February 9th – 15th is Random Acts of Kindness Week & February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day!
After a lively coalition conversation and some Googling, we chose ducks for Random Acts of Week because…
When a duck crosses your path, it’s often seen as a message to slow down and focus on your emotional health. Ducks are creatures of calmness and grace, and their appearance could suggest a need to glide through life more easily.
So, to help boost the emotional health of our Burlington-Edison Community, we have hidden 100 ducks throughout the area.
What do I do when I find a duck?
If you, a kiddo you’re with, or even your dog, find a duck, you have some options!
Option #1 – Keep the Duck!
- Wash it and use it as a fun bath-time toy!
- Throw it in the backyard or the dog park with your best buddy! (Just make sure to keep an eye as it could turn into small pieces that could harm them.)
- DON’T FORGET to smile and take a picture with your duck!
- Then tag @Burlington.HCC (IG) or @Burlington.HCC.WA (FB).
- We would love to see who and where the joy was found!
Option #2 – Re-hide the Duck!
- Find a new spot for your newfound friend and spread kindness throughout our community.
- DON’T FORGET to smile and take a picture w/your duck!
- Then tag @Burlington.HCC (IG) or @Burlington.HCC.WA (FB).
- We would love to see who and where the joy was found.
- Maybe even give a hint to the new location!
Ways to Show & Spread Kindness:
The Random Acts of Kindness website has an ENTIRE YEAR of everyday ways we can spread kindness.
Take a peek and maybe try today’s suggestion!
The Random Acts of Kindness website has lots of coloring pages in English and Spanish.
They are free to download and teach different ways you can be kind.
Challenge yourself and download the Random Acts of Kindness booklet. Filled with inspiring ideas for all ages.
The challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to complete 10 acts of kindness in 10 days! We believe in YOU!
The Science Behind Kindness:
We get it, you LOVE data! Our coalition President does, too. Don’t worry we’re here to help! Below you will find some studies breaking down the science behind being kind. You can also increase your knowledge by using the flip boards below!
From Psychology Today: Why Be Kind? 5 Ways Kindness Is Good for Well-Being – Learn about the importance of kindness and how to show more kindness.
From Mayo Clinic: Kickstart Kindness In Your Life.
From Harvard Health Blog: The Heart and Science of Kindness
From UNESCO: The Science, Theory, and Practice of Kindness: A Brief Overview
True or False
Kindness is good for your health.TRUE!
Want to learn more about the benefits?Does practicing kindness improve our health?
Yes, it seems it does!
Check out this study from the NIH (National Institute of Health) National Library of Medicine. This experiment investigates the effects of a seven-day kindness activities intervention on changes in subjective happiness. Click Here
What is the definition of kindness?
KINDNESS (n.)
The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.________
Choose kindness every day!
Where does kindness come from?
It's still not clear, but...
With a very ambitious new study, a pioneering team from Germany might have brought us one step closer to some answers.
Love & Compassion
Humanity needs it.Human Necessities.
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive,”– the Dalai Lama
Compassion
We all need itTo show compassion, try saying, “What happened to make you feel this way?”
Instead of saying, “What’s wrong with you?”
Using this language helps put focus on an event or circumstance rather than the person and starts with a conversation without blame.
Kindness
Sprinkle it like glitter!“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
— Ralph Waldo EmersonA Reminder. You Matter.
In the words of Brené Brown...Your story matters, because YOU MATTER.
“My story matters because I matter.” I am absolutely enough.”
– Brené Brown
