Today is World Kindness Day. This is a great thing because maybe it can counteract any whacky Friday the 13th vibes. Wikipedia defines it as follows:

“World Kindness Day is to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us. Kindness is a fundamental part of the human condition which bridges the divides of race, religion, politics, gender and zip codes.”

With our current global pandemic situation, I think we could all especially use this day in 2020. Many people are feeling isolated and experiencing tremendous amounts of sadness. Kids are spending their days on computers, and so many of us are working from home and helping juggle that schooling for our kids. We’re missing our normal routines, worrying about getting sick, and saddened by the climbing death toll. World Kindness Day gives us the chance to bring our focus to something positive and to practice giving and accepting kindnesses.

So what can you do? I have a few ideas. Some are free, some cost a little money. Do what you can where you are with what you’ve got.

• Call someone just to say hi.
• Pay it forward in the drive thru.
• Leave flowers on the doorstep of someone you know.
• Send a card to a friend.
• Ask a loved on how they’re doing and really listen to the answer.
• Move your neighbor’s trash can back to where it belongs.
• Smile with your eyes at anyone you see.
• Hug your kids.
• Kiss your partner for six extra seconds.
• Make or pick up dinner for your family.

Kindness also extends to being kind to yourself. When you start there, it makes it easier to radiate kindness to others. How can you be kind to yourself?

• Ditch negative self-talk.
• Rest if you need to and are able to.
• Take a hot bath or shower.
• Feed yourself good food
• Drink lots of water.
• Read something positive.
• Take a walk.
• Make a list of your best qualities.
• Recognize how far you’ve come.

You get the idea. It’s so easy to get caught up in the loudness and negativity that constantly demands our attention. We forget that we get a choice in how we engage. We won’t always remember to be kind, but practicing being so for just one day is really good place to start.

For more information, visit the World Kindness Movement website.