Celebrating World Kindness Day

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inCelebrations, LadyBudd, Sarah Ahmadi, Sunday Evening Reflection, World Kindness DayTags:, ,

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.”

George Sand

It all started September 1997, in Tokyo when Japan brought together like-minded kindness organizations from around the world for the first time to establish the World Kindness Movement.  Its mission is to encourage individuals toward greater kindness.

Kindness is a simple concept yet has the power to increase our personal wellbeing, the wellbeing of our family and friends, and those who cross our pathways.

Kindness is essential in everyday life.

When we invite kindness into our daily thoughts and actions, we widen our awareness of the human experience. We foster a deep desire within ourselves to engage with others in creating compassionate communities

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see”

Mark Twain

World Kindness Day is an annual event which was first introduced in 1998, by the World Kindness Movement.

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

41 thoughts on “Celebrating World Kindness Day”

    1. I agree, Liz. Kindness does make the world a better place. How bleak our lives would be if we had never experienced kindness! Over the past few weeks, I have been considering this thought by Viktor E. Frankl:

      “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

      It is so easy for me to provide a quick response – simply not taking the time to reflect. I am seeing that in “that space” the best choice that I can make is kindness. And that means to pause, to take a breath before responding. But I confess, that I am still learning….

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Many thanks for joining Sarah and me on our walk. I have been considering the connection between kindness and love. Love and kindness have a strong relationship and can be thought of in terms of compassion and virtue. It seems that love is closely linked to an emotional state, which kindness is see in action – it has a verb quality. But I digress….these are reflections that came to me on World Kindness Day.

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    1. I agree wholeheartedly, Shey. It is the little things that can get us through a day. I remember someone offering a cup of tea when I was upset about something. I don’t even know what I was upset about, but I remember the cup of tea. Sending hugs back your way with great speed.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Kindness is a feeling based on knowing the self and inner peace. As it may sound easy, it is a complex process. I have always tried to keep kindness in my heart, and I kept the hope that others do the same. However, I am, first of all, a pessimist. Anyway, let the hope stay alive. Thank you and merci, Rebbecca and Sarah for your lovely announcement and the wise words by George Sand.

    “Your acts of kindness are iridescent wings of divine love, which linger and continue to uplift others long after your sharing.” Jalaluddin Rumi

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    1. How very very well said, Alaedin. Kindness is complex and is an ongoing learning process, which starts with an inner conversation. Sometimes I think that we are kinder to others than we are to ourselves. Thank you for the quote (you know I love quotes) which I have added to my quote book that I keep close by. The words “linger” and “continue” is a testament to the longevity of kindness. I remember a kindness received in early childhood as if it occurred yesterday. Thank you for adding depth to this conversation.

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  8. Dear sisters,
    what a great post. Thanks for sharing.
    We agree kindness is vital. We didn’t know that there exists a world kindness day.
    With lots of love, hugs and best wishes
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Klausbernd for your heartwarming comments. By the way, Sarah and I will be working together on your “The Enneagram Workbook”. I have it in Kindle and paperback format. I have gone through the book but this is a huge, marvelous exploration that requires much reflection. You have presented the information clearly, and I very much appreciated the historical perspective. Sending many hugs and lots of love to our dear friends The Fab Four of Cley!

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      1. My dear friend Rebecca
        Thank you 🙏 very much for kind words liking my Enneagram Workbook. I am very happy 😃 that you like it. Several years I worked about the Gurdjieff system with my teacher. It helped me a lot in understanding me and my surroundings. Wishing you happy studying the Enneagram.
        With big hugs and lots of love 💕 from all of us
        The Fab Four of Cley
        🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
        If you have questions feel free to ask me.

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Many thanks for joining Sarah and me on our walk. This was a spontaneous video and I was concerned that my glasses were too dark. But is was such a glorious day of sunshine that it seemed the perfect time to talk about kindness. Your words “gives us a sense of life” is a beautiful way of expressing kindness.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes!!!! It is a beautiful thing. With every creative outflow, you radiant kindness, Resa.

      A few weeks ago, I read a Sheridan article by Vitusha Oberoi entitled “From castoffs to haute couture, Sheridan graduate sews to save environment”. This is your quote, Resa:

      “I upcycle and repurpose materials. I do not use machines because then I’d be using oil and electricity and it would go against the spirit of things. I sew by my own hands and it takes me three to six months to make a gown.” https://www.sheridancollege.ca/newsroom/articles/arts-design/sheridan-graduate-sews-to-save-environment

      Your commitment to our earth and all that dwell herein, is a testament to kindness. I have come to think that the word “kindness” is a verb.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you, dear Rebecca!
        How lovely of you to share the article!
        I am somewhat proud of it…. although they make me sound like I’m saving the earth, 1 gown at a time!

        Let me conjugate the verb “to kind”!
        I kind – you kind – they kind.
        Past tense:
        I kinded – you kinded -they kinded.

        To Kind – the act of kinding

        I kinded a smile to them. They kinded it back.

        I’m sure it’s a verb!!!!!!

        Liked by 2 people

  14. Thank you, Rebecca and Sarah for these delightful thoughts about “kindness”. There is probably no other action in our world that brings more happiness and peace than that of “kindness”. The action costs no money, no special preparation, but the actions from the kind heart! And, the action is “catching”, so we need to find ways to let this positive action “FLY” out into the world! ! Again, thank you for these positive thoughts!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I remember our first discussion about kindness, Frances. I was 4 years old. We were invited to lunch at a friend’s house. I expressed my dislike of a vegetable dish. You apologized and I did so half-heartedly. Instead of reprimanding me at that time, you took me aside after lunch and told me that our friends wanted us to be happy with the meal. You described how much time was taken to prepare the meal. As I listened, I felt a sense of gratitude come over me. They prepared the meal for me. The ah-ha moment came when you asked me how I would feel if someone didn’t like what I made for them. Even if you don’t like something, you can always thank someone for their efforts and kindness, you said. I never forgot that lesson! And I still don’t like that particular vegetable LOL!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  15. 💕💕Thank you for this memory. You were so quick to learn and so quick to express words of gratitude. Take into consideration thst this happened when you were only four years old. You were always quick to learn in all areas your life.

    Liked by 2 people

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