Kindness should be practiced every day, as it feels great to give! However, every November 13th is celebrated as World Kindness Day around the world! The World Kindness Day was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. Although the theme of this day is to encourage random acts of kindness, sometimes being random is harder than it sounds.
Here’s a list of ideas to spread joy ‘randomly’ among friends and strangers, even though it may involve some planning.
- Drop off Thank You Cards with a flower or small plant at the doorstep of friends and family. Include a little note about how you appreciate them and talk about how you look forward to more fun times in the future.
- Give your Mailman, Favorite Waiter/Waitress, Barista, Gas Station Attendant, Grocery Checker, Banker, Hairdresser, etc. a small gift card to buy a coffee or fresh smoothie. It will be a complete surprise to them and they will love it!
- Sign up to volunteer at a local charity, or make a small donation to a new charity.
- Drop off large print puzzle books to a local senior home.
- Let people cut in front of you in line. Open a door for others. Smile.
- Drop pet food off at a local non-profit animal shelter or rescue.
- Pay for the person behind you in line (coffee, car wash, juice, etc.)
- Complement a complete stranger on something. I like your shoes, your haircut, your sweater (don’t be creepy about it – just a quick nice compliment) 🙂
- Drop off fresh baked goods for your local Fire or Police Station with a nice note.
- Make a phone call to a family member who you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
Teach Your Children
Discuss World Kindness Day with your kids. Ask them for ideas and help your child execute on that concept. Make sure it’s achievable – the act doesn’t have to involve an item or money spent, it may simply be a smile or a nice comment. Here’s a picture my daughter made for our neighbor when she was little – it still cracks me up, and I know he enjoyed it as well!
Be kind y’all!
