June 1 - National Say Something Nice Day

Happy National Say Something Nice Day! On this day, we have an opportunity to make the first day in June extra pleasant for everyone. 

The purpose of this holiday is to counteract bullying and the lack of civility and common courtesy that is growing among people in today’s world. Hopefully, the practice of saying something nice today will continue into all tomorrows. 

When we were young, many of us often heard, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”  

One of the many reasons our parents taught us that is because once we say those words, we can’t take them back, no matter how true we think they might be.  

We all know someone whose true nature is kinder than most. Perhaps we even wish we could emulate them more than we do. 

Do they pay compliments or do they follow this old saying? Perhaps a little of both. But there are a few other lessons we can learn from generally nice people.  

It’s more than saying nice things to others. They genuinely listen to others and tend to put others first. When they pay a compliment, it isn’t usually practiced. Their sincerity is felt by the receiver. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Think about the nicest person you know. Take a cue from them and put one of their better qualities into practice.  

Say something nice to or about someone. Bring a smile to someone’s face for the sheer joy of seeing them smile. Seek no reward other than knowing that someone’s day is better because a nice word was said. 

Use #SaySomethingNiceDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

In 2006, Mayor Keith Summey of North Charleston, South Carolina proclaimed June 1 as National Say Something Nice Day.  

This was in recognition of the communication efforts of American specialist and author Dr. Mitch Carnell, the founder of the day. Dr. Carnell is also wrote Say Something Nice: Be a Lifter at Work (2016).  

The South Baptist Convention and the Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery joined with Dr. Carnell to establish the day. 

How can you say something nice to someone today? 

#SaySomethingNiceDay 

@SBCVoices 

@capresbytery 

@MayorSummey 

@nichecinema