Dubai: Gulf News readers are all geared up to celebrate World Kindness Day on Friday. It is a day that encourages individuals to overlook boundaries, race and religion in order promote peaceful co-existence.
According to worldkindness.org, in 1996, the Small Kindness Movement organisation in Japan met up with individuals who had initiated some sort of kindness movement, which marks the start of this day. Since then, they meet annually to increase the spread of kindness around the world.
Elaine Fernandes, an Indian expatriate, believes kindness comes from the heart.
She said: "I would like to highlight how a clerk in our office, who joined less than a year ago, got us sweets on his birthday. He is alone in this country and he treated his colleagues as his family. Kindness is not limited by cast and creed."
Every individual might have a different definition for the term ‘kind'.
Fernandes said: "The definition would differ from person to person, but to me kindness means touching someone's heart with an act that doesn't cost much, but can make a huge difference."
Zahrah J. Saleh, a Somalian expatriate, defines kindness in a different manner.
She said: "It is about a friendly smile and a welcoming attitude. Even if it is a complete stranger, I try to assist an individual in need. However, we should not keep count of such acts of kindness."
During her years in the UAE, Zahrah says she has come across a lot of kind individuals.
"A lot of my colleagues are very kind, but we should allow people to provide us with feedback on our deeds."
Peter van Veyeren, a South African expatriate, believes helping those in need without expecting anything in return is the true form of kindness.
He said: "I don't think the purpose of kind acts is personal gain. That is not the reason why several people are involved in various forms of charity work."
Veyeren personally volunteers for organisations that support the under-privileged.
He said: "It takes a lot of time, but to see the gratitude on those innocent faces makes up for everything and the negative is erased."
Albert Gayo, a Filipino expatriate, suggests putting yourself in somebody else's shoes.
He said: "You should expect to be treated the same way you care for others — what you give is what you receive."
Gayo witnessed an act of kindness, recently, which he claims is unforgettable.
He said: "I saw an elderly man get on the bus, but he was asked to leave as his bus card was not working. However, a young man volunteered to give away his own bus card to him. They did not know each other, but that simple act of humanity was much appreciated."
Dubai Brush your teeth, Be kind to yourself, a simple but a significant message that the Kindness Movement in the UAE is emphasising on World Kindness Day on Friday.
Nawar Al Dass, Chief Executive Officer of the Kindness Movement in the UAE, told Gulf News that as a group here they are not planning any big events on the day, but they believe everyday should be a kind day.
"Kindness for me and for all of us here in The Kindness Movement of the UAE is the essence of every virtue in our life, if we practice kindness we will assure a life, which is rewarding and meaningful but I wish we all can add a bit of creativity to our work," he said.
Al Dass said being kind to ourselves is the first step to spreading kindness.
"It [kindness] is contagious and will grow every time. One has to start by being kind to themselves, their family members, friends, coworkers and then it keeps growing," he said.
Al Dass said they are planning to bring to light outstanding kind individuals, as they are planning to start kindness award from 2010.
A simple message
Brush your teeth, Be kind to yourself, a simple but a significant message which the Kindness Movement in the UAE is emphasizing on this year's World Kindness Day.
Nawar Al Dass, Chief Executive Officer of the Kindness Movement in the UAE, told Gulf News, that as a group here they are not planning any big events on the day, but they believe everyday should be a kind day.
"Kindness for me and for all of us here in The Kindness Movement of the UAE is the essence of every virtue in our life, if we practice kindness we will assure a life which is rewarding and meaningful but I wish we all can add a bit of creativity to our work," he said.
Al Dass said being kind to ourselves is the first step to spreading kindness.
"It [kindness] is contagious and will grow every time. One has to start by being kind to themselves, their family members, friends, coworkers and then it keeps growing," he said.
Al Dass said they are planning to bring to light outstanding kind individuals, as they are planning to start kindness award from 2010.
World kindness day is being celebrated across the globe with various activities in countries like Italy, India, Scotland, Singapore and Japan to name a few.
