This week I checked out of consciously observing acts of kindness. I slept through Thanksgiving. I got sick last Tuesday and finally rejoined the living sometime yesterday. Still, a few acts of kindness made their way through the haze.

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. Today, I’m sharing little acts of kindness that gave me comfort this week.

Kindness of children.

Even though “it’s going around…” Even though “it’s just the flu…” Even though “I’m okay…” Texts and phone calls to ask how I’m doing, seem like a kind balm on a hot forehead. “Expect two really bad days bookended by two sorta okay day,” gave me hope. A simple “how ya feeling, mums?” reminded me I’m loved.

Kindness of helpers.

While most of the country battles the crowds for great sales, my family stays home and makes candy on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Three grandsons reminded me that they always spend Thanksgiving night and grind up Oreos for a candy favorite. Of course, we must postpone until next week. Still, for two teens and a tween to hold dear and task with G-Mom is pretty darn special.

Kindness of a detectorist.

I saw this on the GoodNewsNetwork.org and just had to share. Joseph Cook’s hobby is looking for things with his metal detector. Three weeks after discovering a $40,000 diamond ring, he reunited it with its owner.

“It felt really good,” he recalled. “I’ve returned sixty-thousand dollars of stuff this year, but nothing even close to this before.”

Good News Network

This story gave an extra boost of kindness because it reminded me of a quirky British show that Loved-One and I watched a few years ago: The Detectorist. It takes an episode or two to get into the groove. The Detectorist, like Doc Martin has a wonderfully quirky cast and humor that laughs with the foibles of the characters with love and kindness, never snarky harshness. Here’s a peek. I’m positive it will make you smile.

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.