Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness Week February 9-16

By Good News Network Wednesday, February 04, 1998

Archives - Life

Hundreds of communities and churches across the country will say they participated in the fourth annual Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 9-16.

You may have seen the bumper stickers...you may have read the book (first published by Conari Press in California, in 1991). You may even remember an article by Anne Herbert reprinted in the Readers Digest in the 1980's. But what started it all was an inspiration that came to Ms. Herbert in a Sausalito restaurant that caused her to scribble these words on a place mat: “practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”

Stanford University studies show that when people are the recipients of kind words or deeds they are significantly more likely to behave kindly toward others than people who are not offered the same treatment.

Certainly the kindness benefits the recipient, but as the practitioner of the act, you are also rewarded, by a palpable energy surging through you; and you are fairly floating along to your next appointment!

Consider These-

• An unnamed woman reported she carries umbrellas in her car, and if she's ever passing by a victim of a downpour, she presents them with a thing of beauty- an umbrella.
• A toll booth operator reports a significant increase in cars paying for others behind them. He says sometimes it's a reward for considerate driving.... But paying at random delivers the really delightful feeling.
• A simple gesture like talking to someone who is alone in line with you is an act of kindness. Be courageous the next time you get an inner nudging voice telling you to speak up. Most people have things in common and this kind of interchange can lead to pure joy or peals of laughter...which others in line wish they were a part of.
• Take a coworker to lunch and pay. Think of how it will enhance the work environment...