World Kindness Day 2020

 "Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness." - R.J. Palicio

Happy World Kindness Day 2020! 

World Kindness Day is a holiday reminding us of the importance of being kind to each other, to ourselves, and to the world. It's a great day to help everyone understand that kindness is the glue that binds us all together. If we instill kindness in everything we do, we can overcome the things that separate us when it relates to politics, race, religion, gender and so much more. 

2020 has been challenging and continues to be, as we close out the final months of the year. More recently the second and third rise of COVID-19 cases across our nation has increased our level of stress. Everyone is exhausted and anxious from all of the chaos in the world as we commence upon the Holiday season. Everyone we know is dealing with some level of stress and anxiety. It's important to keep that on our top of mind, as we begin today and every day.

It's a great opportunity for us to be purposeful in our thoughts and in our actions. A great day to start practicing intentional acts of kindness. Seek out opportunities to add value to any situation. Make a thoughtful effort to find ways to make a positive difference in someone's day today and every day. It's these simple acts of kindness that have the power to create a kinder, more gentle world. You can make a difference. One teeny tiny act at a time. You can change someone's day, and yours, for the better.

I encourage you to go out of your way to find ways to be kind to one another, with your friends, family, and co-workers. Whether you are online at school, work, or even out-and-about. Every act of kindness, even the simplest and smallest ones can create a ripple effect you cannot even begin to imagine. If you're the recipient of a kind act, pay it forward and share the love.

Here are some small and simple ways you can add kindness to someone's day:

• Greet people by name. People love to hear their names.
• Give a compliment.
• Give a smile.
• Post or share a positive message, through text, social media, email.
• Help someone out, whether they need it or not.  Offer your assistance.
• Tell someone you love them.
• Check-in on your true friends. Especially great if you haven't reached out in a while. Let them know the difference they have made in your life.
• Send a surprise gift to someone. Candy. Flowers. A heartfelt letter.
• Run errands for someone else. Groceries? Post office?
• Spend less time on your phone, and really focus on being present, at the moment.
• Give to charity or volunteer.
• Clean up and organize your house.  Everyone will appreciate it.
• Approach every situation with an Attitude of Gratitude.
• Practice positive thinking. This leads to positive actions.
• Make a new friend.
• Be kind to a stranger.
• Cook a meal for someone. 
• Listen to others to 'be amazed'.

Remember, everyone who crosses your path today and every day is fighting some sort of life battle and challenge in their lives. Spread kindness intentionally, as everyone could use a little. Reach out and make a positive difference in someone's life today. Not because you have to, but because you can! Little random acts of kindness might not be so little in the eyes of the person who desperately needs one.  You never know what others may be going through.  Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are making them feel good about you and strive to leave every personal interaction better than you found it.

Here's to all the people who get back up more times than they are knocked down. Who gives more than they ever expect to receive.  Who still show love to others even when their own heart is broken. Who smile through the sad times. Who lights the way for others.  Who spread laughter and joy.  

You are never more like God than when you give when you take time for people, or when you do something good for somebody who can never repay you. Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how. A person who truly does things that count doesn't usually stop to count them. Make things count! 

Thank you for making the world a better place. Make today great!

Curtis

Each of us has a spark of life inside us, and our highest endeavor ought to be to set off that spark in one another. - Kenny Ausubel