There can never be enough kindness in the world

Today begins the 21-day Kindness Challenge hosted by KindSpring.  Thousands of people have signed up (you can too… it’s not too late!) from 87 countries to unite in this effort to help make our community kinder.  Why 21 days? Research shows it takes about that long to form a new habit.

“We think too much and feel too little.  More than machinery, we need humanity.  More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness.” ~ Charlie Chaplin

I started a couple weeks ago in preparing for the Jewish New Year by performing one act of kindness a day.  Already I have become more aware of how transformative it is to invite kindness into your life.

“To be kind is to respond with sensitivity and human warmth to the hopes and needs of others.  Even the briefest touch of kindness can lighten a heavy heart.  Kindness can change the lives of people.” ~ Aung San Suu Kyi

It seems that the ripples of considerate gestures or acts begin to spread outward.  Taking my elderly neighbor’s trash can from the curb up to her garage caused her to feel so unexpectedly surprised and happy that she wanted to do something for someone else too.  We are creating a better world one kind act at a time.  (And if little people are watching, even better!)

“What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?” ~ Jean Jacques Rousseau

(Above print by Aimee from Artsyville and available in her shop here.)

“Despite all the darkness, human hope is based on the instinct that at the deepest level of reality some intimate kindness holds sway.” ~ John O’Donohue

Among other acts, this month I plan to go out of my way to thank someone, contribute to other people’s fundraising projects, help a friend, practice gratitude, give compliments, acknowledge birthdays, be nice to strangers, and be kinder to myself.  I’ll let you know how it goes!

“Yes, there are differences between us.  But it doesn’t make sense to emphasize that, because my future and yours is connected with everyone else’s.  So we have to take seriously our concern for all humanity… Being compassionate is actually in our own best interests.” ~ The Dalai Lama

Resources to get you started:

• Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
• Inspire My Kids
• HandsOn Network
• Kind Living
• Points of Light Institute
• Past blog kindness posts

“Ultimately this challenge is about strengthening our capacity to tune in to — and act on — everyday opportunities for kindness.  Small, humble acts of kindness are a beautiful way to deepen our self-awareness, expand our circle of caring, and strengthen our sense of interconnection.  The external size of the act doesn’t matter at all.” ~ The KindSpring Crew

Share in the comments how you are spreading kindness in your corner of the world.  I’d love to hear.