Random Acts of Kindness

[Kathy]

Let's start a list. Have you thought about how you might do something out of kindness for others that you do now even know?

Our culture tends to encourage self-centeredness and selfishness.

Sooooo...let's rebel. ;)

Random Acts of Kindness is a worthwhile idea.

Consider something you could do that others would benefit without you knowing who they are and without benefit being returned to you directly.

Your benefit comes in that warm fuzzy feeling you will get for knowing you did something for others....

Add to our list here..of things that you might do anonymously, randomly, just for the sake of kindness. Sometimes they might cost you a bit of money. Other times it might just cost you some time or an attitude adjustment. In any case, the real winner of "random acts of kindness" is you.


My ideas:

At a toll booth, pay for the car behind you.

In a traffic jam, let someone over into your lane willingly, with a smile and a generous wave.

Have a cup of coffee waiting for your mail carrier ( or UPS delivery person)

[QuiltAngel]

When it is raining or snowing and I am driving, I tend to let pedestrians go as they are out in the elements. I figure I am in my car, protected so I can give a few seconds for someone to get to their car or building.

[Sib2of11]

At places where there are no traffic lights, it's always nice to let a car pull out of a parking lot and into your lane of travel.

[emarray]

I was the last person to step on to the elevator before it reached the floor everyone was going to. As the last person in, I was closest to the door. Instead of zipping out first, I held the door and waited for everyone else to leave, including the elderly gentleman who'd let all the elderly women leave first and was then planning to hold the door for ME. I smiled and thanked him, but then said it's my pleasure to hold the door for him.

Surprise and happiness flashed across his face before he turned away enough that I could no longer see his expression. I think I heard approval in his voice too, when he thanked me.

Just doing that little thing brightened my whole day. It felt really good. Uh oh, methinks random acts of kindness are addictive!

:)

[Luvmabug]

At a gas station near my home a man asked for change, I didn't have any cash on me. I got in my car with my son and he said that he knew that man, and he was going through a rough time and didn't use money for drugs or such. I started to drive away, when I saw him enter the hamburger place next to the gas station. I went in and found him counting pennies and nickels that he had collected all day long to buy dinner. I told the cashier to give him what he wanted to eat and put it on my debit card. The man was very surprised, and the cashier was shocked and told me, "God bless you". What she didn't know, is God already has.

[Weiser]

Let some one with less items ahead of you in the store--I have done this many times, and just today a lady let me ahead of her!

[lilorphann]

The other day I was in a video game store with my children and there was this child ahead of us at the checkout and he only had enough money for the game, not including tax; his face showed he was crushed so I payed for his tax. My boys learned a great lesson that day. In addition every Monday I make sure my child's teacher gets a "small gift", a little something to help her get through the week.

[handywoman]

I was walking through the parking lot today at a home improvement store when I noticed an elderly gentleman trying to load boxes into the back of his truck. The glass piece on the cab would not stay up so he was trying to hold that up and load the truck. I ran over and held the glass door up and he kind of look startled. I told him I noticed he was having a hard time being that he only had two hands and he was so grateful. Said that the pnuematic holders weren't working and he couldn't get it fixed right now.

I thank God that he put me in that spot just when this man needed some help. Put a smile on his face and a smile in my heart.

Have you all heard that song "Proud" by Heather Small? There is a line in there "What have you done today to make you feel proud". This thread makes me think of that song - if you get a chance, please listen to it. Very uplifting :-)

God Bless,
Darlene

[Carmen]

If someone ahead of me in a grocery store check-out line is "short" on money to pay their tab, I pipe up and offer to "sponsor" the difference. Usually it's less than a dollar or two, so it's really no big deal. :rolleyes: I remember one sweet, cute little older lady tried to get me to give her my mailing address, so she could send me the $2.00 to pay me back. I told her, "Just pass on the favor to someone else" and that will pay me back.

[Aussie Friend]

I try each week when I go to Orange to always let a driver into the traffic even if they should be giving way especially in shopping centre carparks. I believe a good turn always comes back twofold.

