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ELEGANCE IN GIVING: RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY | 10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE

Tyler Butler | GIS
Feb 17, 2018
2 min read

Image source | Random acts of kindness foundation

Random acts of kindness foundation | #Rakweek2018

Mission statement | The Random Acts of Kindness™ Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to “pass it on” to others. We provide free educational and community ideas, guidance, and other resources to kindness participants through our website.

Today's Random Acts of Kindness Day isn't an official holiday, but the timing of the observance that encourages people to go out of their way to be nicer to one another couldn't be better as America reels from another school shooting.

The observance began in New Zealand in 2005, but has since spread worldwide. It celebrated by individuals, nonprofit groups and businesses. The idea is that kindness is contagious, and small acts ripple and create a wave of change.

The gesture doesn't have to be big. It can be as simple as buying someone a cup of coffee or giving up a seat on the subway or bus, but random kind acts can be more grand.

Here are 10 things you might consider doing; some may cost money, but others are free:

1. If you're waiting in a drive-through lane, pay for the order of the car behind you. If you're dining in, pay for someone else's meal.

2. If you're out and about, leave uplifting messages on sticky notes on restroom mirrors and bulletin boards, or tuck them inside library books you're returning.

3. Send a virtual hug by text or social media; choose somebody you don't communicate with often and let them know they matter.

4. Tip your server or barista more than you normally would. Note on the receipt you're doing it as part of Random Acts of Kindness Day.

5. Go out on the sidewalk and picket with signs with messages that say something like "be kind" or "you matter." Or use sidewalk chalk to leave a nice message.

6. Send a thank-you note to someone who made a big difference in your life, even if it was years ago.

7. Fill a backpack you're no longer using with gloves, hats, toiletries and other items and give it to a homeless person, or leave it at some location you know a homeless person might find it. Leave a box of disposable wipes or diapers in the family restroom.

8. Take a bouquet of flowers or a basket of fruit to an elderly neighbor who lives alone.

9. Donate to your favorite charity. If you don't have a favorite or don't know which one to give to, hop on charitynavigator.org to find some of the most reputable.

10. Let someone go ahead of you in the line at the grocery store.

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