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

CoCo received a beautiful Act of Kindness at the beginning of the 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. I noticed a change in myself. My effort to recognize the kindness of others helps me remember to be kind, too. I’m benefitting from the kindness of others. Now that I think about it, so are others.

Sometimes a little act of kindness, a smile, or a word of recognition can make a big difference in someone’s life. Sometimes we don’t even realize we are being kind with our automatic response to someone. This week’s recognized more kindnesses are like that: People being kind effortlessly.

Kindness of a grandchild’s friend

Isn’t it fun to experience a young person’s first crush? That’s what happened at Friday night’s football game. Mr. C, almost 12 has his first real crush. CeCe introduced me to the young lady. She blushed, and said, “your mom is very pretty.” Say what!? G-Mom is pretty? I’m still on Cloud Nine. How very kind. I may have a crush on the said young lady.

Kindness of nurses

I know it’s there job. Still, not every nurse goes out of their way to be kind. This weekend Love-One and I visited his sister in hospice care. As the shifts changed, both nurses came in to check on my sister-in-law. Quick acts of kindness, coupled with a soft touch and warm eyes. “See you in two days,” the first one said. “How was your day,” the second one said. “Do you need anything?” Obviously, to these women, it’s not just a job. It’s a vocation. One that’s wrapped in kindness.

Kindness has grown since the good old days

That’s right. Cooperation among strangers has increased steadily since the 1950s. A whopping 511 studies over the time period confirm cooperation among strangers became more common over the decades. Are you surprised? The researchers were, too. I think we’ve all heard that our society has become less connected, less trusting, and less committed to each other. I guess those good old days were just a launching pad for the kinder good new days ahead.

The results are a hopeful sign of a society that will continue to work with others for the greater good, especially in the face of adversity. Strangers’ willingness to work together sparks a glimmer of hope for a brighter, more unified future.  

Nice News

What acts of kindness did you observe this week?

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.