[SouthDakotaSherry]

I like to type little notes of affirmation for my co-workers and leave them in their mailboxes unsigned. I don't do it everyday - just when I see them a bit down or overwhelmed. It makes me feel good to know I can remind them how important they are, not only in the lives of the children they teach, but to the rest of us around them.

[Mori]

Sponsoring a child in a third world country is something i've thought of doing for a long time. It would give me great satisfaction knowing I made a difference in a childs life & that he/she would have food, shelter, clothing & a chance to go to school with school supplies...all because of my monthly donation. :angel3:

[Ms Big Butt]

Sometimes I leave coupons for things I am not interested in right on the grocery store shelf next to the item. Sometimes I have a coupon for $5.00 off if I spend $50.00. If I don't make the $50.00 limit, I just pass the coupon to someone who has a cart full of baby diapers :)

When the kids come around selling girl scout cookies or anything else for fund raising, I always buy something (small) just so they can have some success :)

[Peagreen]

It's really rather sad when I see how one little compliment can really impact a person's day. So many people go thru their day not feeling appreciated or even noticed for doing a good job, and when someone does take notice and compliments them, they are so surprised and touched. It takes so little time to tell someone what they do well, or how they helped someone. I guess we are so starved for it that we don't even realize how "hungry" we are for a small crumb of appreciation.
Let's turn that around, girls! It doesn't cost a dime to "feed the hungry" around us every day. We all work, live and love better when we're "well-fed. ;)

[spasmo]

I make it a point to follow through and give feedback when people give good customer service. It seems to surprise a lot of people that someone would take the time to do this when they are used to mainly hearing negative comments.

[lesliesnini]

A smile, a kind word, calling someone by name.
We operate a small cafe and ministry center and I try to address each person by name and learn, through conversation, the names of new people.
It's amazing what being called by name can do for someone!

[Beachgirl]

I love reading about random acts of kindness. :D I practice this on a daily basis in all the ways everyone has already discusses. Sometimes it's just one in a day but often my day is full of random acts of kindness.

I live in San Diego :cool: and I know many people perceive it to be a laid back place to live and be, but it's not!!! People are stuck in traffic all the time, fighting for space, jobs, housing, you name it. Rudeness prevails it is sad to say. And something I do not understand.

I have paid for someone's coffee who is in line behind me, paid the difference of someone standing in line and short on cash, saying a kind word to someone working in customer service (a cashier) who's just be berated by a customer over something out of their control, paying for a meal for a homeless individual who may cross my path on the way to lunch, zippering in during rush hour, waving a thank you to a driver (no one does this in SoCal!)who has kindly let me into traffic, slowing down enough to be of assistance to anyone who may need a helping hand, letting those with just a few items who are standing in the checkout line behind my cart of groceries ahead of me, even if that means I let in 1 or 4 (I have done 4 recently).

Life is good, and I hope that those who have benefited from my random acts of kindess will remember them long enough to extend a random act of kindness to others or maybe just change their own attitude even for 1 hour or 1 day.

[Ms Big Butt]

This thread reminds me of the movie Pay it Forward... a MUST SEE! Be sure to have a box of tissues at the ready tho. :)

[Dawn_aka_wahm4life]

I love this thread.... I live to do things for other people as much as I possibly can. Nothing makes me more happy then doing something for someone else. I have done several things and several times. I hope to always be in that position to be able to do something for somebody whether they know it or not. I really wish more people felt the way that we all do....hmmmm maybe I'll write something for the editorial of the newspaper and try to get more people to do more good things.

[NeNe]

My husband and I have a few rental properties. After Katrina came through our town everyone was out of power, some for over a month. Most couldn't go to work so we told them they didn't have to pay a months rent. It made us feel good knowing we could help others. Everyone needed help and understanding during that time.

My husbands family lost everything they had in the storm, so we moved into our camper and let his mom and sisters and their families move into our house. We know they appreciate it and that made us feel good to be able to show them that we love them.

