Presbyterian Senior Living | Miscellaneous | Diversity & Inclusion
This month we feature a month-long celebration as well as two one-day celebrations that help us reflect on our world.
National Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated to honor the remarkable Native Americans who have contributed a lot to improve the character of the nation. This month is also referred to as the American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. November is the time to rejoice in diverse and rich cultures, histories, and traditions and to appreciate the great contributions of the Native Americans and spread awareness about tribes. National Native American Month started off as an effort to get a day of appreciation and acknowledgment for the unique contributions made by the first Americans for the growth and establishment of the United States. The effort has now resulted in a whole month being celebrated for that purpose.
American Indian stories influenced and helped shape American literature. Though each nation has its own stories, several themes common across the tribes are the link between the land and the people, a hero's journey, and the supernatural and natural worlds.
During the month of November take time to learn all that the Native Americans have contributed to your area through books, visits to museums or sitting and having a chat with someone from this culture.
World Kindness Day, Monday, November 13, 2023
In a world that seems to be getting more and more divided, it can feel like there’s not much you can do. However, we all know that doing small acts of kindness for strangers or people in need is one of the best ways to make the world a better place. It doesn’t take much effort but it has an incredible impact on those around us.
World Kindness Day was created to celebrate good deeds and act as an inspiration. On November 13th each year, people from around the globe come together to create a chain reaction of compassion by performing random acts of kindness for total strangers. This day was first launched in 1998 by The World Kindness Movement, an organization formed at a 1997 Tokyo conference of like-minded kindness organizations from around the world. There are currently over 28 nations involved with this event that are not associated with any religion or political movement!
The objective of World Kindness Day is to spread kindness with small gestures. The main tradition of the day is to be kind and to try and encourage kindness to prevail over hatred. Whether it’s helping out someone with chores, taking the time out to ask how someone is doing, or complimenting someone, the name of the game is kindness, and we all have it in us.
A few suggestions on how to celebrate World Kindness Day:
Give compliments
Give a compliment to your friends and even strangers. Compliment their new haircut, outfit, or anything you like about them. Everyone appreciates a compliment.
Do a random act of kindness
Smile at strangers passing by, hold open a door, or give up your seat on public transport. Even these small gestures are a nice way of showing kindness to others.
Donate
Donate books, clothes, food, essential medicines, and even money to a charity of your choice.
National Day of Tolerance, November 16, 2023
Every year on November 16th, the International Day for Tolerance generates awareness of the dangers of intolerance. In 1996, the UN General Assembly, invited UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on November 16th. This action followed the United Nations Year for Tolerance in 1995. In 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The UNESCO's Member States adopted a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. Among other things, the Declaration affirms that tolerance is respect and appreciation of the rich variety of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. People are naturally diverse; only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe.
Declaration on Principles on Tolerance:
“Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human."
Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is a time when many enjoy celebrating the holiday with family and friends, sharing good food, laughter and love. Take the time to recognize all that you have, reach out to someone in need and give thanks for all blessings.
References:
National Native American Heritage Month
World Kindness Day 2022. What is it exactly? How is it observed?
9 Ways to Celebrate World Kindness Day (2023) (goodgoodgood.co)
International Day for Tolerance 2023: Theme, History, Activities, Importance, Speech
