"Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]."  Colossians 4:6

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” 

Most of us have heard this quote before, but did you know this old wives tale was popularized by the fictional rabbit character named Thumper, in Disney’s animated film Bambi. These words sum up the premise for the eighth annual Say Something Nice Day which is celebrated on June 1st. Say Something Nice Day supposedly started as a movement in South Carolina, at the First Baptist Church of Charleston, the oldest Baptist congregation in the South.  

One of their goals was to promote a day where we could truly appreciate those who bring joy to us and express our love and gratitude to many others. We are often times so entangled in the day-to-day busyness of life, that we seldom stop and shower those around us with words of love and kindness. When was the last time we stopped with whatever we were preoccupied with, gazed into the eyes of a child and thanked him/her for being in our lives? When was the last time we thanked our parents/spouse/friends for their invaluable presence? 

On this day we are also encouraged to say thank you to all those people whose work we take for granted, like bus drivers, trash collectors, mail men. We rely on these people to do their job, but do we ever acknowledge them? On Say Something Nice Day let’s express our gratitude to these men and women who make our lives more convenient. 

Maybe someday in the near future Say Something Nice won't be just a day but a way of life. Another goal for Say Something Nice Day is to apologize to those whom we may have hurt or wronged. Saying something uplifting instead can change someone's day. Hopefully by promoting this day we can transfer the goodness of this single moment into the rest of our lives.