Do Something Nice Day - Everyday

Today, October 6th, I learned that yesterday was National Do Something Nice Day. My first reaction was, “darn, I missed it!” My second thought was, “Every day should be ‘National Do Something Nice Day’.

Keep the Holiday Spirit all Year

When I was a child, my great-grandmother had a life philosophy that I loved, which was, “If we can keep Christmas for a day, why not all year?” With respect to my non-celebrating friends, her intention was to encourage people to treat others as they do with the holiday spirit. People are often kinder and more generous during that period. My entire life I was inspired by this, but only lately did I really examine why.

Happier May Mean Nicer

There may be spiritual reasons, but I believe that it expands beyond that. I think many people are feeling cheered and happy during that time. (I am aware that it can be a time of serious depression for some. If you struggle, please seek help. Call 988 if you have any suicidal ideation.) I fundamentally believe that we are nicer if we are happier.

Choose Yourself is Not Selfish

So if we can find ways to be cheered in our lives, we might just be nicer people. This is my philosophy with “Choose Yourself”. It is not selfish; it is valuable. When you choose yourself, you become the person you are meant to be. When you become the person you are meant to be, you carry yourself differently in the world. You realize the power you carry - with your words and your actions.

You can choose the impact

When you choose kindness, you leave goodness behind. When you choose to be unkind, you can leave confusion or even pain in your wake. You are less likely to do that when you are at your best.

But how?

If you are thinking, easier said… I get it. Start small with both. Do a little something for yourself. Read one page in a book. Buy a pack of cookies, and put the pack in your closet so they don’t disappear. Anything that makes you feel a little happier. Carry that in your pocket like a penny and share a little kindness when you see it needed, like the old “Need a Penny, Take a Penny. Have a Penny, Leave a Penny.”

I am rewriting my great-grandmother’s philosophy: If we can be kind on October 5th, why not all year?