Words can make us, break us, heal us and help us! It's our choice as to how we speak to people. Verbal abuse exists and is very powerful….Lorraine Jara
Be Kind to Humankind Week (BK2HK) is an annual worldwide celebration of kindness. The celebration is observed the last week of August from the 25th 31st. Its founder Lorraine Jara challenges people around the world to participate in this week-long kindness challenge.
Be Kind to Humankind was inspired by a sad story that occurred in Lorraine Jara’s hometown. Two men were out boating when they encountered a problem that capsized their boat. While the two men clung to life, other boaters ignored their cries for help because they didn’t want to get involved. One man survived the ordeal while the other man eventually died. Lorraine decided to honor the memory of the deceased young man by creating B2KHK. Her hope was that a week that encouraged kindness among people would bring awareness to the feelings of others. Be Kind to Humankind has been embraced by many people world-wide including entertainers like Oprah Winfrey and Paul Simon as well as several U.S. Presidents.
Each day of the week is designed to help guide people on how they can be a kinder human being to others during that day. Here is a breakdown of each day of the week with suggestions on what you can do to be kind to others:
THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY
Be mindful of those around you. Whether at home, at school or work, or in public, try to always be thoughtful and considerate to other people.
Suggestions:
1. Hold doors open for people behind you
2. Leave a nice note for a co-worker or classmate
3. Say please, thank you, excuse me, and you're welcome. So often we forget to say these simple but important courtesies.
4. Invite a friend/relative over for lunch.
5. Get involved in volunteer work in your community.
6. Try to be more conscientious of other people’s feelings.
7. Send a friend a little note to lift their spirits, or a little gift (trinket) of some sort. Just letting them know that you are thinking of them helps so much.
FORGIVE YOUR FOE FRIDAY
Try to find enough forgiveness in your heart to alleviate any anger you may be feeling towards other people or even towards yourself. This can be difficult, but it's extremely necessary. There is danger in anger. Hatred is all-consuming and destructive. There is nothing good about any of these emotions, so give it your best effort to try and forgive.
Suggestions:
1. Forgive yourself when you make a mistake.
2. Try deep breathing or meditation to clear your mind.
3. Don't hold a grudge.
4. Practice thinking good thoughts, not hateful ones.
5. Being able to forgive is very difficult but putting effort into learning to forgive is worthwhile. Holding a grudge is bad for your health and the recipients.
6. Be the first to make the move towards reconciliation. If your attempts fail, at least you tried.
7. As difficult as this may be, try to put yourself in the offender’s shoes. Try to understand what could have made them behave this way.
SPEAK KIND WORDS SATURDAY
Words are extremely powerful. They can make us or break us & hurt or heal other people. Think before you speak, or press send. You cannot take your words back! Once blurted out, they can destroy a person's self-esteem and self-worth.
Suggestions:
1. Don't text anything that you wouldn't want everybody to read. 2. Think twice before you say something you will regret later.
3. A kind word is never wasted.
4. Be aware of not only what you say but how you say it.
5. Think about how you would respond to what you're about to say. 6. Do not gossip.
7. Try not to curse and use foul language, especially around children or in public places.
SACRIFICE OUR WANTS FOR OTHERS’ NEEDS SUNDAYS
Today is a chance to do something for someone in need. Let your desires come second on this day and give a little something to somebody else.
Suggestions:
1. Invite a friend or family member over for dinner, especially those who don't get out often
2. Assist someone that seems to be having difficulty
3. Visit an elderly relative in a nursing home.
4. Take your elderly family member out on a day trip.
5. Spend the afternoon with your children doing something fun together.
6. If you attend a church or a place of worship, you can offer to donate some of your time to help with the service, or even donate time after the service to help with any special events the church may be having. 7. Join a fund-raising event to help raise money for a needy cause.
MOTORIST CONSIDERATION MONDAY
Practice patience and consideration towards others while traveling. This includes all forms of travel, whether it be by bike, boat, bus, car, foot, plane, train, scooter, skateboard, or wheelchair.
Suggestions:
1. Don't text while driving or walking.
2. When driving, move over if you see emergency vehicles.
3. While using public transportation, give up your seat to someone who may need it more.
4. Don't drive aggressively by speeding, tailgating, or bullying people on the road.
5. Let another car come out in front of you in a line of heavy traffic. 6. Always yield to pedestrians, especially when you see people standing in the cold rain, sleet, or snow.
7. Be alert and cautious of bicycle riders on the side of the road. 8. Be respectful on the school bus, don't distract the driver or leave trash behind.
TOUCH A HEART TUESDAY
Take the opportunity to show your love towards others. Just like the old 60's tune goes "Put a little love in your heart", and this stands very true even to this day. After all, love is eternal, and a little bit of love goes a long way.
Suggestions:
1. Mail an uplifting card to someone
2. Practice being a good listener, don't jump to offer advice
3. Don't hesitate to offer a compliment
4. Leave a short note for someone letting them know you appreciate them 5. Call someone just to say "Hi"
6. Tell those that you love, "I love you".
7. If you have small children, do not miss out on the opportunity to tell them how much you love them! So often as parents of young children, we are so busy correcting them and things of that sort, that we forget to enjoy them and show our love in verbal ways. Building up their self-esteem and their image of themselves comes directly from you. You are their mirror, so mirror love, kindness and encouragement towards them and a sincere interest in their lives!
8. Give a call to an elderly relative to just say "Hi". They will be so happy to hear from you!
9. Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home. There are also many sick children in hospitals who would love to receive a card or letters to brighten their day and let them know that people care.
WILLING TO LEND A HAND WEDNESDAY
Offer someone your time, help, or advice today. It does not have to be anything big, although we would not discourage that, just the smallest help to someone is great!
Suggestions:
1. Offer to bring in a neighbor's mail if they won't be home for a few days 2. Take an older friend or relative food shopping or to the doctor's office 3. Pick up any trash you see in your neighborhood and put it in the garbage 4. Help a classmate or co-worker with their work
5. Don't leave things messy, clean up after yourself
6. Pick up groceries for a homebound person.
7. If someone you know has their car in repair and needs a lift somewhere, offer them a ride. Especially if it is a co-worker who might live near you and needs a ride to work.
8. Keep an eye and ear out for any community projects that ask for volunteer work. Even one day a month is very helpful to them! So spread the word about Be Kind to Humankind week. Think of random acts of kindness. A simple act of kindness can go a long way. We should always start our day with a smile and know we always have an opportunity to make a difference with a kind gesture towards others. We have the power to make the world a better place.
You can follow Lorraine Jara on Twitter by using the hashtag #BeKindToHumankindWeek