World Kindness Day is being celebrated this year on November 13.
The word “kindness” was first used in the year 1201. From the beginning, the word kindness was defined, according to the etymological dictionary, as “friendly, deliberately doing good to others; compassionate”. The word appears in early scriptures and songs of various religions and cultures across the world.
The definition of kindness may differ from one person to another but there is one thing that I think many people can agree on – kindness is an expression of compassion. Kindness is how we show humanity.
There are so many ways we can express kindness to one another especially on this day. Ways which will only take a few minutes out of your day and will not ask too much from you. A simple smile to a stranger, a thank you to a bus driver, an embracing hug to a loved one or an uplifting comment to a coworker.
People may not overtly express their gratitude for your kindness but deep down it is something that could make their day just a little bit better. You never know how your kindness can affect others in positive ways. Expressions of kindness can not only make another person feel better, but they can also make you feel just as special.
Kindness is universal, open to anyone to express or receive. Kindness is not only abstract, it is also physical, spiritual, and visible.
I leave you with these words from the Greek storyteller, Aesop: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”.
