In the midst of changing times and uncertainty, it is necessary to shift our focus, taking stock of what's important in our live: family, friends, community, spirituality and health. When our lives are busy and fast paced, we often overlook the value of the obvious.

Life in any form is a precious gift and sometimes we neglect that fact by treating those around us and ourselves without appreciation and without respect. Driving in my car last week, I observed other drivers, both men and women bursting with impatience and anger as they pulled in front of slower moving cars. They frantically waved their arms and screamed through closed windows, their faces registering their dissatisfaction.

When I was in the supermarket, I recently witnessed people racing about, heedless of others, forgetting what little effort it takes to smile and convey an attitude of warmth.What is happening to us, I wondered, examining my own hustle and forgetfulness to bestow those simple acts of kindness to others. Are we so caught up in fear and concern for our own well being that we have pushed aside friendly dialogue that costs us so little and yet means so much? And if so, what are the implications on a broader scale?

Attitude is contagious. Remember a time when someone angered you or mistreated you. Perhaps afterward, you felt upset and in your next interaction with another person, you unknowingly conveyed some anger or unease. That person reacted to your communication and may have yelled at her child and so on down the line until many people were negatively affected by that first remark or mistreatment by someone they didn't even know.

If we want to create peace and ease in our lives, it is our responsibility to make sure that all our interactions reflect well-meaning intention. We have the power to change how we treat others, including how we treat ourselves. Now more than ever it's important to exercise that power and to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.

I decided that I was going to practice what I call rightful intention and see its effect. In a restaurant I visited, the unsmilingly waitress was curt and look frazzled as if she was having a rough day. She slapped the menu down on the table and spoke in an irritated and impatient voice when asking for my order.

"You must be so busy," I said sympathetically, "it's really crowded in here." She sighed and confided that one of the waitresses hadn't shown up for work and she had already put in an eight-hour shift and had just started another. "Wow, that's a really long day," I empathized. She smiled at me, took my order and even brought me some extra napkins and sliced lemons for my water. When I got up to go, she thanked me for my understanding and I felt really good inside. I left thinking that I had accomplished something by taking the time to be attentive to the needs of another person - - a stranger- -and she responded in kindness. Hopefully, the next customers reaped the rewards of our positive exchange.

The next time you're driving your car, in a store or supermarket, or anywhere, remember to exercise your power to affect change by intending kindness. Hopefully you will make a difference in the life of another.