July brings warmth, sunshine and the full summer experience. The hallmark of July is the warmth of the bright sun, the growth of flowers, and the energy all around us. Just like sunshine, kindness has the power to spread goodness all around and improve health in the process. Whether it is the simple sharing of a smile, lending a neighbor a helping hand, giving back to your community or creating a ripple effect of positivity, kindness provides an opportunity to spread sunshine in people’s lives. How are you and your family spreading sunshine this summer?

As the summer starts, I have been thinking a great deal about how few summers we as parents have with our children. We only have one summer when they are infants, a few when they are toddlers, eight when they are children. The times I remember most from my childhood are the family activities done together in the times away from the routine of every day. When kindness is infused into those family activities, it makes them even more meaningful. Every summer is another opportunity to embrace this special, less-structured time we have with our kids, and a chance to enjoy the simple joys that a purpose-filled summer has to offer.

In May, many families are preparing for summer travel, mapping out routes, planning fun excursions and dreaming about time together as a family. What if, in addition to making plans for travel, we made plans for kindness as well? There is space for kindness to strangers and one another, generosity towards others, patience at stressful moments, and connection through new experiences. This summer, let’s make kindness part of the plan.