Be Kind to Humankind Week
These days, it feels as though the world has adopted an every-person-for-themselves attitude. While it’s been important to take care of ourselves and families during the pandemic, we must think of how our behaviors and choices impact those around us. Observed during the last week of August, Be Kind to Humankind Week is an annual worldwide celebration of kindness, created in August of 1988 by Lorraine Jara in Toms River, New Jersey.
How Be Kind to Humankind Week Began
Be Kind to Humankind Week was inspired by a newspaper story of a boating accident in Jara’s hometown. Two young men overturned their rowboat in a local river and clung to the boat for hours before two young ladies stopped and rescued them by bringing them aboard their boat.
While the men clung to their boat, several other boaters passed by but refused to offer assistance. One of the men later died, and Lorraine was moved to create a special week to encourage kindness to other people in his memory. Several entertainers and U.S. Presidents have recognized Lorraine for her efforts.
Daily Challenges and Observances
Be Kind to Humankind Week focuses on a week of daily challenges, including:
- Sacrifice Our Wants For Others’ Needs Sunday
- Motorist Consideration Monday
- Touch-A-Heart Tuesday
- Willing-To-Lend-A-Hand Wednesday
- Thoughtful Thursday
- Forgive-Your-Foe Friday
- Speak-Nice-Words Saturday
Being kind to ourselves and others has never been more important than after the past few months because of the pandemic. Covid-19 has touched nearly everyone in some way, and the pandemic has caused stress and anxiety for many people. In addition to friends and family members contracting the virus, the pandemic has affected many families’ financial stability and left them in a precarious position.
Today, more than ever, we should be kind to humankind, and that includes ourselves. But, unfortunately, in the midst of dealing with the many effects of the pandemic, it can be easy to overlook our personal needs and health.
Taking care of overall health is part of being kind to yourself. We are here with several convenient area locations for those who require medical help, including wellness checks, physicals, illness, and injury treatment.
