J.R. Miller emphasizes the importance of expressing kindness and appreciation to the living rather than waiting until after death, using the example of a woman who anointed Jesus with perfume while he was alive. He reflects on how often kind words and gestures are reserved for funerals, where they lose their impact and meaning for the deceased. Miller urges listeners to break open their 'alabaster boxes' of love and gratitude now, to uplift those who are weary and struggling in life. He highlights that true kindness should be shared while people can still feel its warmth, rather than being wasted on the dead. Ultimately, he calls for a shift in how we express our affection, advocating for a life filled with encouragement and support for one another.