How Kind!

Detail from Only You Can Be You by Nathan and Sally Clarkson, ill. by Tim Warnes (Tommy Nelson 2019) / © Tim Warnes 2019

 It’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 - and the UK charity, Mental Health Foundation, is celebrating kindness.

Kindness to ourselves; to others and in a broader sense, within our communities and society as a whole.

Why kindness?

Because it has real benefits for our mental health and wellbeing. 

In a recent Mental Health Foundation survey, 63 % of UK adults agreed that when other people are kind, it has a positive impact on their mental health. The same proportion agrees that being kind to others also has a positive impact on their own mental health. 

Creative people are notorious for suffering with mental health problems. And poor mental health (both directly and indirectly) has impacted my career over the years. Fortunately (in terms of my own depression), I never quite reached the point where I was unable to work at all. But at times, my productivity has undoubtedly been affected negatively. Unable to think clearly and with depleted energy, depression has burdened me with lethargy and loaded me with self-doubt.

I’m surprised by how many projects I’ve worked on while being in a really bad place.

They include:

Chalk & Cheese

It’s Christmas! (featuring Archie/Otto the rhino)

I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug

Silent Night (aka I Love You to the Moon and Back) 

The Big Book Adventure

The quality of my work was not affected by my poor mental state. If anything, these books feel infused with something else - a warmth; some extra empathy. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I’d say it was the work of the Holy Spirit.

‘When I am weak, I am made strong.’ 

You may explain it away as you like.

 

Detail from I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press 2015) / Image © 2010 by Tim Warnes

 

On rare occassions, I let my publishers down. Unable to be creative, I would at times just sit and cry. They would be understanding and supportive. The commissioning publisher of The Big Book Adventure in particular showed me such grace and love, telling me to put the project away and take some time out.

In effect, they were saying, Be kind to yourself.

 Studies suggest that when we are kind to ourselves, we are better positioned to be kind to others.

And ‘we are more likely to be kind to ourselves when we receive social support and kindness from others’.

It’s a circular thing: Kindness begets kindness.

 

How Kind! by Mary Murphy (Walker Books) | © by Mary Murphy

 

This was beautifully depicted in the picture book, How Kind! By Mary Murphy (Walker Books). With bold, bright graphics, it was a well-worn favourite when the kids were young (as was Murphy’s I Like it When…), though sadly it seems to have disappeared.

‘Great children’s books speak [in the language of children] to the most elemental truths of existence’ writes Maria Popova. This language, she points out, is one ‘of absolute sincerity, so deliciously countercultural in our age of cynicism.’

Perhaps the simplicity of Murphy’s How Kind! is what makes it feel so sincere.

Described by The New York Times as ‘[a] circular tale of good will in the barnyard’, it begins with Hen giving Pig an egg.

 

How Kind! by Mary Murphy (Walker Books) | © by Mary Murphy

 

But Pig does not eat the egg - instead, he keeps it safe and warm. Inspired by Hen’s generosity, Pig thinks, ‘I would like to do something kind too.’ So Pig gives Rabbit a carrot (‘How kind!’) - and there begins a series of small, but meaningful, goodwill gestures.

 

‘Pig is so kind,’ thought Rabbit. ‘I will do something kind too.’

He picked some flowers.

‘These flowers are for you, Cow,’ said Rabbit.

‘How kind!’ said Cow.

 

How Kind! by Mary Murphy (Walker Books) | © by Mary Murphy

 

The acts of kindness eventually come full circle, and Hen is presented with a surprise gift from Pig. (Hint: he’s been keeping the egg nice and warm…)

If you have young kids, this is definitely one for the bookshelf. With its ‘bouncy text that seemingly jumps off the page,’ it’s a satisfying book for storytime. I guarantee small children will join in with the repeated refrain of ‘How kind!’ and be enchanted by the story’s ending!

So during this week celebrating kindness, let’s be encouraged.

There is light at the end of dark tunnels. And as we step back into the light, let’s stay alert!

Alert to those small acts of kindness, so they may inspire us to be kind in turn.

 Good to Read

Books about Kindness

Boris Gets Spots by Carrie Weston, ill. by Tim Warnes (Oxford University Press 2013)

How Kind! by Mary Murphy (Walker Boooks)

On Sudden Hill by Linda Sarah and Benji Davies (Simon & Schuster 2014)

Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson, ill. by Jane Chapman (McElderry Books 2007)

One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth (HarperCollins 1989)

 Buy How Kind! for someone you love. 


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 DISCLAIMER: THESE ARE AFFILIATE LINKS WITH WATERSTONES (UK) AND INDIEBOUND (USA) SUPPORTING LOCAL BOOKSHOPS THE BEST WAY I KNOW HOW Find out more about the creator of How Kind! atMaryMurphy.ieSourcesONLY YOU CAN BE YOU - WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT MAKES YOU GREAT! BY NATHAN AND SALLY CLARKSON, ILL. BY TIM WARNES (TOMMY NELSON 2019)Mental Health Foundation Kindness research briefing (Mental Health Foundation)I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK BY AMELIA HEPWORTH, ILL. BY TIM WARNES (LITTLE TIGER PRESS 2015)How Kind! by Mary Murphy (Walker Books)Maria Popova: By the Book (The New York Times Feb. 07, 2019)How Kind! on Good Reads