August 25th marks the beginning of Be Kind to Humankind Week. This celebration of goodwill reminds us that we have the power to make the world a better place — for ourselves and our fellow humans.
Kindness is more than a nice gesture. It’s a fundamental part of what sustains us as human beings. In our fast-paced work and home lives, simple acts of compassion, empathy, and community care can be life-changing. When we are kind to ourselves and others, we create emotional safety, deepen our relationships, and build supportive communities.
Kindness helps us stay connected to our shared humanity, and this connection has proven benefits for mental and emotional well-being.
August's 10-day challenge encourages us to reflect on how kindness — to ourselves and others — helps us all flourish. Let’s put kindness into practice!
Though this challenge ended on August 29, 2025, We invite to try it on your own with a friend or colleague. Get started here.
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How are you doing in the challenge?
Contribution Title: "Kindness in Every Shift"
As nurses, we witness the full spectrum of human emotion daily—joy, pain, fear, and hope. Through it all, kindness remains our most powerful tool. Whether it's holding a patient’s hand during a difficult moment, offering a listening ear to a colleague under stress, or simply sharing a genuine smile, small acts of kindness ripple outward. They not only uplift others but also restore our own sense of purpose and humanity.
In a fast-paced and often overwhelming healthcare environment, choosing kindness helps us stay grounded. It sustains compassion, builds resilience, and fosters a culture where both patients and caregivers feel seen, heard, and valued. Let us continue to lead with kindness—because healing begins not only with medicine, but with a heart that cares.
Being mindful of what I say and do. I stay positive and keep a smile on my face.
Been more mindful to more positive thinking and talk to myself
Volunteered this month with Tarrant County Immunizations in the Community promote wellness in children Deb Stuart RN
Mindfully trying to be kind with simple things like holding doors open, saying good morning, smiling, lending a classmate sun glasses for water class, etc.
Self-forgiveness is something I struggle with greatly. I feel like a carry a lot of burden on my shoulders especially with my family and my children. Self-blame is so easy because we feel we are responsible for the outcomes of certain situations. Now that my kids are grown I have tried to allow myself to let go of more things and realize I have no control over what they do or the outcome of every situation involving them. I take it personally as Im sure do many others when my children or family say well its you fault or its MiMi's fault. It sometimes stops me in my tracks and makes me review everything leading up to and wondering WAS it really my fault did I do something I could have changed, and I carry it with me for a while deep down inside. I am enough and what I bring is enough.
Thank you for sharing, Lisa. Your words reflect what so many silently feel. Self-forgiveness can be one of the hardest journeys, especially when it comes to those we love most. It's clear that you've given your heart to your family, and that love alone speaks volumes about the kind of person and parent you are. You are right — you are enough, and what you’ve given is enough. We all do the best we can with what we know at the time. Be gentle with yourself, healing starts with compassion, especially toward ourselves.
Joined a little late but am excited to be kind this week.
Welcome!!
Kindness is something we do not have enough of in this world anymore. We need to really instill the importance of kindness into our children. It starts at home. Our kids are learning from us the moment they are born and it is our responsibility to make sure we teach them nothing but the absolute best. We as adults need to stop and self evaluate as well. We may be unkind and not even realize it then the cycle continues with those who watch us. Think before we act or speak is what I repeatedly tell my children. Lets break the cycle.
Absolutely agree. kindness truly begins at home. Children learn more from what we do than what we say, and it’s up to us to lead by example. Taking the time to reflect on our own actions helps us grow and model the empathy we hope to see in the next generation. Breaking the cycle starts with awareness, and small mindful moments can make a big difference. Thank you for sharing such an important reminder.
I am here for it. Just recently got sick (just a cold) which is, unfortunately, a signal that I need to slow down and rest/take a break. (It’s only unfortunate because I don’t really pay attention until I’m sick, but that’s another story). I have been using an apps for exercise, and water tracking for a few months now. I think I will re-start my meditation practice before bed, and write a short note about how my day went. I have always felt that being kind to others starts with being kind to myself. It’s time to start practicing that.
@Susan Dameron Cote-Eagle I you feel better fast! I'm looking to switch tracking apps; would you recommend what you're using?
Am looking forward to this challenge because I recently started educating my kids about being kid to others. Children are always looking up to us, and they will take cues from what we do to improve their own lives. It's my responsibility to ensure that they are well prepared for the outside world.