One Act of Kindness at a Time: World Kindness Day

Photo by the Author

At a time when cruelty and negativity seem to envelop the world, a single act of kindness can go a long way. 

This November 13, 2022, we celebrate World Kindness Day. The theme for this year is “Be Kind Wherever Possible.” Kindness does not have to be given nor done in a particular set-up or location, we should strive to be kind whenever and wherever we might be.

First established by the World Kindness Movement, World Kindness Day aims to focus on the good deeds within different communities in the world and bring out the kindness in every person—the same kindness that binds us together as one.

Photo from Lumina 

An act of kindness is so much more than how we may perceive it on the outside. It can make someone’s day a little brighter, it can make the atmosphere a little lighter, and it can change someone’s life—one act of kindness at a time. 

In a very competitive and fast-paced world, kindness can be mistakenly viewed as an act of weakness, when in fact, it’s the total opposite. There is no greater strength than kindness, knowing that even if the world can sometimes be cruel to us and throw problems at us, we choose to face it with a kind heart. 

Our acts of kindness do not have to be grand and loud. It can be something simple as checking up on your friends, greeting someone with a smile on your face, or complimenting someone. In school, it can be as simple as reminding your classmate about an upcoming deadline, explaining a topic they do not understand, or saying a simple “thank you” to the professor as the class ends. 

The acts of kindness that we willingly offer to other people will not cost us anything, but they do reward us with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that there is one less cruel thing and one more kind thing that happened today. We'll never know what goes on in another person’s life. That's why we must always choose to be kind, wherever we may be.

Aside from other people, we should also remember to be kind to the environment. Our environment plays such a big role in our lives and it deserves a little kindness back. It can be as simple as watering plants, giving love to animals (may they be our pets or not), and being more environmentally friendly and aware. After all, a healthy environment is a kinder environment to be in. 

Of course, last and most importantly, be kind to yourself. Kindness towards other people and the environment can be hard to achieve if you are cruel to yourself. You deserve kindness as much as every other person in the world. Allow yourself to take some credit for where you are today and appreciate the fact that you made it this far. Enjoy the little things that make you happy, and forgive yourself for the all times you were harsh on yourself. There are silent battles you have fought alone that nobody knows of and you owe it to yourself to be treated with kindness. 

May World Kindness Day be a great reminder for us to be kinder to other people, to the environment, and to ourselves. May we extend our kindness to everyone not only on this day but every day onwards. Let’s do it one act of kindness at a time.