Kindness Collective

“I show kindness to others and my community, by caring for myself first and foremost. It is really important for activists, community members, parents, teachers, anyone… to care for themselves first. We can not pour from empty cups. I show kindness to others by not expecting others to carry my emotional weight. I show kindness to the community by sharing valuable information that benefits those who are in need.”

As a group of six girls, we all have our own ways to show kindness to ourselves but collectively we love how we feel when we skate. Bringing that feeling of kindness to other women was important for us. We wanted to create a safe and supportive group for women who want to skate considering it is a heavily male-dominated sport. We want to continuously provide opportunities to those in our community by collaborating with local businesses and future plans with youth one. We are excited to see where this new community takes us.

How do you show kindness to yourself?

Ah! What a tough question to start with. Showing kindness to myself has changed over the years, just as I have, and changes daily to fit what I need on each given day. Sometimes showing kindness to myself is allowing myself to daydream instead of checking items off a list in order to fit conventional productivity – how can you accomplish anything if you don’t have dreams? Some days it’s as simple as getting my body moving and meditating. But most days it’s acknowledging my own love language and that’s quality time. Quality time with myself (again daydreaming), quality time with my partner who gives me my daily dose, and then some, of laughter, quality time with Phily, my family, and friends who keep my heart full.

How do you show kindness to others?

By authenticity and constantly learning! I have always thought that being yourself is one way to show kindness to others. Nobody is looking for calculated and curated interactions or relationships, those build false expectations for everyone. Being your authentic self allows you to be helpful in a genuine way. 

And through constantly learning! Have you seen that movie “The Marriage Story”? With Adam Driver and ScarJo? I thought it was incredibly boring, but one part of the film Adam Driver is talking about how his wife never pretends to have seen a movie she hasn’t, or to have knowledge of a book or author she doesn’t know just to keep up appearances of “being in the know.” I thought, hey, that’s so beautiful. It was a good reminder to listen and learn and be authentic ;), soak up what your friends are telling you from their travels (without interjecting your own experiences – that ones hard) or what restaurants strangers are recommending to you, how your mum makes her famous dessert, or how your dad delivers a line in a joke. I love when people gush to me about their plants, how they brought it back from the brink of death, and now it’s thriving, or how a grandmother and grandchild share their love of gardening together. It’s a small act of kindness I think, to listen and learn, but doesn’t it feel good when someone allows you to share your passion so full and completely? So make sure you’re giving it back too!

How do you show kindness to the community?

Community plays a big role in my mental health. I want to create a community where I am accepted, where I’m a part of building it up and supporting it so that myself and those I surround myself can thrive and enjoy something we have all contributed to. I show kindness to my community by finding ways in which I can use my skills and my passions to contribute (I tried to use a thesaurus to find a different word for contributing and it suggested “sweeten the kitty” haha), whether that is through fundraising, post sharing, or through education and advocation. My knowledge of house plants might not help anyone but my plant community, but I think the ripple effect totally could!

“I like showing kindness by trying to help other people.

One day when me and my family were at the store, we were waiting in line to buy this cool nessy snowglobe and this old man left his wallet at the counter where you pay, and I grabbed the wallet and ran out of the store to give it back to him. He gave me some money as a reward and said to get an icecream. I was so happy. When we were walking back home there was a man sitting on the street with a sign and I decided to give him my money I had just gotten from the old man. I didn’t really think about it, I just wanted to give him the money because I thought he would need it more than me. KINDNESS is important because some people don’t have as much as others and they might need our help. My mum and dad take care of me so that makes me feel like I can help take care of other people. I like to say nice things to other people.

When I look in the mirror instead of seeing something I don’t like, I decide to see something I like instead, and that’s how I show kindness to myself every day.”

“For me, kindness has always been about stepping out of your own world to make someone’s better.” 

“I show kindness to myself by fully embracing my unique experience as a human.  Carving out space for myself to explore, create, study, and connect to with myself.  

I feel this kindness radiates out into the community,  through creating spaces that allow others to explore and embrace their humanness.”

“I show kindness to others, whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a stranger, constantly, to have something to feel good about at the end of the day. I hate going to bed feeling guilty, empty, or feeling like I could’ve been better. Being kind to others throughout the day makes me feel like a bigger, better person. Kindness comes in many different forms and a couple of the ways I like to show kindness is by being outgoing and having a huge smile on my face all the time to show others that I am a bright and happy person. I show kindness by being open-hearted, open-minded, empathetic, forgiving, and by accepting EVERYONE for who they are. Other ways I show kindness to others is by complimenting, I love to see the smile on someone’s face after I tell them their outfit looks good, or they have their hair styled nicely. A huge act of kindness that I have been practicing every day ever since I was a little girl is helping others. I love helping the people around me when they need it most and I always want to be the person people go to when seeking help. Knowing that my passion and my purpose is helping others, helps me create a better life for people little by little and hopefully I can take bigger steps in the upcoming years to show more than just my city who I am and expand my help to others :)”

“I would like to nominate the Winston Churchill Physical Education department. The Winston Churchill High School Physical Education Department consists of Jonathan Dick, Aaron Becking, Omar Kadir, Patrick Shackleford, and Katie Nelson.

“When post-secondary schools across the world had to go online in March because of COVID-19 many practicums were canceled for students, including the Bachelor of Nursing students who had their clinical hours shortened. For Rebecca, who teaches with the After-Degree Nursing program, she used her educational nursing account @nurseitlikeyoumeanit to stay connected with her students and post educational resources to help the learning continue. The page has grown to connect many students and although the semester is over she is just getting started. Through her high standards for education, kind demeanor, and positive attitude Rebecca has kept education going in a way that is flexible, accessible, and fun. All of her resources are free and she often reaches out to students individually who may need extra support – all on her own time.

For many students, the challenges of COVID-19 were not only academic, but many experienced heightened stress, isolation, and anxiety. The account became a way for students to stay connected and supported. It has grown into a community of students and nurses across Canada.

She is not only a devoted nursing educator but is working as a front-line Registered Nurse during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She encourages students, and all Nurses to not only be the best version of themselves they can be in their career but also practice self-care and balance.”

“Sandra shows kindness to herself by surrounding herself with good people, taking time for herself, spending as much time with her son Tyler, having spa days at her favorite place Pure Spa, eating healthy, and pushing herself to the limits with new goals. You can often find Sandra over at Sonder, taking a moment to pause and be still each day enjoying a GOOD cup of coffee. This energizes the rest of her day and helps her appreciate the “little things in life.” 

She loves goal setting, challenging herself mentally. She sets out daily affirmations and loves to surround herself with good people, that’s what fills her bucket. She shows kindness to herself by sharing her passion for fitness with people! 

Sandra gives herself grace to be perfectly imperfect. Sandra will sometimes catch herself saying something negative about herself and then will say “positive self love” to change her perception of herself immediately. It’s so inspiring because it helps others to stop and change the way they think of themselves. 

