Be Kind to Humankind Week is an annual celebration of kindness that is recognised globally from August 25th-31st each and every year. I decided to make a list of 9 out-of-the-norm (and some normal) ways to reach out and be kind to your fellow humans.
- Offer help.
Randomly offer to help someone with a task. Take in their bins after bin day. Hold a door open for someone with a pram or who is in a wheelchair. If you see someone bogged down with shopping bags, offer to lighten their load. Chances are they’ll wave you off with a “no, thanks,” but no doubt the unexpected offer of help will be remembered.
2. Say thank you.
Crazy isn’t it? Two simple words can have a way of making someone’s day. I recently heard a story about someone who manned a drive-thru window, she said the number of people who acknowledged her presence was minimal. As long as they got what they wanted, they didn’t even say a word or look her in the eye. A drive-thru window may seem like such a brief exchange, but it can still have an impact.
3. Be open to conversation.
We all have busy schedules, things to do, and places to be. We stand in line at the bank, the shops, at school pick up. Each line is an opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know. Think about it; Every time you walk past a homeless person is also a chance to converse with someone who’s had a very different journey.
4. Pass up a close parking spot.
I have recently started passing up parking spots so someone else can park close. I often hope this will help an expectant mother, an elderly person or someone with small children. Plus, I can always use the exercise!
5. Help out a neighbour.
I have a neighbour that was kind enough to help when we needed to move our kid’s play equipment. He didn’t have to come over, we didn’t ask, but he saw a window to help and he did. Since then, if they have ever needed help with their kids, I just hop on over the road, and if we need baby-sitting, they are there for us. The point is we continue to help each other equally and that’s so awesome.
6. Smile.
Yep. Not much to it. A smile can go a long way. You might be surprised at how many smiles you get back. It’s infectious!
7. Tell people you love them.
Even the difficult people. We all have reasons to not speak to someone who used to be close but has since drifted away. Maybe someone in our lives has changed so drastically we can’t stand to be around them. Whatever the case, if you love them, say it. It might be cliché to go on about how life is short and blah blah blah, but you have no idea when speaking lovely words might no longer be an option. Tell them.
8. Get them a massage.
One of my favorite ways to be kind to humankind is massage. Surprised? Nah, didn’t think so. I could list for days the benefits of a great massage, but no one has time for that. Giving a gift voucher for massage is really sending two messages: 1. I care about you. And 2. You should care for yourself. And who doesn’t love a massage? (Ok, some people might not, so get them a gift voucher for a foot rub instead.)
9. Get yourself a massage
You count. Be kind to yourself. Enough said.
Be Kind to Humankind Week doesn’t have to be all big and flashy, unless big and flashy is your thing – then do it. There are so many ways to be kind; make someone a meal, let people through in traffic, pay for someon’e coffee, pay a compliment.
There are enough people in the world trying to tear others down. Don’t be that person. Find the strength in yourself to make the effort to be kind. Your mental and physical health will improve. You are less likely to suffer from heart disease, blood pressure, stress, and depression, and you will make someone’s day!
For more information and ideas, visit https://bk2hk.org
