Kindness Is Contagious -- Help Spread It!

Tomorrow is World Kindness Day and I want to celebrate. I want my family and friends to celebrate; I want my city to celebrate; I want the whole world to embrace the ideology of World Kindness Day.

I think about all of the times I am not kind, if not in my actions then in my thoughts. I think about being the recipient of someone who is not kind and how this can give birth to even more negativity -- namely, mine.

Kindness and the act of being kind is essential to peace and harmony -- not just in the world but in your community, in your friendships and in your family. Being kind is not hard and it doesn't have to cost money. All it takes is a willingness to be generous in your thoughts and actions. Kindness breeds kindness. Rapidly.

Try an experiment this Friday. Fill yourself with kindness and, most importantly, share it with others:

Start at home. Offer a smile and a hug first thing in the morning, even if your child (or spouse or roommate) wakes up grumpy or you're running late for work or school. Do something outside of your typical morning routine that helps spread a little kindness: it could be something as simple as feeding the cats or letting the dog out; or snuggling with your kids and reading books before the Getting Ready routine begins in earnest.

When you're driving to work or running errands, let that car pass you on the freeway, the car that has been tailgating you for the past two miles, and do it with grace. Better yet, switch lanes to make it easier for them. Let that other car circling the parking lot pull into the closer spot. Return the abandoned shopping cart to the store, the cart that is threatening to smash into some unsuspecting victim's car.

Hold the door open for someone. Thank a worker -- genuinely thank them -- for a job well-done. Let someone go ahead of you in the checkout line.

Jot a quick note thanking a co-worker or teacher or volunteer in your community to let them know you appreciate what they do. If you don't see them that day, drop it in the mail. Send a letter to someone...just because.

Go out to dinner and leave a bigger tip -- and an even bigger written thank you on the tab. If going out to dinner isn't in the budget or on the schedule, let your kids help out...without complaint. And thank them when they are done.

Tell all the people who hold a special place in your heart that you love and appreciate them, and that you are glad they are in your life.

There are so many simple, easy things we can do to make our world a kinder place. Best of all, kindness is contagious. Think of the impact you could make on World Kindness Day -- and every day -- if you simple take the time to spread a little kindness.

Remember, kindness breeds kindness. Not only in others, but in yourself.

Maybe some day we won't need a World Kindness Day to recognize that.