Are you one of the 1,683,527 people participating in this event today? Sure, it's a Facebook event, yet this is how beautiful things start! Perhaps a day of such behavior will stick with some and carry-on into other days. Maybe the modeling of such kindness will resonate with others, spreading it deeper and wider across a number of people. Ultimately, I do believe that people are "good" and wish to be "good". I also believe that American society has changed to a more selfish and egocentric one, and that being friendly and truly understanding seems more difficult as a result. This is a good self-check for many of us. Maria Montessori would certainly approve.
This is what the creator, Stephen Shoemaker, has proposed:
Wouldn't it be amazing?
Just one day in the year where we all held our tongues.
A day where we ignored others' shortcomings and made a valiant effort to be kind and understanding. A day where we all got along. It's sad that we are all at a point where we should do this, but it's even sadder to know that we easily could every day, but refuse to do so.
Rule #1.Say not a single unkind thing about anyone or anything. If at all possible, try not to even think a nasty thought. If we do, reflect on why it was that we thought to say it in the first place.
Rule #2.
Show everyone we cross paths with some genuine human compassion. Be it with a smile or kind words, just spread some love.
Rule #3.Make not one person the exception to the rule. Not everyone deserves to have roses thrown at their feet and have a holiday in their honor, but nobody deserves to feel alone. Reach out. Talk to someone new. Care about them, and we will be cared for in return.
