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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | MARCH 2023 17 indne K LISTEN - CARE - SHARE Be Kind: It's Good for You, Science Says So By Linda Weiss, Resident Excerpts from the "Little Book of Kindness" Ubuntu – Southern African kindness to all humanity: Generally translated from the Nguni Bantu language to mean 'I am because we are', ubuntu is characterized as an African-specific form of humanism. Stressing that individuals find their humanity through others, ubuntu encourages the sharing of ourselves with others. From offering hospitality to recognizing and embracing the humanity in fellow humans, ubuntu is a generous and joyful way to approach kindness in others. Kaitiaki – Maori kindness to nature: Maoris, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have an ancient concept of Kaitaki, which refers to the concept of guarding the sky, sea and land. Maori origin legends have humans and nature as one. According to this concept, nature has the same rights as humans and needs to be treated with equal kindness. Japanese gifts of kindness Japan has many gift-giving rituals that have evolved as ways of showing kindness and respect. Giri-choco - the bringing of chocolate by women to all of their male co-workers on Valentine's Day Omiyage – the bringing of souvenir presents following a trip Ochugen - mid-year gifts to show gratitude to students, teachers or colleagues Oseibo – end-of-year gifts to show indebtedness to someone for their support throughout the year Free coffee in Italy Caffe' sospeso (suspended coffee) is an Italian tradition, over 100 years old, where someone buys a coffee but pays for two. That way, the next person to order a coffee is given one for free. Tulong – to help, to assist – Filipino kindness Practicing tulong in the Philippines is practical kindness of the most useful type. Particularly effective after catastrophic events, tulong is an act of giving food, collecting clothing and providing practical help where you can. A tale of old English kindness: In the 12th century Lady Mabella Tichborne lay dying in her home. She implored her husband to continue her tradition of donating farm produce to the poor. He said he would only donate produce from an area she was able to walk around with a lighted torch. The kindly Lady Mabella rose from her death bed and managed to crawl around a 23-acre field before the torch went out. She returned to bed and died but Tichborne Dole was born. The wheat from the field is still milled every year and given to parishioners of Tichborne. The World Giving Index tracks which countries give most to charity and whose citizens volunteer the most. In 2019 the most giving countries in the world were: 1. Indonesia, 2. Australia, 3. New Zealand, 4. United States, 5. Ireland, 6. United Kingdom, 7. Singapore, 8. Kenya, 9. Myanmar, 10. Bahrain. True kindness envelopes the whole world. Be kind about your approach to the planet and walk softly. Foster good habits and honor the natural world by taking the time to appreciate its beauty and be kind to those around you.

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