Join The Kindness Club
Ways To Lighten The Burden Of Our Tender Hearts
By Lily Kosmicki
Sam Gary Branch Librarian
Kindness Club is a Denver Public Library program that promotes kindness through simple acts. The first virtual session of Kindness Club took place on Sept. 23 and focused on socially distanced kindness adventures.
Each session we are guided by a Friend of Kindness Club, this session’s person was Maya Angelou. We heard a beautiful recitation of her poem Continue, then participants wrote a collective poem about the positive aspects of quarantine. We also shared kindnesses we’ve experienced lately and did some breathing exercises together. Participants left with inspiration for a Kindness Adventure to partake in the next month. There are Brave Adventures and Gentle Adventures – not because they are opposites, but because we very much need both in our world today.
You too can join in the kindness by participating.
Brave Adventures
• Take the poem you wrote and give it to someone. It can be a stranger or someone you know. It can be an essential worker or anybody. This is brave because it can be scary to share.
• Think of someone and write down all their best qualities – and share it with them.
• Write a thank you to an essential worker (mail person, grocery store clerk, someone you see around).
Gentle Adventures
• If you’re missing pre-COVID times, call someone and purposely reminisce about a happy memory.
• Take a walk and wave or say hello to everyone you see.
• Send someone a postcard through the library by requesting one at denverlibrary.org/postcard.
• Before bed, every day write what you are grateful for, extra if you also write an ode about your gratitudes.
If you complete an adventure please join us for our next virtual Kindness Club on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. Register online at denverlibrary.org/event/virtual-kindness-club-0 or by calling 720-865-1111.
While the Denver Public Library is providing some in-person services, including curbside pick-up of holds, all programming is online for the rest of 2021. For more information on curbside pickup visit denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-1111.
In the words of Maya Angelou, “My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart.”
November Virtual Events
Active Minds: The History of the Atomic Bomb | Thursday, Nov. 12, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Aug. 6 and 9 marked 75 years since the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ushering in the nuclear age. Join Active Minds for a look at the origins and history of atomic weapons. We will discuss the achievements of the Manhattan Project and the subsequent nuclear arms race during the Cold War. We will end with a discussion of current nuclear proliferation concerns.
denverlibrary.org/event/active-minds-history-atomic-bomb
No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite or anything in between.
denverlibrary.org/event/no-strings-attached-book-chat-50
Virtual Kindness Club | Wednesday, Nov. 18, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Who couldn’t use more kindness in their life? Each session we will embark on a kindness adventure together! Looking for ways to feel connected during COVID-19? We’ll focus on ways to be kind on social media.
denverlibrary.org/event/virtual-kindness-club-0
Reflective Life Writing Workshop | Friday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Denver Public Library has partnered with StoryCenter, a nonprofit that helps people find and tell stories from their lives, to create a supportive, online space where we can gather together as a community to share our personal struggles and joys and moments of resilience. StoryCenter facilitators will draw on their experience with trauma-informed methods to help participants tell and share their personal stories of life in these times. We will explore moments of daily experience that have challenged us and/or lifted our spirits.
Please register at storycenter.org/dpl-storytelling-webinar
City-mandated Furlough Day | Friday, Nov. 27, All day
All Denver city services, including all libraries, are closed for a mandated unpaid furlough day.
For more upcoming events, check out denverlibrary.org/events/upcoming.