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.
Trees actually communicate with one another through this vast network, responding to needs in the community of trees. Just like plants, I think people are interconnected in the way our kindness ripples outward to the world and to one another. As we think about Earth Day approaching, I am intrigued by how our kindness can mirror nature and how we can work together for the common good.
Music is a powerful tool. The lyrics can help us teach children compassion, caring, acceptance, connection and even empathy. Research shows that music is stored in long-term memory, which means that even when other memories fail us we can still access the melodies and lyrics of beloved songs to find comfort. Combining social justice with music creates an even more powerful tool to spread kindness through our communities.
In a world that often seems divided and angry, music reminds us that we are all connected by our humanity. By sharing the gift of music with children, we give them the priceless gift of hope and happiness.
As we say goodbye to 2022 and embark on a new year, it’s important to remember the things that are most important in life: our family, health, and our community. One small way we can make a big impact is to commit to spreading kindness each and every day. This month, I want to spotlight DGT’s best creations of 2022 in case you missed them, want to revisit them, or want to share them with others. (Yes, please do so!) Be sure to subscribe to our blog, newsletter, and/or volunteer listings so you can easily find all the good we create in 2023!
