February 17 was Random Acts of Kindness Day. I remember this from middle school-- my teachers would hand out a sheet of paper with random acts of kindness that you were to try to complete by the end of the day. For kids, I think this is a great and very important concept to introduce. While kindness can't be taught, an environment certainly can welcome and nurture it. School is a place of learning and growing, and it should always be a place of kindness: a place where kindness is talked about and encouraged. A place where children can grow, in and with, kindness.

We are not in middle school anymore, but we are (hopefully) still growing in and with kindness, even if it's not as talked about or encouraged like when we were younger.

So, no matter where you are-- whether you've been feeling pretty good, or whether you have been feeling pretty low, remember that things always come back around. Just remember to be kind, and that is something I can guarantee that you will never regret.

So, go ahead! Initiate an act of kindness.

We hand children in 2nd grade a sheet of paper with ways to help their classmates on it.

- Write a positive note to a classmate.

- Let someone go before you in line.

- Sit by someone new at lunch.

But, instead of me proposing for you to "sharpen your classmates pencils," like my 2nd grade sheet told me to do, I'm going to try to inspire you rather than direct you.

There aren't sheets like this for adults. And while we might wish that there were, I am glad that there aren't. As (emerging) adults, part of our life's work is to think and initiate. So, go. And be kind. And know that it's always worth it.

Here are some great quotes about kindness. I hope they inspire you.

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop

"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." -Scott Adams

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." -Dalai Lama

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, in knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you." -Princess Diana

"It really shocks me when I encounter people who think kindness doesn't matter. Because I think it's pretty much the only thing that matters." -Josh Radnor