World Kindness Day

By: Sam T.

World Kindness Day was started by the World Kindness Movement in 1998 and is celebrated annually on November 13th. The purpose of World Kindness Day, according to the creators of the World Kindness Movement, is “to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us.” 

World Kindness Day highlights the need for more kindness in the world we live in today, as well as appreciation for the kindness that we sometimes take for granted. If you’ve ever sat alone on the bus or by yourself at lunch, you may have felt left out, unwanted, or sad; sometimes there are times in our lives where it feels like no one is capable of being kind. Friends can be unkind, family, teachers, or even strangers. The purpose of World Kindness Day is to look past these feelings of negativity, and to recognize that there is so much compassion in the world that goes unnoticed every day. From recognizing the incomparable acts of bravery and justice that our veterans and our current armed forces have gone/go through for our safety, to appreciating when someone lets you borrow a pencil in class, good deeds surround you and your community constantly. 

World Kindness Day is about recognizing and spreading this kindness. What can you do to make sure that kindness is felt in your community and in the lives of those around you? It can be simple!

1. Be kind to the people you love. Hug your parents, siblings, or friends: tell them how much you appreciate what they do, and maybe give them something small such as a handmade card or some flowers to show them that they are loved.

2. Be kind to strangers! Whether it’s paying for the Dunkin Donuts order of the person behind you in the drive-thru line, or holding the door open for someone, there are so many ways to spread kindness wherever you go. Check out this awesome list for more random acts of kindness ideas:

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas

3. Be kind to those who need it. Sit with someone new at lunch who looks like they need a friend, donate some old clothes to charity, collect canned goods for a Thanksgiving food drive, you name it! There are so many ways to give back to your community and to those in it who need a little more help and kindness in their lives.

4. Be kind to yourself. Self-care is one of the most important things that you can do. Be kind to your body by staying hydrated and by eating healthy, be kind to your soul by dancing to your favorite song or watching a movie you love, and be kind to your mind by reminding yourself how awesome and loved you are by those around you! Being kind to yourself is so important, so don’t forget to celebrate yourself on World Kindness Day too!

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless” -Mother Teresa

“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” -Henry James