Next week might be my favorite week of the year. Random Acts of Kindness Week. For those of us social “do-gooders” it just doesn’t get better than this! Helping out a stranger, passing along the good, making someone smile. It feels good to do good.
I promise.
You don’t have to tell anyone, or you can tell the world, to get others inspired to join in.
One time, I paid for the person behind me at Krispy Kreme. Another time, a teenage kid was in front of me at Walgreen’s trying to purchase a coke and a bag of chips. His debit card was declined, so I bought it for him. A few years ago, I bought dinner for a homeless man. That event may have changed my life more than his.
Nothing significant, but those two events may have changed that person’s day.
You can find out more at the Random Acts of Kindness Week blog.
I snagged this neat graphic from their page, which gives great ideas on simple things to do.
This is part of a bigger plan for this blog as well. Next week I’ll be launching my own “Do Good, Feel Good” campaign. Similar to Another Jennifer’s Monthly Giving Pledge (which I have taken!) I will challenge you each month to do something good. Maybe one thing a month, maybe one thing a day… you decide.
Tamara says
February 7, 2014 at 8:23 pmI love this. I have been randomly sending packages to people lately. Of course I do know them, so it would be fun to pay ahead for a stranger at a restaurant/toll.
Jessica Herndon says
February 7, 2014 at 8:43 pmI had no idea about Random Acts of Kindness Week. I will need to do something special for this week. Thank you for the head’s up!
katbiggie says
February 8, 2014 at 11:38 amYou are very welcome! I do what I can! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
February 7, 2014 at 9:10 pmTruly this is wonderful and I am a firm believer in smiling as much as possible to start with, but that list is truly beautiful and going to definitely try to do a few myself in the next week or two. Thanks for sharing this Alexa 🙂
katbiggie says
February 8, 2014 at 11:37 amIsn’t it amazing how much better we FEEL when we are SMILING? I heard someone say one time that if you’re in a really rotten mood, just start laughing. Figure out something funny and laugh. Makes all the difference!
Ilene says
February 7, 2014 at 9:43 pmAlexa, thank you for reminding me how SIMPLE it is to do kind things for people that I know as well as don’t know. I love the idea of consciously deciding to step up kindness and also the idea that if we practice this enough, that one day it will be unconscious and just become part of who we are. You always inspire me to give more of myself so thank you.
katbiggie says
February 8, 2014 at 11:37 amLove you Ilene. These are sweet words and I am so happy to have you in my life!
Katie @ Pick Any Two says
February 8, 2014 at 1:14 pmI agree with Ilene. Too often we get caught up because we think doing good deeds requires a lot of effort and planning. In reality, it doesn’t have to be that complicated – just switch your mindset to put others before yourself. The payoff is worth it, for both parties involved!
katbiggie says
February 9, 2014 at 12:58 pmYep, doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s usually the simple things that make the most difference! 🙂
another jennifer says
February 8, 2014 at 9:41 pmExcited for your new campaign! We try to make random acts of kindness a regular thing in our home. Once you start, it’s hard to stop! I have a RAK Week post coming out Monday that talks about a random act of kindness that Biz surprised us with! So cute.
katbiggie says
February 9, 2014 at 12:56 pmOh I can’t wait to read it! I love it when our kids surprise us with RAKs!
Raquel @ Organized Island says
February 11, 2014 at 9:42 amOh I am so glad I saw this! I love that it is Random Acts of Kindness week. I love it when people are kind…there is not enough kindness in the world. Visiting from SITS.
Storm says
February 11, 2014 at 10:12 amI really needed this! What a great reminder of whats important and how the good things in life are really free. Numbers 1, 3 and 8 are acts of kindness I’ll be performing today. xo
All Talk Entertainment says
February 11, 2014 at 11:11 amNow see….I had no idea that there was a week dedicated to random acts of kindness. It can start with this week and then continue on. I will try my best to do something this week and let it continue. Thank you so much for sharing. Stopping by from SITS.
