World Kindness Day
November 13th is World Kindness Day- a day that encourages everyone around the world to incorporate acts of kindness into their daily lives. This observance serves as a reminder that kindness benefits not only those around us but also boosts our own happiness and strengthens positive connections within our communities. The activities we have suggested in this post could be scaled to your loved one’s needs, desires and abilities.
Physical Domain
Kindness Bingo: If you’re a longtime reader of our blog, you know how much we like bingo- so of course we thought it would be perfect for getting your loved ones up and moving. In this version, participants complete a bingo card filled with acts of kindness that require movement, such as holding the door open for someone, helping carry something for a friend, or walking over to deliver a compliment or note. This encourages light physical activity while promoting kindness.
Random Acts of Kindness has free downloadable bingo card you can use, or you can make your own.
Intellectual Domain
Kindness in Other Cultures: Explore how different cultures embrace kindness by sharing unique kindness traditions from around the world. For example, discuss "Ubuntu" in Africa, which promotes humanity and compassion, or Japan's practice of “Omotenashi,” a selfless approach to hospitality. You can also explore customs around social etiquette in various countries, highlighting how different societies express respect and kindness in their interactions. Understanding these customs—such as bowing in Japan, not showing the soles of your feet in Middle Eastern cultures, or the Italian gesture of giving gifts wrapped beautifully—adds depth to our appreciation of kindness in global contexts.
This activity encourages participants to expand their understanding of kindness across different societies and traditions, broadening their intellectual horizons.
Some further reading: 10 Kindness Traditions Around the World, 13 Examples of Good and Bad Manners Around the World
Spiritual Domain
Gratitude Circle: Create a gratitude circle where participants share moments of kindness they've given or received, reflecting on how kindness impacts their lives spiritually. This activity allows for deep reflection and fosters a sense of connection among participants as they express gratitude for the kindness around them. The circle can end with a quiet moment of reflection or a guided meditation focused on kindness and compassion.
This time of year can be difficult for many people and some can struggle to come up with things that they are grateful for. Kristen Darcy has a Wheel of Gratitude activity that is typically used for independent reflection, but we believe it can also be used as a jumping off point for group discussions about what we’re all grateful for.
Social Domain
New Friendships: As the holidays approach a lot of focus is put onto familial relationships. This time of year can be very difficult, especially for older people who many not have the ability to travel or who may no longer have family to visit, and for that reason we want to emphasize the importance of friendship. Friends connect us to our local communities and making new friends will help strengthen those bonds.
Many social activities revolve around large groups but today we want to focus on the individual personal relationships that are just as important to having a strong community. Carve out some time to encourage everyone to make a new friend! Encourage them to talk to someone new to the community or who usually spends their time alone.
Here are some ideas to encourage meaningful new friendships:
Encourage residents to knock on the door of someone new or someone who may usually spend time alone and invite them to share a meal or coffee. A simple invite can be a welcoming gesture and open the door to a potential new friendship.
Provide a list of conversation starters to help break the ice, such as:
“What’s a favorite memory of yours from childhood?”
“If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?”
“Do you have a favorite hobby or skill you like to share with others?”
While large group events can feel overwhelming, consider pairing people up or creating small groups based on shared interests, like cooking, reading, or gardening, so that each individual has a chance to make connections without the noise of a larger crowd.
Remember, some people prefer to spend time alone, and that’s perfectly okay. Just knowing someone is available and willing to connect can mean a lot, even if they choose not to engage right away.
Vocational Domain
Community Cleanup: Inspired by the the Māori concept of guarding the sky, sea and land, or “kaitiakitanga” our suggestion for the vocational domain of wellness is a community cleanup project. Gather volunteers and travel to a beach, park or neighborhood to clean up litter, plant trees, or engage in other environmentally friendly tasks. This fosters vocational wellness by instilling a sense of purpose and responsibility, while also contributing to the well-being of the local environment.
Emotional Domain
Creative Compliments: Encourage participants to write thoughtful, creative compliments to others, focusing on the qualities that make them unique. Compliments can be shared aloud, delivered to the recipient’s mailbox or written anonymously and posted in a communal space. This activity fosters emotional connection, builds confidence, and spreads positivity throughout the group. Incorporating the recipient's first language, such as Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL), adds a deeply personal and inclusive element to this activity.
For an extra dose of creativity you can tailor the format of the compliments to reflect the interests or passions of the participants. Here are some ideas:
Shakespearean Compliments for the English Buff: Encourage participants to write compliments in the style of Shakespearean language, using playful phrasing such as "Thou art as constant as the northern star!". Participants could even recite these compliments aloud in a theatrical style, creating a fun, immersive experience for lovers of literature.
Historically Accurate Compliments for the History Buff: Create a compliment-writing activity based on different historical periods. Participants can choose a specific era—Victorian, Renaissance, Ancient Greece, etc.—and compose compliments using language and references from that time. For instance, a history buff might enjoy hearing "Thy leadership is as noble as Caesar, but without his folly!".
Video Compliments: Creating a mini "compliment documentary" where they interview others to gather kind words about the recipient.
Compliment Collages: Using magazines, participants can cut out images and words that represent the compliment they want to give, creating a unique piece of art that reflects their sentiment.
Compliment Poetry: Haikus or acrostic poems using the letters of the recipient’s name to create a personalized poem where each line starts with a letter from their name and reflects a compliment.
Finally, remember, World Kindness Day is not limited to being kind to others. It is important to take the time to be kind to yourself.
As we celebrate World Kindness Day, keep in mind that kindness is a powerful force that can transform lives and communities. Each of these activities serves as a reminder that simple, intentional acts of compassion can create lasting connections, inspire others, and foster a sense of belonging. By embracing kindness we not only uplift those around us but also enrich our own lives. May this day spark a commitment to weave kindness into our everyday routines, creating a ripple effect of positivity and empathy that extends far beyond this single day.
For more information, resources and suggestions for making the world a kinder place visit: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/world-kindness-day
