On November 13 it was World Kindness Day, and today, we share an article written by one of o ur new Board members, Dr. David Paulson. Whilst we are late posting this, we think it would be wonderful if every day was Kindness Day, as everyone thrives better with kindness.
World Kindness Day
In 1998, World Kindness Day (WKD) was formed as part of the World Kindness Movement, that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed annually on November 13 as part of the World Kindness Movement.
WKD promotes kindness throughout the world. It is observed in the USA, Canada, Japan, Italy, India, Australia and the U.A.E. According to National Today, “World Kindness Day presents us with the opportunity to reflect upon one of the most important and human principles. On a day devoted to the positive potential of both large and small acts of kindness, try to promote and diffuse this crucial quality that brings people of every kind together.”
The purpose of World Kindness Day is to highlight good deeds in the community, focusing on the common thread of kindness which binds us. It has achieved global attention in the two decades since its inception. Events associated with the day have attracted people from every inhabited continent in the form of concerts, dance mobs, and the distribution of “kindness cards.” The purpose of World Kindness Day is to highlight and encourage good deeds in your community. It also serves as a reminder to all those simple acts of kindness have power, and that together, we can all work to create a kinder world. You may wonder how compassion from one person can make a difference. It isn't easy to comprehend, but every kind act, even the smallest one, creates a ripple effect you can’t begin to imagine.
The World Kindness Movement launched in Singapore in November 2000. Currently, over 28 countries are a part of the World Kindness Movement group. Observance of World Kindness Day is still unofficial. The World Kindness Movement hopes to obtain official status by the United Nations. If successful, World Kindness Day would join the ranks of recognized days of observance, such as the International Day of Peace, Human Rights Day and World Health Day. In 2019, the World Kindness Movement attained official status as an NGO under Swiss Law.
There are many ways to observe World Kindness Day:
- Call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while
- Tidy up around your house
- Pick up trash you see on the ground outside and throw it in a garbage can
- Hold the door open for someone
- Chat with a stranger and ask them about their day
- Pay for a stranger’s coffee or meal
- Compliment someone
- Send a positive or encouraging text to five people in your contacts
- Surprise someone with flowers
- Tell a family member or friend you love them
- Write a note on the receipt at a restaurant for your server
- Offer to help with someone’s errands
- Give a surprise gift to someone you care about
- Send a kind card or note to a friend
Source: Inspired Kindness World Kindness Day 2021 Your Complete Guide.
These are but a few of the ways to celebrate WKD.
Dementia Alliance International highlights World Kindness Day as we as an organization reach out to others in kindness to offer education, research findings, pathways to healthy management of dementia and social networking to those who also are living dementia. Our online support groups were founded on kindness and compassion. These values are echoed throughout DAI’s literature and official documents.
Why not reach out and show someone a kindness to help commemorate World Kindness Day!
Let's all be kind on every day.
“We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness.” (Mary David)
Dr. David Paulson
DAI Peer to Peer Support Grop Cohost and Board Member