Write a letter. Clean up the community by picking up trash. Support local businesses. Acts of kindness can look like many different things, but each helps to make the world a better place.
World Kindness Day was started in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement when a group of organizations agreed that prioritizing kindness was a necessity. Now, it falls on November 13th each year and is celebrated in over 28 countries.
According to Inspire Kindness, the purpose of World Kindness Day is to “highlight and encourage good deeds in your community. It also serves as a reminder to all that simple acts of kindness have power and that together, we can all work to create a kinder world.”
Being kind to others positively affects everyone involved. The Mental Health Foundation advocates for kindness’s mental health benefits.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, “evidence shows that helping others can also benefit our own mental health and wellbeing. For example, it can reduce stress as well as improve mood, self-esteem and happiness.”
Being kind has something in it for everyone. Sophomore Savannah Coulter celebrates kindness by practicing awareness and supporting her loved ones.
“Recently, I’ve worked hard to be attentive to how my friends and family are feeling, and how I could possibly help them out. I think it’s really important to show your friends that you care in ways that translate well to them. For example, for some a hug is comforting but for others, it can make them overstimulated,” said Coulter.
Empathy goes hand in hand with practicing kindness.
“Just remember that everyone is going through something that no one knows about. Spread light and love when you can!” said Coulter.
School counselor Mrs. Tonya Egas has seen kindness at Salem first hand.
“The kindness I’ve seen includes students helping others that drop things in a crowded hallway and students showing empathy to others even if they do not know the other student,” said Egas. “Also, teachers having positive communication with other teachers and many individuals at Salem offering support when someone else needs it.”
As important as spreading kindness is, it can sound so vague that finding out where to start can be difficult. Fortunately, there are opportunities to spread positivity every day.
“Offer positive vibes to others instead of negative,” said Egas. “There is too much going on in the world these days to focus on the negative. Also, always think of The Golden Rule — always treat others as you would like to be treated!”
According to Inspire Kindness, kindness “isn’t easy to comprehend, but every kind act, even the smallest one, creates a ripple effect you can’t begin to imagine.”
Every act of kindness helps at least one person. So, just because World Kindness has passed doesn’t mean you should stop focusing on being kind.
