Get ready for World Kindness Day!

It’s easy.

Nov 12

a closeup of a yellow iris bloom and fronds weith one petal in focus and the the rest slightly blurred — If Kindness Had a Color © Kathryn LeRoy

Hello friends,

I still hear myself chiding our children, “Just be nice.” Kindness doesn’t always come naturally, and toddlers and adults can always use a dose of direction and encouragement.

Sunday, November 13, is World Kindness Day. You don’t have to wait for a special day or week to begin because every day has plenty of opportunity for us to spread a little joy by simply being nice to one another.

Did you know that kindness is good for your health? The Mayo Clinic’s wellness program even has a component called Kickstart Kindness “to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion; decrease anxiety and stress; and improve mood and relationships.”

I gathered some suggestions to remind myself that kindness rarely cost me anything. The only thing I lose is my ego and impatience.

My Top Ten Acts of Kindness

Smile.
Give someone the benefit of the doubt.
Remember the magic words, “please” and “thank you.”
Give a compliment (and mean it).
Do a favor without asking for anything in return.
Write a note to someone you love, a friend, or a stranger.
Listen, really listen.
Take the day off from complaining, about anything.
Send an uplifting message to a friend or family member.
Say “good morning” to anyone who crosses your path.

I like to dream big. What if everyone in the world started with just these ten and developed a habit of kindness that stretched to more actions of support, encouragement, and generosity?

Let’s give it a try.

A photo of a child with her arm in front of her face the eys and eylashes drawn on her arm at the level of her eyes. The sign: If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that. (author unknown) — Random Act of Kindness Foundation

I wrote about Brad Aronson’s book HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act at a Time and how one person can make a difference.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has more ideas for how to spread kindness at home, school, and in your community.

Let music inspire your kindness with songs like Try a Little Kindness, Humble and Kind, Count on Me, and Kind and Generous.

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity, and kindness.
—Maya Angelou

The sun coming up behind the clouds with rays piercing the sky across the mountains — The Kindness of Nature © Kathryn LeRoy

Find a little wonder this week, and go ahead and try a little kindness.

With gratitude,

Kathryn

Thanks for reading. Feel free to forward this weekly note to someone who would enjoy a few words of inspiration. And I always welcome your thoughts, so, please do . . .

Leave a comment

If a friend forwarded this email to you, and you want more, you can sign up below.