Sandra is a shining example of kindness to others. She takes time to get to know the names of everyone who comes in the doors at Kinetic. She always has a smile, the best hugs, sarcastic remark or kind gesture to offer to others to make their day. She goes out of her way to wish someone happy birthday, takes the time to listen when she notices they are not themselves, and continually puts others needs before those of her own. She has a “caregiver soul” and will corner you if she feels like your energy level is off or if you look overwhelmed, angry, or sad. Sandra is a very giving person and will often cheer you up with some kind of big or little surprise; something she knows will energize you or turn your frown upside down. 

She encourages others to be their best, give their best, and unconditionally accepting them for who they are. Sandra leads with her heart and it shows in every gesture from a smile and hug to a text check in, Facebook message, and encouraging word. Sandra always puts everyone before herself, and is constantly checking in on people just to see how their day or week has been. She does everything with love in her heart and no matter her day she has a bright welcoming smile. 

She gives of her time and energy on a daily basis to others. Her goal, which is driven from her passion, is to help others be the best possible version of themselves that they can be. She not only claims this to be her goal but her actions continually reinforce this. She brings this to her studio, Kinetic Indoor Cycle & Fitness DAILY, and has created a culture of people caring for people. This atmosphere of her business stems from her own person, passion, and beliefs. 

Sandra is a leader in community kindness. This is one of her most admirable traits. She shows up for people every day. She will always go out of her way for someone. Sandra is a co-founder of 100 Women Who Care, helping to raise over $175,000 for local not for profits in our community. She also supports countless organizations in the city including Angel tree, Hugs in an Handbag, Moonlight Run, Lethbridge Police Run, Little Souls Marathon, the Superhero Run and the Interfaith Food Bank., donating over 5,000 pounds of food. She also connects the community through rowing and cycling fundraising events for Easter Seals and Special Olympics. This woman is incredible. 

In 2019, she founded Rita’s Run, a fundraising run in honor of her sister Rita who lost her life to mental illness. Rita’s Run supports mental health and the stigmatization that has come from mental health. The inaugural run raised $17,500 to support the efforts of the Canadian Mental Health Association here in Lethbrigde. Sandra’s ability to be vulnerable and speak about her sister’s suicide gives voice, courage, and support to many more than she will ever realize. 

These are just a few examples of her incredible kindness. Sandra is a COMMUNITY minded local business owner, she continually gives anyway she can. She strives to make Lethbridge a place she is proud to call home. She is simply one of the best.”

 Nominated by Kinetic Indoor Cycle and Fitness Family

“I would love to nominate one of my best girlfriends for your Girl Gang spotlight – Kianna Whittaker.

Kianna has been working as an RN for 4.5 years in the NICU unit at Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary. Her love and dedication to her job is so admirable to all those around her and she deserves to be recognized! I cannot even begin to imagine what a day in the life of Kianna, and all NICU nurses, would look like during this time. As we can all imagine, having your newborn baby placed in the NICU unit is stressful on its own, but then to add the stress of COVID-19 on top of it, makes it that much more stressful. Kianna’s infectious smile and laugh brightens the day for all families that are going through a very stressful time in having their newborn in NICU. No matter what circumstances Kianna is faced with on a daily basis, she will always show up and provide exceptional service to her unit in providing the best care to the babies and their families, while reassuring the parents they are fully supported through this time.

Let me know if you need or want any additional information or love from me regarding all that Kianna does for these precious little babies and their families.

Thank you for all that you are doing 🙂 Love you!”

“Thanks for getting in touch about Jenn’s group. She’s been running it in concert with a few others, including Kristina Larkin. 

The idea for the group came about when Jenn and others were noticing that there were so many pre-existing vulnerabilities that were getting even worse at the onset of the crisis. For instance, if you already had trouble getting food or paying for the basics, the crisis was making it worse. 

So the Support Circle was conceived as a way to help neighbors with whatever they needed – regardless of what it was, without judgment and on a peer-to-peer basis. Effectively, if you needed something to make your life better – whether it was kid’s Tylenol or groceries or just a little help navigating some of the resources that are out there – one of your neighbors will help out if they have the ability. No matter how small, the idea is to provide the support that will help us get through this together. 

More than this, it’s also a convenient way for people to put some of their energy to good use. In these crises, all too often many of us know that we want to help, but not how to do it. So the Circle gives people opportunities to help!”

“Bonnie has been an Emergency Communications Officer with Lethbridge 9-1-1 for 5 years. During this time, Bonnie has been an example of kindness, courage, and positivity for everyone around her. Bonnie recently received an award recognizing her as Telecommunicator of the Year, a National peer-nominated award given to an individual who embodies both personal and professional conduct in the line of duty. Bonnie’s peers know her as a team player, who gives constant and consistent dedication to her work, even amidst what can sometimes feel like chaos. She works hard to bring those around her up, and always looks to see the best in people. Bonnie is one of the first to check in on a co-worker going through a tough time, and goes beyond her call of duty to ensure all people feel welcome, supported, and loved when in her presence.

The entire team of dispatchers working with Lethbridge 9-1-1 work tirelessly, even more so in times like these, to ensure support across every level of first responders, and the members of their communities. They are the true first responders to a wide range of emergencies and needs for the community, and instill kindness and professionalism in all aspects of their work. Patience, dedication, and genuine care for every single individual they serve is crucial to doing what they do.

Recognizing the hard work that Bonnie and all of the Emergency Communications Officers are doing to keep the community safe is a great honour. Thank-you for the kindness, compassion, and professionalism that you all show every single time you pick up the phone or radio. It does not go unnoticed, and is an integral part to ensuring members of our community stay safe, healthy, and supported in these unprecedented times.”

“Abigail shows kindness to herself by putting an emphasis on self-care. She’s spent a lot of time discovering what her body needs to feel healthy & how she can support herself through that process. She would probably say herself that self-care is hard but I say it’s a roller coaster, its ups and downs and some days are better than others. Learning to listen to your body is caring for yourself. Even though she tends to put others’ needs before her own needs, she’s not afraid to take time for herself if she feels she needs it. She’s also very good at asking for help when she needs it and being able to accept support from others that love us shows kindness to ourselves. We aren’t in this life alone! It takes a lot of guts to be able to ask for help and not feel shame about it. Abby shows kindness to others by being a huge encourager! She is a superb listener & she will do whatever she can to make sure that you feel heard and supported if you come to her with a struggle. Abby puts other people’s needs above her own. If you tell her that you’re feeling blue she will drop everything to bring you a coffee, a treat or send you a positive note. She would give you the shirt off her back. She chooses to see the positive in people pretty much 100% of the time. Abby cares about people across all demographics. She is always advocating for people experiencing trauma or barriers (even in her spare time). She truly cares about all people and fights for people that are struggling. Abby spends a lot of time volunteering (especially for Safe Haven Women’s Shelter) and supporting other local community agencies that are also working towards supporting people that are struggling. Abby shows kindness to the community by supporting community-led events and initiatives. Abby spends time volunteering for local agencies, she attends local fundraisers and community events. I think that Abby’s job also allows her to show kindness to the community. As a child and youth worker, she works with kids ages 4-17 in a treatment facility as well as a group home. I think that spending time supporting and advocating for youth experiencing barriers helps build a stronger community! “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” – Gandhi ” 

“The Snowball Effect typically runs campaigns every December in support of our local food banks and other charities. The idea is that you give what you can, then throw your “snowballs” to others – challenging them to do the same. With the chaos of COVID-19, they launched a spring snowstorm: “In these trying times we recognize and understand that our partners at the food banks could use our help, demands are higher than ever and the supply is diminishing. The Lethbridge Food Bank, the Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge, and the humans in our community need us more than ever. Our goal is to raise $10,000 between April 1-30th to help advance the food banks buying power for food and items needed by our community members.” 

