Although several people around the world celebrated World Kindness Day, the staff at the Counseling Center hosted its own event yesterday at Clark Student Center to help students share their compassion for others.
“We were interested in this particular day because in the Counseling Center, we like to help people with their self-esteem and it can be enhanced by doing acts of kindness and giving,” Counseling Center Director Pam Midgett said.
In 1998, members of the World Kindness Movement created this day. Current members of this movement include representatives from 20 kindness organizations throughout the world. This day is also celebrated by 22 other countries outside of the United States including Japan, Australia and Canada.
“I did not know about World Kindness Day, but I would donate to a charity if I could,” April Tulagan, junior in nursing, said.
Members of the World Kindness Movement created this day to highlight the good in the community and to focus on the positives of everyday life. These members are also making approaches to the United Nations to make World Kindness Day be recognized as an official day.
“I actually did know about world kindness day because of my speech teacher,” Nathan Craig, sophomore in criminal justice, said. “I don’t have any plans for it except probably doing stuff I already do, like greeting people and holding doors open.”
Students were able to put kind words and sayings in the cards they created at the event. The staff at the Counseling Center mailed these letters of kindness if the student provided an address of the receiver.
“Making a card to send to another person stuck out to me because it’s low-cost and students like to participate in making things and crafting with their hands,” Midgett said. “Activities like this can develop self-awareness and self-esteem.”
This was the first time the university has participated in World Kindness Day and some 50 students participated in the Counseling Center’s event.
“The person you send it to feels appreciated. You feel like you’ve helped and you feel good about yourself,” Midgett said.
The counselors at the Counseling Center said they plan on participating in this event again next year.
“Something I have always wanted to do is pay for a family’s groceries when I can tell they need help,” Danielle Hubbard, senior in mathematics, said. “That is something I see a lot working at United Supermarkets. I want to do that someday when I have the funds.”
“Overall people feel good when they do kind things for others,” Midgett said. “People with any type of hobby like crafting, golf or anything else have good self-esteem, mental health and self-confidence.”
