April 16 Weekly Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness

themedalist

Theme: Greater Happiness
Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness

I've been reading Stephen Post and Jill Neimark's wonderful book, Why Good Things Happen to Good People: How to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life by the Simple Act of Giving. Their book synthesizes numerous research studies that suggest that giving of ourselves and our time and resources can have profound impacts on our health and wellbeing. Giving doesn’t just benefit those we give to, our health and happiness are enhanced when we regularly give to others.

Giving, of course, can take many forms: volunteering our time for oranizations and issues we care about, spending a few minutes to really listen to another person, caring for someone who needs our help, or making a financial donation to a non-profit we believe in, are just a few of the many ways we can give and practice generousity.

But my favorite acts of giving are simply Random Acts of Kindness. And that's our challenge this week!
Random Acts of Kindness don’t have to be complicated, nor cost any money. Simple gestures are always appreciated.

This Week’s Challenge:

Look for opportunities this week to do your own Random Acts of Kindness. The images below have lots of ideas. Please share your random acts with us, if you are so inclined.

If you’ve received a Random Act of Kindness in the past that just made your day, please share that too. And if you had an opportunity to do a random act for someone else that was memorable to you, please share that as well. We can’t have too many great stories!

Make it a great week!


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Suggested Resources:

24 Stories About the Touching Kindness of Strangers That’ll Make You Tear Up:
https://www.rd.com/true-stories/inspiring/kindness-strangers/

As You Scroll Through These 47 Photos, Something Will Become Very Clear. And Everyone Should See It.
http://boredomtherapy.com/random-acts-of-kindness/

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themedalist

themedalist

themedalist

And of course, it’s Move It Monday!



Please post your Monday workout here:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10637806/move-it-monday-weekly-challenge

Cindy781

When I walk outdoors I always put my neighbor's newspaper on her porch. She cares for her hubby who has had a stroke. It's one less thing for her to do.

littlebear0121

Shortly after we moved to a new town, one of our new neighbors held a bonfire for me for my birthday. She made a delicious Swedish cake and introduced us to other new neighbors.

PinkyPan1

This challenge is something I do in my everyday life. I make a point of doing an act of kindness daily. I also encourage my grandson Jonny to do so. When I pick him up fro his bus stop 3 discuss 3 things while we walk to his home. The first being "what was the best part of your day? The second being "what was the worse?" The third being "what act of kindness to did you offer someone?"

I will get back to you on what my act of kindness for today. I usually do not share what I have done except with Jonny. I have taught him that we do not brag and we are careful about sharing our acts. I do not want this to be a competition with others and I surely do not want it be considered bragging or one upping someone else. It is about sharing love and kindness and making the world a better place. Does that make sense?

themedalist

PinkyPan1 wrote: »

This challenge is something I do in my everyday life. I make a point of doing an act of kindness daily. I also encourage my grandson Jonny to do so. When I pick him up fro his bus stop 3 discuss 3 things while we walk to his home. The first being "what was the best part of your day? The second being "what was the worse?" The third being "what act of kindness to did you offer someone?"

I will get back to you on what my act of kindness for today. I usually do not share what I have done except with Jonny. I have taught him that we do not brag and we are careful about sharing our acts. I do not want this to be a competition with others and I surely do not want it be considered bragging or one upping someone else. It is about sharing love and kindness and making the world a better place. Does that make sense?

It makes complete sense, @PinkyPan1. Boasting, bragging, or competing just dilutes the beautiful act of showing kindness to another. By posting you've already shared the idea and lovely habit that you do daily with your grandson Jonny. I wouldn't be surprised if others in this group don't begin a similar practice. And that's really what I was hoping to get from the sharing of our random acts of kindness: some more ideas that might also work for others.

littlebear0121

I get to be with my children all day. What are some acts of kindness I could do for them?

pizzafruit

I make a point of showing someone kindness every day. The easiest thing I've found is giving my shopping cart to someone rather than putting it back and getting the quarter. Something as simple as smiling at someone can make their day. The kinder we are the better we end up feeling.

themedalist

littlebear0121 wrote: »

I get to be with my children all day. What are some acts of kindness I could do for them?

Well, @littlebear0121, one of things I’m really trying to work on with both children and adults is to be fully present when I’m with them. Not distracted by technology or preoccupied with my own thoughts/concerns of the past or future. I think being mindful and fully present is a kind act.

