Whether your life or those around you are touched, whether you read or watch the news or not, you can’t help but know that worldwide, the economy is less than stellar. It’s causing anxiety for many and, sadly, even hopelessness and depression. And, we believe that the disturbing initiatives in some States in the U.S. and elsewhere are a direct result of the fear.
None of us alone can fix the economy or the “big picture”, but that doesn’t mean that we’re helpless to make change and maybe re-open people’s minds a bit. We’ve decided to “empower ourselves,” and hope to encourage others to do the same, by making the month of May Random Acts of Kindness Month at 52 Weeks.
What are Random Acts of Kindness?
We like Wikipedia’s definition: “A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier.”
The complete phrase is believed to have been coined by American writer and peace activist Anne Herbert, “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”
Random Acts of Kindness can come in many forms: It might be a small act of kindness toward a family member, friend, a stranger on the street, a group, class, division at work or community. It might be a planned action, or something spontaneous. It could be done anonymously or face-to-face. But, it’s usually something small — a small act of kindness.
Basically, they’re things that each and every one of us can do. We suggest: be kind, have fun doing it and hope to inspire others in the process.
Why?
… because it’s a nice thing to do.
We also believe that kindness gives rise to kindness, which gives rise to healing, inspiration, hope and connection.
Ideas
We’ve come up with a few examples and ideas of Random Acts of Kindness that we think are “chewable” and doable. We welcome your ideas (which we’d be happy to add to the list below). And, we’d particularly love to hear about your Random Acts of Kindness and experiences this month. Please join us.
- Take flowers to a friend, co-worker or neighbor just because.
- Extend a hand to someone in need.
- Drop off a small, secret thank you gift to a friend or neighbor.
- Visit someone who’s sick or infirm just for a chat.
- Know of or witness an animal being abused? Report it to your local animal rescue organization.
- Write a thank you note to someone — it might be for an act of kindness they extended to you that you still remember; it might be just because they’re your friend.
- Pay someone a compliment: not just any compliment, but one that you really mean, that you just never bothered or made the time to mention before.
- Love gardening? Clip some of your own flowers or vegetables and take them to a friend that lives in an apartment or who doesn’t have a green thumb.
- Love to cook? Cook up an extra lasagne at the weekend and take it to an over-stressed neighbor.
- Love to bake? Bake a batch of cookies for your office mates just ’cause.
- Take whatever talent, craft of ability that comes naturally to you and use it to extend a kindness to another.
- Buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
June 1,2010: Other ideas and RAoK that we, friends and followers “committed” can be found at More Ideas.
Pass it on
We’ve made up a page of little Random Acts of Kindness tags (like the one above) to clip out and leave along with your gift or effort with the hope that the R.A.K. will be passed on, or as the book and movie say, “Pay it Forward”. Letter-size or A4-size. (Available here only during the month of May).
Love This! Love This! Love This!
Linda Rose,
So you can mark this posting down as your first Random Act of Kindness for the month? Thank you for making me smile!
I had a lovely RAK experience last week: I was running for the bus, afraid it would drive off just before I could reach it. Then, I saw a woman notice me running, and step in to the bus to block the doors from closing so I could get there. I gave her a grateful smile and nodded my thanks. Then, she walked away down the street. She wasn’t even going to take the bus; she had stopped it just for me! Result: I got to my appointment promptly, with a huge sense of well-being (there ARE still nice folks around!). And I promised to do the same thing myself whenever the opportunity presents itself! Ripple effects….
Wow, that is a real RAK. Some of those bus drivers can be brutal. A very kind act worth remembering to pass on.
I love RAOK’s!
I’m in!!!
Another simple idea that I always do is: greet and smile at people behind cash registers, especially the tired, grumpy people. Some people manage to stay grumpy, but others smile back and then give that smile to the person behind me
Okay, I will share mine and I hope it qualifies as a RAK and not a RAO (random act of outrage). I have a key to a garden in the 4th district, which is supposedly only for residents. It happened that a pre-school class was there last week when I went for a walk. The teachers sat on a bench quite oblivious to the 4 year olds, and fairly far away in proximity to their “play”. I came upon 3 boys completing terrorizing one little girl, pulling her arms, pulling off her coat, and shoving her etc. I stood and watched the scene for a few moments, thinking the teachers would intervene. When no help came, I gave a hand clap, and yelled Stop or Halt–I don’t know which. I was too mad by then. Then I yelled BULLIES at the teacher, and one teacher then got up. She obviously thought I was making much to do about nothing, but since the public has been hearing quite a lot on the news about bullying as of late, I decided to act in instead of mind my own business.
One of the best RAOK’s has been from a fellow fibromyalgia sufferer called Corinne to my daughter, also a sufferer. A wonderful explanatory note filled with empathy and gentle advice!
My RAOK, not to be so random after this, is to sign up for dog-walking at the local Dogs’ Home. Once I am trained, (this despite 2 dogs of my own) it will become a regular once a week, three hour thing.
Thank you for your comment!!
And Oh, you’ll make the doggies so very happy. I hope to see photos of your you and your “walk-ees”!