Have you given any thought to how you might spend World Kindness Day? First launched in 1998 by The World Kindness Movement, this special day of compassionate coming together is celebrated every year on November 13.
Currently, dozens of nations are involved in the World Kindness Movement, including the UK, Canada, Italy, India, and the United Arab Emirates. The annual Kindness Conference was held in Lugano, Switzerland, in October 2019. The first World Youth Conference on Kindness took place in New Delhi, India, in August 2019. Here, 60 young people from 27 countries underwent Compassionate Integrity Training (CIT).
The shared vision of all these diverse individuals and countries is to make the world a better place by recognizing and inspiring good deeds and pledging acts of kindness. World Kindness Day “is a day that encourages individuals to overlook boundaries, race, and religion in order to promote peaceful co-existence,” wrote Gulf News in 2009.
Following are some easy ways you can become a RAKtivist (Random Acts of Kindness activist), many of which, just like kindness, cost nothing.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32
Want a great way to celebrate on November 13 without even leaving home? Think of someone for whom you’re holding onto a grudge or resentment. Yep—that’s the one! The first person who comes to mind is your candidate.
Dedicate World Kindness Day to forgiving this person. Find a healing prayer for forgiveness online that speaks to your heart, or write one of your own. You might need more than just one day to complete this exercise, but setting your intention on November 13 and making an effort is a wonderful start.
"Love is patient, love is kind." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Here’s another gift you can give to others that shouldn’t require too much effort or time. When do you tend to lose your patience? What triggers you into becoming short and snappy? Maybe it’s the slow drivers in front of you on the highway or the elderly person who takes forever to write out the check at the grocery store cash register.
Find or create your very own patience prayer that calms and re-centers you. Vow to use it every time you find yourself in one of your most “losing it” situations until World Kindness Day 2020. Can you imagine what a powerful transformation you might experience if you did this for a full year?
“When words are both true and kind, they can change the world.” — Buddha
Use the power of your own kind words to lift others. Ideas include:
Really get into detail, and give examples of times you’ve seen them shine. You can hand it to them, read it to them, or even email it to them. No matter how you deliver the message, they’re sure to feel empowered and “seen.”
If you had a great haircut or a fantastic meal, take two minutes to share your experience on Yelp or Google. Online reviews have a huge impact on sales and revenue, so throw your support behind the people and businesses you feel deserve to be frequented.
If a bank teller goes out of his way to help you with a difficult transaction or a grocery store employee is especially attentive, take a minute to praise them to their manager. Your recognition might just help them get the raise or promotion they’ve been working so hard for.
“Kindness is giving hope to those who think they are all alone in this world.” — RAKtivist
Be a source of comfort and companionship for a person who may feel forgotten. You could go into a nearby assisted living home and ask the staff which resident receives very few visitors. See if you can spend some time reading to or reminiscing with this special senior.
If you have a heart for animals, consider fostering. Ask the local rescue shelter which animal has been there the longest. Even if just for a few weeks, taking an animal out of the loud, crowded shelter environment and into a warm, loving home can make a huge difference in their adoptability. By taking a dog or cat into your home temporarily, you're freeing up a spot for another animal in need.
Some positive health benefits you get from being kind
While you’re busy bringing light and love into other peoples’ lives with your heartfelt acts of kindness, you’re also reaping the rewards physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Research on the science of kindness shows that kindness increases:
Kindness decreases:
Small acts, big effects
Practicing kindness can be a very simple endeavor. It doesn’t require that you spend any money or make any Herculean efforts. Bringing even a small amount of mindfulness to the intention of World Kindness Day and devising your own meaningful way to participate is enough. Find inspiration in these wise words:
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” — Amelia Earhart
“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” — Scott Adams
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” — Desmond Tutu
Lastly, remember to be kind to yourself!
If you’d like to learn more about professions that enable you to serve wholeheartedly and faithfully in your life’s work or want to learn more about a biblically-based, Christ-centered education at Geneva College, we’d love to chat with you.
For more information on how Geneva College can help you pursue your education goals, please phone us at 855-979-5563 or email web@geneva.edu.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Nov 13, 2019
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