Random Acts of Kindness

Projects involving acts of kindness have taken place in various countries of the world. Mahatma Ghandi advised us to ‘Be the change you seek.’ so if we want to live in a kinder world we need to start with ourselves. Doing something good for someone else releases endorphins which make us feel happy. Mirror neurons in our brains allow us to feel what someone else is feeling, the experience we call empathy.

Our hearts play a part in assisting us to live in a more compassionate way. Synchronising our breathing and heart rhythms can enable us to achieve a state of coherence where we are clear headed, calm and empathic. Have a look at the HeartMath website for more information:www.heartmath.com. Oxytocin, the hormone of love and bonding is also produced in the heart. Kindness leads to happiness as studies have shown. Materialistic and selfish attitudes lead to unhappiness and dissatisfaction with life.

So let’s make Norfolk a place of greater kindness by doing some random acts and passing on the card to encourage others to join in. Feel free to photocopy them or make your own to pass to others.

Please email me reports of your Random Acts of Kindness so I can post them to inspire others. Include photos if you have them and if it is OK for people to be featured.

Some ideas for RAOKs taken from Danny Wallace’s book of that name plus a few of my own examples are:

Smile at the driver in the car next to yours at the traffic lights.
Compliment the bus driver on his or her skills as you leave the bus.
Leave some books you don’t want any more on a bus, or train or in a café.
Give a homeless person a flask.
Coffee shops often give away coffee at the end of the day.
Pay for the tea or coffee of the person behind you in the queue.
Introduce a free hugs day at your workplace.
Arrange work meetings where people start by appreciating something about the people present. Smile at as many people as possible.
Tell people who have helped you or supported you how much you appreciate them and their actions.
Send a Valentine’s card to someone who might really appreciate it.
Buy a pensioner an ice cream or cake.
Offer a chocolate to a Big Issue seller.
Take a coffee to a busy receptionist or secretary.
Encourage your mates to club together to sponsor a child.
Various charities do this such as Action Aid.
Go carol singing in the local pubs at Christmas for a charity of your choice.
You may well be treated to some free drinks.
Put a surprise gift under someone’s pillow.
Arrange a surprise party or night out for a friend who is having a hard time.
Clean up the office before the cleaner comes and them offer her tea and cakes!
Give a packet of peanuts to a cab driver or a postman
Get a bird feeder and feed them all winter.
Offer to help a blind person over the road.
Ask to help someone carry their shopping home.
Be friendly to everyone you deal with.
Really listen to your spouse, child or friend when they describe their problem.
Compliment your nearest and dearest on their choice in clothes or nice qualities.
Bring something healthy into the office to share, especially for the weight conscious.
Offer to go for a walk with a friend or family member to talk and get some good exercise.