topic Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it! in Among Friends

Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

Serenity-Now — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:21:20 GMT

Years ago, there was a new movement called 'Random Acts of Kindness' or RAOK. The concept is to randomly go about your day & every now & then do something kind for some random stranger or someone you know--not to get praise for it, but as a way to spread good will & happiness. I always loved that concept, and thought it might be a wonderful lift for all of us to share various RAOK that we may have personally experienced or done for others.

So, 2 Q's:

#1. What RAOK meant the most to you, that you experienced or saw for someone else?

#2. What is your favorite RAOK to do for others?

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For myself, I carry little pocket purse mirrors with me, that have a fav quote (the one in my tag-line) Whenever I have an especially nice or noticeably sad waitress or clerk, or someone who is standing in line, I will hand them a mirror & tell them someone did a RAOK for me once, and I'm just giving them a little gift as a pick-me-up & paying it forward. To see the surprised smiles on their faces is wonderful! My dh & I have both often given extra money to toll booth operators, telling them to save the fee for someone who didn't realize they had proper change on them, or whoever they felt needed it most.

A RAOK that was especially significant for me: once while walking in a parking lot, I slipped & fell, hurting my knee to the point where I couldn't get back up on my feet. I was humiliated & embarrassed & more than a little desparate, lying there in the middle of a busy lane with cars coming. A very tiny, thin elderly gentleman came up to me & offered me his forearm. I was dubious about being helped up, with him being so frail--but he explained to me that the forearm is one of the strongest bones in the body, & if he braces himself while I put all my weight on his forearm, he can easily help me up without hurting himself. He was right, & I have always remembered this tip & shared it with others, being grateful when I hear that they needed to use that method too, & it worked for them. My elderly father used to fall often, and often there was only a small boy there to help him up, but this method even works with a much smaller person using it. What a great thing he did for a stranger, bless him!

What are your experiences to share? I've been blessed with many others, but I'm starting out with those & hoping others will share their stories.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

Pook — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:52:47 GMT

My father who was 80 and lived alone used to sign up to be contacted about services he didn't need, not understanding what they actually were. He had been called by a man concerning one of these offers (estate planning - my dad didn't have anything to plan) and he had told the man he had fallen that morning, had difficulty getting up but was ok and made small talk about getting old. He asked my dad if he wanted him to contact someone and my dad said no he was fine and the conversation turned to him mentioning his daughter (me) and where I worked. This man who was in sales rep kept him on the line until he was sure he was ok and then called the office where my dad said I worked and asked for me. He explained why he was calling and said even though my dad said he was fine he wanted to let me know just in case. Even though he found out my dad really didn't qualify for estate planning as he didn't have much but his property and social security, he stayed on the call to make sure he was ok and took the time out to call me. He gave me info on his legitimate business so I could check it out so I wouldn't think he was a scam artist trying to rip off my dad. I'll never forget his thoughtfullness.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

PINKdogWOOD — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:50:56 GMT

Acts of kindness are so easy to do. I think many of us may do something for someone without even thinking about a kind act that we didn't even realize what we just did.

I will always hold a door for anyone if they meet me there the same time I'm entering or leaving. Many times at the grocer I'll offer to pay for something for the person in front or behind me. Once I offered to pay for a soda for a gentelman until he said he was planning to get some cash back!!! We both chuckled - he said thanks but...

I will always smile at any checkout clerk & bagger when I leave and tell them to have a great day. You never know what's going on in their life.

I know these things don't amount to much, but I don't want to be grumpy cat all my life.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

MadameQueen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:20:19 GMT

I think this concept became more popular after September 11th. When I was still working in Manhattan, I would use my MetroCard to pay for a construction worker or relief personnel headed to the WTC. Now I try to do little things for my neighbors and people I come across.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

cotton4me — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:19:29 GMT

One act of kindness that stands out to me was during Snowmaggedon. We live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of snow but this was overwhelming, about 3 feet. My husband can’t shovel because of his health. I was outside shoveling and got about halfway down the driveway when my arms gave out. I came inside, feeling overwhelmed, powerless and filled with despair, wondering how we would ever get out. A neighbor, who we barely knew, came over and began shoveling our driveway and sidewalks. He was Heaven-sent for sure and I will never forget his kindness. I’m sure he was overwhelmed with his own driveway.

Feeling so vulnerable made me think of others, especially elderly people who are alone and don’t have the wherewithal to do such things.

@Serenity-Now - I like your pocket mirror idea - very nice!

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

gmkb — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:12:07 GMT

The Pastor at my church will frequently say that we are blessed so that we can be a blessing. I always try to keep that thought in mind when opportunities to be a blessing occur.

I have a sister who cannot walk other than to transfer from bed/chair to scooter, scooter to car, car to scooter - you get the picture. In the grocery store she has asked people walking by to reach something for her on the upper shelves. She said that more than once men have refused and in one case the man said "you wouldn't be in that chair if you didn't drink." She had a stroke and has never had a drink.

