This week I observed some tiny kindnesses and some great big kindnesses.

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 of friends.

I’ll bet these two friends didn’t even realize what a kindness these friends gave me. Two of my book clubbers, Gayle and Linda, dropped off books for our holiday giveaway. That was kind, of course. And they stuck around for a visit. I carried that with me for the rest of my week. Such a lovely, lovely conversation.

Kindness to the grieving.

It started as a fundraiser for a 46 year old man and his family. Cancer found Rob and brought him to his knees. Before the community could respond, cancer took him from his wife and two sons. But the community continued to pour their hearts out to the grieving family. A pancake breakfast and a silent auction may not relieve the pain. Still, it’s a balm of love for their hearts. CoCo’s wreath was among the many handcrafted items that people auctioned.

Kindness of readers

Each year, my book club collects books as gifts to shut-ins and children. Each year, I’m amazed at the generosity. Each year, Love-One helps me deliver the books to the Diaper Bank for distribution. What an overflowing of kindness by all. I’ll be delivering the books before Thanksgiving, so the Diaper Bank can deliver them in time for Christmas. The Diaper Bank serves delivers necessary supplies to adults and children throughout the county.

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.