World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day, falling on November 13, is when people commit to sharing happiness, kindness and positive energy with others. We use this day to highlight the fantastic contributions done in our communities. Not that the inputs have to be grand, it could be small gestures like holding open a door, complimenting someone on their outfit, or anything that creates those warm feelings you get from doing a good deed.
This one day helps significantly in the lives of millions of people around the world. Not only does it make people feel good at heart, but also helps with some physical and mental problems. For instance, it helps to reduce social anxiety, uplifts a person’s self-esteem and optimism and improves a person’s mood and emotions. Nineteen-year-old Shemara Carter says that “This is a great way to inspire younger individuals to be kind to others.”
World Kindness Day originates from the World Kindness Movement in 1998. The purpose of the World Kindness Movement was to inspire others and to create a more compassionate world through the work of programs around the globe. It provides opportunities to network with others, to raise awareness and to share ideas on kindness programs.
The definition of kindness is, “the state of being gentle and considerate to others”. However, some people say that genuine compassion is about being able to put others’ well being before yourself or being able to be there for someone in need. Nichelle Miller, a freshman social work major says that, “Kindness means showing the love of Jesus.”
Once in a while, a person does a small act of kindness like giving money to a homeless person, volunteering at a youth center, or helping out at a local nursing home. However, on this one day, the purpose is to circulate mass kindness. This day gives the opportunities for you to try to make a change in someone’s life, as well as gaining a sense of fulfillment for the deed you have done. One way that you can be involved in this day is by doing acts like donating to a community center or cleaning up litter in a park.
In public places, like a college campus, you can write uplifting messages on sticky notes and place them on the mirrors bathrooms or the computer screens in the library. Most of all, to be entirely engaged in the activity you can spread positivity through social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat, where you can use the hashtags #WKM or #WorldKindnessDay to share your involvement with the world. Even call or text people that you know and compliment on how they are amazing and talented. When asked how the kindness of others have affected her, Jaci Combre, a 19-year-old Mass Communication major, says that “it always makes me appreciative of those around me.” She adds “Besides being kind on a daily basis, you can show exaggerated kindness and thank those who are always kind to you.”
On this day show the genuine kindness that is in your heart. If you want to learn more about this day, you can go on to theworldkindnessmovement.org. So go out and spread your kindness to everyone. Happy World Kindness Day!