Random Acts of Kindness: How to Make a Difference

Do you believe that a random act of kindness can make a difference?

How would you feel if a stranger walked up to you and gave you a bunch of flowers?  Or, someone tapped you on the shoulder just to let you know how incredible you look in that dress?  How would this random act of kindness make you feel, and how can you make a difference through small acts of kindness?

Do you believe you have it in you to make a complete stranger happier?  Have you considered this before?  We encounter hundreds of people in our lives, pass them by on the street.  Sadly we seldom take the time to reflect on who they are and what they are going through in this life.  I’d like to have a conversation about how we can affect the world around us and the way we live our lives by being more tuned in to the people around us.  Those people are Mothers, Fathers, Sons and Daughters and they are loved by someone.

I would like to set a challenge to you (and to myself) to go out and study the faces of the people you see walking passed you in the mall.  Be subtle, lol!  We don’t want to freak anyone out!  Just look at the lines on their faces.  Do they seem happy?  Do they seem troubled?  Try to picture them sitting in their favourite chair.  Maybe someone brings them a cup of tea.  Here comes a grandchild to sit up on a knee for story time.  Or, a teenage boy has just gotten a phone call and he’s heading off to meet up with his friends.

We ALL have people we love.  We ALL have a story.  And, we ALL want to be accepted in this life.  I want you to see these people as the same as you.  Recognize that they need the same things that you do.  Now, how can we make a difference to these people?

Would the smile be worth the discomfort of putting yourself out there?

I was taught to smile at people on the street.  Friendliness is built into my DNA and an essential part of who I am.  I am NOT outgoing!  I am in fact a bit of an introvert, but, being friendly does not mean being pushy or over the top.  It doesn’t take a lot to be friendly or kind.  Staring blankly ahead instead of into someone’s eyes leaves you feeling empty and alone.  Connecting with other human beings reminds us that we are NOT alone.  But, I want to take it a step further.  I want to talk about the many other ways we can ‘show up’ in this life and make a small difference.

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Where can you make a difference in your community?

Think for a bit about your community.  Do you live in a small, close-knit community where people chip in to help each other out regularly?  Or, do you live in a big city where everyone is a stranger?  You may choose different ways depending on your environment, but there are plenty of ways to make someone smile, just have a think about it.  I am going to give you a list of some ideas to get you started.

A Random Act of Kindness can make a difference

• The first one that comes to my mind is always the older generation. They have lived long lives with many experiences and far too often they find themselves alone.  This is somewhere that we can make a difference.  A simple visit or a surprise box of chocolates will brighten their day and make them feel that they have not been forgotten.  Bring some joy into an otherwise lonely lifestyle.
• Acknowledge those in your community that provide a service. People in the Police Department or the Fire Department.  People who are nurses or those that are there every week removing your rubbish from your sidewalk.  We tend to take these people for granted.  How about dropping off a bag of sweets with a Thank You card the next time you’re in the area?  We all want to feel appreciated.
• We have all had a member of the family get sick or spend time in hospital.  It is a very difficult time for any family.  Think about those families who spend months or years in and out of hospital.  What can you do to brighten their day?  Flowers, a hand-written card or maybe stop by with a board game and stay a while!  Days in the hospital can feel really long and lonely, give a little of your time.
• Pack love letters with your lunchboxes.  Send your loved ones off with a surprise love letter.  This simple act of sending a piece of you with them during their day will bring so much joy.

• Donate food to a local charity.  In our neighbourhood we have a food stall where everyone gives or takes according to their needs.  People leave tins, loaves of bread or fresh fruit and veg.  It’s a wonderful community bulding exercise.  If you don’t have anything like this why not start one?
• Bake something and send it to school for your kids teacher.  Teachers dedicate their lives to enriching the minds of our youth, show your appreciation with a small random act of kindness.
• Clear out all the clothes you no longer wear and spread the love by donating them to your local charity shop.  This is a great way to clear out unwanted items, keep clothes in circulation instead of throwing them out, and make having good clothes accessible to others.
• Remember it can be the simplest things, like letting someone into the traffic, letting the pregnant lady jump the queue or running after someone that dropped some money.  These are just a few ideas to get you thinking.

Really it’s just about thinking of those around us, considering how they might be feeling, and how you can help.  Be kind

After you’ve done your bit to make the lives of those around you a little bit happier I want you to stop and think about how it made you feel.  A random act of kindness doesn’t only improve the day of the person on the receiving end.  As a result it also improves your own life.  You will feel a sense of pride, yes, but also a sense of belonging.  You will feel a sense of knowing that this is the ‘right’ thing to do.

Why?  Because we are all one big family at the end of the day.  We are connected.  And that ‘stranger’s’ happiness is connected to your happiness.  Connection is what its all about.  We need each other and when we are there for each other we lift each other up.  We bring each other joy.  And, at the end of it all, we make this world a better place.  If you are looking for ideas and tips on your own happiness and self-care hop on over and read my blog on Self-Care.

I hope you will go into your day with a new perspective.  Make a human connection today!

Check out these inspiring Random Acts of Kindness I found:

Watch this heartwarming YouTube video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAYpLVyeFU&list=WL&index=2&t=0s

Have a look at this fun idea, and get the kids involved!:https://happymoneysaver.com/happy-thoughts-changing-luck-one-person-at-a-time/

And, some quotes to inspire you:https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-quotes

Remember, every day we have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.  Don’t let the expectation to change the world weigh so heavy on you that you don’t make any difference.  Rather, bring a moments joy into someone’s life with a smile.

Read my blog post on Elephant Journal about the power of words

I would love to hear your Random Act of Kindness ideas!  Please leave a comment with your best RAK ideas so we can share the love!

‘We can do no great things, only small things with great love.’ – Mother Teresa

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