“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” — Barbara De Angelis
1. What is World Kindness Day?
2. When is World Kindness Day?
4. What is the Purpose of World Kindness Day?
6. Ideas and Simple Ways to Be Kind
8. World Kindness Day Activities
9. Download World Kindness Day Resources
What is World Kindness Day?
World Kindness Day is a holiday that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. The purpose of this day is to help everyone understand that kindness is what binds us all together. This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations. With kindness, we can overcome the divides of politics, race, religion, gender, and so much more. What began as an effort from the World Kindness Movement at a Tokyo conference 24 years ago is now a global movement reminding everyone of the power of kindness.
In honor of the holiday, we’ve answered all the questions you might have about World Kindness Day. We’ve also included simple ways and ideas on how you can celebrate and make the most of the day through kindness. We hope you come away with a better understanding of the holiday, why it matters, and what you can do to not only celebrate but make a difference. Join us and others across the world in celebrating and committing to showing more kindness to those around us this World Kindness Day.
When is World Kindness Day?
World Kindness Day is celebrated each year on November 13th.
How did WKD Start?
World Kindness Day was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. This organization was formed at a Tokyo conference in 1997 when Japan brought kindness organizations of multiple nations together and emphasized the necessity of a global kindness movement. The World Kindness Movement launched in Singapore in November 2000. Currently, over 28 countries are a part of the World Kindness Movement group.
World Kindness Day is observed in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
What is the Purpose of World Kindness Day?
The purpose of World Kindness Day is to highlight and encourage good deeds in your community. It also serves as a reminder to all that 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 and World Kindness Day are meant to inspire you to believe that we can make a global difference one act at a time.
How Do You Celebrate?
On World Kindness Day, groups and individual people are encouraged to go out of their way to be kind to others, whether that be at home, work, school, or just out in public. Celebrate by pledging to do at least one intentional act of kindness on that day to benefit someone else. It can be as straightforward or as involved as you like. No matter what you decide to do, your act of kindness will unite you with others dedicated to changing the world one kind act at a time.
This day is also meant to celebrate and encourage the good deeds that others already do. On World Kindness day, be sure to let others around you know how much you appreciate their kindness and generosity. Sometimes saying, “thank you,” is one of the kindest things you can do and probably isn’t heard as often as you’d think!
Team up with Inspire Kindness and let's celebrate World Kindness Day together! Join our email list for the latest updates about World Kindness Day, be first to hear about our promotions, and get ideas for acts of kindness you can do! Here are 12 ways to participate in WKD!
Ideas and Simple Ways to be Kind
Being kind doesn’t need to look or be extravagant. Sometimes the simplest things make the most significant difference! Here are a few simple ideas and ways to be helpful on World Kindness Day in the workplace, at school, with your loved ones, or even while out running errands. Look for opportunities while you go through your day to infuse kindness into someone’s day. It’ll change their day and yours for the better!
- Smile when you walk by others
- Write positive messages on post-it notes and leave them for people to find
- 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
- Surprise co-workers with home-baked cookies or treats
- Plant a tree
- Spend less time on your phone and more time with people you care about
- Organize a workplace giving campaign
- Offer a classmate help with homework
- Talk to someone new
- Practice gratitude
- Volunteer
- Give someone a hug
Get creative and make your list of kind acts for World Kindness Day!
World Kindness Day Quotes
"The world is full of kind people. If you can't find one, be one." - Unknown
“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” — Bob Kerrey
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” — Lao Tzu
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” — Amelia Earhart
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind.” — Henry James
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” — Aesop
“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” — Ronald Reagan
“Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.” — Joseph B. Wirthlin
"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” —William Arthur Ward
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” — Scott Adams
“A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.” — Willian John Bennett
“Kindness has a beautiful way of reaching down into a weary heart and making it shine like the rising sun.” — Unknown
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” — Unknown
“A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.” — John Ruskin
“Kindness is like snow- It beautifies everything it covers.” — Kahlil Gibran
“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” — Jackie Chan
“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” — Blaise Pascal
“Always have a willing hand to help someone; you might be the only one that does.” ― Roy T. Bennett
“When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.” — Jack Kornfield
World Kindness Day Activities
There are a lot of great ways to make World Kindness Day even more special. Maybe you’re looking for a more hands-on project as you celebrate WKD. Or perhaps you want something your family or students can do to remember why kindness is so important. Whatever you are looking for, these are some great examples of activities for World Kindness Day:
- An excellent idea for the family while only using toothpaste and toothpicks
- A reminder of the importance our words
- Paint a Rock to Spread a Kind Message
- A simple and fun way for kids to spread kindness is through sidewalk chalk
We hope these ideas inspire you to make the most of World Kindness Day. While World Kindness Day happens every November 13th, let’s remember that being kind is just as crucial on every other day of the year. You don’t need a holiday to be helpful, and encouraging kindness isn’t limited to one day of the year. Let these ideas inspire you to be intentional every day about inspiring compassion in the world around you.
Inspire Kindness World Kindness Day Resources
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Sources:
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-kindness-day-2021/
https://www.theworldkindnessmovement.org/about-us-2/story/
The ROI of Kindness
Ever wonder if there’s an ROI of Kindness? We say…yes! Learn helpful nuggets like the one below, plus how to create a Kindness Value Proposition (KVP) at your organization in this simple book by Inspire Kindness founder Mac Anderson and Brian Biro, The ROI of Kindness.
Fact: Turnover reduction/employee retention…The average annual turnover in the Quick Service Food Industry is 170%. The two companies that constantly focus on kindness as the “magic” ingredient more than any other in their cultures average 14% and 24% annual turnover. In other words, these two companies retain their employees 8 to 10 times more than their competitors.