[Firefly]

I just read about how you brighten your child's teacher's week each Monday. How wonderful and thoughtful! As a teacher who is having a rough year with a "challenging" class, I would love to have an "parent angel" like you!

[YellowRoseTex]

Not sure if this is a random act of kindness, but it was an act of kindness and made me feel good so thought I would share the story here.

My husband and I were visiting a very dear friend in a distant city while we were on vacation. We had met at a mall for lunch. As we stepped in the elevator after lunch to go back to the parking lot I saw a $20 bill laying on the floor. Of course I picked it up. :D As there weren't any other people around I put it in my purse.

When we stepped off the elevator a lady walked up and appeared to be very upset. She came up to us and asked "did anyone happen to find a $20 bill in the elevator?" I didn't even hesitate, I said "yes, I did" and reached into my wallet to give the lady her $20.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she thanked me. She said she had just pulsed the money and it was her last $20. She than reached out and gave me one of the most sincerest hugs of gratitude that I have ever received.

It does feel good to do the right thing and to know that you made someone's day. :)

[clogaholic]

My clogging group visits a nursing home each month. I noticed that one of the residents never had visitors. I started making sure that I took the time to visit with her. I like to surprise her with small gifts from time to time. I feel great just to see the sweet smile on her face :)

I also will allow the person with fewer items in line in front of me. I like to try to have a smile and friendly word for the harried and often over worked checkers too.
I know that I enjoy being met with friendliness - it's easy to give too.

[NoirthernWolf]

I love this thread! Yes, it is very reminiscent of "Pay It Forward" with Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacy and Haley-Joel Osmont. (Must see is right!)

Anyway, as a worker at a very small-town Restaurant/Bakery, I always make sure everyone who sees me sees a smile. I look people in the eyes when I talk to them and I will take change right out of my own tip jar to make up silly little tax amounts that a customer may be short. At the end of my shift, I often buy a coffee for some of the regulars. And so it goes. It makes people comfortable and happy when they see their "favorite" server working. I love it.

I have read through everything everyone has said and I am so pleased to have thought, "done that, done that, done that..." :) With winter finally here, I take extra time each morning as I set out to scan both sides of our street to make sure nothing is amiss... as in someone fallen or struggling with the ice... Just the other day I looked out my window and saw a pick-up truck backed into the garage across the road and the lights were on. The truck was running. I went for my shower and, upon looking out, saw that it had not changed. I got dressed, came downstairs and still the truck had not moved. I put on my coat and went over, fearful that someone may have been overcome by carbon monoxide. Happily, all was well. The neighbor across the road was unsure what to make of me... LOL!... nosy or caring??? LOL! Caring, most definitely.

My days are filled with people watching in one way or another. I see the face of everyone who passes me. I will not focus on the floor. I am ever watchful for that one person who I might just be there for.... right place, right time.

If everyone did this, what a joyous and Blessed place this world would be.

Ramble mode off.... LOL!

Wolfie

[Psalms]

I have not done it yet, but I have been thinking of buying a mothers grocery. I watch some mothers come in and they have little ones and it is obvious that they don't have much. I plan to just pay for the grocery they have, tell the God loves them and walk away.

[3and3and3]

My daughter was out christmas shopping with her friends today. When she came home she looked a little distraught. I had seen what she had purchased and didn't see anything for her Father(whom she adores). I found this strange because I knew she had plenty of money. When I questioned her, she replied "I put back what I was going to get Dad, because "my friend" didn't have enough money to get "her little brother" a gift.
I could have cried, actually I think I did.

[highlandsunsets]

Always try and help seniors. Whether it means loading their grocerys in the car for them, or holding the door, or offering to shovel their walk. After all, you may not live close to your own parents and you would hope someone would do the same for them. Pay it forward.

[Daisy Girl]

This is my first time on this site and I am so encouraged by this thread! I've read all the responses and am thrilled that there are so many wonderful women reaching out to others with kindness!

