Be Kind To Humankind Week

A Celebration of Compassion and Connection

Be Kind To Humankind Week kicks off on August 25th and runs until August 31st, serving as a brilliant reminder that a little kindness can go a long way. It’s a week-long celebration that encourages us to spread a bit of joy and compassion in our everyday lives. But why limit kindness to just one week? Let’s dive into this heartwarming occasion and explore how we can make kindness a year-round affair!

The Birth of a Beautiful Idea

Back in 1988, a rather ordinary day turned extraordinary when Lorraine Jara decided the world needed more kindness. Imagine this: You’re going about your day, and suddenly you hear about a tragic boating accident where people refused to help the victims. That’s exactly what happened to Lorraine, and it hit her hard. Instead of just shaking her head and moving on, she thought, “Hang on, we can do better than this!”

The incident that sparked this movement occurred on August 25, 1988, in Toms River, New Jersey. Two young men were involved in a boating accident, and shockingly, other boaters in the area refused to help them. This lack of compassion deeply affected Lorraine, who couldn’t fathom how people could be so indifferent to others in need.

Lorraine’s response to this tragedy was remarkable. Instead of succumbing to despair or anger, she channelled her emotions into creating something positive. She believed that if people were reminded of the importance of kindness, they might be more inclined to help others in times of need.

And just like that, Be Kind To Humankind Week was born. It wasn’t some grand, corporate-sponsored event. No, it was just one person deciding to make a difference. Lorraine’s idea was simple: dedicate a week to remind everyone that being kind isn’t just nice, it’s necessary.

The concept quickly gained traction. Lorraine began by sharing her idea with friends and family, who in turn spread the word. Local community groups and schools started to embrace the concept, organising events and activities centred around kindness. As news of the initiative spread, more and more people and organisations got involved, turning a local movement into a global phenomenon.

Why Kindness Matters

Now, you might be thinking, “Do we really need a special week for this? Shouldn’t we be kind all the time?” And you’d be spot on! But let’s face it, in our busy lives, sometimes we need a little nudge. Be Kind To Humankind Week is like that friend who reminds you to take a deep breath when you’re stressed.

Kindness isn’t just about making others feel good (although that’s brilliant too). It’s about creating a ripple effect. When you’re kind to someone, they’re more likely to pass it on. Before you know it, you’ve started a kindness tsunami! And in a world that can sometimes feel a bit gloomy, couldn’t we all use a wave of kindness?

But the benefits of kindness go far beyond just feeling good. Scientific research has shown that acts of kindness have tangible benefits for both the giver and the receiver. Here’s what the boffins have discovered:

1. Improved mental health: Acts of kindness release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Better physical health: Believe it or not, being kind can actually boost your immune system and reduce inflammation in the body.
3. Increased life satisfaction: People who regularly perform acts of kindness report higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness.
4. Stronger relationships: Kindness fosters trust and strengthens bonds between individuals, leading to more fulfilling relationships.
5. Community cohesion: When kindness becomes a community value, it can lead to increased social cohesion and reduced crime rates.

So, you see, kindness isn’t just a fluffy concept – it’s a powerful tool for personal and societal wellbeing.

What Does Kindness Look Like?

Kindness isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. It can be as simple as smiling at a stranger or as involved as volunteering at a local charity. The beauty of kindness is that it’s flexible and personal.

During Be Kind To Humankind Week, we’re encouraged to think about kindness in all its forms. It’s about:

• Empathy: Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes
• Understanding: Taking a moment to listen without judgment
• Action: Doing something, however small, to make someone’s day better

It’s not about grand gestures or spending loads of money. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is just be there for someone.

But let’s get a bit more specific, shall we? Kindness can manifest in countless ways, and it’s often the small, everyday acts that have the biggest impact. Here are some examples of what kindness might look like in various aspects of life:

At home:

• Doing a chore that’s usually someone else’s responsibility
• Leaving a loving note for a family member to find
• Cooking a favourite meal for your partner or housemate

At work:

• Offering to help a colleague who’s struggling with a task
• Bringing in treats to share with the team
• Giving credit to others for their ideas and contributions

In your community:

• Picking up litter in your local park
• Offering to mow an elderly neighbour’s lawn
• Supporting local businesses by leaving positive reviews

Online:

• Sharing uplifting content on social media
• Sending a supportive message to someone who’s having a tough time
• Refraining from engaging in negative or hurtful online behaviour

To yourself:

• Taking time for self-care and relaxation
• Celebrating your achievements, no matter how small
• Practising positive self-talk and self-compassion

Remember, kindness doesn’t always have to be a tangible action. Sometimes, it’s about what you choose not to do – like not honking your horn in traffic, or not gossiping about a colleague. It’s about cultivating a mindset of compassion and consideration in all aspects of your life.

