Put it on your calendar – Wednesday, November 13 is “Cardigan Day”, a reminder for us, in the spirit of Fred Rogers,  to be kind.  Like much of what Mr. Rogers taught, it is a simple gesture representing something very powerful, and in our world today, KINDNESS is something sorely missing.

Kindness isn’t cool however.  People aren’t really rewarded anymore for being kind.  The ones who get the most attention are the ones with the barbed sense of humor, the ones quick with the clever insult, the ones quick to point out someone else’s flaws for all the world to see, as though they themselves have none.  When was the last time you watched a politician do or say something kind about an opponent?  My point exactly.  Could be why we never get anything accomplished anymore.

It’s certainly not cool at school.  More times than not, it’s the unkind kids who rule the school, the ones that pick out all the flaws, the ones who can push all the wrong buttons, the ones who think the world revolves around them.  Imagine what happens if we don’t work to eliminate this before they reach adulthood?  And the quiet, kind kids?  They tend to blend into the woodwork,  trying to stay out of the way of the not so kind kids, doing their kind deeds sometimes unnoticed.

So what is my job?  To recognize those kids doing the kind thing, the right thing, for the right reasons.  The unselfish kids who just want to make others feel better, who honestly care for their friends.  Unfortunately I have to admit that sometimes the kids causing the issues take up all my attention and I can miss those quiet kids, doing their jobs respectfully and responsibly.

So I’m thinking Wednesday is going to be an opportunity to have a little fun wearing a cardigan, but also a time to consider the importance of something as simple as kindness.  It’s time to make it a beautiful day in the neighborhood.