"The greatness and moral progress of a nation can be measured by the way animals are cared for in that nation."

Makhatma Gandhi

The international day of tenderness for all beings appeared on the calendar in the early 2000s and has been celebrated annually since then. The motto of this day is: "Every life has value". This Day was established to popularize the idea that every life has value regardless of the degree of intelligence and other differences of living beings from each other. Tenderness is one of the brightest experiences, a manifestation of warmth and love. On January 19, this feeling is traditionally demonstrated to people, animals, plants and even insects. Showing affection and care is peculiar not only to people, but also to animals. Their touching relations often become an example for people deprived of mental subtlety and inner warmth. It is inherent in humans to experience positive emotions, which are transformed into affectionate behavior and reverent attitude to others.

It is inherent in humans to experience positive emotions, which are transformed into affectionate behavior and reverent attitude to others. Many people radiate tenderness not only towards children, parents, lovers or friends, but also towards animals and plants. Care and concern for everything on Earth is a manifestation of high moral qualities and understanding that everything in the world is interconnected. People depend on fauna and flora on the planet as much as animate and inanimate nature depends on us. Understanding this immutable truth led to the establishment of the day of tenderness to all beings, which is celebrated annually on January 19. Approximately 8 billion humans share the planet with more than 8.7 million other, unique and vital species. Each is unique and plays an important role. All living things depend on each other.

Tenderness is a manifestation of affection, care and unselfishness, it is not strictly calculated or the desire to manipulate someone. The pace of life of modern man, distrust of the world and others deprive people of trust and sentimentality. They become stingy on the manifestation of many feelings and emotions. A person loses the ability and courage to give tenderness, to enjoy it, enveloping close people, pets, plants in the garden. We must recognize that we are not alone on this planet and cannot survive alone. Tenderness means "sensitivity to pain", so in essence we can say that this holiday is about sensitivity to the pain of all living things.

With the rapid acceleration of human development, thousands upon thousands of animal species are becoming extinct every year. The responsibility for this lies solely with us. In addition to poaching and habitat destruction, humans are also responsible for killing their own kind. Millions of people are victims of war, hunger and poverty. This day is an important opportunity to recognize human suffering and lend a helping hand. Humanity is capable of great compassion. As individuals, we all have the capacity to deeply sympathize and empathize with the beings around us, with others and with ourselves. This sense of deep affection, connection and desire to care for all living beings is what is expressed as tenderness.

Facts about tenderness

·       Animals can also be monogamous. Many wild animals form a pair for life, including seahorses, beavers, otters, wolves, and owls.

·       Gentleness can ease pain. It may never replace professional medical care, but researchers have found that love, warmth and tenderness can trigger the same brain response as a regular analgesic.

·       Kindness makes us happier. Acts of kindness and gentleness release endorphins.

·       Helping others helps alleviate depression. Donating to others when you are depressed can help you feel better.

·       Gentleness is good for your health. Expressing tenderness, love, and compassion reduces stress hormones and makes you happier.

"People sometimes speak of man's 'bestial' cruelty, but this is terribly unfair and insulting to animals; no animal could ever be so cruel as man, so skillfully, so artistically cruel."

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases

translated Ismoilov R.