Why Kindness Matters? Especially in November
- Brainz Magazine
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Marcia BNoose, born Marcia Anita Hobbs, is a renowned human rights activist, Fashion Designer, and Model/ Actress in Australia. Founder of the 'Human Rights Brand' Barbwire Noose Clothing, Marcia is recognized for her charitable contributions, autobiographical authoring, and pageantry title holdings within the pageant world.
World Kindness Day is 13 November every year, introduced in 1998 as an international observance, and the World Kindness Movement's goal is to have World Kindness Day officially recognised by the United Nations and observed in countries such as Canada, Australia, India, Nigeria, the UAE, and beyond. The day is celebrated by schools worldwide, with local NGOs and events like The Big Hug and a global flashmob. Aiming to highlight good deeds and the positive power of kindness, bridging divides of race, religion, politics, gender, and location. Here are five reasons why kindness matters and how you can get involved.
1. Be present, active listening
We all have fast-paced, busy lives, or at least lives that leave us feeling like we have little time most of the time. Phones, social media, Netflix, and podcasts take time away from us being present in our own lives and valuing those around us. So what can you do:
a. Take time for yourself and outside of yourself
Self-care and compassion for oneself are not just a fad thing of today, they are a thing. Yet, sometimes time for ourselves excludes others, and other times efforts for others exclude ourselves. By being present, we can more clearly include and excuse ourselves from good and bad vibes, energy, and welcome as well as unwelcome kindness. Listening to others is a gift, that’s why we have two ears and one mouth, because active listening is just as essential as self-communication.
b. Listen to understand
Try to understand the different strengths and weaknesses of yourself and others. Listen to your inner conscience, genuine external advice, and universal elements. It might be a dog barking to warn you that someone is coming, or a friend vaguely saying they are not okay. And be willing to apologise and admit when you're wrong.
Active listening is not just for podcasts and YouTube. Focus, take time to smell the roses, be kind to strangers and yourself.
2. Don’t be a bystander
We see it in the news headlines all the time, if the ‘person didn’t step in’. Yet bystander behaviour is common, as many viral videos of strangers signalling help to strangers show. So why is that so?
a. Mistaking minding your business as ignoring mine
The behaviours of others are not a reflection of you, yet the behaviour you walk past is the behaviour you accept. In times of distance and disconnect, divorce and world devastations, it is more important than ever that we bind together. Engaging online, standing up against bullying, focus groups promoting kindness and compassion, self-defence, and empowerment against inequality. When we identify unethical and immoral activities, whether it be ours or others, the opportunity for change emerges and challenges the standard at hand.
b. Lead by example
Walking away from conflict will not always avoid conflict, but it is a great start. To be the change you want to see in the world, you lead through your actions, actively listening to understand that everyone has their own burdens to carry, and the best response is compassion. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is to walk away from a tense situation instead of reacting with anger.
3. Public kindness
No, I am not talking about taking a selfie with a homeless person after you toss them your spare change. I’m talking about paying it forward. What does paying it forward mean:
a. Hold the door open for a stranger
Have you ever walked out of the café, hands full, after someone just walked in and they let the door smash you in the back as you walked by with probably the same latte choice they had in mind? Why not hold the door? Are we really in that much of a rush that we can not afford the time to be courteous to another? Let’s be real, it costs nothing to hold a door open for a second.
b. Buy a random coffee
If you can afford it, shouting something at someone else is never a burden, especially when you get a warm cup of coffee for the pensioner who obviously could use a kind gesture after half a century on this earth. No matter who you are, or who you're getting a drink for, we are approximately 70% fluid in our bodily make-up, so the gesture isn't just kind, it is rarely going to be unwelcome and something others can pay forward from your example.
c. Donate
Most of us have donated our favourite threads or barely worn clothes to an opportunity store. But have you ever bought a Christmas gift for a child who may not receive one without your kindness? Have you given blood, if your health allows it? Have you donated your time to charity, a neighbour or a friend lately? This matters, and studies show that when you give, it inspires others to give also. Practising kindness is a pay-it-forward act in itself. Donate your time and be kind.
