Random Acts of Kindness

Is it just me or do you ever see or hear about someone doing a random act of kindness for someone else and wish that you had thought to do something like that? You watch someone do something kind for someone and it actually makes you want to be kind as well?

Since this week is Random Acts of Kindness Week, I thought that it would be appropriate to discuss how you can take part not only this week, but every day. So many times, we hear about these grand and significant random acts of kindness. I don't know about you, but these intimidate me a little bit. 

Sometimes I witness or hear about some great thing that someone did for another person, and I think, "Woah, that was really nice. I would never even think to do something like that!" or "Wow, I wish I could make an impact like that on someone's day." But you know what, I can. And so can you!

Many times, even the smallest act done in pure kindness for someone else can make the biggest impact on their life. You do not have to do some extravagant thing in order to bless someone. I know in my life, some of the things that have meant the most to me have been the smallest of deeds. 

Speaking of deeds, I think that many people think they need to do something kind for another person in order for it to qualify as a "random act of kindness." I think that these random acts do not always have to be acts. You can make someone's day simply by giving them an unexpected compliment or word of encouragement. I can't even tell you how many times I've witnessed the cashier behind the counter's face light up as I told her that I loved her nails, or her lipstick, or the way her hair looked. 

I think my greatest advice to you as you embark on this journey to do as many random acts of kindness as you can would be to actively seek out opportunities to bless someone. Sure, a moment or two may spontaneously fall right into your lap, providing you the perfect moment to perform a random act of kindness. But most times, you need to be on the lookout for ways that you can impact someone's day for the better. 

Anticipate that someone who is walking to the door with their hands full might appreciate you going over to hold the door open for them. Keep your eyes peeled for moments when you see someone that is completely overwhelmed, and instead of asking what you can do to help, just do something nice for them of your own free will. Take the time to write a note or a letter to a friend or loved one, just because you know it will make them happy.

Starting right now, I challenge you to seek out opportunities to bless someone with a random act of kindness. And don't stop after this week. Continue the movement, and you just might find that you are overwhelmingly blessed in return.

What random acts of kindness have you done?

Quote of the Week - Capabilities

Is it just me or do you ever feel like treating a rude person in the rude manner that they seemingly "deserve?" The quote for this week (albeit a few days late--sorry!) is one that should be at the front of your mind always:

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you will help them become what they are capable of becoming."

                                                                                       -Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

This quote cuts deep. Instead of treating people the way that we think they deserve, we need to treat them as though they are the kind of person that they ought to be. This is no easy task. It is much easier to see people as they are and treat them the way that they treat us. But it is so important that we see others as more than where they are in their lives at any given moment, and treat them as though they are better.

As a teacher, I find that it is easier to "write kids off" as being awful listeners or incapable of certain tasks than it is to see them as the little bundles of great potential that they truly are. But that is not right. I need to see each child, each person I encounter, as the wonderful person that they could be. By doing that, I might even be helping that person see for themselves all that they can become.

So the next time you want to write someone off and accept that they will never change, stop and think. Try to see them in a different light, a better light, and see if the way that you treat them can help them become a better person.

Do you see people as they ought to be instead of just as they are?

                                            

It's Much More Than That - Compassion

Is it just me or do we sometimes get a little calloused and hard-hearted when it comes to dealing with other people? We see so much on television, in movies, in real life, that we get desensitized and forget that there are real people with real problems all around us. 

Today's word is: compassion. According to the dictionary, 'compassion' means "sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others."

To me, compassion is so much more than "sympathetic pity and concern" for another. To me, compassion is lending a helping hand to someone that you don't know. Compassion is taking into account that a person might be having a really terrible day before you decide to give them an attitude at the check out counter. Compassion is putting yourself on hold to help someone else in need.

If you look around wherever you are on any given day, there are bound to be lots of people in need of compassion. Be it a friend or a stranger, odds are that someone is in need of some love, attention, acceptance, forgiveness, compassion. The need is always there; we just need to be ready and available to see it. 

We need to realize that life is very real, and everyone is going through something difficult at one point or another. Unfortunately, there is not one magical "cure" for all of life's troubles. Every person, every situation is different, and deserves to be treated as such. Compassion can take many forms, and may look different depending on the person and situation it is being used in. 

Having compassion for someone may mean buying them a hot cup of coffee on a freezing cold day. It may mean giving someone a second chance that they don't really deserve, because in reality, we all make mistakes. It may also mean being sensitive to another person's needs and meeting them where they are at.

As you go through your day, I challenge you to open your heart and look for others who are in need of some compassion. It just might make all the difference in their life.

What does compassion mean to you?

Think Before You Speak

Is it just me or do you ever speak without thinking? I've heard people say it hundreds of times - "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Sometimes, though, this is much easier said than done.

But this blog post is not just about holding your tongue when you want to say some not-so-nice things. It is about really thinking before you say anything. And by 'anything,' I don't only mean things that aren't so kind. I also mean those important words of encouragement that might brighten someone's day. I mean the little compliment or words of reassurance you pass along to someone you see at work or in the supermarket.

Before you speak, think about how the words you are about to say would make you feel. Oftentimes, most people think that this "think before you speak" notion is all about refraining from saying hurtful things to others. But why should it be limited to negative things? You should think before you speak anything, especially when it comes to positive words.

You know those moments when you want to give someone a compliment, but you feel awkward or you don't want to start a conversation? Well, before you hesitate, think about how it would make you feel if someone gave you that same compliment. Odds are that it would make you feel great, and would probably put a smile on your face.

Ever hesitate before congratulating someone on something because you maybe feel a little hint of jealousy, or you don't want to boost their ego too much? Before you decide not to say it, think about how you would feel if you received those words of congratulations. You would probably feel really happy and proud.

So before you say (or don't say) anything, think about how those words would make you feel. Do you think before you speak?

Quote of the Week - Be Kind Always

Is it just me or do you ever come across people that seem just plain rude for no reason? It is almost a natural reaction to act rude right back to them, because after all, they did it first, right? WRONG.

This week's quote is a good one to keep in your pocket at all times, because I have a feeling you'll need to think back on it often:

"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. 
Be kind. Always."

I have learned that many times, people who seem rude, or who give me an attitude right off the bat really have something else going on that has nothing to do with me. Maybe they are going through a rocky divorce, or they have to spend all night awake in the hospital with their sick child. Maybe they just got in a fight with their best friend, or a loved one recently passed away. Maybe they are simply having a really awful day. Does this give them a right to take it out on me, on us? No, but it certainly helps put things into perspective. 

Life is not always easy, and it's certainly not always fun. But what a better place this world would be if we could all be kind to one another always. It is all too easy to get wrapped up in our own little world, thinking only of ourselves. But if we take just a second to think of what another person might possibly be going through before shooting back a sassy answer, we could really learn something valuable.

So the next time you have the urge to lash out at someone or give them attitude right back, try and remember that, odds are, they are going through something in their life that is really difficult. Cut them some slack. And share this quote with others, because you never know when you might need someone to be kind to you when you are not able to be so kind yourself.

Have a good quote? Feel free to share it in the comments!