Do you know what week it is?
No, it's not just the week of one of the most ridiculous holidays ever...but it is...
I do think you should be practicing Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) everyday, but just in case you need some motivation for this week, I'm going to share some kindness. Well, stories and motivational videos, really. Not sure where to start for this week? Here are some suggestions!
1. Do an act of random kindness.
It doesn't have to be hard or complicated or even well thought out. Back in the day at Austin College (go Roos!), the Service Station (what what!) planned an entire week of ARK. Sometimes it involved putting suckers and a note in every mailbox on campus, or a table in the main part of campus with supplies for people to make some notes to send, and sometimes it was just posting lists of acts of random kindness all over campus (I always put them in our floor's bathrooms as an RA). Creating awareness to little things you can do for others in this world is often a forgotten art. We learn as kids, but sometimes as adults, we forget that it can be the smallest of things - holding a door open or smiling - or it can be simple acts, allowing someone in a rush to go before you, that truly allow those warm fuzzies to show up.
The other day I had an accidental moment of kindness. A cyclist in Cambridge dropped some papers from his pocket as he hurriedly sped down the puddle and people laden road. I saw the papers hit the ground right as the bus came down the street. I looked to see if the cyclist was slowing down in order to retrieve them, and indeed he was. I stepped into the road before the taxi could run them over and picked up his papers. I met the cyclist and handed over what he dropped. A swift and simple act that didn't require much thinking, just an action to react and help.
I have lists of ways you can pass kindness on, but I bet you could think of something on your own! Here's a few way from randomactsofkindness.org:
1. Do an act of random kindness.
It doesn't have to be hard or complicated or even well thought out. Back in the day at Austin College (go Roos!), the Service Station (what what!) planned an entire week of ARK. Sometimes it involved putting suckers and a note in every mailbox on campus, or a table in the main part of campus with supplies for people to make some notes to send, and sometimes it was just posting lists of acts of random kindness all over campus (I always put them in our floor's bathrooms as an RA). Creating awareness to little things you can do for others in this world is often a forgotten art. We learn as kids, but sometimes as adults, we forget that it can be the smallest of things - holding a door open or smiling - or it can be simple acts, allowing someone in a rush to go before you, that truly allow those warm fuzzies to show up.
The other day I had an accidental moment of kindness. A cyclist in Cambridge dropped some papers from his pocket as he hurriedly sped down the puddle and people laden road. I saw the papers hit the ground right as the bus came down the street. I looked to see if the cyclist was slowing down in order to retrieve them, and indeed he was. I stepped into the road before the taxi could run them over and picked up his papers. I met the cyclist and handed over what he dropped. A swift and simple act that didn't require much thinking, just an action to react and help.
I have lists of ways you can pass kindness on, but I bet you could think of something on your own! Here's a few way from randomactsofkindness.org:
2. Look for kindness.
Cue cheesy music here.
Just like in the movie Love Actually, kindness and love are being lived out around us daily! Sometimes we just need to open our eyes to the acts! Last night I was walking back from worship and had kindness on the brain. While I was staring at the beautiful lights on King's College (see photo below) in the frigid air, I witnessed something else. There was a man playing guitar across the street, looking for some pence and pounds to be dropped in the hat. As I was just looking around and listening, I saw a lady from one of the shops run out with something in her hands. Curious, I kept watching. She tucked about five sandwiches into this gentleman's area and then hurried back to where it was warm, in her cafe.
Maybe this happens every night, maybe just on the nights when the manager's not there, or when there happens to be leftovers from the cafe. Regardless, it happened. And I saw it happen.
And on the rest of the walk, I felt a little bit better about humans and how we treat each other. When a man walking made eye contact with me and just said, "It is so cold", instead of ignoring him, I smiled and said, "it sure is."
Small things. Random things. But things worth noticing.
If you have seen the movie or read the book Pay It Forward, there is something powerful about witnessing love or kindness or charity and then reacting.
The model Pay it Forward presents is if you have received the act of kindness, but imagine if it wasn't based solely on that. There probably is some research somewhere that people can feel warm and fuzzy not just because someone was nice to them, but because they just witnessed someone else getting treated nicely. (Like if you watch a movie with a happy ending, say for example, Frozen, Mr. Holland's Opus, Care Bears, or Pitch Perfect, you feel happy for the others who are happy.) It's that whole empathy thing.
Here's my drawing of it:
3 & 4. Read Soul Pancake (or visit the website)
and watch Kid President.
Cue cheesy music here.