A Week-Long Guide

So, how do we celebrate this week of warmth and goodwill? Here’s a day-by-day guide to get you started:

Sunday: Sacrifice Our Wants for Others’ Needs Day

• Skip your morning latte and donate the money to a local food bank
• Offer to run errands for an elderly neighbour
• Give up your seat on public transport to someone who needs it more
• Volunteer your time at a local charity or community organisation
• Donate clothes or household items you no longer need to those less fortunate

Monday: Motorist Consideration Day

• Let someone merge into traffic with a smile
• Leave a kind note on a stranger’s windscreen (not while they’re driving, of course!)
• Offer to help someone struggling with car troubles
• Be patient with learner drivers or slower vehicles
• Refrain from using your horn unless absolutely necessary for safety

Tuesday: Touch-A-Heart Day

• Send a heartfelt message to someone you’ve lost touch with
• Compliment a colleague on their work
• Write a letter of appreciation to a teacher who made a difference in your life
• Visit an elderly relative or neighbour for a chat
• Leave positive, encouraging comments on social media posts

Wednesday: Willing To Lend A Hand Day

• Volunteer at a local community centre
• Help a friend with a household chore they’ve been putting off
• Offer your skills or expertise to someone who could benefit from them
• Assist a stranger who seems to be struggling (carrying heavy bags, for instance)
• Start a fundraiser for a cause you care about

Thursday: Thankful Thursday

• Write thank-you notes to people who make your life easier
• Express gratitude to service workers you encounter
• Create a gratitude journal and write down three things you’re thankful for each day
• Call a friend or family member just to say how much you appreciate them
• Acknowledge and thank someone who often goes unnoticed (like the office cleaner or postman)

Friday: Forgiveness Friday

• Reach out to someone you’ve had a falling out with
• Let go of a grudge you’ve been holding onto
• Apologise for a mistake you’ve made, even if it was a long time ago
• Practice self-forgiveness for past errors or shortcomings
• Write a letter of forgiveness (you don’t have to send it – sometimes the act of writing is enough)

Saturday: Speak Kind Words Saturday

• Give genuine compliments to at least five people
• Use social media to spread positivity and kind words
• Leave a positive review for a local business you appreciate
• Call a friend who’s going through a tough time and offer words of encouragement
• Practice using kind and compassionate language with yourself

Remember, these are just suggestions. The best acts of kindness are often the ones that come straight from your heart.

Gifts That Keep on Giving

If you’re looking to celebrate Be Kind To Humankind Week with your best mates, why not give a gift that embodies the spirit of kindness? Here are a few ideas:

A ‘Kindness Jar’

Fill a jar with slips of paper, each containing a kind act or message. Your friend can pull one out whenever they need a boost. You could include things like:

• “You’re doing great – keep going!”
• “Take a moment to appreciate yourself today”
• “Here’s a hug in a jar – you’ve got this!”

Personalised ‘Kindness Vouchers’

Create vouchers for acts of service you’ll do for your friend, like:

• “Good for one home-cooked meal”
• “I’ll help you declutter your wardrobe”
• “Redeem for a night of babysitting”
• “One free car wash and vacuum”
• “I’ll be your personal assistant for a day”

A ‘Pay It Forward’ Kit

Put together a package with items your friend can use to spread kindness, such as:

• Stamps and blank cards for sending notes
• A gift card they can give to a stranger
• Seeds they can plant in a community garden
• A reusable coffee cup with a note encouraging them to buy a coffee for the person behind them in line
• A small notebook for leaving positive messages in public places

A ‘Self-Kindness’ Basket

Remember, being kind to yourself is important too. Include items like:

• A scented candle or essential oils for relaxation
• A cosy blanket for comfort
• A journal for self-reflection
• A selection of herbal teas
• A book on mindfulness or self-compassion

A ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ Challenge Box

Create a box filled with challenges to complete over the course of a month. Examples could include:

• “Leave a kind note for a co-worker”
• “Buy a meal for someone in need”
• “Compliment five strangers today”
• “Do a chore for someone without them knowing”
• “Make a playlist for a friend who needs cheering up”

Remember, the best gift is often your time and attention. Sometimes, just being there for a friend is the kindest thing you can do. You could offer to:

• Have a movie night with a friend who’s feeling down
• Go for a walk and really listen to what’s on their mind
• Cook a meal together and share stories
• Help them with a project they’ve been putting off
• Simply sit with them in comfortable silence if that’s what they need

The key is to tailor your gift to the recipient. Think about what would truly make them feel appreciated and supported. After all, that’s what kindness is all about – showing people that they matter.