I try to be sure to treat everyone I pass or come in contact with as being important - from the cashier at the grocery store to the waiter at the grocery store. When the waiter asks our table how we're doing tonight I always ask him how he is. Folks seem pleased to be acknowledged. I offer everyone I see a smile. As a church secretary Ianswer the phones all day. I want the person on the other end of the phone to hear my smile.

I've done many of the acts of kindness mentioned in this thread. I got some new ideas too and I can't wait to put them into practice!

[nenna2000]

I'm new to this site too, and I found the stories here heartwarming. I'm a cashier at a local cinema, we're a very small town,so a lot of parents drop their children off for a movie. The cinema is owned and operated by a well known family in town, so parents feel comfortable leaving their children with us. Sometimes a child will want candy or a drink and not have quite enough to pay for it. Everyone behind the counter operates the register, so whenever this happens any of us are willing to pay the difference. If the owner is present he usually won't let us pay the difference, he says just let em have what they want, for whatever they have, and whispers to them it's our little secret so don't tell. The act of kindness is not solely mine, but I like to see the children's faces light up with their little" secrets".

[km1174]

What joy it gives to do something simple for others! My CFO and I had a VERY difficult day at work yesterday. The situation that occured will not easily be fixed, but to let her know that I greatly appreciate the job she does, my sales associate and I sent her a fruit arrangement with her favorite, chocolate covered apples! It brought this VERY strong woman to tears and made her day. But overall it gave me much more joy! I plan to continue to practice RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) and encourage each of you to do the same!

[uLearnAsUgo]

I went to Walmart one cold snowy evening. When I went inside to get a dry shopping cart I saw an employee rubbing his hands together, trying to warm them before he went back outside to gather more carts. I purchased a pair of mens gloves and gave them to the employee. He was mentally challenged and I'm not sure he would have been able to purchase a pair himself. He smiled and thanked me.

[Aussie Friend]

Recently a few of my friends from the hyster site have been unwell and I've enjoyed sending them care packages to help cheer them up.............shhh we won't tell my hubby about the postage.

I've also recently found several elderly people struggling to use the self serve scanners in a department store and I've stayed and talked them through the process.

[LuvMaui]

This was a kindness done by my Daughter.

I went to my mail box a couple weeks ago and found that my DD sent me a really funny card. It had a sweet note inside that said "Mom, I love it when you smile". I loved it. :)

[Dianezz]

I jsut find it second nature to do what i see needs to be done.... I dont see a reason for people to struggle if there is anything I can do.I continue to struggle so much in my own life that it seems such a waste not to ease someone else from struggles if possible .I kind of take life as slow as possible to appreciate what i have and to notice life around me.To actually experience my daily blessings. I am not perfect by any means at all & I wimper when it gets rougher.I am sad that i cannot do more.
What i do find strange I ronically is when someone does something random/special for me. I can hardly believe it. It gives me hope and strength and encouragement. I hope I have touched others as people have touched my life. YOu have all done wonderful gestures. And that card form from your DD...priceless!!!

[uLearnAsUgo]

I had a flat tire late one night. My dd was 10 at the time and in the car with me. I pulled into a gas station (no mechanics) to find a phone. A young guy, maybe 17 or 18 came out to see if he could help. I didn't have a spare! He went to his car, about the same size as my car, and came back with a tire! He let me drive home with the tire and I returned it the next day. He wasn't there but I gave his boss a thank you card with some money in it. It was such a very nice thing for him to do!

[inthegarden]

My mom was always surprising us with the way she reached out to others. She was a nurse on a unit kind of like a hospice wing - I remember the Christmas eve we delivered a package, wrapped with an unsigned card. It was for the gentleman patient to give to his wife the next morning - he had shed tears earlier knowing this would be his last Christmas to get her something.
When I was older and my mom, sis and I had an unexpected trip to Hawaii, mom airmailed a lei to an elderly woman who jokingly told my mom she'd always wanted to go there. The nurses said the fragrance was awesome and the woman wore it all week!

