Random Acts of Kindness
When did you last give of yourself anonymously without expecting anything in return?
“Random Acts of Kindness” isn’t necessarily about asking people to make enormous changes in their lives. Most ideas are small but produce a ripple effect. Showing kindness yourself, as couples, friends or with children enhances that “helper’s high” and creates a long lasting experience. There’s nothing else that is so deeply connecting than doing something kind together. Isn’t that a memory you’d love to build on? Kindness spreads hope and joy. In 2020, and every year beyond, we all need more of that.
Developing more kindness is illuminating for everyone! Not only will you make an impact on your community, but you generate more loving feelings with those who share in this experience.
It can be so simple… when you bake cookies — or your favorite treat— make a second plate to give to a neighbor or take to work. When you show someone an act of kindness, you are showing them the best part of yourself! Your feelings follow your thoughts, so if you want to FEEL better, THINK about how you can give some Random Acts of Kindness this year.
Being intentional makes it happen!
I have created 3 sheets that you can print off on white cardstock and cut up. Put these in your car, in your wallet, in your desk at work…wherever you will see them! Pass them out to friends, family and co-workers. I have some suggestions below on how to use them, but once you start, you will “see” opportunities all around you. Learn to “see deeply.”
Think about paying for the person behind you at the drive thru- and leaving a card with the cashier! Hopefully, they will “pass it on” and repeat the gesture. The beauty of this, is you don’t know how far it will go! One person can make a difference! I read a story recently about how 37 consecutive people in a drive thru “passed it on”! That’s awesome!
What about taping $1 to the REDBOX machine with one of these cards? What about dropping a few extra cards in the mail to your kids or friends who live out of the area and challenging them to participate? Leave a stack on the snack table at work. Please share this post, so we can get as many people involved as possible! Print as many sheets as you would like!
Want some Random Acts of Kindness ideas to get you started?
Here is a list you can print out and put at your desk at work or at home. Choose some you feel you could implement easily to get yourself going. Share with a friend and talk this up! It WILL make a difference in your holiday. I have a third sheet here below, that is meant for any day- not just Christmas time. Let’s make kindness the “norm” and not the exception. Your impact is limitless!
Here is a “Random Acts of Kindness” sheet that is more neutral for the menfolk out there or one you can use all year long, not just during the Holidays! Research shows that helping others can be beneficial to our own mental health. It can reduce stress, improve our emotional wellbeing and even benefit our physical health. Please post about your experience on my Facebook page. Just click on the Facebook icon on this page and it will take you right there! I’d love to hear from you!
Some simple ideas to do with children to get you started:
1- Have them help bring in the neighbor’s trashcans after they are emptied
2- Bring in the carts in the grocery store parking lot
3- Ding dong ditch someone with some goodies on the front porch
4- Go through their toys and donate some to a Children’s hospital- shop together for a few new ones!
5- Make some holiday decorations for others
6- Let them see you have someone go ahead of you in line, talk to them about why you did that!
7- Let them help you cook a meal or some treats for someone
8- Leave coloring books and crayons in a hospital waiting room
9- Tape a gift certificate for a FREE car wash to a stranger’s car
10-Drop off diapers at the porch of someone with a baby and run!
11- Take them to the store to get something for their teacher, kleenex, disinfecting wipes,or a gift card for Target
12- Hide $1 in the toy section with a RACK card.
13- Let them choose something to purchase at the #Light the World Campaign. You can give to people all over the world!
14-Buy a gift certificate at the food court and then have them give it to the person behind you in line with a RACK card.
15- Tape $1 to a hospital vending machine for someone else to find and use
16- Tape $1 to the REDBOX machine with a RACK card.