The Morning Thing celebrated World Kindness Day today. Did you know that 27 countries recognize this day and the need to show kindness to others?
There is a long history for this day that dates back to 1997 where the World Kindness Movement was launched at a conference in Tokyo, Japan.
Click HERE to read about the history and some interesting facts about the day.

Today, the hosts shared a Kindness Matters Guide from The Mental Health Foundation.
Click HERE to read the full article and all the different ideas on how we can show kindness.
Here are some of our favorites.
Volunteer to help others:
Here are some ideas about getting involved:

• Volunteer for a local community organisation
• Offer your expertise and support as a mentor for those who are struggling
• Check-in with a neighbour
• See if there’s anything you can do to support your children’s school or nursery – offer to read stories for example
• Involve your friends and neighbours in community projects
• Offer to skill-share with a friend – you could teach guitar, dance or a new recipe
• Call a friend that you haven’t spoken to for a while
• Tell a family member how much you love and appreciate them
• Offer a listening ear to someone who simply wants to talk

At home and in your community

• Call a friend who you haven’t spoken to for a while
• Post a card or letter to someone you’ve been out of touch with
• Send flowers to a friend, out of the blue
• Find out if a neighbour needs any help with shopping
• Ring someone who is on their own
• Send someone a handwritten thank you note
• Tell your family how much you love and appreciate them
• Help with household chores
• Offer to help an elderly or vulnerable neighbour
• Check on someone you know who is going through a tough time

At work

• Remember to say “hi” to colleagues and ask how they are – whether that’s face-to-face, or virtually if you are working from home
• Offer to support colleagues who may not be familiar with videoconferencing or new software that you have already used
• Set up a coffee or lunch club – with your regular colleagues and with new ones
• Have a conversation with a colleague you don’t normally talk with
• Get to know a new member of staff – it is hard to join a new workplace
• Lend your ear – listen to your colleague who is having a bad day
• Say thank you to a colleague who has helped you
• Praise a colleague for something they have done well

We also shared bible verses that talk about being kind. Click HERE to access 40 different verses from biblestudytools.com to inspire you to show kindness.

Ephesians 4:32 (New International Version)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

A Prayer for Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness (from biblestudytools.com)
Father, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness describe Your character. How can I be more like You, Father? How can I be an outlet of Your kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to the people You have purposefully placed in my life? Show me, Father. Open my heart to remember the words of my Savior and feel the all-encompassing love of You, my heavenly Father. I am loved, chosen, purposed, and forgiven. Therefore, emboldens me to pray, live, and love in a reflection of these great truths about who I am. Guide my prayers and my life. Let all I do, honor You. In Jesus Name, Amen.