Recently, a friend of mine shared a social media post with me because it reminded her of me. The post talked about 40 days of doing good—how acts of kindness not only make the giver feel good but also help someone else, creating a win-win for both parties. This post inspired me and got me thinking: Pink Shirt Day is coming up on Wednesday, Feb. 26 just 20 days from now.
If you’re unfamiliar with Pink Shirt Day, it began in 2007 as a result of an inspiring act of kindness in a small town in Nova Scotia. Three teenage boys stood up to a bully who was picking on another male student for wearing a pink shirt. To show support, they gave pink shirts to all the other boys at school. This act of kindness inspired organizations across Canada and around the world to raise funds and awareness for anti-bullying programs, as well as self-esteem workshops for kids. One of the key messages behind Pink Shirt Day is simply to “Be Kind.”
I started wondering how impactful it would be to do something kind for someone every day for the next 20 days leading up to Pink Shirt Day. Kindness doesn’t cost a thing, nor does it take more time than being unkind. While we should strive to be kind and thoughtful every day, consciously making kindness a daily intention can have an even greater effect.
Being kind to someone is one of the greatest gifts we can give. It doesn’t have to cost anything—although it can, if you choose—but the most meaningful acts of kindness often come from the heart. Kindness is contagious and can start a ripple effect, inspiring others to be kind as well.
As we go about our day, we interact with people whose circumstances we don’t always know. Someone might be having an awful day, or they could be having the best day of their life. If they’re struggling, your act of kindness might be the one thing that turns their day around or brings a smile to their face.
Did you know that smiling, even when you don’t feel like it, can improve your mood, reduce stress, increase productivity, and help others trust you? Smiling is also contagious —and it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown! When you smile at someone, it’s almost natural for them to smile back. In doing so, you’ve just boosted their mood, lowered their stress, and increased their productivity, all with a simple smile.
One of my favourite things to do, and something that sometimes gets me a few funny looks, is to tell people I interact with to have a great day. You wouldn’t think such a simple phrase would garner strange looks, but often I get a response that tells me they don’t hear it very often. That makes me a little sad, but then they smile and say it back, and for me, that’s a win. I like to think it’s a way to express to someone that I hope their day is enjoyable—a polite and thoughtful way to say goodbye.
Another small but impactful gesture I love is opening the door for someone. It’s something I don’t see as much these days, especially when visiting larger cities. People seem to be in such a hurry and don’t always take the time to pause for small acts of kindness. Opening the door for someone or letting them go through first is a thoughtful gesture that not only puts a smile on their face but also on yours.
Giving someone a compliment is another act of kindness I try to practice at least once a day. For the longest time, I never realized how many compliments I thought about in my head but never said out loud. I’d think to myself, “That’s such a nice sweater—it looks great on them,” but I wouldn’t actually say it. What’s the point of thinking about it if you don’t share it? After that realization, I made it a habit to voice my compliments. Whether it’s telling someone what a great job they’re doing, appreciating their efforts, or commenting on something they’re wearing, it can truly make someone’s day. Compliments add a little bounce to someone’s step, and they can boost confidence and self-esteem.
The acts of kindness I’ve mentioned may seem small or insignificant, but sometimes it’s the smallest things that have the greatest impact. One of my favourite sayings from Clare Pooley is, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
So, as we approach Pink Shirt Day, let’s commit to 20 days of kindness. Together, we can create a brighter, more positive world—one act of kindness at a time. If we all take a moment each day to perform a small act of kindness, we can contribute to making the world a better place, one kind act at a time.
Remember to be kind to yourself, practice self-care, and reach out for help if you need it.
If you need support, you can contact CMHA South Cariboo for mental health support at 250-395-4883. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also call the Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 1-888-353-2273 or the Suicide Crisis Line at 9-8-8, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
