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Practice Kindness

Practice Kindness

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind." That quote isn't credited by anyone famous. If there's one thing we need in the world right now, is more kindness. Kindness is a quality we learn early in life by treating others with empathy, fairness, compassion and respectfulness without expecting praise in return. At the heart of any act of kindness, is selflessness. When we put another's comfort or well-being ahead of our own, we feel good. By giving or practicing kindness, it lifts our spirit and our mood. The stress hormone in our body decreases, boosting the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our brains giving us the warm feeling of well-being. Where focus grows, energy flows.  When we practice kindness, we create connections with others and that helps build stronger communities. "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Now that quote is by a famous person, the Dalai Lama. Start your day by asking yourself, "How am I going to practice kindness today?" We got some ideas to help you put kindness on repeat.

  • Start with an inspiring book list donated by Citizens for Peace whose mission is to facilitate practices and principles of non-violence in the world. 

Being Kind to All Kinds

10 simple and inspiring ways to show kindness for animals

  • Support an animal sanctuary or conservation organization
  • Volunteer at a local animal shelter
  • Become a foster family for pets
  • Help a neighbor find a lost pet
  • Adopt a rescue pet
  • Choose cruelty-free products that do not test on animals or harm their habitats
  • Participate in a 5K Dog Walk/Run
  • Encourage a safe curiosity about natural habitats but leave their inhabitants in peace
  • Be consciousness and put litter in its place to help keep our beaches and oceans clean
  • Don't support businesses that exploit animals 

Giving Kindness in the Community

10 simple and inspiring ways for showing kindness to others and create a kinder community

  • Support or volunteer at a food insecurity non-profit
  • Leave a thankful note for the mail carrier or delivery person
  • Give the gift of life by donating blood
  • Be friendly and say hello to your neighbors
  • Check on your elderly neighbors, ask if they need a chore done and do that freely for them
  • Share a good story or a memory on social media. Spread kindness, not hate
  • Pick up trash on your morning walk through your neighborhood
  • Show good manners to others in the community
  • Thank a community caregiver, frontline worker, teacher
  • Pay it forward at your local drive-thru when you get your morning coffee

Books Inspiring Kindness

  • Tiny Tales: Stories of Romance, Ambition, Kindness and Happiness is a compendium of short stories and comics that celebrate the joy of life by the author of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith. 
  • Live Life Colorfully is an ebook filled with colorful illustrations and positive messages by Jason Naylor, an amazing mural street artist based in Brooklyn, NY. 
  • Channel Kindness is an book from Global superstar Lady Gaga and her Born This Way Foundation. showcasing inspiring and triumphant true stories of young people who made a difference through acts of kindness.
  • Go Be Kind is a book by Leon Logothetis (host of the Netflix series, The Kindness Diaries) that provides daily adventures that will help you rediscover that the fastest way to finding happiness is through kindness.
  • A Year of Living Kindly is a book by author Donna Cameron sharing her experiences of practicing kindness for 365 days. This is an inspiring, practical guide that can help any reader make a commitment to kindness.

Books Inspiring Kindness for Kids

  • Kindness is a Superpower is a book for age 3 and younger. All of the super heroes look out for people who aren't as strong as they are! In doing so, they show that greatness comes from giving to others. 
  • We're Better Together is a book for ages 2-5. A lyrical celebration of the joys and collective power of communities and teamwork features heartwarming spreads of neighbors cooperating to solve problems, promote empathy and honor differences.
  • It's Great to Be Kind for ages 3-7. This is a fabulous picture book designed to teach children about appropriate behavior while enjoying a fun, heartwarming story.
  • Hello Neighbor is a biographical look at the life and career of Fred Rogers and the impact of his show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. For ages 4-8.
  • Little Book of Kindness is for ages 3 and up. Kindness is easy when it comes from the heart, as shown by a little pig, who finds solutions to various problems. 

Head back to the 62 Days of Summer home page for more ways to participate in the summer program!