Gasoline prices have skyrocketed. The cost of groceries has shot up as well. Almost everything in the world today has just gotten more and more expensive. So, it got us to thinking … what hasn’t gone up in price?

Kindness: It costs the same today as it did last year to show someone a little kindness. To hold open a door for someone walking behind you into a store. To cut a neighbor’s lawn when you’re out cutting your own (come to think of it, that does cost a little more with the increased price of gas; but not too much). To pick up a piece of trash you find along the side of the road. To volunteer some of your time and expertise to help out a charity in need. Or a neighbor in need. Or a friend. While it doesn’t cost much, or anything, a little kindness often pays big dividends.

Understanding: Patience, understanding and compassion are undervalued, yet extremely valuable, commodities. Even in the best of times, people are dealing with a lot of inner turmoil; problems that you do...