World Kindness Day is celebrated globally to promote the importance of being kind to yourself, others and the world. Many celebrate World Kindness Day through acts of kindness. No matter how small the act of kindness you do is, it can have a huge impact.
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples" - Mother Teresa
This is one of the quotes Acts of Kindness Community (Solent) like to use, they are a charity that was founded in 2014 by Kerry Snuggs. A group was set up by Kerry on Facebook to find wedding rings that a lady had lost after her husband sadly passed away from Cancer. In an act of kindness lots of people who saw this on Facebook put their plans aside for the day and looked for the rings. They were found by a lovely couple who lived nearby and the rings were reunited with their owner. Their charity is proof that a small act of kindness can go a long way. Today they have 10.8K members in their Acts Of Kindness Community. Since, COVID they have identified that food support was needed and have focused all their efforts to support the community in this regard. To find out more, donate or help please go to their Facebook or webpage.
"Sometimes the most powerful impact you can have in the world is simply choosing to be kind" - Rachel Marie Martin
There are so many different benefits to being kind:
• Kindness is good for your heart and can increase your self-esteem and optimism!
• Kindness makes people feel stronger and more energetic.
• Slows ageing
• Kindness increases happiness and improves relationships and connections, which indirectly boosts your health!
• Kindness makes you feel happy when serotonin is released in your body.
• Kindness supports your immune system through increase in being emotionally positive
• Kindness reduces pain through the release of endorphins
• Kindness strengthens your heart physically and emotionally, it can prevents illness and can help you live longer!
• Kindness is contagious, whether you are receiving, giving or observing it, kindness improves your mood and makes you more likely to act kindly to yourself and others • Kindness releases feel good hormones and helps to reduce anxiety and stress!
To watch a video or read more on why being kind is good for us and how to be kind to each other follow this Newsround: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/54921787
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive" - Dalai Lama
Winchester Hub this year are celebrating World Kindness Day with a challenge!
For more information check out our social media! One of our first entries was from our amazing President Lydia, bringing a smile to all that sees her beautifully painted pebble.
Although Winchester Hub love to celebrate World Kindness Day, we believe kindness is something that should be spread around on a regular basis, especially because of the impact it can have on individuals and our community. During the difficult times of COVID-19 we wanted to make sure we were doing all we could to be kind to others with our Random Acts of Kindness.
This is just a small example of the ways you can be kind to others, but remember to not to forget to be kind to yourself.
"Being kind to yourself is one of the greatest kindnesses"
Reminders of ways to be kind to yourself:
• Make some time for yourself and do something that brings you joy
• Give yourself recognition for your achievements
• Forgive yourself if you mess up, it is okay to make mistakes we all do
• Treat yourself get something or do something you really want to do that you would normally not allow yourself to do, whether that is to eat some chocolate or buy something you really want. • Look after yourself, whether that is showering, eating healthily, exercise or taking care of your appearance
• Soothe yourself whether that’s taking a bath or making yourself some hot chocolate or vibing out to some music and dancing
• Tell yourself that “I Am Enough” you do not have to do anything to be worthy of something, just know you already are and deserve to be.
"Ah, kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world" - Alison Malee
What you can do to be kind to others:
• Surprise someone you know with an unexpected visit or call
• Smile, it can make someone’s day a lot brighter
• Hold the door open for someone
• Make conversation with a stranger
• Spread positivity
• Give someone a genuine compliment
• Encourage the people around you who are struggling
• Give your time to someone who needs it
• Send or give someone flowers for no reason
• Donate things you don’t need anymore
• Give someone a hug
• Participate in Winchester Hub’s World Kindness Day challenge
Six Seconds: The Emotional Intelligence Network have written up 87 ways to be kind and loving to others. So if nothing I have suggested appeals to you, check out their article with detailed examples here!
"In a world where you can be anything, be kind"
Remember to try and not just be kind today because it is World Kindness Day, but to try to be kind everyday! The Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation, created this beautiful poster to remind you of the ways you can implement kindness on a day to day basis.
If you are interested in learning more about the values of kindness and the generosity of individuals, watching series 1 of 'Kindness' on Sunday Morning Stories may be for you. Click here to watch it: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k574
I hope you all have a beautiful day full of kindness to yourself and to others around you! Happy World Kindness Day!
