone’s trying so hard to be different, to be special, to be noticed, to get ahead. How much more amazing would the world be if we all just tried a little hard to be nice? It’s such a simple concept, and it doesn’t really take that much effort. A kind word here and there. Truly listening instead of just waiting for your chance to speak. Thinking about someone else’s thoughts and feelings. Considering what you can do for the world instead of obsessing about the world could and should do for you.

Trust me, I’m not preaching here. I am as guilty as the next person. I’ve let life get me down on a regular basis and failed to take simple steps to brighten another person’s day when I’ve been too focused on how crappy my own day is. I’ve let friends down and perpetuated a cycle of negativity that made things worse instead of better.

But I came across this amazing website that gave me a new perspective and made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Created by a talented young graphic designer, Operation Nice is designed to encourage everyone to be just a little bit nicer — and to share their “nice encounters” with others. My favorite is the section on Nice Assignments, little things you can do to help spread some love and be a positive catalyst for change. To quote the great Steve Jobs:

The People Crazy Enough to Think They Can Change the World Are the Ones Who Do.

We could all use a little more crazy in our lives. And a lot more nice!