National Random Acts of Kindness Day is TODAY!

I have been accused, more than once, of being an idealist. I believe in things being fair and I believe in “doing onto others the way I’d like them to do unto me.” I believe in the magic of sunrises and love to fall asleep in the glow of moonlight. I am a die-hard optimist. I believe in hope and always root for the under-dog. What can I tell you? I live in a fairytale.

I remember seeing so many Oprah shows back in the day when she would surprise her guests. Remember the holiday “Favorite Things” show when she would give the entire audience each item that she considered a favorite thing for that year? Or what about the time she took the whole audience to Australia. Or…and we all remember this…the time she gave everyone in the audience a car!!! “And you get a car! And you get a car!  And you get a car! And you get a car!”

There’s a famous rapper (and I use that term loosely) named T.I. who each Christmas, picks a store close to where he is at the moment, goes to the layaway department, and just pays off everyone’s layaway. Unbelievable, right?? I love that idea! Not only do people get their really cool gifts but the person buying the gifts gets to keep the money they were going to spend to get those items off layaway. That’s the kind of millionaire I would be! I love to surprise people with a way that is unexpected!

So, when I came across this idea of Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK), it just spoke to me! Doing something so cool and unexpected to bring a smile to someone’s face is everything! The ultimate goal being for them to pay that feeling forward.  With all of the disasters and heartbreak that go on in the world why not spread some joy for a family member, a friend or even a complete stranger. Not knowing what others are going through in their lives, you never know when something as simple as saying “good morning!” with a smile on your face will put a smile on someone else’s.

Random acts of kindness are defined as a person or people performing a selfless act that will help to benefit or cheer up another individual.

Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17. Join in the fun! In fact, make it an activity for the whole family!  Take a look at the list below and see if you can see yourself doing some of these!  …and if you do, snap a pic and post it to social media. Be sure to tag us @jbmhhfmwr!

·         Assist an individual having troubles getting on or off the bus

·         Let another person have your seat on a full bus

·         Do some yard work for an elderly/disabled neighbor

·         Pay for the order behind you in a drive-thru restaurant line (I’ve done this. The look on their face was priceless!) or pay for the "late afternoon vending machine attack snack"

·         - Cook up a casserole or a dessert and deliver it to someone who has just had a baby, has had someone close to them pass or just because you know they could use a little help

·        -  Donate your old clothes, toys and furniture to a charity

·        -  Go to the dollar store and pick up some bathroom essentials and drop them off at your local homeless shelter

·        -  Hold the door open for someone

·         See someone struggling with something heavy; help them carry it 

  

         - Spot a car parked on the side of the road, offer to help or call a tow truck

·         Say “Good Morning!” to a stranger  

·         Give someone your place in line

·         Let a family member have the last piece of dessert

·         Leave random positive messages on people’s windshields, in the bathrooms at venues and anywhere else that you can think of 

 

-          Read to the children’s ward at your local hospital

·         Sign up for a “help forum” to help others with any problems or questions that they may have

·         Buy a bouquet of flowers or a gift card and randomly a passersby...or anonymously surprise a coworker

·         Show up at a friend’s house who has kids without notice to give them an hour to do as they please by themselves

·         Buy a pack of blank cards, send them to family and friends telling why you appreciate having them in  your life

·         Send cute cat or dog memes with funny positive messages to random numbers

·         Know someone struggling financially help them out with a bill, a bag of groceries, or a load of laundry

·         Early meeting? Buy coffee and donuts for all of your co-workers

These are just a few simple and inexpensive things that can light up someone’s life. Imagine how good you would feel if - out of nowhere - someone made you feel special…took the time to notice you…helped you when you needed it…gave you reason to turn your frown upside down…  What a wonderful world it would be.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” ~ Gandhi