Did you know yesterday we celebrated another World Kindness Day? World Kindness Day was officially declared in 1998 as part of the World Kindness movement. The purpose of 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.” On a global scale this unofficial holiday has attracted participation in activities including concerts, dance mobs like this and varieties of kindness cards like this one. While the day itself has come and gone, it can be an important reminder to see outside yourself and spread kindness to others. From a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) lens, Distress Tolerance skills like the Wise Mind ACCEPTS skill see that it can be beneficial not only to others but to yourself as well. A quick online search can list many ideas, some that take more investment than others. Below are some suggestions I enjoyed (and I encourage you to create a list of your own):
Engage in a random act of kindness - venmo a friend for a cup of coffee, hold the door open for others, leave a heartfelt note for someone to find, donate to a community fridge;
Give extra (and extra long) hugs today, kindness and connection go hand in hand!
Write a love poem about yourself and read it aloud, (kindness includes self kindness) write a short (or long) poem highlighting what you love about yourself.
World Kindness Day around the World: There are other holidays internationally that celebrate acts of kindness, generosity and love.
Israel: March 16th - Good Deeds Day “a day for people in Israel to volunteer good deeds for others in the community”
New Zealand: September 1st - Random Acts of Kindness Day “a day for paying it forward and displaying random acts of kindness”
The UK: November 17 - Mitzvah Day International “community groups and individuals partake in a range of volunteer projects for those in need in their local community”
Globally: December 5th - International Volunteer Day “a day for promoting volunteerism throughout the world”
There are different opportunities to celebrate world kindness, but it can be something celebrated everyday, in our actions. If you are to be anything today, I encourage you to be kind.
Vera Bednar, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and certified in dialectical behavioral therapy (C-DBT). A Lesley University graduate, Vera earned a bachelor's in counseling and art therapy and a master's in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma.
Prior to joining Looking Glass Counseling, Vera worked in a wide variety of clinical settings including inpatient, residential, intensive outpatient and an assisted living center with an art therapy focus. She also worked in partial hospitalization programs specializing in trauma, LGBTQIA+ individuals and young adult transitions as well as substance use.
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