Since today is World Kindness Day, an annual international celebration highlighting good deeds and bridging the divides of race, religion, politics, and gender, I have a request.

Next time you are out leisurely walking in the park, on the street, down a country road and pass another human being, acknowledge their existence.

Wave. Smile. Say hello.

I am not asking you to donate a kidney or help me move.

Yesterday, I was out in the country walking my doggie when I passed several groups of people. As I opened my mouth to say “Good morning,” they averted their eyes, turned their heads and kept walking.

Apparently, I had wandered into the Witness Protection Program’s morning exercise hour.

For context, I was dressed like a Pilates mom, wearing cool sunglasses and walking an adorable dog. Nothing about this tableau suggested imminent danger. At most, I might recommend not wearing a NY Giants sweatshirt in case the passerby’s are NY Jets fans.

The effort these people put into avoiding eye contact could have powered a small village.

I understand. Some people are shy. Some are having a terrible day. Some are deep in thought, trying to remember whether they turned off the stove. We all have moments when we simply want to be left alone.

But entire groups? Had they held a meeting?

“Whatever you do, don’t engage with the woman and her dog. She looks dangerously conversational.”

You don’t have to stop. You don’t have to tell me about your grandchildren, your sciatica or your kitchen renovation. We can save that for our second wave.

Just a little smile. A nod. One raised hand.

There is no subscription fee. No password to remember. No screen asking whether you would like to leave a 25 percent tip.

In a world where so many people feel lonely, anxious or invisible, that tiny acknowledgment might mean more than you realize.

My dog understands this. She approaches the world assuming there is a reasonable chance of affection.

The humans could take a lesson.

So this Fancy Free Friday or any day look up when you pass someone. Offer a little kindness. You might bring an ounce of joy and a flicker of hope to somebody who needs it.

If that feels like too much, start with the dog.

She has considerably fewer complaints about humanity than I do.