With the support of community donations, merchandise sales, and matching funds from Lethbridge Toyota and ATB Financial, we’d like to congratulate The Snowball Effect on raising $20,000 for our local food banks this month! Links are still open to donate! 

How do you show kindness to yourself?

Tevi: I show kindness to myself by allowing myself the space to do nothing and not feeling guilty about it. I am very engaged with others most of the day and I need time to myself to recharge my batteries, whether it’s mindless tv, online shopping, a socially distant walk with a friend I allow myself to go there to get what I need for my holistic health.

Brandi: Positive self talk at all times, recognizing my inner critic & kicking her ass to the curb. I also laugh at my own jokes (I really do think I am hilarious). And baths. Lots of baths. 

Jennifer: Why did it take me so long to think of an answer to this question?  I like to work really hard so I can play hard.  The downtime is always appreciated and much needed after a busy work week.  I also love snacks, ha ha ha.  Is it weird that eating yummy food is a way I show kindness to myself?

Karrisa: I get quiet and remind myself to be gentle. Between leading a team at work and being a mom of boys, I need downtime every day for my own sanity. Before COVID, I regularly scheduled vitamin IV’s, counseling, and coffee dates. Kindness right now looks more like soft clothes, hot baths, and large glasses of wine.

How do you show kindness to others?

Tevi: I show kindness to others by really trying to show up in a way that is meaningful to them. Whether its being present with my kids, or understanding the needs of the community I think its really important to understand the root cause and core of the needs of those you are spending your time with. I also love simple random acts of kindness, an offside mom joke, a random smile, paying for the person’s coffee behind me, there are so many ways to show up kind!

Brandi: Being open, present, listening, respecting  & honoring others for who they are. When you really pay attention, really listen, hold space, ’read between the lines’ and respond with both words & actions that make others feel comfortable & supported, that’s showing kindness. And that is my ultimate goal with every interaction I have. 

Jennifer: I love to give gifts.  They don’t have to be big gifts, just small little acts of kindness to show my appreciation. Also, something as small as a smile can brighten someone’s day.  It sounds cliche but it is true. I also love to give compliments to people.  If you notice something beautiful about someone else, tell them!

Karissa: Presence, empathy, and thoughtfulness. I’ve found that kindness is the least costly and most powerful agent for change. Ultimately, what every human being wants to know is the same: Do you see me? Do you hear me? Do I matter?

How do you show kindness to your community?

Tevi: I feel lucky to live in such a kind and compassionate city such as Lethbridge. I love to again show up in ways that are meaningful to our community, whether it’s picking up litter on a walk or rallying the community to donate to those in need, a little goes a long way!

Brandi: By being a part of it. Showing up. That’s all it takes! So often people think they need to have something specific to contribute or overthink giving back or how to be kind in their community. The simple act of saying yes, I want to be a part of this, is in my opinion, the ultimate act of showing your community kindness. 

Jennifer: I love to help people in need- the food banks, homeless people on the street, adopting a family at Christmas, etc.  These are all really small in the grand scheme of things but every little bit helps.

Karissa: As a young girl, I witnessed my parents give their time, money, and hearts to our small farming community and I strive to live up to their example. By giving back to the community, we are really showing love to ourselves. I try to find something I’m passionate about and then use that passion for a greater purpose.”

“Hey, Girl Gang!! Thanks for asking me to be involved in your frontline workers’ shout-outs! I love you all.

Most people would likely agree that I have found my nursing niche in “controversial” or “contentious” fields of health care. I currently work as a Registered Nurse in three different sites; Kensington Clinic (abortion care), Supervised Consumption Services, and, primarily, Outreach Nursing. All three of which continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brings a sense of relief knowing that these services are being recognized as essential. Though we continue to provide our unique healthcare services, it looks differently now than it did one month ago. Outreach is a small team composed of Registered Nurses & Outreach/Social Workers. Our nursing team has done a hard pivot from providing harm reduction education and STI/HIV testing to now focusing all efforts into assisting with COVID screening and swabbing in Calgary’s homeless shelters. The screening process can be tedious… it’s not uncommon for folks to have a cough or extreme fatigue and muscle pain. Perhaps they’ve been sleeping rough…or in a crowded shelter where stress can run high and there is limited access to personal hygiene facilities. It can also be a hard sell to inform someone that they are required to go into an isolation space when they have a dependency on alcohol or other substances. Even though I have been working within this community for a couple of years – having a big presence within the shelters has brought a new sense of connection for me. Connection to the clients, as well as the incredible multi-disciplinary staff, community partners, and various healthcare teams. I am in awe by everyone’s ability to adapt, change, and work tirelessly to ensure that we are doing all that we can to protect some of the city’s most marginalized individuals. To our knowledge, the disease has not yet hit this population – though we worry about the health and safety of our clients if it does. Social and physical distancing simply does not exist in homeless shelters. So for now, we prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Even though the work looks a little differently in the wake of this pandemic, it’s fundamentally the same. We care for people. Whether it’s validating someone’s feelings around the decision to have an abortion, reversing an unintentional overdose, or being able to build rapport and provide care to someone who has been burned by the healthcare system in the past. I show kindness by approaching my care through human connection – however different that may look.

Stay safe everyone!
Macy xoxo”

“I think the absolute BEST way to show kindness to others is to respect them for who they are and avoid being judgemental in any way, shape or form. My best efforts at this concept form an integral part of my day to day involvement with homeless and often highly addicted individuals. I refer specifically to my role as Executive Director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen where I come in daily face-to-face contact/interaction (somewhat limited now by COVID-

19 physical distancing measures) with those often deemed as having less value than other members of society 🙁

Since taking on this role and accompanying responsibility, I have focused almost entirely on finding ways to respect and enhance the dignity of people regardless of their status or perceived social standing. At the Soup Kitchen, I/we have spared no expense in terms of making our environment a welcoming place where we do everything possible to make the people we serve feel accepted, valued and loved. This begins by taking the time to get to know and remember people’s names, get to know something about their lives and engage them in meaningful conversation to the extent that they are able or even willing to do so.

My own contribution is to make the daily effort to earn our guest’s respect by treating them like people with intrinsic value due to the fact that they were created by the same God that created all of us. By showing genuine interest in them as human beings, they begin to open up and often share openly about the pain they are dealing with due to rejection by family, friends and even society at large.

The kindness I show and encourage our staff and volunteers to show as well often leads to a calm and relaxed atmosphere during meal times in our dining room making our “work” preparing and serving meals an absolute pleasure rather than a chore.

