Kindness at noon

To the Editor

In these scary, viral times it is easy to get lost in fear and hopelessness, especially as our isolation goes on and on. There is something we can do each day that will make us feel better physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It doesn’t cost anything, even children can do it, and your personal beliefs or non-beliefs don’t matter. All that matters is a yearning for more kindness in the world and a willingness to set aside less than five minutes a day to make such a better world. You can do it in your pajamas!

Kindness at Noon (KAN) grew out of a homework assignment in one of the creative writing classes I teach in prisons. People behind bars have adopted this exercise as an anti-violence technique and use it as an alternative to conflict. You’re encouraged to set an alarm on your cellphone to ring at noon to remind you to join with hopefully millions of others at the same time, but you can do the exercise as many times a day as you need to in order to keep your spirits up. Think of KAN as an inexpensive tool for living. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is. 

Once your phone alarm goes off, set it aside for a moment. Pause what you’re doing if you can, and take five slow, deep breaths. Breathe into your jaw, your armpits, your belly, your bottom, and your knees, releasing fear and anger out your feet. Now you’re ready for the final action. Just think a kind thought — about a person, a place — whoever or whatever needs kindness. There are refugees, people at war, in hospitals, nursing homes, sick with this virus. There are people suffering the effects of climate change and cancer, children suffering everywhere, victims of crime and violence, pets, our Mother Earth. There’s no end to the list of possibilities. Not only does KAN improve your health, it also improves the health of those around you, those that observe it, hear about it, or just read about it. Regular exercise of your empathy muscle will make you a better person. 

Judith Trustone
Swarthmore