Kindness seems like a pretty simple concept that we should all know and understand, yet there doesn’t seem to be enough of it to go around.

Merriam Webster defines the noun kindness as: “the quality or state of being kind.” The adjective “kind” is itself defined as: “of a sympathetic or helpful nature.”

The Ohio Valley Mall is teaming up with The Arc of Ohio and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department this month to urge area residents and visitors to be more kind to one another. The effort is aimed at people of all ages, and the groups are providing a variety of fun incentives to help people get on the right track and to deter bullying.

The mall’s annual Kindness Kickoff was held Thursday, beginning by asking mall customers to sign a petition pledging to be kind. It also is offering children sheets that suggest random acts of kindness that they can perform, such as cleaning their room, picking up their toys and sharing compliments. Kids who complete the sheet will be able to turn it in and receive a “mystery treasure.”

The Arc will be painting rocks with a kindness theme and hiding them around the mall the week of Oct. 13-19. Customers who find them can redeem them at the customer service center for a prize.

“This message is basically showing that we really all do need friends and people to live our best lives,” said Arc Regional Director Kara Erwin.

Sheriff James Zusack said bullying among youth is out of control, due in part to the rise of technology and social media. He is concerned about the non-stop nature of online bullying and said he hopes efforts such as this one to teach children to be kind at a young age will help.

This is something we all should support. Just be kind.