Do We REALLY Need a Holiday to Remind Us to Be Kind?

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February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day, an unofficial holiday that has steadily grown in popularity since it was founded in 1995.

The question I’d like you to consider today is this – do we REALLY need a holiday to remind us to be kind?

Well, maybe.

I believe most people are inherently kind, so I will acknowledge that (as the old saying goes) for most readers I am preaching to the choir, but just for the heck of it, see if you can conjure up the last time you carried out a random act of kindness toward someone outside your immediate family.

Chances are you’re generally kind to most everyone you come in contact with on a daily basis, yet in our busy, busy world it’s easy to go days (weeks, months) without carrying out an intentional kind act toward another person.

But it may be worth making time because there’s compelling evidence that the benefits of including acts of kindness in your life go far beyond altruism or short-term satisfaction.

The Healthy Nature of Being Kind

One of the most compelling studies on the benefits of acts of kindness was performed by Allan Luks, the former Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City, and documented in his 1991 book (affiliate link), The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others.

From his survey of more than 3000 volunteers of all ages at more than 20 organizations throughout the country, he concluded that “helping contributes to continued good health and can diminish the effects of diseases and disorders, psychological as well as physical.”

The volunteers in Luks’ study testified to feeling a rush of euphoria, followed by a longer period of calm, after performing a kind act. This feeling, which Luks calls Helper’s High, involves physical sensations that strongly indicate a sharp reduction in stress and the release of the body’s natural painkillers, the endorphins. This initial rush is then followed by a longer-lasting period of improved emotional well-being.

Sounds pretty impressive, so maybe it’s not such a bad thing to periodically have a reminder to be kind, especially to those we tend to take for granted. Let me give you an example.

Most of us have favorite service providers (cashier, barista, waiter/waitress, etc.) that we gravitate toward when we’re out and about. Maybe it’s a grocery cashier who is not only efficient but always friendly and quick with a smile. She just makes you feel better about having to stand in line and go through the tedious check out process.

Or maybe it’s the barista at your favorite coffee shop who actually remembers how you like your coffee.

While it could be said your loyalty is in itself a sign of appreciation, have you ever taken the time to get to know them by name, or told them face-to-face how much you appreciate them?

Can you imagine if every human being performed a single simple random act of kindness like this tomorrow or even this week? Why it could change the world!

This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness. ~Dalai Lama XIV

Never Underestimate the Impact of a Single Act of Kindness

Following are 40 acts of kindness that require little or no advance preparation. Enjoy!

• Tell a favorite service employee (cashier, barista, etc.) how much you appreciate them.
• Give a compliment about your favorite service employee to his/her manager.
• Let someone jump in line ahead of you at the bank, grocery store, etc.
• Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.
• Compliment a colleague for their hard work and excellence.
• Suck it up and give another driver that prime parking spot you’ve been waiting for.
• Help an elderly neighbor carry the rubbish out.
• Surprise your significant other with breakfast in bed – and do the dishes!
• Wash the dishes in the sink at work.
• Smile, and say thank you … a LOT.
• Read to someone … a child, the elderly or someone who is ill.
• Send someone a handwritten note of thanks or appreciation.
• Bring in a neighbor’s trash cans.
• Tuck a “because I love you” note in your child’s lunchbox … and while you’re at it, in your spouse’s pocket or briefcase.
• Do a chore that is normally your spouse’s job.
• Send a note with cookies or flowers to a teacher who has dedicated their life to educating children.
• Call or visit someone who is sick.
• Offer to pick up a friend or a neighbor’s children from school or daycare.
• Take a neighbors newspaper laying out on their driveway to them or leave it at their front door.
• Put some coins in an almost expired parking meter.
• Compliment someone on how they look.
• Ask someone how they are – and mean it.
• Pay the toll for the person behind you.
• Give someone (preferably that you know) a hug for no reason.
• Reach out to a friend you haven’t talked to in awhile.
• Leave a favorite book in a public place with an inspirational note.
• Go 24 hours without saying anything negative about anyone – including you!
• Run an errand for someone.
• Donate a stack of $1 coloring books and small boxes of crayons to the pediatric wing of your local hospital.
• Hold a door open – with a flourish and a smile!
• Donate your old/unused cell phone or eyeglasses.
• Send someone an e-card – just because – the funnier the better.

Let today be the day that you look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey. ~Steve Maraboli

• Give someone the benefit of the doubt.
• Forgive someone. Repeat as necessary.
• Dedicate a song on the radio to someone you know listens to that station.
• Practice patience.
• Share a laugh.
• Speak gently.
• Really listen
• One time, stop everything to help someone else.

The Random Acts of Kindness holiday was founded in New Zealand by Josh de Jong. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is the heart of their kindness movement which aims to help everyone create a better world by spreading awareness and increasing engagement in kind actions.

If you’d like to learn more about Allan Luk’s work and his concept of Helper’s High visit his website at allanluks.com. And for even more ideas on acts of kindness visit 24 Simple Ways to Make a Difference.

Will you be the passenger or the driver in your life journey?

About Marquita A. Herald

Marquita is an author, resilience coach and the chief evangelist at Emotionally Resilient Living. She’s also an unapologetic workaholic who loves red wine, rock n’ roll, road trips (and car dancing!), peanut butter cookies and (especially) a dog named Lucy.

She’s saddened and frustrated by excuses and cruelty and believes authentic compassion is the most powerful force in the world.

To learn more about Marquita and the mission of Emotionally Resilient Living click “here“.

Tags: Compassion, Kindness, Random Acts of Kindness, Self Awareness