Be kind, especially this week
THIS YEAR, why not make your January New Year’s resolution in February — to be kind, respectful and grateful? Why not focus on positive experiences rather than the negative ones we see each day? I am always pleased when I see the media featuring stories on good deeds and spreading kindness, and just imagine the “confetti kindness” we could spread if we each did a kind act every day. It’s a great opportunity to pay it forward and let the kind acts overpower the negative ones.
I was very inspired by the Journal’s Spirit of New Mexico awards. So many passionate and dedicated people were honored for their service and efforts to make our community a better place. Kudos to the nonprofit organizations and individuals who devote their time, energy and money to make our community a better place to live and raise our children.
Kindness includes taking time each day to be spontaneous and engage in random acts that can change the world in some small way. Give someone a smile, a compliment or offer words of encouragement. Connect with a friend, or stranger, to offer support. Say “thank you” to a veteran, first responder or elected official. Send a “thanks for a job well done” card to a coworker. Volunteer or donate to the food bank or your favorite nonprofit organization.
The BeKind UNM team at The University of New Mexico — made up of students, staff, community members and faculty — is doing its part by promoting kindness through civility, respect and safety. The team promotes kindness all year but puts the majority of its effort on several free, fun events during Random Acts of Kindness Week each year in February.
Please visit the BeKindUNM website http:// studentaffairs.unm. edu/about-us/BeKind/ index.html for all the information on the various events. This year’s celebration is Feb. 12-15, and the team is collecting stuffed animals to donate to the Albuquerque Police Department and Fire Rescue to give to children to provide some comfort in traumatic or stressful situations. Stuffed animal donations can be made through various locations on campus, during the Lobo women’s and men’s basketball games Feb. 9 and 13, and during the Kindness Carnival on Feb. 12.
Let’s strengthen the community through what we do and how we treat people. Let’s all make a difference and make time for kindness!
“In a world where you can be anything, be Kind”
Jennifer Dukes Lee KIM KLOEPPEL Chair, UNM BeKind Team