We can make a difference!
Bev ;)

[Dianezz]

That is lovely

[Knitter Gal]

When I walk early in the morning I pick up neighbor's newspapers and take them to their door so they don't have to walk out to the street to get them. Try walking different routes each day and do this favor for different people.

[HARRISON0802]

Bless you. I am sure there are many out there that would think you are crazy, but you are not.. you are SUPER KIND.

[Dianezz]

I dont find it crazy either.... or at all. I know on windy days while walking or driving I place gabage cans back on yards. I guess I cant imagine jsut driving around them. I do though feel the people could take it into their hands and set up an ultimatum with the newspaper delivery service if they do not like a leisurly walk in the fresh air to get their paper in the morning. And I suppose The owners of the garbage cans could purchase flat sided cans. Either way, I dont have a problem withhelping out and it seems as if neither of us have heard comlaints! IT is a lovely gesture and probably makes for a nice walk for you to replace the papers.

[hazleyes822]

I always try to hold doors for people who I can. It makes a person feel noticed and important. I was very proud when I saw my child do just this for a older couple half way across the parking lot *LOL*.

C

[Lyricstar]

I work in a retail. I aways try to have some change for the customers that are a little "short" paying. There was one time on my break that have "helped" a child buy something for their parent with my debit card. She was a couple dollars short and she did try to bring it back to me but I had her pay it forward to another child that was having problem finding a present.

[jam11]

I like to pay fr the person in line behind me at the drive through line on occasion... Especially if it's been a hectic day for me, I figure if I've had a rough day, maybe the person behind me has too and everyone deserves a break once in a while. ;-) I love the thoughts in this thread though, so I might start doing a few new ones!!

[vgtigger]

At a gas station near my home a man asked for change, I didn't have any cash on me. I got in my car with my son and he said that he knew that man, and he was going through a rough time and didn't use money for drugs or such. I started to drive away, when I saw him enter the hamburger place next to the gas station. I went in and found him counting pennies and nickels that he had collected all day long to buy dinner. I told the cashier to give him what he wanted to eat and put it on my debit card. The man was very surprised, and the cashier was shocked and told me, "God bless you". What she didn't know, is God already has.Luvbug:this brought tears to my eyes.

I think this is great brainstorming and bringing awarenesss.
Once I slipped cash in an envelope under a neighbors door , I knew she was struggling to meet ends meet with no income. When she asked if it was me, I tried to deny it...but then felt guilty for lying.

[Dianezz]

Luvbug:this brought tears to my eyes.

I think this is great brainstorming and bringing awarenesss.
Once I slipped cash in an envelope under a neighbors door , I knew she was struggling to meet ends meet with no income. When she asked if it was me, I tried to deny it...but then felt guilty for lying.

How wonderfully caring & selfless that was.
i understand the part about wanting to deny it. It is nice that you can choose to respond with "I know that you are going to be in a position when you have to offer what someone needs and you will be there for them"

I know for myself it has not always been Items or money that i have given ...although the basic needs are important, there are other ways to give and reach out.

[curleyreddsmom]

wow, these are some awesome messages. It is so important to give of yourself and it does make you feel better. My daughter taught me a valuable lesson a year ago that when she goes to the store or coffee place she always ask the clerk or person helping her out how there day is going and she listens to them. I've incorporated it and people get so surprised that someone cares about how their day is going.

[chattiemom2172]

This is fantastic.. It melts my heart..

[marisela]

I was at Bed Bath & Beyond a couple weeks ago buying some last minute items pre-surgery. I had a handful of 20% off coupons with me (they take expired ones too). I only needed perhaps 3 coupons myself. So I asked the lady behind me if she wanted a couple...she had two items...and she was so thankful! Then she said she'd probably save one for the comforter she was planning to buy soon. So I handed her another coupon. She was so excited she left the line so she could go get the comforter and buy it that day. It gave me a great pleasure to have something so simple make someone's day! :)

[kottonkitty]

