Random Acts of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness is a way of bettering someone's life through small gestures, kind words, or small favors. I really believe in the power of RAOK. Not only does it make the other person feel better, but it also makes me feel better about myself. It's a win/win situation!
You don't have to spend huge amount of money or time on someone to make their day. Here are some ideas for ways I try to commit RAOK in my everyday life:
- Occasionally, when I'm going through the Starbucks drive-through, I'll pay for the person's drink behind me. I did this the other day, and the cashier gave me a free gift certificate for what she called my kindness. See - what goes around comes around!
- When I am able, I go around the parking lot and gather up loose carts. You might not directly impact someone's day, but the person whose car didn't get dented or scratched that day has you to thank.
- I try to always use coupons when I'm shopping. When I'm able, I print or clip extra coupons. At the store I look for people who don't have coupons and hand out my extras. Do you shop at Michael's? Print out an extra 40% off coupon and give it to the person behind you in line.
- I always participate in the "You've been BOO-ed!" gift giving at Halloween. No one in my neighborhood reciprocates, but that's alright with me. It's the thought that counts!
- Email several of your blog friends and find out their addresses and anniversaries. Send them a card to remember their special day.
- Cut the address labels off your magazines and take them with you to your doctor's office or hospital next time you go. The patrons will thank you!
- Call your local animal shelter and find out what food they feed the animals. Buy a bag and donate it next time you are at the grocery store.
- The next time you are baking, make an extra batch of cookies and deliver it to your local fire station or police station.
- If you have your blower or lawn mower out to spruce up your own yard, spend 15 extra minutes in your neighbor's yard.
- Buy a potted plant at the store and deliver it to a nursing home or hospital. Tell the nurses you want it to go to the person who needs it most.
- The next time your child is coloring, take the picture and mail it to an elderly person from your community and church with a short note.
You never know how your actions can impact others, and we all have the power to leave a positive or negative influence. What do you do to positively influence others? What are your ideas for Random Acts of Kindness?
28 comments:
I couldn't agree more, my Mom taught me in much the same manner, she is always unfailingly kind to everyone. I'd like to think I learned well. Thanks for a couple of new ideas. :)
What a sweet post, this is definitely going to inspire me to step outside of the box and to give a little more. Kudos to you for all your little acts. :)
Great post! Can you tell me more about "You've been BOO-ed!" I hope this post inspires others, thanks for a couple new ideas!!
The homeless shelter always needs socks! Have a sock drive or just buy an extra pack
What a great post!!! A little always goes a long way and it feels great doing things for others! If everyone was a little bit kinder and thoughtful can you imagine what a difference we'd make in the world?
:)
I always mail cards to my friends and family on holidays, etc. This post was very inspiring, so I'll start to branch out the kindness! Thanks!
I really love your list. The last one at Subway made me cry. It's amazing when someone takes the time to perform a small gesture of kindness and yield amazing results.
I just had to tell you I had my own drive thru experience. It was a few years ago at Taco Bell. I was sobbing in the car and when I handed the girl my card she held my hand and said "I'm saying a prayer for you". I couldn't believe a stranger cared that much about me. I swear it was the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me. XOXO
P.S. I love doing the same thing at Starbucks. Makes me so happy to see someone else happy. :)
Thanks for sharing! Found your blog from Kelly's Korner. Great post!
Loved your subway story, how sweet was he? Found your blog at Kelly's Korner. To.Cute.
Found you from Kelly's Korner! These are great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
From Kelly's Korner:) I love your post and the Subway story made me cry! What a beautiful thing, don't you want to meet that boy's mama?
That's our "get-away" cabin. We sneak off every now and then to visit. :)
I love your Subway story! Thanks for the ideas! Nice to meet you!
Awesome post and great ideas!! Love the Subway story!!
~Becca
I read your Subway story and thought, "No one has been that kind to me!" But then thinking on it some more, I realized they have! My neighbor usually mows my front lawn for me every few weeks. It's small and he says it only takes him a few minutes. And a blogger did something very nice and unexpected for me this past Christmas which I soooooo appreciated!
I'm sure I could do a lot of random acts of kindness if I just put my mind to it. I do sometimes take extra carts from the parking lot at the grocery store.
There used to be a blog dedicated to Random Acts of Kindness. It's defunct now because I guess not enough people were contributing ideas to it. Kinda sad!
The boy at Subway...tears, I'm criyng...again. What is wrong with me this week? If I didn't know better I'd swear I was pregnant!
What lovely RAoKs!
Cxx
What great ideas!
The best RAoK that I've had done to me was when I worked as a barista. I had to work on Christmas day, which was a huge bummer because I was missing my family. One of my customers that day tipped me $100. It was enough to make me cry!
I turned around the next day and left my server a $50 at the restaurant I ate at. Paying it forward =-)
Wanted to stop in and let you know that I passed a blog award on to you today! Not sure how you feel about them, but I like to give credit where I think it is due! Pass it on if you so choose, or just check it out when you get a sec..
I just love your list. Especially the story about the 17 year old boy buying your supper.
What a terrific list!
I love that you drop off food at your local animal shelter.
great ideas andrea! i like the idea of visiting the elderly, sometimes, it seems they often get forgotten. hope you had a fab weekend with all of your boys.
GREAT ideas! Thanks for sharing. I am a SW'r too. :) Your baby is darling.
That is awesome. I just love this idea. And the examples are wonderful. I am going to talk to my kids about this right away.
OXO
Jen
Thanks for visiting me and I enjoyed your blog very much too!
Getting the gift certificate at Starbs is a perfect example of good karma and that is very nice that you do that from time to time.
I’m definitely going to do the coupon and magazine ideas. That is a very easy way to make someone’s day a little brighter.
Since I’m such an animal lover, I really like the idea of buying the dog food and donating it.
The boy at the Subway that offered you comfort definitely was there when you needed him. The universe has a funny way of working.
I love, love, love these ideas. I need to do these. Thank you for the inspiration. I haven't done nearly enough of this and had been thinking about it lately. This was the reminder I needed.
I would randomly read blogs and find someone who had been through a lot and emailed them telling them that I wanted to do their blog as a gift to them. I haven't done this in a little while, so I should do it again! There goes one of my secrets! ;)
My friend Amy goes to a drive thru for drinks on Christmas and leaves a $20 tip. One year the girl she gave it to started crying because she couldn't pay for all her childrens' gifts that year. I need to do this one.
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