With Random Acts of Kindness Day coming up, it’s a good time to consider how satisfying it feels when we willingly use our own strengths or resources to brighten someone’s day. Ideas on the RAK web page include things like paying for a coffee for the person behind you, donating good clothes to charity, or taking a pizza or cake to share at work, or at your local fire station. You can even leave an anonymous gift for a stranger, with a card saying, ‘You’ve been RAK’d.’
To be fair, the idea of being kind just because it’s a special day can feel artificial. And to leave a card might feel positively cringeworthy. For these reasons you might prefer to show kindness in less obvious ways. A quiet donation to a charity, for example, or simply giving someone a sincere compliment. Or you might decide that for an entire day, you will treat every person you meet as a potential friend. (This could permanently change your perception of certain people.)
Too often we forget the joy of giving, especially when we focus on thinking we have no choice. For example, if we cook for our family every night, we might forget to enjoy the fact that we get to show our love in this special way. At work, we might get into a rut and forget to take pride in our contributions, especially if they don’t appear to be appreciated or adequately rewarded. If we can value our own contributions – rather than considering them wasted unless thanked – our job satisfaction increases and we feel more inspired, creative and alive.
Helping others has been proven to be of huge benefit in lifting depression. Kindness creates a happiness that lasts, and it uplifts others at the same time!
Stephanie Hills ©