It's World Kindness Day 2013

Last edited Wed Nov 13, 2013, 01:22 PM - Edit history (1)

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ORIGINAL POST: http://www.ourcollectivegood.com/compassion-empathy/its-world-kindness-day-2013/


World Kindness Day is the project of The World Kindness Movement, first celebrated in Tokyo in 1997.

This year’s World Kindness Day falls less than one week after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines. Google’s resource list is a good place to start if you’d like to manifest kindness for those suffering in the Philippines.

If you’re looking for other ideas, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation maintains a list of “kindness ideas,” which includes cleaning up graffiti, donating used books to your local library, and tutoring schoolchildren.

As part of Wishadoo!’s upcoming Six Degrees of Compassion Campaign, perhaps breaking acts of kindness down into six categories can be helpful, depending upon your mood and resources in any given moment.

1. YOU. Consider, first and foremost, being mindful of being kind to YOURSELF.

2. FAMILY (this includes pets and friends who are like family). It’s easy to take those closest to us for granted. Consider acknowledging your loved ones in a way you don’t normally take the time to do; that alone is an expression of kindness.

3. FRIENDS (neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances). A smile, a hug, holding the door open for others…it really is the simple things that can make the difference in someone’s day.

4. COMMUNITY — LOCAL. There are so many opportunities to act with kindness and compassion in every community. Given the time of year and the growing need all around, perhaps consider donating to your local food bank or volunteering at a soup kitchen.

5. COMMUNITY — GLOBAL (see aid for Philippines). An awareness that we are all connected, and that we’re all in this together, can be the basis for moving through each day as a global citizen who chooses to act with kindness and compassion.

6. THE EARTH AND ALL CREATURES. Simply being aware of the need to be kind to the Earth and our environment, and other creatures with whom we share the earth, is a kindness in and of itself. Once aware, the choices we make each day can then be ones which are compassionate toward the environment and wildlife.

When you think one act can’t possibly make a difference in a world that sometimes seems immersed in suffering, remember the story of the starfish: