World Kindness Day is an annual celebration that takes place on the 13th of November each year. This global day is one that was especially chosen to promote the importance of being kind to yourself, those around you and all around the world. It is a day which presents us with the opportunity to reflect upon an utmost important and unifying human principle, kindness.
What has now auspiciously progressed into a global movement with the motive of reminding everyone of the power of kindness, started off as an effort of ‘The World Kindness Movement’ at a Tokyo-based conference in 1997. It was their hope and goal to create a day to raise awareness of the importance of kindness as a unifying power between people everywhere. The first configuration of the world kindness movement formed as a result of the event. In pursuit of their aim to “join together to build a kinder and more compassionate world”, they would facilitate the launch of the initiatory World Kindness Day.
The purpose of World Kindness Day, as outlined by the World Kindness Movement, is “to highlight the good deeds in the community, focusing on the positive power and common thread of kindness which binds us.” It is devoted to providing understanding on how compassion is what bridges the gaps between nations. It is a day with the motive of encouraging and inspiring you to believe that a global difference could be made, one act at a time.
You may not be able to comprehend how the compassion of just one person might possibly have an impact on the world, it may not be straightforwardly comprehensive but the smallest act of kindness could create an unimaginable ripple effect, with one kind act leading to more and more.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”- Aesop
You too, could join in on the celebration. On this day, let all your compassion shine brightly. Show as much kindness as you possibly could, disregarding how small or big it may be. You could perform random acts of kindness, smiling at others, display gratitude with a simple ‘thank you’, even any small act toward yourself would suffice. Those who you show kindness towards will be inspired to do the same, constructively creating such a ripple effect.
So instead of waiting for kindness, be the kindness that initiates the first ripple!