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, even when I’m not the direct recipient of the act.
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. Sometimes big acts of kindness astound us. Today, I’m sharing a little of each.
Kindness in a time of grief
Yes, this is a repeat since last week. All four of our children and three grandchildren attended Love-One’s sister’s funeral this past weekend. They didn’t really know her. But they know Loved-One. Their act of kindness touched everyone. Especially me. No, especially Loved-One.
Kindness of a grandson
This is a little tiny act of kindness. Still, when a grandson, a teenager, takes the time, to say, “I like your dress,” it’s really special.
Kindness from a sister gardener
Wrestler #2 gave us a copy of Gaia’s Garden for Christmas. Now I’m psyched to do some sheet mulching. But wait, I need 6-8 bales of straw to cover my garden area. CeCe helped me find someone who will sell me the straw. She’s a retired teacher. Hold on! She’s bringing the straw to me, and she’s going to help me spread it on my garden. I’m flabbergasted by the kindness. Kindness on three levels: Wrestler #2, CeCe, and a sister retiree-gardener. Make that four levels. Loved-One will be there helping me prepare the space.
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.