Did you know that the 17th February is ‘Random Acts of Kindness Day’?
I didn’t, until just the other day. I’d actually never heard of it, (nor it’s ‘cousin’, ‘World Kindness Day’), even though they’re both celebrated in several countries around the globe, and apparently, it’s nothing new! It was started by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, or ‘RAKS’ as they are often known, way back in the mid 90’s!
You can find out more about RAKS and what they’re all about here: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
So what is Random Acts of Kindness Day?
If you’re wondering what Random Acts of Kindness Day is, – well, it’s what it says on the tin, – an annual celebration that encourages individuals to perform acts of kindness towards others. Many schools, businesses, and community groups organize events on this day to encourage acts of kindness. And if your workplace isn’t one of them, be the first link in the chain and start it yourself this year.
We live in a world plagued by negativity and senseless violence, from the slaughter of billions of creatures every year, to regular, drawn-out, and often deliberately engineered wars. And even those of us fortunate enough to live in well-developed economies suffer heartaches, losses of loved ones or things we worked hard for, health issues, stresses, emotional turmoil and mental health issues. So, this day is dedicated to spreading positivity and goodwill, demonstrating that kindness is free and has the power to create a ripple effect of compassion throughout the world.
Of course, just like with Valentine’s Day, we know that love and kindness should be shown every day throughout the year, not just one or two! But having a day dedicated to paying it forward at least puts a spotlight on it and serves to remind us in our increasingly hectic lives, just how simple and easy it is to spread positivity and make someone’s day, and our own, in the process. Even small acts of compassion can have significant impacts on both the giver and receiver. Studies have shown that performing acts of kindness releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin, boosting our own happiness levels.
Whether it’s celebrated in your country or not, is of course, irrelevant. There’s nothing stopping any of us from participating and spreading a chain of generosity and positivity.
As vegans, kindness and compassion for others are part of the core tenet of our values. But how often might we forget about fellow humans? By the same token, this day is a wonderful opportunity to remind others to extend their compassion to non-human animals and inform them of their plight.
So, how can you get involved? What random acts of kindness could you perform?
It’s easy! Literally all you have to do, is do something nice for someone else!
So, what exactly qualifies as a “random act of kindness”? Well, it can be anything from holding the door open for someone, smiling at a stranger, or surprising a co-worker with their favourite coffee. The key is to do something kind without expecting anything in return – just because you can!
Ensure you perform your gesture expecting nothing in return, only hoping that the receiver pays it forward by doing something lovely and unexpected for someone else.
If you get the opportunity to speak with the receiver of your contribution, tell them what day it is and what it’s all about, as this will encourage them to go on and spread the kindness elsewhere. Awareness about the importance of kindness is crucial for creating lasting change. Whether through social media posts or conversations with friends and colleagues, take every opportunity to educate others about the power they hold within themselves to help make the world a better place for humans and animals through their own simple, everyday actions.
Every act counts! And there are countless ways you can contribute positively to society on Random Acts of Kindness Day! Hopefully by now, you’re feeling inspired. Read my Random Acts of Kindness list below and challenge yourself to complete either one, two, or as many of them as you can.
Random Acts of Kindness list:
Acts that cost nothing and require no preparation:
1. Reach out to a loved one who may be feeling isolated or lonely. Or pick up the phone and call that friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Remember to tell them how much you appreciate them.
2. Smile at strangers and compliment them about their choice of clothing or something else interesting that would lift anyone’s spirits.
3. Offer to carry an elderly person’s groceries or help them cross the road.
4. Send uplifting text messages, or better still, audio messages to your friends and family.
5. Hold the door open for someone or hold the bus for them if you see someone clearly heading for it.
6. Offer to help a neighbour with chores, such as grocery shopping, mowing the lawn or babysitting so they can enjoy a break.
7. If you don’t do so already, donate used clothes and toys and household items still in good condition to a local charity organisation.
8. Offer to walk a neighbour’s dog or pet-sit for someone, especially if they could really use the assistance.
9. Leave positive reviews online about local businesses to support them and help them thrive.
10. Donate blood to help save lives.
11. Clean up litter in your local area as you go about your day.
12. Offer to wash your neighbour’s car.
13. Offer to teach someone a new skill, something that you are good at and that will benefit them.
14. Listen attentively to someone who needs to talk. Support them without judgement.
15. Help a friend or someone you know with something they’ve been struggling with, e.g. maybe you know how to create the spreadsheet they need, or how to sort out the mistake they made in their knitting without destroying it, or you can help them perfect a recipe, etc.
16. Offer to car share or give someone a lift to an appointment or somewhere they need to go, or to pick them up afterwards.
Acts that cost nothing but may require a little preparation:
1. Donate your time: Volunteer a few hours at a shelter or other organisation, e.g. a soup kitchen or an animal rescue.
2. Send a small gift or care package to that friend you know has had it tough recently.
3. Write positive affirmations or uplifting messages on sticky notes or little cards, and leave them around your workplace, on your colleagues’ desks or on bridges and flyovers for the public. (You never know but you might just save a life).
4. Share your skills by offering free workshops in your local community.
5. Organise a local litter clean-up with your local neighbourhood. (What’s more, you’ll get to meet more neighbours).
6. Organise a fundraising event for a charity you care about.
7. Bake some homemade treats and share them with colleagues, friends or neighbours.
8. Write little inspiring notes or make up little care packages or treats for the elderly in your local nursing home.
10. Visit an older person who lives alone and doesn’t have much, if any, company.
11. Make handicrafts or artwork and donate them to a nursing home or hospital, to brighten the days of those who must stay there.
12.Write an inspiring post of gratitude for someone in particular, or those who work in a vital service, such as nurses or the fire service, on your social media and encourage others to spread the appreciation.
Remember, Kindness is free. Some acts of generosity may require small change:
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- Pay for the coffee of the person in front of you or after you in the queue in a café or the few small items of the elderly person next to you in the supermarket.
- Ensure you donate your small change the next time you see a collection tin in a shop, or a charity fundraiser, or a homeless person in the street.
- Make a small donation to a charity of your choice. (We cannot solve all the world’s problems but a small donation to an organisation that supports children in need, people in war-torn countries, a mental health charity or an animal rescue anywhere in the world, can make one hell of a difference!)
- Leave small change by the parking meter for the next person who comes along.
- Give a waiter, waitress or hairdresser an extra tip, or write a nice note for them on the receipt together with your tip.
Finally, here are some very worthwhile ideas that may require a little more money and/or preparation:
- Make up and distribute care packages or healthy food for homeless people in your area or elsewhere. (Sanitary goods are always needed and often overlooked).
- Make a bigger donation to a charity or rescue centre you care about, at home or abroad. (Every charity organisation literally depends on donations to be able to do the vital work they do, so your contribution really helps!)
- Buy a small gift for a co-worker or friend.
- Buy groceries and necessary items such as nappies or sanitary goods for a food bank.
I hope this list has left you inspired and enthusiastic to go and make a difference, and start your chain of compassion and kindness. Whichever one you choose to do – remember that kindness is free but its impact is priceless!
