Random Acts of Kindness Week- Are You Practicing?

February 13th-19th is Random Acts of Kindness week. There is nothing complicated about kindness, in fact it comes natural if we let it. The difference it could make if we all 'practiced' it a little more is astonishing. I have ideas and inspiration to get you started.

Here is how Wikipedia definites a random act of kindness….

“A random act of kindness is a purportedly selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases even an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities.”

It seems to be our own fears and inherit programming that seems to get in the way of kindness flowing abundantly from us and to us. There are childrens books about it. Bumper stickers about it. Lots of songs about it.  But still, most of us clam up, don't think about it or don't care.  So please take a minute and think about they impact practicing just one of these things a week could have on your world, your workspace, your family and yourself, it feels good to be kind.

Some great ideas to spread kindness:

• Smile at strangers and people you know, look them in the eyes.
• Send an anonymous card to someone with good customer service.
• Be kind to your environment, not because you’re a hippie, but because it feels right
• Buy a small thank you gift for the janitor of your building.
• Lend a helping hand to a distraught parent.
• Offer your hand in carrying groceries at the supermarket.
• Be kind to stray cats or dogs.
• Do a secret act of service. Mowing your neighbor’s lawn or sorting some files for your colleague.
• Make a card at home and send it to a friend for no reason.
• Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.
• Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.
• Walk your friend’s dog.
• Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.
• Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.
• Treat a friend to the movies for no reason.
• Hold the door open for someone rushing to get in.
• Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.
• Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.
• Talk to a homeless person and have a “normal” conversation.
• Pick up some garbage in the road which would otherwise be lying around.
• Compliment a work colleague for their excellence.
• Recommend a competitor to a potential client.
• Give a piece of fruit to a delivery person.
• Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train / bus.
• Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.

For more great ideas check out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Here is a beautiful summary of kindness