Alison Hector says
February 11, 2014 at 12:42 pmThis is great, Alexa! I’m all about random acts of kindness all year long, so this opportunity to be more intentional about it this week is right on point. And smiling is my favorite! Makes such a difference to the receiver of the smile… and to me!
katbiggie says
February 11, 2014 at 1:08 pmSo very true Alison. Smiling can make anyone’s day better!
Cassi says
February 11, 2014 at 1:05 pmI wish I’d seen this earlier so I could’ve planned for it!
katbiggie says
February 11, 2014 at 1:07 pmOh they are so easy – you can do one or two with no planning! 🙂
Adrienne says
February 11, 2014 at 3:08 pmI had no idea this existed! I’ll have to share this with my students! Great post!
Amanda - RunToTheFinish says
February 11, 2014 at 3:39 pmI didn’t realize this at all, so I’m super glad i stopped by and caught it. Not that I need a week to do it, but sometimes that little prompt helps you remember!
The Winey Mom says
February 11, 2014 at 6:01 pmWhat a great idea – today I tried numbers 1 and 7. It was kind of fun knowing I was doing them “secretly” for a purpose!
#sitsblogging
Alisha @ Pondering Reality says
February 11, 2014 at 7:26 pmLove that there is a week dedicated to kindness. Thanks for sharing some ideas with us! Love your site. :]
-SITS Love
Amy Ruiz says
February 11, 2014 at 7:48 pmLove that list! My cousin recently passed away from cancer and she asked that people Pay it Forward instead of flowers to remember her. Now, I actively look to do something kind randomly as a memorial to her life and spirit.
It’s wonderful to see positive energy like this growing in the world. #SITSBlogging
katbiggie says
February 12, 2014 at 6:48 amMy cousin does the same thing. She lost her daughter at only 8 years old to cancer. This last year, for her 50th birthday, she asked family and friends to do 50 random acts of kindness in her daughter’s name. It was wonderful. Good does wonders for the soul!
Rashida says
February 11, 2014 at 8:56 pmThis sounds awesome! I’d love to participate in some kind of way! It’s always nice to pay it forward sometimes.
Allegra Sinclair says
February 11, 2014 at 11:31 pmI LOVE this idea! You know how I feel about ‘secrets’ so doing nice things anonymously is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing this, I don’t know if I would have heard about it otherwise.
Andrea says
February 12, 2014 at 2:23 amThis is great. I didn’t know about this week, but I try to incorporate these things into my every day. Every time I get out I smile and greet a stranger. Yesterday I helped an elderly lady and walked her home while carrying her bags of groceries. Kindness makes for a happier life … for you and for the recipients of the kindness.
Marie Rossiter says
February 12, 2014 at 8:30 amSo glad I found this! I’ve been feeling really down in the dumps lately and this is exactly what I need to pull me out of my funk–focus on others! 🙂 Not sure if I’ll share it with the world or just try to personally embrace it and do my best! Sometimes it’s good to keep these things quiet for our own sanity 🙂 #SITSblogging
katbiggie says
February 12, 2014 at 9:52 amI hope you come out of the funk soon. There is nothing worse than feeling down. If you haven’t visited Allegra Sinclair’s blog yet, her blog is full of hope and light! Also, the Mom Cafe (www.themomcafe.com) is a place I always go for encouragement.
The Styled Child says
February 12, 2014 at 9:25 pmLove the Random Acts of Kindness Week! We should be doing these everyday!
#SITSBlogging!
Alessia – The Styled Child
http://www.thestyledchild.com and http://thestyledchildshop.storenvy.com
Linda Davidson says
February 12, 2014 at 9:42 pmThanks for writing a post about random acts of kindness week. Loved the suggestions to spread the smiles and kindness!
Amber Day Hicks says
February 15, 2014 at 3:16 pmI SO tired, I blogged about it! This was the perfect post to link up with this weekend via #LOBS! XO!~A~