I hope you missed me last week. Preparations for Easter, just sort of got away from me.

My family began practicing Random Acts of Kindness way back when my kids were teens. Now they have teens. This year, I decided to make RAKs my focus. With a twist.

CoCo received a beautiful Act of Kindness this year. The train conductor on her short commute surprised her with a generous Christmas Gift. She smiled for weeks with wonderment and told everyone she knew about the conductor’s kindness. However, I initially responded with suspicion. After a bit of reflection, I remembered an observation I got from a friend.

You are a much better giver than a receiver. It takes some humbleness to receive without the intention of paying back.

My dear friend, Nancy S (circa, 1980)

So with that in mind, I am devoting 2022 to recognizing kindness given. This week, in my business, I sorta lost track of reminding myself to notice acts of kindness. Still, I did manage to bring a few forward into my consciousness.

Kindness Remembered

Recently, I told a friend of mine what an inclusive our community is.

CoCo is back at the local Color-Me-Mine, enjoying her timer there painting plates and bowls and other pottery. She won a year’s free studio fee several years ago in a fundraising raffle. Since then, the owners granted her a lifetime platinum membership with an unlimited waiver of studio fees and a 15% discount on materials.

I had to wipe a tear away when I recalled the kind accommodations the Owner made for CoCo during the pandemic. You see, CoCo had a stockpile of ceramics waiting to be painted. Even though the store closed during that time, CoCo painted. The kind Owner bundled up paints for CoCo and met her at the door. When CoCo finished the piece, we dropped it at the owner’s home for firing, and again when to pick up the completed piece.

The Owner’s kindness when way beyond good business practices. We are so blessed to live where kindness is the norm.

A Kind Word

I love playing my flute a church. Even after many years, I still get quite nervous. And, I never seem to make it through a service without a mistake or two. I feel so wonderful when someone takes the time to say thank you, and to tell me how much they enjoy hearing me flute out a hymn.

Kind Sharing

Old books could go in the recycle, or they could be donated. Every December, Rez Reads Book Club donates books to be distributed to the homebound. How kind it is to have someone remember that when December is months away. Yes, I can keep the books until then!

The official Random Act of Kindness Day is February 17. But RAKing can go on all year long. Visit the Website here. “The work to create a kinder world never ends. There is no limit on the amount of goodness we can put into the world..”

Use the hashtags #MakeKindnessTheNorm #RAKday #RandomActsofKindnessDay. Most importantly, “In a world where you can be anything…Be kind.” (And be willing to receive the kindness offered.)

I’ll be watching through my rose-colored glasses for opportunities to give a RAK. And I’ll have my antennae up ready to recognize when I get a RAK or see one.