Keynote Remarks: World Kindness Movement General Assembly (Palermo, Italy. October 18th, 2024)

Good afternoon!

There are no words that can ever do justice to how meaningful it is to be in the company of such wonderful friends, and trailblazers, here in Palermo at the 11th General Assembly of the World Kindness Movement. Nor to describe the meaningful unexpected life-changing journey it has been that has me humbly standing before you now.

If there are any words to describe my emotions at THIS moment, they are Grateful…and Blessed.

I’m just an ordinary guy who was touched by the actions of an ordinary woman who did an extraordinary thing:

She was kind.

My story is proof that no act of kindness is too small to make a difference and change a life, and that anyone can make a lasting impact - and even change the world - through kind actions.

I was a good person before Good Friday morning 2023. I’m a much better person today because of one simple act of kindness.

At 9:55 a.m. on that eventful morning, I realized I had lost my wallet. I found my purpose at precisely 9:57 a.m. when a young Good Samaritan woman magically appeared, like an angel out of Heaven, and returned it.

Kindness Worldwide is the nonprofit I was inspired to create as a means of paying this act of kindness forward. I don’t consider it my nonprofit, but “ours”. It’s a unique ecosystem model intended to showcase and amplify the individual and collective body of work of you and so many.

Its vision?

To create a culture of kindness in communities throughout the world.

I’m convinced this vision can be achieved, and that we’ll achieve it together. Because I believe in you. And I believe in “us”.

All I wished to do was say “thank you” to this young woman in a more meaningful way, which evolved into something so much more. It became about making a meaningful difference.

Countless coincidences, including a fascinating connection with the York County SPCA and a comment “pets are like social glue that bond people and communities together”, became catalysts for what became an adventure of a lifetime that continues to this day.

Kindness is a superpower that can transform and save lives. We each have this power IF we choose to exercise it.

So what is Kindness? I think of it as love in action.

What are its characteristics?

I identified 8 of them.

Gratitude

Patience Forgiveness

Empathy/Compassion

Respect

Joy

Generosity

Service

It’s no coincidence that Gratitude is first among them.

What Kind are you? You might relate to some characteristics more than others, and that’s okay! Kindness may be “one of a kind,“ but it comes in all kinds.

Kindness is the Heartbeat of the world. It’s our lifeblood, and the life vest that keeps us afloat. It’s the universal language everyone understands. It transcends borders, cultures, distances, languages, and time, and is the bridge of common ground that unites us all.

I believe Kindness is humanity’s greatest asset. It’s the ONE thing universally agreed that our world needs more of.

So how do we create the culture of kindness we all long for?

We encourage it. We recognize it. We reward it. And we celebrate it!

Kindness shouldn’t be an afterthought, but always top of mind and front and center. We have weeks and even months to broadly celebrate many things. Why not the same for Kindness?

So I call on, and welcome, EVERY elected official - mayor, commissioner, supervisor, chancellor, governor, prime minister, and president - of EVERY community, state, province, region, and country in the world - to do it! Let’s elevate Kindness to the global shared value that represents ALL of humanity.

I also urge the United Nations to show its leadership and support.

Despite our differences, can’t EVERY member nation at least agree on the need for humanity to stand on a shared platform that connects us? Kindness IS that platform. So vote! It’s one unanimous vote our world expects. There’s no reason not to, and every reason we must.

Why is this so important? Why am I so passionate? Why are we all here?

Do we truly believe in the theme of this assembly “Kindness Will Change the World”?

Or are they just words?

For the record, I not only believe, but KNOW. Kindness not only WILL change the world, it already HAS!

I want to read for you words from the most touching email I have ever received. It’s from a woman who watched the video on the Kindness Worldwide website homepage. It reads as follows:

“Dear Kevin - It has taken me longer than expected to send this email because it was difficult to express the impact the video and your organization had on me. Please bear with me as I try to explain the best I can.

There was something about my latest situation that pushed me to the brink. I had a moment where I consciously thought what a waste I have created from this precious gift of a life. I became a little too focused on the disaster I had created in the past and am trying to resolve, and less on what I have left to give. I was in a dark place.

When I received the video link, I knew it was something that would excite and inspire me, but I underestimated the impact it would have. It reminded me that I still have time to make a difference. I had to process that for a while because I have not been seeing my purpose.

God, the universe, or whatever you believe in definitely works in ways that we need. I do not think it was an accident that I received that link on the day I probably needed it most. I think you saved me more than you can realize.

I hope you will excuse this email for being emotional, I had to share these thoughts with you. More than anything, I wanted to thank you.”

THAT’s the power of kindness.

And there’s those words again, “Thank you” - One of the essential characteristics of Kindness we can never express enough: Gratitude

If all that ever happened from this one act of kindness is that? It would be enough. But so much more has happened, and IS happening, because of it. Its ripple effects endure.

Watch, and see them for yourself:

Kindness Worldwide

This one act of kindness has inspired students and school children to “Be the Good” by showing kindness in endearing ways.

Police departments are “seeing the good” in our communities by issuing kindness citations.

People are donating blood to save lives as a symbolic means of “going the extra mile” and paying it forward.

And so much more!

Some may say it was merely fate and circumstances that brought two strangers, Brooke Dubs and me, together on Good Friday morning 2023. I know otherwise.

Kindness is universal, and is a common denominator among all religions.

The Dalai Lama said, “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”

One need not look far for multiple passages of kindness amongst ALL the world’s religious texts. The Koran, the Torah, the Bible, and others ALL reference love, and Kindness, and a Divine power that stresses their importance and expects we act accordingly.

In my own faith as a Catholic Christian, 1 Corinthians 13:4 states “Love is Kind”.

As Abu Sulaiman reported, "The Holy Prophet Muhammad, Peace and Blessings of God be upon him, was kind-hearted and merciful"

Sahih al-Bukhari, an authenticated collection of sayings and teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam, states:

“There is nothing more beneficial for the heart than treating people well and wanting good for them. If you do this, you will gain the love and affection of strangers; you will maintain the companionship and love of friends; and your kindness will extinguish the fire of hatred raging in the breast of your enemy”.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:1 in the Christian Bible says “To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under Heaven.”

I believe we are each born for a purpose. There is a time, and a reason, for every purpose to be fulfilled.

Our time, and our season, is here. And it is now.

As beautiful as my story is, it was never mine but “ours” from the beginning. Brooke Dubs wrote the introduction. I was inspired to write the foreward - a pay it forward so to speak. But the pen is now ours to write the future chapters of this beautiful story together.

I can’t wait to see the beautiful chapters we write.

One kind act, followed by another, one person and one community at a time. That’s how we change the world, and that’s the vision of Kindness Worldwide.

So let’s strive to “be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people” in each and every moment, in each and every interaction, in each and every day.

If we do? Our world will be forever changed.

As we do? Be mindful…and grateful.

Let’s use the power we possess to be the change we wish to see in the world.

Together, let’s change the world!

Thank you so much.