Tomorrow (13 November) is World Kindness Day ― a celebration that has been held annually since 1998. The staff at Ketto explains, “World Kindness Day is a special international day dedicated to shining a light on empathy, goodwill, and kindness in all the little ways they show up. It encourages people to step outside of their daily routines and consciously choose compassion. The day reminds us that true generosity doesn’t need to be loud or expensive; it just needs to be heartfelt. The celebration highlights the simple, common thread of kindness that binds all people together, no matter where they come from, emphasizing the power of small, good deeds. It encourages us to make a positive difference, starting with the person right next to us.”[1]

The world needs a celebration like World Kindness Day to remind us of the importance of compassion. A survey published last year by the Pew Research Center confirmed that, even though most of us know how to behave in public, most people believe society is getting ruder.[2] This perception of rudeness emerges from the incivility found at the highest levels of politics in America. As the mid-term election demonstrated, political extremists on the right and left reveled in bringing out the very worst in society. The reason I use the phrase “perception of rudeness” is that, out of the media spotlight, most people act responsibly and respectfully. A 2026 poll conducted in New York by the Siena Research Institute (SRI) found, “Seventy percent of New Yorkers think people in society are less kind today than they were 10 years ago, but, at the same time, 97% describe themselves as either a very (56%) or somewhat (41%) kind person.”[3] The survey also found 92% of participants say they live by the Golden Rule ― do unto others as you would have them do unto you ― but only 27% say others do. Don Levy, SRI’s Director, says, “Something just doesn’t add up. Almost everyone says that they are a kind person and that they live by the golden rule, but only just over one in four think that others are following suit.” That perception gap has been created by public figures and the media.

We all need a little kindness in our lives. Author and poet Richelle E. Goodrich wrote a poem describing many of the ways we can feel out of place, mocked, or frightened. But the last stanza of her poem addresses us all.

Have you ever wished for something more, or something less than what you were?

If you have ever felt this way, you're one of us I’m here to say.

We've all been there a time or two because we're human, me and you.

We've all felt different in some way because we are, and that’s okay.

We've all been hurt; we've all been scarred. That's life. And frankly, life is hard.”

Because life is hard, a little kindness goes a long way. The staff at Twinkl explains, “We don't always have the chance to consciously think about if we are kind to others, or even how we can show more kindness to ourselves and those around us. Celebrating World Kindness Day 2026 gives you and your children a brilliant opportunity to do this! You're encouraged to focus on how to share more kindness in the world and spend some time cultivating these habits. This will hopefully boost the mood and wellbeing of all involved!”[5]

The Ketto staff asks, “So, what is the true purpose of World Kindness Day? Meaning, what do we want to try and accomplish on this day?” Those are good questions to ask yourself. The Ketto staff states, “It really is about the moment we choose to act. It’s when our empathy stops being just a feeling and becomes an action that genuinely brightens someone’s day. That simple move, transforming kind thought into kind deed, is what creates a real impact that we see across the globe.” They suggest you adopt four simple goals that can change your life and create the desired impact. They are:

1) Highlight the Good: “Celebrate and appreciate the everyday acts of kindness and generosity that often go unnoticed in our busy world.”

2) Encourage Empathy: “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, consciously choose compassion and respect in every interaction.”

3) Build Bridges: “Emphasize that kindness is a fundamental human feeling that naturally connects us across all our differences.”

4) Inspire a Ripple: “Move from just thinking about being kind to actually doing something, a single small choice can inspire others around you to do the same.”

The staff at Kindness.org insists, “The world needs more kindmakers. Every day, the world reminds us how much kindness matters. It’s time to turn empathy into action and hope into change. … Kindness begins as one small act. One moment, one choice, one you. … When one person chooses kindness, it multiplies. When millions do, it transforms everything, our communities, our world, our future.”

The late American essayist Maya Angelou once stated, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The remarkable thing about being kind is that you will never forget how it makes you feel as well. Go celebrate World Kindness Day and make it a daily celebration thereafter.

Footnotes

[1] Staff, “World Kindness Day 2026: History, 10 Acts of Kindness, Activities & Quotes,” Ketto.

[2] Katherine Schaeffer and Beshay Sakla, “Almost half of Americans say people have gotten ruder since the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pew Research Center, 12 March 2025.

[3] Staff, “70% Say People Were Kinder 10 Years Ago But 97% Describe Themselves as Kind,” Siena Research Institute, 4 October 2026.

[4] Richelle E. Goodrich, Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year, 22 August 2020.

[5] Staff, “World Kindness Day 2026,” Twinkl.