Three weeks ago when I entered the huge brightly lit studio with floor to ceiling windows and mirrors, I was a bit intimidated. How many people would fill the space in 15 minutes? Would I be able to keep up with the others in class? What pieces of equipment stashed in one corner would we use? I only had to look around for a minute before a woman came over to say hi and told me to grab a mat, a few weights, and a bench. She showed me where the instructor stood so I could set myself up and easily follow along. How very kind, I thought. This nice person even found me after our sweaty 60-minute session and said it takes time to get the routine down and she bid me a great day. It made me feel good that entire day and still does now.
Any act of kindness, big or small, random or not, makes me take notice, reminds me of the good in this world, and makes me want to pay it forward. It can be as simple as offering a supportive hug, listening to a friend who’s going through a rough time, or giving someone a genuine compliment. Kindness matters.
From my journal: December 13, 2004, Newbury Park, California
“Came back to school today…still so sad about Bagel (our dog) passing away. The kids made me a card. Some shared stories about their own pets dying, trying to make me feel better…so kind.”
Today is World Kindness Day so it’s the perfect time to write about this so needed and so appreciated quality each of us has the opportunity to give and receive every single day. Introduced in 1998, this international observance was created by the World Kindness Movement, an organization whose focus is to spread global good feelings.
How can we participate and where do we begin? Most of us interact with others on a daily basis. So why not start there? Smile at everyone you meet. I know when someone smiles at me, I can’t help but return the gesture. Greeting others with a friendly hello is another way to make an easy connection and most often it is reciprocated. Offering a meaningful compliment is a great way to boost someone’s confidence. In turn they may notice something about you or another person that they can praise.
Being mindful of our manners also shows we care. Holding a door open for someone, always saying Thank You, and asking if a person needs help are simple to do. Checking in with family and friends, as well as spending a few extra minutes talking with a neighbor, keeps us connected and lets everyone know they’re valued.
Other worthwhile ideas include leaving a generous tip for a server to show your appreciation. I also like slipping inspiring notes in library books for others to discover. Unexpected and fun! I once found a postcard tucked away in a borrowed book. On it were heartfelt words apparently written from one friend to another. Postage was already attached, so I simply dropped it in a nearby mailbox. Hopefully, a welcome surprise for the recipient!
In our communities we can demonstrate kindness by becoming involved in various charitable efforts. Lending a hand at a local food bank, supporting local businesses and schools, and volunteering in any capacity with an organization whose mission you believe in will bring us all closer together, uniting us for positive change.
Although World Kindness Day is officially one day long, it’s been established to raise awareness in the hope that these acts of compassion become a part of our everyday lives. Hence, sending out a wave of optimism that lasts throughout the year. Given all that is currently happening around us, I know how much I welcome a thoughtful word, a gracious gesture, or a pleasant interaction that touches me and makes me to want to pay the feeling forward. One small act of kindness can truly lead to another and another, creating a big impact on us, our communities, and the world we live in.
Kindness really does matter. Pass it on.
A Journal Journey 