Kindness in the New Year

As we wind down the holiday season, we are reminded that this is the time of year when we look to the coming New Year.  When we ponder how the last year has gone and what we would like to change, or what we are looking forward to about the year to come.

The past year, like so many years before, has been wonderful for some and trying for others. And trying times will continue to show their faces many years to come as will the good times. But through everything, let's remember to Be Kind to one another.  


Over the past several years, we have also run two different Kindness campaigns featuring the good people at Rachel's Challenge.  Check out a few of those videos here and listen to why spreading kindness is so important in our every day lives.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBGjg16mUz4

No matter what you decide to do this next year, we at What You Can Do would like to encourage you to choose kindness whenever possible in 2017.  

This year, we were honored to share some wonderful videos featuring our friends at Ben's Bells talking about how they spread kindness.  We invite you to hear their story and learn how they empower and inspire people to help spread kindness throughout our country and the word.  You can see one of our videos with them here:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghwG8u4Qh5E

Our friend's at the Anti-Defamation League do their best everyday to help make the world a better place for all people.  Take a moment to listen to some of the ADL's interns discuss how they help make a difference each day - combatting hate and showing kindness to all.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU0roaWBAls&t=113s

You too can be an instrument for kindness in your everyday lives. 

Check out this Sacramento mom who made signs to encourage kindness during this year's election cycle:   

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/14/health/iyw-america-great-signs-trnd/  

Hopefully it will inspire you to help make a difference in your own lives and communities.

There are so many ways to show kindness to others even if you only have One Minute of time to give.  This coming year, consider helping an elderly neighbor, paying for the coffee of the person behind you, sweeping the sidewalk in front of your house to keep it safe for pedestrians, reporting any and all cyber bullying you see, dropping off a bag of food at your local animal shelter etc. etc. etc.  These are just a few simple ways that you can show kindness this coming year.  If you need more ideas check out our website:  http://www.ontheleesh.com/whatyoucando/

Take a moment this year to help spread kindness.  We promise you won't regret it.

Cheers to a very happy 2017, from the What You Can Do Team