Just like in the movie Love Actually, kindness and love are being lived out around us daily! Sometimes we just need to open our eyes to the acts! Last night I was walking back from worship and had kindness on the brain. While I was staring at the beautiful lights on King's College (see photo below) in the frigid air, I witnessed something else. There was a man playing guitar across the street, looking for some pence and pounds to be dropped in the hat. As I was just looking around and listening, I saw a lady from one of the shops run out with something in her hands. Curious, I kept watching. She tucked about five sandwiches into this gentleman's area and then hurried back to where it was warm, in her cafe.
Maybe this happens every night, maybe just on the nights when the manager's not there, or when there happens to be leftovers from the cafe. Regardless, it happened. And I saw it happen.
And on the rest of the walk, I felt a little bit better about humans and how we treat each other. When a man walking made eye contact with me and just said, "It is so cold", instead of ignoring him, I smiled and said, "it sure is."
Small things. Random things. But things worth noticing.
If you have seen the movie or read the book Pay It Forward, there is something powerful about witnessing love or kindness or charity and then reacting.
The model Pay it Forward presents is if you have received the act of kindness, but imagine if it wasn't based solely on that. There probably is some research somewhere that people can feel warm and fuzzy not just because someone was nice to them, but because they just witnessed someone else getting treated nicely. (Like if you watch a movie with a happy ending, say for example, Frozen, Mr. Holland's Opus, Care Bears, or Pitch Perfect, you feel happy for the others who are happy.) It's that whole empathy thing.
Here's my drawing of it:
3 & 4. Read Soul Pancake (or visit the website)
and watch Kid President.
Soul Pancake is like my soul mate. It's a play on words of sorts, the idea is that we should take some of our brain batter and mix it with those things it lists above in the picture, and in the end, we're working on the delicacy that is, our soul pancake! I led a small group using their book (IT IS A BOOK EVERY YOUNG ADULT (and young at heart adult) SHOULD OWN!) and we had some great AND meaningful conversations. The pose a question and then have quotes, actions, more questions, pictures/art, or songs in relation to the topic. It would be a fun book to explore with your buds, or even your family.
(Though there are some topics like relationships and love, be forewarned.)
Here are some samples from the book:
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The website is so interactive too - they have videos, suggestions, more videos, and entertaining and engaging types of things. Oprah got behind some of their stuff. (!)
This is one of MY favorite things they have done.
"This is our ball pit, we can talk about whatever we want."
"We found the common."
"I was a little nervous, because you don't normally sit with strangers in a ball pit, but I learned alot."
(So, you could go make a ball pit for your random act...)
If you only do one, do Kid President because he is a part of Soul Pancake. Kid President is on a mission to make grown ups less boring, and he's got some GOOD things to say! I've included a couple of my favorite videos here - though you SHOULD check out the website. And watch all his videos. And bookmark them for days when you need a pick me up.
Here are my top two favorite videos.
Here are my top two favorite videos.
5. Do a PAK - planned act of kindness.
Maybe you know someone who has been struggling. Maybe you know someone who needs an extra $5. Maybe you know someone (or yourself!) who just needs a phone call or a letter or an email with an update on life.
A friend from college recently wrote in her blog post on curing cabin fever the importance when trying to get reconnected with people following in limiting contact to calling, writing a letter or sending an email:
"You are strictly limited to these three modes of contact.
Why, you ask? Social media undeniably has many perks and benefits, but points of comparison are not among them. Everyone portrays the choicest versions of themselves online, the lives they want to be living. At best, it may intimidate you out of getting back into contact, because you'll worry that your friend doesn't have the time. At worst, you'll get envious of their 'perfect' life and decide that they won't be able to relate to your current discontent or feelings of inadequacy.
Both are bulls**t.
That person would LOVE to hear from you. It's just the truth. I've had a 'life update' email recently from someone that I only knew for a couple months over four years ago, and I was ecstatic to receive it! Who wouldn't be? Who is too busy to feel pleasure at reconnecting with someone?
And who has a perfect life? Really, who? Get in touch so you can hear about how that adorable baby you've watched grow so sweetly in your newsfeed actually pukes on all their favorite sweaters and hasn't let them sleep in months. Gain some real perspective. It will simultaneously distract you from your own issues, and make you appreciate all you have that's going well.
Like your rekindled friendships.
Added bonus: your old friend has once again become your friend, no timestamp necessary."
(If you have time, you should read more of what Kate has written - she's an excellent writer!)
So there you have it.
A few ways to celebrate and practice Random Acts of Kindness week.
The possibilities are endless, and I do hope this is something that goes beyond just this week.
Blessings,
Katy
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