In a world full of discord, the City of North Salt Lake is aiming for kindness. Back in May, city leaders signed a resolution “encouraging and promoting kindness as a core value and integrating kindness principles.” The city was recognized on Nov. 12 as a Certified City of Kindness by the organization One Kind Act a Day (OKAAD) and First Lady Abby Cox.

“Back in the 70s scientists decided to study nutrition in rabbits,” said Mayor Brian Horrocks. “One group was fed a high cholesterol diet and there was no surprise that their arteries became clogged. In the other group there was very little. They determined everything was the same except a kind person was feeding the rabbits. They had 60% less heart disease and cholesterol problems through kindness and love.”

It’s important to embrace being kind and take that into the schools, he said. “We push for anti bullying but we’re not saying enough about being kind.” 

It’s a tremendous honor to accept this proclamation on behalf of the city, said Horrocks. “The values of kindness, inclusivity, and mutual respect lie at the heart of North Salt Lake, and this recognition affirms our commitment to creating a welcoming, supportive community. We look forward to working with OKAAD to expand kindness-driven programs that reach every corner of our city.” 

One Kind Act a Day is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring a culture of kindness through its Certified City of Kindness and Certified School of Kindness programs. OKAAD partners with communities, schools, and organizations to develop tailored kindness initiatives that foster unity, resilience, and well-being. 

“Kindness is the best thing in the whole wide world,” said Curtis Bennett, Executive Director of OKAAD and North Salt Lake resident. “There’s a lot of really kind people out there and we want to celebrate those acts of kindness. We’ve heard story after story about how the transformative nature of kindness changed their world. I’m grateful for North Salt Lake and that I live here. I consider kindness to be very natural to us. Why wouldn’t we do this? It’s the culture of the city.”

Many are going through angst and are hurting right now, said Cox. “There is a lot of uncertainty and unkindness in the public sphere and on social media. We’re dealing with it with our adult brains. Can you imagine what it’s like for our children and their underdeveloped brains and what it does to them?”

Cox said she is proud of North Salt Lake for showing the opposite of negativity. “It does matter how we treat each other. How we connect with our children and how they feel about their neighbor.”

It’s hard not to feel helpless to fix the problems in the community, state and nation, she said. “It’s bad for our mental health. One kind act a day actually helps you get out of a negative place and have control over what happens. You have to be intentional about that. This isn’t fate, you community leaders have to be intentional about passing on kindness as a way of life for the next generation and leave things better than you found them.”

There’s a way to collectively overcome this angst, Cox said. “You can actually do something. Be recklessly good and you will change the world. You have the power to change your neighbors and your friends.” 

Become a friend she said. “Get out there and change your city. Make your community a loving place. A place of belonging. Create it for our children and grandchildren.” λ