World Kindness Day has been celebrated on every November 13th since 1998.
It encourages people to perform acts of kindness and spread happiness to those around them. The ultimate goal is for this kindness to become a default; something that is practiced every day, rather than just once a year.
This World Kindness Day, start with some simple tasks that will make you think more about how kindness can transform your, and someone else’s, life.
Go out of your way for someone
Whether it’s a complete stranger, or your best friend, commit yourself to doing something nice for someone today. Here are some ideas:
- – Pay for coffee for the next person in line.
- – Fill up your significant other’s gas tank before they wake up for work.
- – Text a friend you haven’t talked to in awhile and make plans to see them.
- – Pick up lunch for a lucky coworker.
- – And, my personal favorite — if you receive awesome service from someone, leave them an extra generous tip!
The great thing about these little acts of kindness? They make you feel good, too.
Use Common courtesy (it goes farther than you think)
Smiling, opening the door for people, and asking “How is your day going?” are behaviors that have been ingrained in most of us since we were kids. However, when our lives get busy, they can be pretty easy to forget.
Try to recall a time when you were having a bad day, and someone’s smile or kind words made you feel better. Just being friendly can have a powerful impact.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop
Compliment, compliment, compliment!
This might not work for you if you’re on the shyer side, but noticing something you like about someone and telling them is a great habit to get into. It can be about anything from a cool article of clothing, to the fact that they’re always making funny jokes. Everyone can use a confidence booster at some point in their day.
Be positive on social media
It’s easy to get into a cycle of complaining on social media; it’s also contagious. When one person shares something negative that someone else can relate to, it tends to travel.
While venting your frustrations in the form of a lengthy Facebook post isn’t necessarily a bad thing, don’t turn it into a pattern. We often spend hours a day on social media; try making it a positive space instead. You can post about the promotion you just got at work (and feel good about how happy everyone is for you). Sharing cute videos, articles, and pictures is another way to spruce up your account. Also, comment and like the things your friends post! It is scientifically proven that the more you “like” someone’s posts, the more they will like you. Social media is about interaction, after all.
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Don’t forget about yourself
Being kind is a gift that you give to other people, but it can also be something you do for yourself. Don’t forget to be kind, loving, and forgiving of yourself. Little things like buying that shirt you really like, or taking the occasional day off work, are simple ways that you can take care of yourself.
You deserve every inch of the warmth you put out into the world!
Learn more about the World Kindness Movement here:
http://www.theworldkindnessmovement.org/