If the weather permits it (even if there’s snow on the ground) you might go for a walk outside pointing out where different animals live or might live. Concern and caring for animals is one of the building blocks for concern and empathy for our fellow human beings.

PinkyPan1

It appears Winter was not ready to exit. High winds and flurries today. The neighbors tree took a beating. Large branches were scattered across both of our lawns. I went out there and cleaned up the debris. My neighbor told me her husband would get after work tonight but I told I did not mind doing so. She was grateful...in return she brought me out a hot cup of tea. I love that one kind act encourages another. This made my day.

themedalist

PinkyPan1 wrote: »

It appears Winter was not ready to exit. High winds and flurries today. The neighbors tree took a beating. Large branches were scattered across both of our lawns. I went out there and cleaned up the debris. My neighbor told me her husband would get after work tonight but I told I did not mind doing so. She was grateful...in return she brought me out a hot cup of tea. I love that one kind act encourages another. This made my day.

Yes indeed, kind deeds are infectious. Plus, it’s another huge benefit of being healthy and fit. You can do something like that for your neighbor. Your health and fitness enables you to help instead of just wishing you could do something.

pizzafruit

My husband's right leg has been giving him trouble so I poured his coffee and brought it over to the table with his lunch. He appreciated not having to walk the extra steps.

themedalist

pizzafruit wrote: »

My husband's right leg has been giving him trouble so I poured his coffee and brought it over to the table with his lunch. He appreciated not having to walk the extra steps.

Very thoughtful!

prgirl39mfp

Like Pinky I do no like to share. Love reading all your ideas and posts. Keep them coming. The world really needs some love and kindness right now.

Today I was out and about and made it a point to be extra nice and courteous to all the customer service, cashiers, etc, that took care of me at the different establishments. I have to tell you, the majority were very surprised and shocked. One even told me " Gosh, nobody has been this nice to me for a long time". That made me sad. I was so happy to have done it.

pizzafruit

I got up early and surprised my husband - the coffee was brewed and ready to enjoy when he got up.
I have to run to the store before the snow flies again. I'm going to acknowledge every person I can make eye contact with.

PinkyPan1

I asked Jonny yesterday what is act of kindness was. His response was " I let Kareem cut in line for the bathroom break before recess because...Nana..he really had to go to the bathroom bad!" LOL

pizzafruit

I get to be with my children all day. What are some acts of kindness I could do for them?

In cold weather I would make hot chocolate and have them sit at the table and we'd just talk about whatever they wanted. If they're too little for hot chocolate, a warm glass of milk will do.
Every once in a while, as a surprise, I'd clean their room for them.
Sometimes a gentle pat on the back for no reason at all to let them know they're loved makes their day.

PinkyPan1

pizzafruit wrote: »

I get to be with my children all day. What are some acts of kindness I could do for them?

In cold weather I would make hot chocolate and have them sit at the table and we'd just talk about whatever they wanted. If they're too little for hot chocolate, a warm glass of milk will do.
Every once in a while, as a surprise, I'd clean their room for them.
Sometimes a gentle pat on the back for no reason at all to let them know they're loved makes their day.

I would encourage the children to also include small acts of kindness for each family member including you. Something as simple as picking up something when it is dropped and handing it back to that person. A pat on the back or a kind word of encouragement. Instead of using the term chore a child could assist with setting the table or taking the trash out. You could let the child pick the next activity for the day or maybe the next cartoon or whatever. It is the small acts that encourage others to reach out and do something nice,

77tes

I love this challenge. Although I do try to include random acts of kindness in my day, it never hurts to take special notice. Smiling at others is important and a good habit. Today, I gave a coworker the cough drops I was still carrying in my purse since my bout with the flu. Really it was no big deal, but it made her feel better - so I was glad I haven't put those drops away.

I have certainly been the recipient of many, many acts of kindness. One of my favorite stories is when a couple who sat near us at a restaurant paid for our dinner. We were in NYC, and eating before going to the show (Phatom of the Opera) in the theater across the street from the restaurant. This kind couple had noticed us picking up our tickets and teased us about finally seeing the show which had been playing for 20 years. Then we were scolded for paying full price for the tickets. When the couple left, they said, "Goodbye to the sisters from California. Enjoy the show." When we went to settle our bill they had paid it - we never got to say Thank you. BTW, I had always heard the New Yorkers were rude - that certainly was not our experience - we were treated with incredible kindness throughout our whole stay in the city.