Keeping the Kindness Going

As Be Kind To Humankind Week comes to a close, you might find yourself thinking, “Well, that was lovely. Now back to real life.” But here’s the thing: kindness doesn’t have an expiration date. The real challenge – and the real joy – is in keeping that kindness momentum going all year round.

Here are a few ways to make kindness a habit:

Set a daily kindness goal

It doesn’t have to be big. Maybe it’s just smiling at a stranger or sending a supportive text to a friend. The key is consistency. Some ideas:

• Monday: Compliment a colleague
• Tuesday: Let someone go ahead of you in a queue
• Wednesday: Pick up litter in your neighbourhood
• Thursday: Send a thank-you message to someone
• Friday: Donate to a charity
• Saturday: Help a neighbour with a task
• Sunday: Practice self-kindness

Practice self-kindness

Remember, being kind to yourself is just as important. Take time for self-care and speak to yourself with compassion. This could involve:

• Setting aside 10 minutes each day for meditation or deep breathing
• Writing down three things you like about yourself each morning
• Treating yourself to a small indulgence without guilt
• Saying ‘no’ to commitments that drain you
• Celebrating your achievements, no matter how small

Keep a kindness journal

Jot down acts of kindness you’ve done or received. It’s a great way to stay motivated and grateful. You could:

• Write about one kind act you performed each day
• Note instances where someone was kind to you
• Reflect on how these acts of kindness made you feel
• Set kindness goals for the upcoming week
• Use the journal as a gratitude log as well

Create kindness reminders

Set alarms on your phone or leave sticky notes around your house to remind you to perform acts of kindness. Some reminder ideas:

• “Who can you help today?”
• “Spread a little kindness!”
• “How can you make someone smile right now?”
• “Don’t forget to be kind to yourself too!”
• “What’s one small act of kindness you can do in the next hour?”

Join or start a kindness community

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who value kindness. This could involve:

• Starting a kindness club at your workplace or in your community
• Joining online forums or social media groups dedicated to spreading kindness
• Organising regular meetups to discuss and plan kind acts
• Collaborating on larger kindness projects, like community clean-ups or fundraisers

Incorporate kindness into your routine

Look for ways to make kindness a natural part of your day-to-day life:

• When you’re grocery shopping, pick up an extra item to donate to a food bank
• While walking your dog, carry an extra bag to pick up litter
• When you’re making dinner, cook a little extra to share with a neighbour
• As you’re going through your wardrobe, set aside items to donate
• When you’re paying bills, round up the amount and donate the difference to charity

Teach kindness

If you have children, or work with them, make a point of teaching and modelling kindness:

• Read books about kindness together
• Praise children when you see them being kind
• Involve them in your own acts of kindness
• Discuss the impact of kind (and unkind) actions
• Encourage empathy by asking them to consider how others might feel

The brilliant thing about kindness is that it’s contagious. The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes, and the more you inspire others to do the same. It’s like starting a kindness revolution, one small act at a time!

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

As we wrap up our exploration of Be Kind To Humankind Week, let’s take a moment to imagine the impact if everyone embraced this idea. Picture a world where kindness is the default, not the exception. Where we approach each other with empathy and understanding, rather than judgment and impatience.

It might sound a bit idealistic, but here’s the thing: big changes start with small actions. Every time you choose kindness, you’re contributing to a kinder world. You’re creating a ripple that extends far beyond what you can see.

Think about it this way: when you’re kind to someone, you’re not just affecting that person. You’re potentially changing their entire day. Maybe they were having a rough morning, and your small act of kindness turned things around. Now, instead of snapping at their colleague, they might offer a word of encouragement. That colleague, buoyed by the unexpected kindness, might be more patient with their children when they get home. Those children, feeling loved and supported, might be kinder to their classmates the next day. And on and on it goes.

This ripple effect of kindness has been observed in scientific studies. Research has shown that people who receive acts of kindness are more