With teenagers, it’s a way to help them find compassion for inconsistent friends or strict teachers who may be facing their own struggles. For my 8-year-old, it’s a way to teach her what it means to be kind, not just to others, but to herself as well.
It’s not always easy to keep kindness in mind when challenges like homework, job deadlines, a sassy third grader or the news of the world trigger frustration or stress. Glowing like a warm light to remind us of the good, World Kindness Day arrives each year on November 13. While it might seem odd to have a single day dedicated to kindness, taking 24 hours to highlight how we treat others, the world and even ourselves is a wonderful way to bring mindfulness to the practice of kindness.
That said, the ultimate goal of World Kindness Day is to make acts of kindness the norm every day. Here are a few ways you can infuse kindness into your routine throughout the month of November and all year: