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Are you looking to celebrate World Kindness Day this November? Being kind can improve the lives of those around you and your own too.
Let’s take a look at this annual holiday and how you can do your part to celebrate it.
What is World Kindness Day?
World Kindness Day is a holiday kickstarted by the World Kindness Movement in 2019. However, it has been celebrated around the world for several decades, depending on who you ask.
On this day, everyone comes together to make the world a kinder and more loving place. Through big and small acts, we all have the potential to demonstrate kindness and compassion—and these actions can make a significant, positive impact on our world.
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When is World Kindness Day?
World Kindness Day is celebrated on Nov. 13 of every year, making it easy to add to your calendar. On this day, people all around the world celebrate, which means you may hear about World Kindness Day on the days surrounding this holiday, too.
What is the Goal of World Kindness Day?
The goal of World Kindness Day is to pause, reflect and act with kindness in your heart. It challenges each of us to look inside and find new ways to be kinder to those around us, as well as the world at large. We all owe it to one another to embrace kindness every single day, but World Kindness Day can be the perfect day to start on your pledge to be more kind.
Ways to Do Good on World Kindness Day
Use these simple steps to kickstart World Kindness Day for you and your loved ones.
Reflect on Kindness
The spirit of World Kindness Day exists in two parts—reflection and action. When we take time to reflect upon kindness and what it means for our world, we automatically elevate ourselves and give ourselves a higher chance of acting with kindness on a daily basis.
How you reflect on kindness is entirely up to you. You might consider dwelling on the true impact of kindness and how it can improve the lives of those around you, or you can decide what kindness really means for you.
Questions to Reflect on Kindness Include:
- Who does kindness impact?
- How does kindness make the world better?
- What can kindness do for each of us?
- Where does kindness rest in your heart?
- What are some of the kindest acts you have ever experienced or witnessed?
- What is the most recent act of kindness you have taken?
- What is the purpose of kindness?
- What can you do to be more kind?
Be Kind
In combination with reflection, action is important on this day. As you take time to consider how you can be kinder, you should also pursue kind actions. This is good for you too. After all, people who embrace kindness regularly have 23 percent less cortisol and are believed to age less quickly.
Most of us incorporate kind actions into our lives on a regular basis, but on this day, we can really make them count. Take time to put a little extra effort into kindness on this day.
Be more understanding, smile a little wider, and ask others what you can do to support them. These small acts of kindness can build up, and they can have a substantial impact on someone’s day.
When you realize just how much power your kindness truly has, you will be inspired to keep up the trend every day.
Look For Opportunities to Make Others Smile
Kindness and its impacts look different based on different situations. However, one sure way to be kind is to look for opportunities to make the people around you smile. Friends, family, loved ones, coworkers and even strangers—look for new ways to bring a smile to the faces of those around you.
As you make your way through your day, consider the many incredible ways you can make others smile. If you’re not sure where to start, consider the following:
- Check in with the people around you
- Compliment someone in a polite and appropriate way
- Praise someone for their efforts
- Surprise someone with a special gift
- Treat someone to a meal or delicious treat
Smile more—and watch the world smile back! When you are kind, you feel good too.
Donate Time, Money or Items
Kindness is not just about making others feel good. It is also about lending a hand when people need it. Some of the most powerful acts of kindness are designed to lift people up and let them know that they are not alone.
Donations are a wonderful act of kindness that can have a high impact. There are people who need help paying bills, who need support with certain tasks, and who are going without their essentials. A donation can go a long way in lifting up those around you, and this is a very kind thing to do.
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Show Love to the People Around You
In many ways, kindness is an act of love. It is a gesture that shows compassion and caring for those around you. On this day, you can really spread love to make your kindness count.
There are so many ways to show love, and they often differ based on the person and the situation. You might show your team at work love by showing up with a box of donuts for the team, or you might show your family love by making their favorite meal.
Find ways that lift up the hearts of the people you love most. Being more kind can actually increase your lifespan.
Encourage Others to Do Good Deeds
Your acts of kindness can have a substantial impact—and they will. Of course, we all have so much more to gain when we are all kind to one another. On this day, take time to encourage the people you know and love to do good deeds that show kindness, too. As more people participate, more love and kindness are shared.
Be a Part of the World Kindness Movement
Kindness is contagious, and the world is better when we embrace it. You can join in this movement this year and every year that follows. Spread positivity, joy—and kindness!
To learn how to be kinder and have a positive impact, explore our resources at Caring Magazine, where we believe that being a nice human always has a place in your day.
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