In a World Where You Can Be Anything: Be Kind!
Random Acts of Kindness Day is a special day that encourages people to be kind to others. It is celebrated on February 17th and emphasizes spontaneous, small acts.
It started in 1995 in Denver, Colorado, by a group called the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Their goal was to make the world a better place by spreading kindness.
Over time, the idea grew, and now people celebrate it in many countries around the world. It reminds us that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
On Random Acts of Kindness Day, people do nice things for others without expecting anything in return. These acts can be simple, like holding the door open, giving a compliment, or helping someone carry their groceries.
Some people write kind notes or donate to charities. The point is to make someone’s day better and show that kindness matters. When we do kind things, it often inspires others to do the same for someone else.
This day is important because it helps create a positive and caring community. Kindness can make people feel happy. It also teaches us to think about others and not just ourselves.
Random Acts of Kindness Day reminds us that being kind does not cost anything, but it can change someone’s life. If everyone did one kind thing, imagine how friendlier the world would become for all.
Some easy ideas that you could try are smiling at someone who looks sad, write a thank you note to a teacher, parent, or grandparent or friend, share your snack with someone, draw a cheerful picture for someone, offer to help more around the house, or invite someone to play who looks lonely.
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
Slow Cooker Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 large leek, cleaned and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup sour cream, plus more for serving
- Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, sour cream, and reserved bacon, for serving
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon strips and cook until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Reserve 2 pieces for garnish. Crumble the remaining 4 pieces.
- Place the crumbled bacon, potatoes, celery, leek, garlic, stock, salt, thyme sprigs, and pepper in the base of a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 6 to 8 hours) until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the thyme sprigs and discard.
- If desired, use an immersion blender to blend the soup to a semi-smooth consistency, leaving small chunks of potatoes and vegetables for texture. Stir in the sour cream. (Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water, to thin the soup out to your desired consistency). Serve in bowls with cheese, chives, additional sour cream, and the reserved bacon slices crumbled over top.
Literature Corner
Kindness is my Superpower: A Children’s Book About Empathy, Kindness and Compassion
By Alicia Ortego
This charming story with peaceful rhymes and colorful illustrations will explain to your child that it is okay to make a mistake and say I’m sorry. Lucas will teach your child good manners and positive behavior at home, at school, in the store, and on the playground. For ages 3-6, 38 pages.
The Boy at the Back of the Class
By Onjali Q. Raúf
There used to be an empty chair at the back of Mrs. Khan’s classroom, but on the third Tuesday of the school year a new kid fills it: nine-year-old Ahmet, a Syrian refugee. The whole class is curious about this new boy – he doesn’t seem to smile, and he doesn’t talk much. But after learning that Ahmet fled a “Very Real War” and was separated from his family along the way, a determined group of his classmates band together to come up with the Greatest Idea in the World – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his loved ones. For ages 8-11, 304 pages.
Lardie’s Laughs
Q. What did the calculator say to its Valentine?
A. You can count on me!
Q. What did the paper clip say to the magnet on Valentine’s Day?
A. I find you very attractive!
Gab in Gaelic
Love of my heart = a ghra mo chroi (pron: ah graw muh kree)
