“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” This past Saturday was World Kindness Day, but even though the day is officially over, it is never too late to be kind. Our focus for this week will be about kindness and for today we will take a look at how and when this day was formed and its purpose.

What is World Kindness Day?
World Kindness Day is a holiday that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. The purpose of this day is to help everyone understand that kindness is what binds us all together. This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations. With kindness, we can overcome the divides of politics, race, religion, gender, and so much more. What began as an effort from the World Kindness Movement at a Tokyo conference 24 years ago is now a global movement reminding everyone of the power of kindness.

When is World Kindness Day?
World Kindness Day is celebrated each year on November 13th.

How did World Kindness Day Start?
World Kindness Day was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. This organization was formed at a Tokyo conference in 1997 when Japan brought kindness organizations of multiple nations together and emphasized the necessity of a global kindness movement. The World Kindness Movement launched in Singapore in November 2000. Currently, over 28 countries are a part of the World Kindness Movement group.
World Kindness Day is observed in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.

What is the Purpose of World Kindness Day?
The purpose of World Kindness Day is to highlight and encourage good deeds in your community. It also serves as a reminder to all that simple acts of kindness have power and that together, we can all work to create a kinder world. You may wonder how compassion from one person can make a difference. It isn’t easy to comprehend, but every kind act, even the smallest one, creates a ripple effect that has the potential to spread so far, you can’t begin to imagine. The World Kindness Movement and World Kindness Day are meant to inspire us to believe that we can make a global difference, one act at a time.