I have also tried my best to show kindness by giving individuals an opportunity to assist our staff and volunteers by asking them (or giving them an opportunity) to become involved with daily tasks such as washing dishes, sweeping floors, picking up litter, or whatever task reflects their ability or concentration level. There is nothing that enhances someone’s self-worth more than trusting them to complete a task, no matter how small it may appear.

There is SO much more I could add but I will conclude by saying that in my view, kindness can be measured in part by the amount of time you give and the genuine interest you show in another person. To say the least, our homeless neighbors NEED someone to acknowledge their presence and take the time to talk to and interact with them – thereby giving them the value they are often not afforded.”

Hi there. I’d love to nominate my oldest daughter, Kennedy, for your frontline worker kindness collective. 

‘She works in the bakery at Costco. She absolutely loves her job, but this has been a stressful and frightening time for her. To make it worse, I had open-heart surgery last year so she has to be extra diligent when she comes home from work. Most days she comes home and just breaks down in tears. She’s 21. She’s worried about her friends and keeping me and her sister safe. She watches her co-workers break down into tears throughout the day. But she refuses to take a leave of absence. As scary as it is, she doesn’t want to overburden her coworkers by her not being there. She’s so brave and strong and compassionate and I’m in awe of her every single day. ❤️”

“Being a full-time Emergency RN and mother to 3 beautiful kids, I don’t always have time for myself. With the pandemic, it has been more apparent for my well being to give myself more GRACE. If the laundry isn’t done, or if I’m not able to fully be present with homeschooling my kids, that’s ok. Giving myself grace when my emotional state is highest is the best thing I can do for myself. Letting the small things go isn’t always easy, so taking time to breathe and enjoy every moment as it comes brings me the most happiness.

Showing kindness to others is something I strive for every day. I see people at their worst laying sick in hospital stretchers every day. Giving them a smile and showing my compassion can go a long way. Everybody has a story, and we don’t always know what is going on behind the scenes. Showing kindness can create such a ripple effect. Treating people the way you would want to be treated is a mantra my family has always instilled in me.  If I can create a warm and inviting space, then I will receive a warm and inviting space. Love always wins, so why not live in a world where you get more bees with honey than oil.

For the last 5 years, I stepped into a role that I never dreamed of being in. I grew up shy, quiet and reserved, never ever speaking in public. But; I took the chance and I became a leader of a beautiful women’s only fitness class. We dance, we sweat, we rock out!!! We all come together as like-minded people to create this one of a kind environment where you can feel supported and safe to let go. I show my kindness to my community through the b. Class, being there for these women each and every week, supporting them and showing them a beautiful side in which they never thought they had. Not only does it lift them up, but it lifts me up as well. They give me strength and power to work through some of the harder stuff I am going through in my life.”

Firstly, I want to thank you all for your initiative to make the world a kinder place! I love following your stories and find inspiration from all you do!

‘I am a CT technologist working on the frontline during this pandemic. While I am so very grateful for ALL of my coworkers I would like to shine a light on our CT clerk Isabel Huel. I’ve been noticing that our clerks don’t always get the credit they deserve! Isabel goes beyond what is required of her just to make things a bit easier for us. She’s an invaluable team member! Isabel has been the person who is having to constantly rearrange appointments for patients as we learn moment by moment who will be allowed into the hospital or not. She is the one who is fielding calls from scared patients who want to know if it is safe or not for them to attend their CT scan. She even steps in to help us transfer patients to and from the CT table when we don’t have enough hands to do so. Even donning all of the PPE we do and putting herself at the same risk of exposure we are facing! If all of this were not enough, Isabel has been trying her hardest to help keep our spirits up by making sure to take our pictures throughout this pandemic of us in our PPE and encouraging us to laugh at our appearances. She tells us she plans to make us a photo book to celebrate our win when we beat this pandemic! Thank you from me just never seems to be enough to cover how grateful I am to have her on my team! I hope you are as impressed by Isabel as I always am!”

Nominated by Joelle Eherer

“First and foremost, I’m humbled that I was asked to be a part of this, as I don’t feel like a frontline worker. I’d like to thank all the hospital staff who are working hard to keep our community safe, all the grocery workers and delivery people who keep us fed and all the other essential service workers in our community! 

I have taught students new to Canada at Wilson Middle school for the last 7.5 years. Most of my students were once refugees, are illiterate in English and often their first language and have severely interrupted schooling. It’s a privilege to be their first experience with school in Canada. I love my job because I feel like I make a difference and that it presents unique challenges. 

Building relationships and connections with my students hit a large roadblock when they canceled face to face classes due to the COVID19 pandemic. I worked hard in conjunction with Lethbridge Immigrant Services, our school division, and my invaluable assistant Rawia, to ensure that all our students had access to wifi and had at least one device in their home. The technology learning curve is steep for all of us but we pivoted mid-year to this new method of schooling. I knew I needed to start recording videos of me doing something — and naturally, I started reading picture books and putting them on YouTube because I was already reading them picture books! It’s a small thing but I’ve received some awesome feedback from my students. It’s one way to connect and to reinforce relationships. It doesn’t replace face to face classes but it’s a start. 

Here’s an example: https://youtu.be/hzdqGeNGqSw

I’m reminded of the Rilke quote at the end of Jojo Rabbit. And if you haven’t seen Jojo Rabbit I highly recommend it to you. 

“Let everything happen to you: 

Beauty and terror. 

Just keep going. 

No feeling is final.”

We can support one another near and far virtually, follow Dr. Hinshaw in doing our best to help flatten the curve, buy and deliver groceries for those who can’t and look ahead to a brighter and more appreciated future. 

COVID19 is going to test us and make our lives invariably different but I have to think we can hope for better as we move forward and remember that no feeling is final.”

“Kindness, I believe, is one of the most powerful yet simple gifts humans can give. Kindness makes our world a brighter, better place. During trying times our resolve may be tested. However, strength, joy, and kindness are characteristics that no matter what lays before us we can still embody. 

Kindness to others can simply be a smile or how you greet and interact with others!! My personal favorite expression of love and kindness, of course, is FOOD! It is simply the way to my heart. So when I want to express my love or kindness it will often come in the form of a meal delivered to your door, a nice bottle of wine, a feel-good handwritten note or a tasty little dessert treat 🙂 

I move through life with one simple rule in my back pocket – treat others how you would like to be treated. Our community has been my home for most of my life. I am proud to be from Lethbridge and to witness how as a community we are stronger together. So……. Be kind to yourself. Eat, sleep, exercise, work hard, smile and repeat. Be Generous. Give your time, kind words and positive thoughts to others. Be loyal to your community. When you can, shop local. Be a good neighbor, and don’t forget to smile.”

“I work for an organization in Calgary that works with high-risk individuals who have disabilities and mental illnesses. My role within this organization is as a one on one support worker for these individuals. Getting through a regular day is already an incredible challenge for them, as they have a difficult time handling things such as change, interpersonal conflict, and feeling like they are misunderstood by the world around them. Throw a pandemic into the mix and it’s just another stressor for them to deal with. 

Normally, our clients look forward to going out into the community, which is part of the organization’s mission. Having that taken away from them is a big deal. In addition, they are also not allowed to visit their families at this time, which only adds to their stress. To top it all off they struggle to understand social distancing and are unable to understand the need to practice basic hygiene, such as handwashing for a full 20 seconds.

