Today is World Kindness Day!
It is NOT the day that you are kind to someone because it’s “World Kindness Day,” but the day that reminds you to be kind, always.
There are many posts that would stop there with this nice little message but we have found that many people have a misconception of what kindness looks like in practice.
| What Kindness Is NOT | What Kindness IS |
|---|---|
| Kindness is NOT allowing wrongs to go uncorrected. | Kindness IS respectfully having a conversation for change. |
| Kindness is NOT nervously smiling but remaining silent as marginalized groups are gaslit. | Kindness IS compassion for your fellow humans. |
| Kindness is NOT in opposition to advocacy. | Kindness IS empathy for others which leads to advocating. |
| Kindness is NOT being a doormat. | Kindness IS striving for understanding of others. |
| Kindness is NOT a feeling. | Kindness IS an action. |
| Kindness is NOT a thought. | Kindness IS a decision. |
| Kindness is NOT something that you do because you have to. | Kindness IS something you do because you want to. |
| Kindness is not a commodity. | Kindess IS a gift. |
| Kindness is NOT something you give in order to receive something in return. | Kindness IS something you give simply because you want to give it. |
| Kindness is NOT a weakness. | Kindness IS a strength. |
Kindness may not come naturally, and we should not feel coerced or guilted into being kind. For example, we should never be a doormat or let others take advantage of us. But most people do appreciate kindness, and we should make the effort to be kind to others.
The poem “Do It Anyway” was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta. For a long while it was assumed that she was the original author; however, later research revealed the author to be Dr. Kent M. Keith. One of the lines, as modified by Mother Teresa, says:
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
Kindness as a lifestyle may not be easy, but the rewards – to both ourselves and others – that it gives are incalculable.
To celebrate World Kindness Day, we encourage you and your child to write notes of thanks to their teachers. There are some free coloring pages here, including ones specific to teachers.
If you were able to do the above, please share your creations on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #MyDysartSEPTSA! You can also share what you created in the comments.