Hi Ladies,
After reading these posts yesterday I started trying to jump start the old brain into remembering when the last time I had done something "just because". I realized, to my horror :eek: that I could not remember when, where, etc. I work with the mentally retarded and developmentally challenged and at the end of a work day you are drained. Of course when I got home I discovered that I needed to go to the store and DH was mowing so I couldn't send him. I was in the check out with all of my stuff on the conveyor when I heard a ruckus behind me. The lady behind me apparently did not realize that she would need a buggy so she was trying to hold all of her items (6-8 items) PLUS a huge bag of ice. She kept dropping things and the guy behind her was picking them up for her. You could see that she was frustrated and embarassed at the same time. After the 3rd or 4th time of her dropping something I said "mam, why don't you just go ahead of me?" At first she declined but then I told her that her ice might melt so she might as well go ahead. She was so appreciative. Kept thanking not only me but the gentleman picking up dropped items. Made me feel really good, even though I was tired, hungry and my feet hurt and I just wanted to get home.
Thanks ladies for making me think! :D

Wanda

[marisela]

Wanda--sounds like you do something wonderful every single day, doing what you do. Kudos!

I had another "waiting in-line" event a couple days ago, too. I went to the dollar store to get some cards. The woman behind me put her stuff on the belt and apparently one her cards fell into my pile -- she noticed that her card was gone, alerted the cashier, and then the cashier announced on the loudspeaker that she needed a manager to authorize an adjustment. Yikes! I told the cashier not to worry--I was okay with paying for it (only 50 cents!). The lady behind me started to pull out some change and I said that wasn't necessary--if she felt an obligation, she could just do a favor for someone else! All 3 of us were happy!

[Calleigh]

Alot of things, like holding doors open for people, and letting cars turn out into our lane of traffic, are things that should and do come naturally for me.
But things I've done (and recently) are:
-In a fast-food drivethru line, I paid for the car behind me. Imagine that person's surprise to get a free meal that day. It probably made their day!
-Sent an anonymous card (no return address) to a friend whom I knew was struggling to make ends meet, sometimes not having enough money to buy food to eat. Inside the card, I put in a fresh new $100 bill. Immediately after receiving, she called and asked if I knew who sent it. I smiled on my end and say "why no I don't, but what a help that will be!"

You never know whose life you might touch with Random Acts of Kindness!!
I actually had someone touch my life a few months ago and I'll never forget the feeling it gave me. I was in line at Walmart with my 2 young kids who were giving me a hard time at the moment. It'd been a long day and I just wanted to get home. Of course, when trying to pay, my debit card would not work. It wasn't that I didn't have the money--there was some communication problem between their machine and my bank. I was actually in the store buying a few miscellaneous groceries I needed and dinner for that night. The woman in line behind me never once got frustrated---and after the cashier trying again and again, I finally said never mind! The woman behind me saw my frustration, knowing I had the 2 little ones and was very obviously buying stuff for them, and said "Wait, let me take care of that for you!" I can only imagine the look on my face. I almost began crying. What relief I felt knowing I could get the things I needed. It was only like $35.00 but still....it was the thought that counted.
So you never know whose day you might make or life you might touch!

[Dianezz]

What a nice story Calleigh!
I deliver meals to shut-ins and I notice they REALLY apprecialte my going that extra mile....visiting, helping out a bit...hugging. Sometimes it is thier only contact with another person all day. IT makes the deliveries take longer and others wait longer, but I think it is worth it....I see it in thier smiles.

[RG3]

Wow what wonderful great ideas to continue to share randomly.

Just yesterday, a man was in a wheelchair while i pulled in to park at walmarts, and he was trying to put a car cover on his matzi [sp?] when i got out i asked if he needed help, he said no, i stood for a min. and told him it was no problem. As the cover popped off the front , while pulling it down in the back, he yelled out ****, and said maybe i do.

I said ok, you stay there and keep in and ill just pop it on the front again. And all was well in his world, as he told me that the window is broken and he could not afford to replace the driver window, this was his cheapest was of fixing it for the moment.
I expressed that we do what we can when we can, and off into walmart i went.

[xenabee]

and the saying is and as i was raised by....Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.........