When they are struggling mentally and at risk of harming themselves or others we have to intervene with CPI (Crisis Prevention and Intervention). This means we are intervening physically to try and keep them safe. Performing CPI means we are unable to maintain social distancing standards in these situations. Our main goal is to keep the client from harming themselves or others. 

This is all to say that on top of the regular stressors our clients and staff have to deal with, COVID-19 is adding a lot of pressure to that. We would love to be at home isolating to keep ourselves and our families as safe as possible, but instead, we are going into this workplace every day. I would just like to have the efforts of disability and mental illness support workers recognized in this stressful time!”

‘Our mom shows kindness to her community in her unparalleled dedication to her job as a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and has for over three decades. 

Any person who has endured an NICU experience knows the emotional intensity and fear associated with it. Our mom, on a daily basis, has a special way of ensuring families feel heard and loved through some of their most challenging and vulnerable times. She does this with an astonishing balance of professionalism, personability, and grace. 

She never forgets a family or a face. It’s something so special about her! We can’t remember a time we’ve run errands or gone out for dinner in Lethbridge with our mom where we haven’t encountered at least one family she has previously cared for – there are often hugs, smiles, reminiscing, and sometimes tears. The deep, life-long bonds that she has created with families is truly remarkable. 

Not only is Carol a caregiver to her patients and their loved ones, but she is also a protector of her fellow NICU team members. She dedicates tireless efforts to building relationships and fostering a culture of kindness within the workplace.

As an everyday hero caring for tiny humans, she is a bright light in so many peoples’ lives. She is the epitome of kindness!’

Nomination by Carol’s kids, Kelsey, Kendra and Bryson Huculak

I would like to nominate my good friend and classmate Carl Abellana who has been going above and beyond this pandemic for everyone and anyone he has been in contact with. He works at a long-term care facility and recently just worked 21 days in a row. I asked him if I could nominate him and he consented as well as wrote me a little bit about what he has been doing to help in detail. He is truly a light on this planet and deserves all the recognition in the world.

Nominated by Miranda Payne

“After the alternative delivery model for the remaining of winter semester due to covid19 crisis happened I tried to really get into the rhythm of being productive while staying at home but I can’t focus and stay motivated knowing that I am being called to serve and help in the long term care home facility where I work, I know that they need extra help knowing that the staff are overworked and need more extra help. So I decided to pick up more hours. I was lucky enough that my facility trusted me and I was tasked to lead an Internal Covid19 Task Force. It is my mandate to make sure that we are updated with all AHS orders and make sure we maintain precautionary measures to contain and prevent the spread of the virus inside the facility. For the last 20 days of no day off, I have been making sure that I screen all staff before they start their shift, ask them questionnaires making sure that they are not experiencing any covidi19 symptoms. I also conduct in service hand hygiene and PPE education and make sure PPE supplies are stocked. Aside from helping with basic care of our residents, I make sure I lighten their day by entertaining them through music and dance or doing some coloring or art sessions with them observing physical distancing. Since our facility is on lockdown and families can’t visit I made an initiative of creating a Facebook profile so that families can video call or facetime their families. Which is so amazing and heartwarming to hear and see them saying their “I love you’s” and you know how worried they are for their loved ones inside. I may be working long hours but makes me always smile going home that I made a difference and I helped them. I also extended help by picking groceries of friends in isolation and drop them off at their houses.”

“This is a unique question to answer given the current state of our world. We all must engage in kindness as part of our daily routine. More now than ever, it must be coupled with empathy and patience. As much of my world is defined by the public persona I’m willing to put forth through social media, charitable endeavors and a professional commitment to our community, it’s often difficult to recognize what is most important. It is also difficult to find the root of one’s kindness through all the white noise of social media and social standing. I choose to give kindness through an unrepentant loyalty to my community, through my engagement of commerce as an ideal of good intentions rather than absolute profiteering, and through my absolute devotion in wanting all of us to succeed together. 

Our community is devoid right now of vocal, positive leadership in the business community. In the face of unheralded hardship, I found that there were leaders in our community who’ve gone quiet or worse, have gone negative. I truly feel kindness right now is an expression of positivity, a commitment to the well being of others, and the suggestion that this too, shall pass. A Chinese shipment of medical aid to Italy quoted a poem: “We are all waves from the same sea”. We are so fortunate to have a community of businesses that ebb and flow together. I’ve taken it as my goal to engage my listeners and challenge them to support community minded businesses now more than ever. This isn’t about economic support. This is about inspirational confidence in what they are doing now, thankful grace for everything they’ve done in the past, and guiding hope for their future. When you engage competitors and friends with kindness and supportive loyalty, you develop a community mindset that will enrich the lives of all who participate. I’d like to think people see the selflessness, a root of kindness, in these actions.

I’m not one for lists or accolades. I try to live each day with good intentions. I succeed more than I fail. There are so many in our community whose day brightens through an unsolicited act of kindness. In my business, I’m often able to provide such a gesture. Last week we asked our social media network to identify three individuals who could use a bit of positivity and we provided them with a surprise gift. This was a public gesture, truly in the spirit of the paragraph above. What doesn’t get posted or reported are the jewels that truly shine. The high school grad, transitioning through sexuality who needs a private appointment to explore if they desire a suit more than a dress. The penniless young family wanting their son in a suit for a special event. The lifelong customer who’s father passed and will be buried in our suit, with our honor. Good intentions should always succeed beyond profits. It doesn’t work the other way around – when you have profit you can use that for good. That’s a transaction. Good intentions are a way of life. While I make mistakes and my intentions are sometimes misled or misguided, the overarching philosophy is to be good, chase good, and engage in good. Find kindness and share it well. The profits of life will grow as a result.

I can’t succeed at the expense of someone else. I won’t succeed despite someone else. The absence of kindness is the absence of a community. We all need community. GirlGang is the epitome of community. The more I can uplift people in my personal and professional life, the better I am as a member of that community. The sooner we realize that our metrics for success are misguided, the sooner kindness will flourish. 

My platform right now is social media. I can not, in good conscience, attempt to capitalize on a calamity. But I have also recognized that there are opportunities in chaos. I guess I’ve just decided that those opportunities are in community building through smile and laughter, in unheralded (by choice) generosity, and in subscribing to my own sermon of supporting local and community minded people, organizations, services, and businesses. And then using said platform to shout it loud for all to hear. 

I wouldn’t say I’m terribly kind. I would say that I’ve discovered the importance of kindness. And my daughter deserves to have a father who lives the words he preaches. 

