I believe the question starts from the premise that we have lost faith in people, which is very true from the perspective of those of us who live in large cities full of problems.

Setting aside the high rates of crime and violence, people in cities have become more distrustful than they were in the last century, and that tendency has skyrocketed after the pandemic. Cities have turned into a kind of drug that numbs people into a cold and superficial life. No one trusts anyone anymore, and the premise is that everyone is bad until proven otherwise. Sad but true — this is how we live in these times.

In the midst of this heavy dream, on the verge of becoming a nightmare, it is difficult to find kindness in the city, or someone who magically restores our faith in people. Acts of kindness, compassion, and charity are increasingly rare. People simply want to finish their day, go back home, and be with their families. No one is interested in a stranger. Out on the street, it’s every man for himself.

Cities do not run on kindness, on friendly treatment, or on a sincere and selfless smile. Cities feed on our fear and coldness. That almost robotic hardness is what creates jobs, which in turn brings more immigration from rural areas. With immigration, cities grow; fear and apathy grow; and that generates more jobs. And in that vicious cycle, cities expand in size and population. And we call that progress.

To regain faith in people, we have to turn our eyes back to the countryside and nature. The solitude, silence, and peace of the land restore the spirituality we have lost and make us feel part of this earth we must care for. Kindness in people will return when we recover the simplicity and humility of the past — when we understand what nature gives us, when we are willing to care for it and repay its generosity through our actions.