An Inheritance of Kindness – #WATWB
In a world that often seems cold, calculating and manipulative, a simple act of kindness can mean so much. Thankfully, it doesn’t take a lot to brighten someone’s day with a kind word or gesture. After all, what does it cost us but a moment of time to smile at a passerby or ask after a neighbor that has been ill?
A simple act of kindness, charity or listening can change one’s entire day. In some cases, it could even change or save someone’s life. This is a skill that is of vital importance to the health and uplifting of humans and our world, as well as to all of the wonderful creatures that inhabit it.
Those of us who are kind often see this as an inherent trait – and the world would likely be a much better place if it was – yet science proves that is not necessarily the case.
The reality is, kindness teaches kindness.
That’s why I was so pleased to read the good news this week about camps for kids that exclusively work at teaching them to be kind and to help others.
Kindness camps are places where kids learn that simple acts of kindness benefit both the giver and receiver in many unexpected ways. It made my day to see these kids lighting up with such joy and compassion for others in their community.
I have included a fascinating 5-minute-listen from NPR on the subject that helps shine a light on some of the science as to how vital it is that kids get this type of direction.
I am forever grateful for those who care to pointedly teach these skills to the young. What an awesome inheritance to leave! It will undoubtedly carry our children and humanity into the future in such positive ways.
At the end of each month, we bloggers are given an opportunity to post good news, offering an antidote to bad news in our feeds. The talented co-hosts for this month are: Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Damyanti Biswas, Eric Lahti, and myself, Lizbeth Hartz. Please check out the blogs and say hello.
Lizbeth Hartz is the author of the true crime, true love memoir Angel Hero, Murder in Hawaii, A True Story. Buy it on Amazon or sign up to read the 1st chapter free.
HI LIzbeth. Wonderful share. It looks like we both shared on the same important topic – teaching children kindness. Hoping our posts spread far and wide. 🙂
Sounds lovely.
I’m so glad to hear about these kindness camps for kids. Focussing on kindness will go a long way to making our world a better place to live in. Thanks for co hosting the WATWB.
What a wonderful story to share for WATWB, Lizbeth. We need more such camps, and for adults too! But it is really so significant, and, I’m sure, helpful to start with the young ones. Thanks for helping co-host too!
What a brilliant share Lizbeth (and thanks for co-hosting #WATWB this month. I absolutely love the idea of Kindness Camp. It’s so exciting to see kids have the opportunity to learn the joys of service and set a framework for kindness that can guide them throughout their lives. This really makes my heart happy.
This is beautiful.
It is so important to give kids lessons in kindness: sometimes it is hard to know what to do to help others and a camp will show them how.
teaching kindness to children is our duty, as kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give.
Thanks Lizbeth – I guess kids and people are inherently kind but this trait gets blunted along the way. Kindness camps are a great idea! Thanks for co-hosting. I don’t have a post up this time round, am merely checking out all others ..
Hi Lizbeth – I can quite believe kids are kind and thoughtful about others … glad it’s confirmed! Interesting audio clip – the Kindness Camps sound ideal … thanks for letting us know about them – cheers Hilary
Kindness Camps for kids!! Wow! What a novel and beautiful initiative to inculcate the right attitude in children early on. Thanks for sharing about it, Lizbeth. Hope we have such Kindness Camps all over the world.
Good habits are only learned in childhood and it is important that children learn about being kind while they are young. I often find that young ones love teasing little insects or hurting others by saying mean and hurtful things without realising what they are doing….
Thank you all for your lovely comments.