Thank you all for everything you do. ”   

“I show kindness to the community by being involved in as many kids programs as possible. It makes me happy seeing kids excel in areas that they are passionate about. I show kindness to others by being available for them in any way that I can. Kind acts lead to more kind acts. xoxo”

“I show kindness to myself by taking time to do self-care, most recently journalling. Ultimately the biggest, most important way I can show kindness to myself is by giving myself the grace to feel my feelings and remind myself that feelings are temporary, they do not define who we are. It is okay to not always be okay because at the end of the day we are all human. I show kindness to others by using my experiences with mental health to make others feel that they aren’t alone. Whether it’s through social media or in person, I avidly try to pass my knowledge onto others who ask and provide comfort when I can. Since graduating with my psychology degree, I have had the pleasure of working in human services for 3 years, in different capacities and with multiple demographics, all with one thing in common, everyone has mental health just like we all have physical health. We need to be able to make note of changes we feel and discuss them openly with our loved ones or health providers without feeling shame for doing so. I try to show kindness to the community by being as open and relatable as possible, trying to end the stigma behind mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. People are often shamed by others for having a mental illness or being vocal about not always being okay. I try to help others not only manage their mental illnesses but embrace their mental illnesses as a superpower. I hope one day to build a supportive community free of stigma where we can all embrace each other as humans.”

“At first, I thought this was a really hard question. I sat down and thought to myself, “how have I shown kindness to others recently?” and couldn’t think of any. I started to worry that I wasn’t so kind if I couldn’t think of anything immediately. But maybe that’s the whole point. If you do acts of kindness just for the recognition, then it really isn’t an act of kindness, is it? In the last year, I lent a co-worker some money. He needed help getting his career going and couldn’t afford some programs on his computer for editing. He was having a hard time with depression and thinking he wasn’t good enough. I thought all I could do was be there for him. I know I can’t tell someone it will all be okay, but I can show that I care by lending an ear, an open mind, a shoulder to cry on and be a confidant to trust. Two months ago he got married and I am SO proud of how far he has come!

I’ve always been told that I’m “too kind”, but why does that have to be a bad thing? As long as I understand that there needs to be balanced. I know my worth and I know that I can’t be pushed around. For as long as I can remember I’ve always cared about other people. When I was in grade 1 I used to spend my recess indoors with my friend Sean. He was disabled and confined to a wheelchair. I hated that the other kids wouldn’t play with him, some even picked on him. I tried my best to make him feel included and make him feel like he wasn’t alone. I had more fun playing inside with him then I did with the other kids anyways, I still think about him from time to time 20 years later. 

Two years ago, one of my best friends had to move to Calgary for her practicum.  She didn’t want to go alone, so I thought, well I’ll just go too. She had a hard time being away from friends and family, and I wanted to show her that I was there for her. That was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made! I had a great time living away from home those couple of months, and I’m glad I got to experience living with girlfriends. We had so many fun memories that I think back on and still laugh just as hard to this day.”

“I show kindness to others and the community by always trying to keep an open mind, accepting those around me for who they are and where they come from. Unfortunately in 2019, being accepting of others, even though they are different than you is seen as an act of kindness, when it should be common sense to respect your neighbors and the people around you. 

I always want to see the best in people, listen to their stories and see a glimpse into what ultimately has shaped them into the person they are today. There is a lot of prejudice these days within society. People are judged on the way they look, the color of their skin, who they love, the religion they practice — and its not fair to be unkind to someone because of these things. As a community, we should be more open to opportunities and experiences that may be unfamiliar to us. It will benefit us in the long run, collectively and independently as it will shape us into a more caring and kinder community. 

Kindness is not exclusive, and I show it to the community by accepting YOU for YOU and listening to your story.”

“Sydney has always been an advocate for investing in yourself and not accepting less than what you deserve. Something that I have always admired about her is that she knows when to say no to people and when she chooses to say yes, she says it wholeheartedly. You can be sure she will invest time and all of her energy into whatever it is she is saying yes too. Still, rest and recuperation are important in Syd’s busy week and she is one of my go-to buddies for a coffee and hot yoga date, being mindful that it is equally important to say no and put yourself first sometimes too. Sydney shows herself kindness by not denying herself any opportunities just because they may not be status quo or what some people would consider to be in reach. She inspires me every day to chase after my dreams and passions with a child-like excitement because she is determined to do the same, and anyone who knows her is probably equally as excited as me to see the places she goes because whatever it is she ends up doing, she will shine. Sydney shows kindness to others and the community around her by small acts of kindness and taking time to check in on those in and outside of her circles. Sydney’s genuine attention to other human beings is refreshing and she does so with a delightful smile on her face the entire time, very aware of the fact that everyone is unique and is sensitive to the fact that everyone she is working with will have different concerns or needs. Sydney is someone who is always willing to listen and is willing to learn about others and hear their stories. Sydney also encourages those around her to grow in self-awareness and to be open-minded to struggles outside of our own. I have not met many individuals quite like Sydney, so willing to set aside time in their chaotic schedules in order to just chat or sit in the same space as a friend who needs it. These are just some of the reasons why my pal Syd spreads kindness and why I nominate her to be featured as part of the Kindness Collective

Nominated by Chelsea Kleckner”

“Being born with a facial difference has definitely been something to work on when it comes to kindness. I was born with a large portwine stain birthmark that covers half of my face. I also have a birthmark and glaucoma in my left eye, which looks a little strange.

Kindness for myself has been a long journey. Growing up I was challenged with self-image issues and feeling like I never fit in. Feeling like a monster and wanting to hide from the outside world, I had no one there to help fight the demons or support me when I’d venture out and deal with the staring and whispers. Bullying led me to not show self-kindness but instead, I hated myself for how I looked until I saw others with facial differences.

I’ve tried to stay positive and keep my head high. I decided something a long time ago… why did I need to hide behind makeup or go through painful procedures to make others comfortable with me? If you couldn’t like or even accept me as I am that was on you not me. I began in fact, to LOVE my uniqueness and gain self esteem. Even if others were uncomfortable with me I never let that stop me from accomplishing my goals or my adventures.

I am blessed to say I am now happily married and have two beautiful daughters. I work at the hospital, as a Unit Clerk, and strive to work on self-kindness and kindness to others. Working in the ER has definitely helped me to foster kindness to others and the community. Whether a patient needs a warm blanket, a family member needs a cup of water or a stranger simply needs directing to the DI department I am always there. I never let my birthmark stop me, I never let their stare affect my patient care and I go above and beyond to pass on my kindness to them in their time of need.

I have matured into someone who instead of hiding from the ogles and stares tries to educate about facial differences. I am an active ambassador for Global vascular birthmarks and a spokesperson for the Canadian AboutFace #beyondmyface campaign. I strive to help others with facial differences to be confident in how they look.”

To me, showing kindness to myself is showing kindness to others. There are things I like to do to practice self-care, like yoga and an occasional massage. But most importantly, I make sure to be present in a person’s life when they need it, whether I know this person or not. Sometimes a kind smile or compliment can make someone’s day! 

I try my best to show kindness to my community by getting as involved as I can in community charity events, supporting our local shops and artists, and most importantly raising awareness and advocating for the adults and children who struggle with an addiction or mental illness.

“I show kindness to others by helping them feel beautiful in their unique way. Make-up is my job, but making people confident in the skin their in is my passion, and that truly brings me joy. I love giving compliments, I love teaching people new techniques, and showing someone a new product to make them feel good is why I do what I do.

I show kindness to myself by working hard to achieve my goals. I know anything is possible when I put in the work and I owe that to myself. I let myself rest when I need, get help with my mental health, and treat my body good. 

