What is Kindness?

Kindness is being generous, considerate and caring to others and yourself. Kindness can make the world a better place through a ripple effect. You have to be sure that you have been kind to yourself, family, friends, and school community. Eventually, kindness will spread from one country to another and the whole world will be a better and more caring place.

Being kind can be as simple as smiling, holding the door, greeting each other, volunteering, donating to charities, sharing, cheering up someone who is sad, making someone laugh, being gentle with animals, helping the environment by picking up litter, planting a tree, and returning a lost item to its owner. Many small acts can make a difference.

Kindness makes you and the person you are helping feel better. For example, an act of kindness can help reduce stress and anxiety, increase happiness, and increase confidence. It can help you live longer as well. It is also important to be kind to yourself. You can practice being kind to yourself by relaxing, turning off social media channels, giving yourself a treat, doing something you enjoy, and spending time with nature.

By Carina Araujo, 7th grade student.