What makes us feel good? When we give and receive kindness! During this past summer, Vaughan Public Libraries hosted several Makers With a Cause – Cards for Seniors programs, where members of our community composed and designed their own hand-made cards that were sent to the Sending Sunshine initiative, which delivers the cards to older adults in Canada, including those in care facilities. During a session I hosted, over a dozen participants, mostly teenagers, were actively engaged and collaborated in the card-making process. Between three VPL branches, over 100 cards were made! We’re very grateful for these teens and participants for dedicating time out of their busy schedules to spread some sunshine!
Since tomorrow is World Kindness Day, which occurs every year on November 13th, I wanted to present you all with a little post on kindness. Hopefully we can glean a few ideas, whether big or small, and spread some joy to our families and communities!
Let’s start off with an everyday topic: Driving. Nowadays, it seems like there are a lot of drivers in a hurry, zooming around as if they’re playing Mario Kart and trying to get a gold first-place trophy. Maybe it’s time pressure or impatience? But what if somebody told you that leaving your house a minute earlier can lead to a kind act on the road? Jaime Thurston’s Kindness: The Little Thing That Matters Most is a great starting point for generating ideas on how we can spread kindness, including leaving the house a minute earlier so that we have time to let another driver merge or pass us. There are also some interesting scientific research and studies that go along with the ideas!
Here’s a perfectly titled book with quotes about how Fred Rogers, aka Mister Rogers, sees the world. In The World According to Mister Rogers, you can practically feel the warmth and kindness that emanate from the pages as readers soak in the wisdom that Rogers disseminates. There are themes of love and friendship that can inspire us to practice kindness; from listening to one another to forgiveness, Rogers’ words in this book are a mix of quick quotes to short anecdotes. Perhaps most relatable to the kindness theme is the section titled “We Are All Neighbors,” which begins on page 133. But altogether, this is a bite-sized read that’ll likely be resonant for everybody who needs a little pick-me-up or inspiration, courtesy of Mister Rogers.
One thing that’s taught in the journalism classes I took a few years ago is active listening — and it isn’t as easy as it might sound! It’s not uncommon for the mind to wander off, which is why listening in everyday conversations is difficult for many of us in general. Really hearing someone is a skill that’s useful to hone, something that’s discussed in You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy, which provides tips about active listening along with engrossing examples. Even if you’re already familiar with some of the tips, the little stories and anecdotes help reinforce the advice. It’s a great reminder to listen to those around us — because not only does it help us learn more, but people love to be heard and understood!
If you want to make a difference in other countries, check out Lonely Planet’s Volunteer: A Traveller’s Guide to Making a Difference Around the World! Travellers who have an interest in international volunteering may find this book handy, as it’s jampacked with valuable information to consider for those who want to lend a hand in other places around the world. Of course, there’s a lot of planning that will come into play. From passports and visas to discussions about money, preparation will be crucial for those who are serious about volunteering in another nation, so consider this book as one of many resources before you take off!
Writing can be simultaneously the most rewarding yet excruciating hobby. How do we start? What should we write about? Kindness can also take on forms related to the self, such as self-care, and writing can help us take a step towards that kindness to oneself whether through poetry or journalling. In Unlocking the Heart: Writing for Mindfulness, Courage, and Self-Compassion by James Crews, we can explore Crews’ poems that deal with a range of topics and personal anecdotes while getting motivation for your own writing. The prompts throughout the book are thought-provoking and can inspire you to write about your own thoughts, lives, and opinions — to release everything onto the page, whether by ink or digital means.
Who said kindness is limited to interactions between humans? Tiny but Mighty: Kitten Lady’s Guide to Saving the Most Vulnerable Felines by Hannah Shaw is all about our feline friends! While the pictures will pump you up with cuteness overload, the content itself is detailed and seems to cover virtually everything that you’d need to know about saving and caring for these furballs of joy. I think anyone who’s fortunate enough to have a little one (pet) at home can vouch for how great it feels to care for them. If you don’t have a cat (or not enough of them), then this might be a sign to adopt or save one!
Perhaps we can think about kindness in another way: Being conscious of the environment and making greener choices is also a feel-good type of kindness! Sustain: 50 Easy Tips for a Cleaner, Greener, Plastic-Free Home by Christina Strutt provides useful tips on how we can be a little more eco-friendly, starting at home. There are cleaning tips using nontoxic products (p. 16), a short guide on how to grow your own produce (p. 98), and instructions on how to make your own natural beauty products (p. 146). Perhaps you can pick up a few tricks — with sustainability in mind!
Who can disagree that gift giving is kind? For the crafty creatives out there, 100 Little Knitted Gifts to Make might give you some inspiration to handmake a gift for a loved one! There are practical, comfy gifts such as wrist warmers and beanies (look at the adorable panda beanie on page 62!); or, if the recipient is a fan of cozy and endearing little gifts, then perhaps the mini snowman (p. 174) would be up their alley! Either way, personalized custom gifts are unique and great for memories. If you’re not a knitter, there’s always time to learn!
After all these feel-good recs, I’d be surprised if you’re not supercharged with an urge to knit your neighbours a gift or volunteer somewhere! Perhaps keep an eye out for future and upcoming Makers With a Cause programs too. To end it off, here’s a list concocted by none other than Claire, who’ll be posting something cool next week — so keep your eyes peeled for that too! But this list has great titles if you want an additional dose of kindness, which was made for the adjacent Random Acts of Kindness Day. Let’s get inspired and spread some smiles!