Being kind is the sort of platitude even children get tired of hearing. In The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin writes “One conclusion was blatantly clear from my happiness research: everyone from contemporary scientists to ancient philosophers agrees that having strong social bonds is probably the most meaningful contributor to happiness.”

It’s one of those things that, heard so often, can sound cliché. But take this snippet of an interview from the Longford podcast, at 32 minutes, when Katie Engelhart says this: “Another observation I had, while writing this book and also other projects, [is] when someone is sick or dying and suffering, I think they can become - selfish is the wrong word, because it’s negative, but - really focused on themselves. I mean it’s something I notice all the time. Usually on an assignment, if I’m asking questions, people have questions about me, about my work and my job. When someone’s really sick, or they’re dying, they don’t ask those questions that much. They’re busy.” Isn’t it fascinating? Because it takes this cliché about kindness that feels a little shallow: be nice to people and you’ll feel better; and adds depth. Dying is this inward focused energy and living is outward focused and a sign of health is this out-going act of care for others.