And I show kindness to the community by being an activist. I speak for animals, the earth, women, LGBT, in hopes that others can learn and feel inspired to do the same. I’m passionate about making the world a better place, and I tried to portray that through the way I live.”

Being kind to myself: By watching people that I have been associated with or have hopefully had a positive impact on, achieve personal success. Whatever those successes may be, makes me truly happy.

Being kind to others; By the true belief that everyone has their own story and it takes no time in a day to listen to that story and empower that person or people to own their story and be proud of themselves for living that story through. Empowering others is truly one of the most amazing and impactful things that someone can do for another person.

Being kind to the community: By staying involved, believing in the good that the community can be, stepping in to help when the community needs it the most just simply being a positive influence.

“First off I love this movement! You can’t get enough of such beauty and love!

When I think about how I show kindness to others, I find I have to first show kindness to myself to be able to truly give my best to others. Showing kindness looks different from everyone except for the main point which I believe is love. Love doesn’t have to mean being intimate and romantic. Just choosing to show love over hate and fear is what we should all strive for as a daily practice! Life is so short and we might not have another day to shine our beauty onto this world so living in the moment and in the now is what I’m finding is so crucial.

Showing kindness to others for me looks like this.

A big smile no matter what and no matter who you are. My commitment to always focusing on the good side of people and trying so very hard not to judge others and their experiences Everyone is going through something and we will never know the true extent of what that looks like nor do we require knowing all that someone is going through. so show love and kindness ALWAYS.

A smile can go so much further than we know. And in return, it will feel good doing it.

Other little ways that make my heart happy in showing kindness is saying hello to randoms, opening a door for someone that doesn’t expect it, giving your undivided attention, being still, present, LISTENING, showing support and loving everyone with where they are at, in the moment.      

Everyone is living in their very own storybook. We don’t need to lose ourselves and give too much in the process of being kind but its always the little things that get overlooked that make the most incredible difference in someone’s heart and their experience of you.

Kindness is so simple and we can show it in so many ways.

Focussing on the positives and letting others know that it is okay to be exactly where they are at! It is okay to be going through a tough time and it will all add to self-growth in the end.

We all benefit from each other when we express love and kindness.

Now to show kindness to yourself. That is number one. You can’t fill someone else’s cup when your cup is empty. You CAN,  however, but the experience will most definitely not be the same and the intention won’t be as pure. Living in the now and being grateful goes a long way in being kind towards myself. Kindness towards myself is focussing on how I can fill my cup in the midst of every day crazy. Eating foods that serve my body as often as I can. Practicing to find the silver lining in every day, and keeping my focus on my self-talk.

Using “I am” affirmations, and telling myself a positive story with the words I use, even when I’m alone, rather than sentences that don’t serve me. Reminding myself that every day is another chance to be a better version of myself. Being able to know my worth and allowing myself to go through tough times and realizing it’s all part of my story. Embracing who I am and taking me through the ups and downs of every day that only accelerate my growth. I don’t get upset about the rough days as much anymore as I know it’s all giving me an opportunity to learn and grow. Being kind to myself means allowing myself to “fail” or better yet “take a detour”. Practicing a resilient mindset and telling myself I can handle any situation. The cool thing is, I am proving to myself that I truly can and know that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. Accomplishing my goals and dreams in the divine timing of life. You cant appreciate a positive without a negative so my journey is so worth living. I wouldn’t change a thing. 

Kindness towards myself is loving me for me. Embracing all that lies within my soul and not apologizing to anyone for who I am, especially when I am consciously focusing on living my life with love and good intention through it all. Don’t get me wrong, I have some days and moments that aren’t my best. however I find the silver lining and look at how the experiences I’m dealing with are actually in my favor, FOR ME and not having life happen to me I get to control my actions and my thoughts, and through my journey of constantly “becoming” I am loving myself more and more. Realizing the kindness that I show towards myself through difficult moments is going to show me so much about myself. It is never a loss and life is truly such a miracle and a blessing every single day. Kindness also looks to me like waking up every day practicing to be grateful for all the things that I have in my life that some may not be so blessed to have.

Life is but a ray of sunshine and couldn’t be any more perfect. This is me and I know I have so much kindness to give. My kindness tank never goes empty as it always fuels me up and makes ME so happy to be this way to others and myself. Either we’re all perfect or none of us are. I’m going with us all being the most perfect beings You are the only version there is of YOU. Why would you ever compare yourself, we are all one of a kind.”

“I feel like a smile goes a long way and I try to be kind and polite every day. The world can use a little more kindness. Showing a person a small act of kindness can change the course of their day (which is pretty damn magical). As an RN, I see people at their worst and even just being kind and sitting with them, using touch or speaking to them with respect, makes a huge difference. Recently, after spending lots of time wanting to, I started volunteering at the soup kitchen with my coworkers to make lunch for the less fortunate. I also volunteer at my daughter’s school making hotdogs. When it comes to showing kindness to myself I feel I need to work on this, as all my life I have suffered from body image issues. When I am feeling not so great, I remind myself what my body has done for me. It has given birth to 2 beautiful girls and has been my home for 41 years. I thank my body for what it has done.”

“I feel that kindness resides in all of us, and it is up to parents, mentors, coaches, teachers, and others in guiding roles, to encourage children in their care to be kind.  We are the catalysts and examples that our children will use and be influenced by.  We need to also show kindness, mirror that kindness to and around our children, and provide them the opportunities to do the same.

Introducing the U12 Aftershock ringette team to GirlGang Kindness set the stage for a mentorship opportunity, a conversation, and a challenge for action on kindness.  These young girls are now realizing the potential of the kindness residing inside of them.  They are spreading that realization outward to impact those around them.  They can be competitive, athletic, aggressive in sport, gritty on the ring, and still be kind to themselves, their teammates, and their opponents, and perhaps spread some kindness along the way.

GirlGang recently challenged team Aftershock, and the girls did a small act with big impact by creating handmade holiday cards that they are bringing to the Chinook Regional Hospital for those spending their holiday season in the hospital. Thanks for your participation, Aftershock! We look forward to more GirlGang youth challenges in the New Year!”

Nomination by Tracy Larson

“ KINDNESS TO YOURSELF.

By listening. Taking time to be still + prioritize experiences that meet me where I’m at. Something I’m getting better at this year is going with the flow of how I feel each day and not being hard on myself if I’m less productive or motivated. choosing to do something more simple like take care of my plants or cook a delicious meal or call my best friend feels more in alignment sometimes + makes me twice as productive the next day. Less expectations feel kinder. Finding equal importance and joy in the slower parts of life + taking care of myself. 

KINDNESS TO OTHERS

There are a few things I like to remind myself of when interacting with others in any capacity.

• We never know what another person is dealing with or processing below the surface.
• Choose to see the good.
• Release any attachment to another person’s actions or words – everyone is doing their best.

I think one of the kindest things you can do for another person is make their lives easier, and lighter. Releasing the weight of expectation, working hard and doing nice things just because is a great way to start. 

