Random Acts of Kindness Week: February 12 – 18, 2012

Around Christmas, do you remember reading about the kindly, anonymous people who paid off the lay away bills for total strangers?  Their kindness spoke to my heart – especially since they were anonymous acts with real power behind them to remind us all that our world includes more than “just me.”  The acts were unusual enough that the idea of helping others was foremost in the news for some time. I wonder what other random acts of kindness (RAK) happened as a result of these inspired gifts.

Did it motivate you to do anything in your own sphere of influence?  It did for me. 

I was reminded of those Christmas acts of kindness when I saw that this week has been designated “Random Act of Kindness Week.” 

RandomActsofKindness.org explains:

“RAK Week is the second full week of February each year. Random Acts of Kindness Week is designed to give those who are either not currently aware of Random Acts of Kindness or those who wish to call attention to the value of kind actions a chance to experience the joy of passing along kindness. The week’s purpose is to raise awareness about kindness and to invite people to give and receive kindness daily.

“Celebrations vary widely. An individual may celebrate kindness by performing anonymous kind acts all week long. An educator may lead a discussion about kindness and involve students in a brief kindness activity. Some celebrations are school wide. Some celebrations are community-based rather than school-based. The choice is up to you. For hundreds of ideas, consult our Kindness Ideas resource, or the Educators and Community sections on this website.”

What a difference we could make if we each asked ourselves, “How might I touch one or more lives with RAKs this week and beyond—not done to benefit “me” but to truly benefit the receiver?”
--Deanna