Kindness Day November 13: beautiful pictures and greeting cards

It all started in 1997 with the creation of the World Kindness Movement in Japan. This extra-political and secular initiative quickly expanded beyond the Pacific. The date was chosen on November 13 – in honor of the opening of the first international conference of the movement in Tokyo in 1998.

The main symbol of the day is an open heart. The best tradition is to give flowers. And not only close, but also complete strangers. Different countries have their own preferences: for example, in Singapore on this day it is customary to give daisies and coats of arms. Today, the holiday is celebrated in almost 30 countries, from Australia and Canada to the UAE and the UK. In Russia, the Day of Kindness was first loudly announced in 2009, when a large-scale flash mob took place on Manezh Square: people joined hands, forming a living “ring of solidarity” around the Globe of the World Clock.

Psychologists and doctors have long proved that altruism is a real tool for improving health. People who regularly commit selfless actions are less likely to get sick, cope with stress more easily and live longer. Kindness reduces anxiety, increases self-esteem, and helps build strong social ties without undue effort.

The philosophy of movement is simple: do good without expecting anything in return. Because compassion is inherent in human nature by default. So November 13 is a great occasion to smile at a passer-by, help a colleague or just call your parents. The world really gets better when we choose to be kinder.