He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! — What is the most important thing in the world? Tis people! Tis people! Tis people!

As this whakataukī states, people are the most important thing in the world. Kindness and having consideration for each other is integral to society. 

During the unprecedented times we are in, we need unprecedented kindness. Some ideas for being kind to yourself could include:

- Take a minute to breathe

- Take time to relax and do something you enjoy, like reading or listing to music

- Go outside and get some fresh air and exercise.

This can help us continue to be kind and courteous to one another as well. As the current pandemic is an issue affecting everyone in the community, we should also make sure that we maintain our kindness towards others. Some ways that we can do this are:

- Support each other in our day to day interactions and look for ways we can assist those most in need

- Connect with those around us (in a safe way), talking, listening or just being present for them

- Praise and thank people for their generosity or help

- Do small tasks to help others out, such as making them a meal.

"Being kind to others is a way of being good to yourself" (Harold S. Kushner)

As Kushner said in the quote above, when we are kind to each other we are also being kind to ourselves. We all need kindness in our lives, especially in the current climate we live in.

"Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change" (Bob Kerrey)