World Kindness Day

November 13th is World Kindness Day. Pretty cool, huh?

In 1996, the Small Kindness Movement in Japan organized a conference in Tokyo. They invited like-minded individuals from around the world who had started kindness movements in their own countries. A second conference in 1997 led to the formation of the World Kindness Movement, and a "Declaration of Kindness," signed by seven countries, on November 13th, which became World Kindness Day.

The mission of the World Kindness Movement is, simply, to inspire kindness both between individuals and between nations, to create a kinder world.

The purpose is to look beyond ourselves, our countries, culture, and religion and realize we are citizens of the world--and look for those qualities that make us similar, rather than different. If we focus on what we have in common, then we can make progress toward a true and lasting peace. The day celebrates coming together and working together.

And it all starts with us, with small acts of kindness.

So, start small. Enough small kindnesses add up to a really big kindness. And in that vein, An Enchanted Letter TM has been preparing care packages for children in need for an organization called "Samaritan's Purse." This organization runs "Operation Christmas Child" which collects shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene items, small toys, school supplies, and sweets, and sends them to children in need all over the world.

Last year, I read an article in their newsletter about a little boy who was so grateful to receive a pair of shoes through Operation Christmas Child. The story touched me to the core. Most of us take shoes completely for granted, but I've been reading how many children can't go to school without shoes. Can you imagine? And children who walk around barefoot risking infection from dirty syringes and who knows what else. That something so basic, so simple, can make such a difference.

This year, An Enchanted Letter TM, in addition to donating toys to local drives, is sending 5 shoeboxes to Operation Christmas Child, each with a pair of shoes. It isn't much, but the power of combined donations-- Well, little kindnesses really do add up.

Times are tough, life is stressful. With the holidays approaching, what can you do to make someone's life a little easier? To make the world a little better? A little kinder?


Links:

World Kindness Movement

KindActs.net

Australian Kindness Movement

ActsofKindness.org

Acts of Kindness --send ecards, free printables

Kids For Peace

The Great Kindness Challenge

Some ideas to get you started

Samaritan's Purse

Operation Christmas Child