Random Acts of Kindness are their own reward

Make someone smile

Bringing a smile to someone's face with a random act of kindness benefits both parties. Picture credit: Alex Alvarez

It really doesn’t take much to bring a smile to someone else’s face – and that can be so rewarding.
A random act of kindness doesn’t have to be anything big – it could just be a smile to a stranger as you pass them in the street.
The thing is, of course, you never know what's going on in someone else’s life so that warm smile you give them could give them just the lift they need.
And that is what society needs to account for. In challenging times, many people are finding the situation difficult to cope with, so the kindness of a stranger can help enormously.

Many volunteer to help others

Of course, there are many volunteers who are already performing their own acts of kindness, such as those who work in foodbanks and offer support to people in difficult circumstances.

Volunteers at food banks bring joy to others who are in need. Picture credit: Nico Smit on Unsplash
And over recent months, with the various restrictions in placed due to the coronavirus pandemic, volunteers have really stepped up with offers of help to those have had to limit their movements. They have checked on their well-being, gone out to get shopping or just been someone to call on in times of need.
But when it comes to random acts of kindness, they can bring unexpected joy both to the recipient and to the giver.
For the recipient, it could be that their struggle doesn’t not seem quite as insurmountable, thanks to the kindness of another and for the giver, the response to their good deed can brighten their own day.

Helping others

Be Kind is a good mantra to live by and there are many sayings that fit in with this, for example, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
And on the other side of things, sometimes not saying something is the kindest thing - if you don't have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say it at all
You can’t control what others say to you but you can decide how you want to respond.

Being kind can bring joy to others. Picture credit: Ava Sol on Unsplash

Heartwarming acts

Performing random acts of kindness can mean a huge amount - a gentle smile, holding the door for someone, letting a young child press the button at the road crossing – all small things that can bring a little joy to someone’s life.
So why hold back? While there is a day dedicated on an international scale to Random Acts of Kindness (this year, it was today, February 17), it is important to carry that idea into every day to bring that little bit of pleasure to someone else.
So, get out there, every day, and Be Kind.

Further reading

If you would like to read more about performing random acts of kindness and the day set aside in the international calendar to focus on the subject, click here.


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