4. Compassion matters
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion” – Famous quote by the Dalai Lama.
Happiness to some people is a simple ‘Thank you’, a genuine ‘Please’, and a hug of appreciation. A compliment is not only a conversation starter, but it can be a great basis to build lasting relationships and advocate kindness in your relationships.
a. Compliments matter
We all feel good in an outfit we took time to pick out and put on. And we all benefit from a compliment or two on it! I don’t know one of my girl friends who doesn’t want my comments (approvals) on her fashion choices. I don’t know one guy I’ve ever walked past down the street who has been offended by the acknowledgement of a good choice in cologne. Compliments matter, it's not hard to be kind, and even the person you dislike the most is good at something.
b. Manners matter
Going above and beyond with a please and a thank you is not above and beyond. Manners should be encouraged, the norm, and rewarded when teaching our children societal values. You incentivise good behaviour by being an example of it. The same can be said of your use of manners. Whether it be at home or in the supermarket, please and thank you deepen your engagement with your peers and enhance the feelings of happiness, positivity, and appreciation a person feels in interaction.
c. Accept feedback, opinion, and constructive criticism
No one knows everything, and more often than not, people offer advice to try to help rather than hinder. Do not be offended by others' opinions, suggestions, and offers of help. Embrace new ideas, and if you do not like someone’s feedback, don’t take it personally. The perspective a person sees things from is theirs, and that is not necessarily wrong, but it might not be suitable for you.
5. Foster connections based on empathy
Emotional connection is vital for the human race. We are interconnected by DNA, genetics, evolution, and more. With digital times seeing us less connected physically than ever before, this removes emotive, physical interaction and empathy from human experiences.
a. Stay updated by dropping in
Digital trends and emerging technologies make it so easy to say something without the need for emotion or real interaction. We email, we text, and all of a sudden, everything is toneless, emotionless, lacking empathy. This can be easily avoided by making sure all your catch-ups are not all online or via the phone. Dinner dates with mates are a cheap way to keep in touch, you can take turns in cooking for each other, and you literally keep in touch, even with real hugs.
b. Be as kind to yourself as you are to your friends
We all know an empty cup has nothing to share. Additionally, the lower you feel, the less motivated you are, and the more aggression you bottle up. All of a sudden, you’re an empty cup with stress, which has the draining effect of nothing left to give or share. Take time to be as kind to yourself as you are in interactions with others.
c. World Kindness Movement events
Take advantage of World Kindness Day and network! Get involved with events in your area and expand your knowledge, skills, and kindness networks in life as well as business. Events are often hosted by industry associations, both private and public organisations, or via kindness groups, which usually offer networking opportunities. Google is the best tool at hand to research kindness movement events, with November just one of the months that celebrate kindness. You can also get involved during other months of the year, for example, ‘Feel Good February’ is a kindness-based, pay-it-forward initiative. Better yet, make a random day at work a kindness day and get your personal networks involved in a kinder world.
As a World Kindness Australia Ambassador, I need to state that kindness is not a weakness, and I am a strong advocate against bullying and self-defence-led legislation. World Kindness Australia is not a governing body, it is a platform for national collaboration designed to encourage and support all sectors of our communities to engage in the global campaign for a kinder world. World Kindness Australia’s membership base is not specifically for “Kindness” organisations, as it seeks engagement with cities, government departments, business, education, NFP community groups, peak association bodies, and individuals of influence. We welcome you to join this worthy endeavour as we continue to research and explore more opportunities to inspire, engage, & influence those with influence, on how a kinder world can be realised in our lifetime.
Read more from Marcia Anita Hobbs (BNoose)
Marcia Anita Hobbs (BNoose), Entrepreneur/ Activist
A life like a little rock princess at times, Marcia is a leader in legislative change, politics, and the business world. Protesting for change throughout the state of South Australia and beyond, Marcia has dedicated her life to empowering those who feel they have no power or truly do not have power at all. A student of policy and governance, Marcia contributes to sustainable changes within government and the fashion sector. Heavily invested in environmentally friendly fashion. Marcia is bold, outspoken, and an active change-maker. Her mission is "a better world".
