World Kindness Day

13th of November is World Kindness Day, a day to let go of old grudges and be kind to those around us. Whether it’s spreading kindness through small gestures or large ones, it’s important to encourage words of kindness in order to prevail over hatred. The word itself is derived from the old English language, ‘kyndnes’ meaning courtesy. It was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of nations' kindness non-governmental organizations. This blog will cover the different ways in which we can be kind to ourselves and those around us. It is a day celebrated by different states and cultures, encouraging the practice of random acts of kindness. So, what are some ways we can be kind? Read on to find out.

Different Acts Of Kindness

There are both small and large acts of kindness you could try promoting. For instance, being kind to yourself to begin with. Getting into bed early and waking up refreshed or treating yourself to a good quality pillow or mattress are good examples of practising self-kindness. How TEMPUR® Material works is complex, but what it does is simple: it helps you achieve that truly restful sleep.

When it comes to showing kindness to others, giving out compliments to those you love or smiling at a stranger can also help promote kindness and even holding a door open or giving up your seat on a crowded train could do the trick. So, be kind to not only yourself but others too.

World Kindness Day Around The World

According to National Today, there are similar holidays around the world that celebrate acts of kindness, generosity, and love to bring about world peace. For instance, Israel celebrates Good Deeds Day; a day for people in Israel to volunteer good deeds for others in the community. In the UK there is a Mitzvah Day where community groups and individuals partake in a range of volunteer projects for those in need in their local community. New Zealand has a random acts of kindness day and internationally other countries celebrate this day by promoting volunteering throughout the world.

According to the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, here’s a list of some of the fun and engaging challenges to try to encourage a kinder, more compassionate environment.

• Bring in a yummy treat or everyone to enjoy
• Create time in your day to connect with someone
• Treat someone to a cup of coffee (a colleague or stranger)
• Tell someone they are doing a great job
• Call someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to
• Tell someone two things you appreciate about them
• Download a meditation app and try it out before bed
• Help someone who could use an extra hand
• Text a colleague an encouraging message
• Write a letter to your future self (futureme.org)
• Recommend an uplifting movie or book to someone
• Send someone a card or note of appreciation
• Text someone a positive message

The Principle Of Altruism

Altruism is the principle and moral practice of caring for the welfare and/or happiness of other human beings or animals. According to First Things, kin altruism describes kindness as care, sympathy, and compassion within families. Mutualism focuses on communities such as teams, gangs, and sects, wherein kindness takes the form of solidarity, loyalty, or civic mindedness. Reciprocal altruism is the idea that evolution favours kindness toward others who might sometime return the favour; kindness is manifested as sympathy, trust, and friendship. Competitive altruism posits kindness as behaviour that imagines and benefits an audience, in the form of generosity, public service, bravery, or chivalry: Being kind can make you look good. 

Kindness Quotes

Always remember that kindness overcomes differences and bridges divides. So, here’s words to live by from some well-known kind activists:

“The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time, have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been kindness, beauty and truth.”

 -       Albert Einstein

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

-       Martin Luther King Jr.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

-       Desmond Tutu 

“You can always give something, even if it is only kindness.”

-       Anne Frank 

“It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.”

-       Mother Teresa

“Kindness should become the natural way of life, not the exception.”

-       Gautama Buddha

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

-       Dalai Lama

What is your chosen random act of kindness?