KINDNESS TO THE COMMUNITY

By creating spaces to come together. For togetherness. By responding to the needs of the community. My projects aren’t about me, they are an offering to the community so that like-minded people, creatives, those seeking a physical + spiritual practice, those seeking self-study, and everything in between can come together. The market, studio, and juice bar are ways that I envisioned offering the community a creative outlet, a safe + inclusive place to grow, and an opportunity to nourish themselves. It’s been so cool to see the community grow and flourish both on its own and through these channels. 

Community service is important to me. I’m inspired by many friends + loved ones to do random acts of service. The market has donated to local charities + causes. I’ve targeted many free yoga sessions to youth groups + schools, and I love a good coulee clean up.”

“I show kindness to others by volunteering at summer camps to help mentor children & show them that no matter what they’re going through at home or school that they can do anything they put their minds to.”

“Showing kindness to others is very important to me. I feel that little gestures make a huge difference in the world! Doing things such as holding the door open for the person behind you or even just smiling at a passing person. These things can make a person’s day, and it costs nothing. You don’t know what other people are going through, so showing someone a small act of kindness could make a huge difference in their lives. I do my best to keep this in mind every day and treat people the way I would like to be treated.”

“I show kindness by trying to leave each day, each conversation, each transaction, each interaction, a little better than I found it. I try to need nothing from the person I’m sharing the moment with. No expectation of ROI. And, if I can’t leave it better than I found it, I try to do cause no harm or disturbance and moonwalk out quietly. Or leave on a laugh. And I try to remember to see the beauty as often as I can remember too. I try to see where I can lend a hand. I try to say yes more than no and I try to collaborate with others often.

My money’s on a compassionate rebellion/revolution and in the meantime, I want to build a receptacle (me) capable of holding vast amounts of joy and love. Without a lick of fear of me having less because others have more. So I try to choose kindness and do this work each day to invest and build my compassion muscle. And luckily, our city and its inhabitants are a beautiful, boundless playground for such work/play.”

Shonna | @popupyogalethbridge

“Being kind to yourself – man, that’s a hard one! I don’t know if self-kindness comes naturally to me, I think it has taken a variety of life lessons and experiences to hone this skill. It’s certainly something I continue to work on. I try to show kindness to myself by being self-aware, knowing my limits and sticking to them; by allowing myself downtime and self-care; and, by surrounding myself with the people (and dogs) that bring out the best in me. 

Being kind to others is easy. I think is all about the realization and recognition that everyone is fighting a battle of some kind and that the simplest act of kindness can have a positive effect. Who doesn’t want to make someone’s day a bit more awesome? Grand gestures of kindness are amazing, but the simplest of actions can often be profound.  

Being kind to our community, in my mind, is a responsibility. I try to take note of what my community does for me and the amazing things I have in my life because of the folks who surround me. That motivates me to give back where I can – to offer up that same level of kindness. To give of my time and resources to make my community the best it can be is really an act of kindness. Simple, but true.”

Jason |

“Every morning I try to start my day by asking myself, “who can I show up for, and how?”

Some days the answer is many – my family, friends, community, and even strangers. Others, myself and my kids are all that I have the energy to show up for (and it’s enough!) 

There were times when I could barely muster the energy to show up for myself and the people who did literally saved my life, and for that, I will spend the rest of it paying it forward to others. It doesn’t matter if its a simple act of texting a friend an encouraging message, or if it’s raising $1000 for other single mamas to help them get through a tough time – showing up for others is one of my top priorities. Active kindness is the best kindness.”

Jess | @jessedtoimpress

“For me, showing kindness to myself means being patient and forgiving. Allowing myself to start over when I feel necessary. To live in the now, instead of someone else’s idea of my future. To let things flow as they should without control. Kindness means honoring my body and soul by listening to what comes up. Taking rest when things feel chaotic, and moving when things feel stagnant. This, I learned from other amazing humans within the community! It’s incredible when you allow yourself to open up, you find you’re not so alone. We’re all on this journey together. Now I allow myself to feel what I feel, without judgment. Without fearing what others might say. Emotions are one of the most important things, as they can tell you so much more than you think on the surface. Sit in your emotions. Feel your feelings. That’s the kindest thing you can do for yourself. Journal it out and reflect on where you’re at often. It’s always interesting to see the phases even months down the road. And don’t be too hard on yourself. Give yourself a break. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend or loved one, why say it to yourself? We practice negative self talk so often, what would life look like if we could start each day with saying something kind about ourselves?  This past year has been a true expression for me of starting over each day and writing my own story, in spite of what others might say. Creating the life that I want, instead of accepting things just because that’s the way it’s always been or the way it’s supposed to be. Ask yourself questions, shake things up, and know it’s okay to stray from a certain path. Paths are made by walking, so create your own path! Practice saying no more often, and say yes to the things that truly make your soul smile. When we practice kindness to ourselves, we can show up to others and extend kindness outwards. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup ”

Aly | @sinkintostillness

“I show kindness to myself by never worrying about the little things, and not stressing about the things I have no control over –  in my life or even for that day. I try to be the person who wakes up every day with a smile – ready to take on the crazy day ahead even if I know it will not be a fun one. I wish I had more hobbies but I try to take time for me, in my own way, even if it’s something as simple as watching an old movie that reminds me of a time before “adulting” happened. I think being happy with the life you have and enjoying it to the fullest is kindness to yourself, then kindness to others and your surroundings just kind of happens. The world can use more kindness and the smallest things can change someone else’s life. Sometimes people forget that simple things can change someone’s day or even life. Just being friendly to someone might change their whole day, because you do not know what is happening in that person’s life at all. I try to be friendly to every single person I come in contact with because lots of people these days can’t be bothered to even keep a door open for someone, or look up off their phone at the cashier when getting groceries. Paying for someone’s lunch, not because you think they can’t afford it, but because you can see that they might just need a little kindness that day.”

Matt | @mattgillin_ @brandstamp @candieco

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance,” -Oscar Wilde

“Self-kindness can come easy some days – the good days. When the sun seems to shine a little brighter, your step feels a bit lighter. 

But it’s when those darks storms in our mind start to creep in; that’s when loving yourself is the hardest, but the most crucial.

No matter how many times I wasn’t successful at meeting my own expectations, I learned to FORGIVE myself- to understand that I was human and to only treat myself with love and compassion.

You have a flower that seems to be struggling to blossom. You don’t rip out the leaves as a punishment- you change the environment to help better suit its needs. You give it extra love and care. 

I thank my past self for trying In the first place- then give my future self the love it needs to flourish. 

Not only is it important to be kind to ourselves, but to be kind to others and our community. Firstly, I cannot be there for others if I am not there for myself. But research has strong very strong ties between being kind towards others and being well and healthy ourselves! 

Smile at the passing stranger on your way to work. Pay for the lady’s coffee behind you in line. Always stop at the lemonade stand. Surprise visit your grandma even though she’s been begging you to come over every week. Genuinely ask the barista how his day is going, and listen intently. Let another driver merge into your lane (double points if you smile too). Leave a sweet note for a coworker. Tell the bank clerk you absolutely adore her blue eyes. 

And most importantly- SMILE, darling

When I love myself- I feel like I am able to love others more deeply. I radiate this positive energy that I just want to extend out to everyone around me. “

Julia | @humblehippiewellness