PRACTICING RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS...

A random act of kindness is defined as “a selfless act performed by kind people to either help or cheer up a random stranger, for no reason other than to make people happier” (Wikipedia).

In 2000, Catherine Ryan Hyde wrote a book entitled Pay It Forward which was made into a successful movie starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment and Helen Hunt. The premise of the story involves doing a favor for another person without expectation of being paid back. Recipients in turn "pay it forward," by doing a good deed for three people who in turn each do good deeds for three other people. In the real world, this concept (and practice) can and does work. Random acts of kindness are contagious, and by small gestures we can (little by little) make the world a kinder and healthier place to live.

By taking care of our own health and wellness we have the energy and capacity to make a difference in the lives of others - those we know and care about - and even in the lives of complete strangers. It is so easy for our days to become focussed on the demands of our job and on the needs of our families and our household. Small random acts of kindness or caring really do make a difference to others and in our communities. One of the nicest benefits will be in how good you feel about yourself. Others who benefit by your kind act are more likely to also do something nice for someone else.

So, challenge yourself this month to perform one good deed a day: Hold the door for someone who is rushing to catch it; pick up a discarded coffee cup and put it in the trash; thank the driver as you get off the bus; give to a food drive; tell your children why you love them; stop for a person waiting to cross the street; help a child in choosing out-grown toys to donate to a shelter; help someone who is struggling with heavy bags; take the time to really listen when someone is speaking to you; and so on. Often the opportunity to do a good deed will simply present itself.

PASS IT ON!