Fortunately there are more good people willing to be a blessing than the other type.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

KingstonsMom — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:02:05 GMT

We have a big military presence where I live and I just love to pick a service member (or 2!) when I'm out for lunch once a week and pay for their meal!

We usually have lunch at a buffet, so it's easy to have the waitress add their meal to your ticket, without them knowing.

I write on their paid ticket, "Thank you for what you do!" and the look on their faces when the waitress hands them their 'paid' ticket, is priceless!

I loves me some military folks!

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

catwhisperer — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 23:27:20 GMT

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

bonnielu — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:29:08 GMT

I had an interesting experience. Most people are very kind and help me reach a high shelf. I am 5 feet tall, but just once, a "tall" person said to me. NO, I don't ask you to get something from the bottom shelf.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

bonnielu — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:37:12 GMT

As a young woman I could never go into a nursing home. I got so upset it amounted to feeling faint. Now that I am a much much older "young" woman I still feel the inner distress UNTIL...

I am a square dancer and our groups do programs and demos for assisted living or nursing homes. I was reluctant to sign up but I went anyway. What I initally saw was what I saw before, lots of mostly women looking as if they were sleeping, bend over, dead to the world, little or no movement. BUT WHEN THE MUSIC STARTED AND THE DANCING BEGAN the whole place seemed to change. Alive, alive and more alive. People were young again and watching with great joy and excitement. When the event ended WE WERE ALL GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCE, those of us who could dance and bring life back and those who got their life back even if it was for THAT hour or two were all celebrating LIFE. What a feeling! Medical miracle at its finest for us all!

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

panda1234 — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:54:54 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
Acts of kindness are so easy to do. I think many of us may do something for someone without even thinking about a kind act that we didn't even realize what we just did.

I will always hold a door for anyone if they meat me there the same time I'm entering or leaving. Many times at the grocer I'll offer to pay for something for the person in front or behind me. Once I offered to pay for a soda for a gentelman until he said he was planning to get some cash back!!! We both chuckled - he said thanks but...

I will always smile at any checkout clerk & bagger when I leave and tell them to have a great day. You never know what's going on in their life.

I know these things don't amount to much, but I don't want to be grumpy cat all my life.

Small acts of kindness have a beauty all their own.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

PINKdogWOOD — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:53:22 GMT

My heart broke when I read the story of the sister in a chair who asked for help in the grocery store, and the petite 5' lady who also asked for help in the store. Especially the jerk who said he doesn't ask for her to reach the bottom shelf!!!!

WHO SAYS THINGS LIKE THIS TO OTHER FELLOW HUMANS??!! This is unbelievable!

When I stroll through the grocery stores and see folks struggling to reach for something I ASK THEM if I can help!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not tall either but I refuse to watch someone struggle and then just walk away without offering a helping hand.

Folks - GUYS - who refuse to come to the aid of others will regret these UNkind acts at some point in their lives. I feel sorry when it happens. Well maybe I don't.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

chickenbutt — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:25:29 GMT

Bonnie - That's just - oh, I just don't think I have words for what that person said to you!

Anyway, for me, what RAOK means is offering to do something for somebody without them asking. But it also means NOT bragging about it, so I just leave it at that.

I think people who are aware of their surroundings know when somebody in their environment could use a hand.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

Mominohio — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:43:11 GMT

One really creative and truly helpful things I saw others do as a random act of kindness I've already posted about in the past, but briefly, it took place in a laundromat.

I went in to do some work clothes, and there was a very young couple in there, approaching people and offering to pay for their laundry that day.

I know it seems a little odd, but you could tell right off they were just young, and kind and had picked a project like this to help others and brighten their day.

This laundromat often has people that are either elderly or of little means, and it was so nice to see people smile, and be surprised as these kids fed the quarters into their washers. It made the day of many people who happened across them that day.

They stayed for several hours, and asked nothing, preached nothing, just did a good deed. It was remarkable to see, and I thought it was something that really made a difference in people's day.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

Silver Lining — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:04:15 GMT

@bonnielu wrote:

I had an interesting experience. Most people are very kind and help me reach a high shelf. I am 5 feet tall, but just once, a "tall" person said to me. NO, I don't ask you to get something from the bottom shelf.

What a wretched individual! If he/she reacted like that just think what else they would do in a parking lot or driving.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

Constance2 — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:05:40 GMT

I am a tall person who has been asked more than a few times to get things for other shoppers off of high shelves. I was very happy to help. Now that for health reasons I have to use the store riding carts, I sometimes have to ask people to get things for me. Thankfully, no one has said no, but have all smiled and were glad to help. There are many kind people in the world and I have met many.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

KingstonsMom — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:23:27 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
Acts of kindness are so easy to do. I think many of us may do something for someone without even thinking about a kind act that we didn't even realize what we just did.

I will always hold a door for anyone if they meat me there the same time I'm entering or leaving. Many times at the grocer I'll offer to pay for something for the person in front or behind me. Once I offered to pay for a soda for a gentelman until he said he was planning to get some cash back!!! We both chuckled - he said thanks but...

I will always smile at any checkout clerk & bagger when I leave and tell them to have a great day. You never know what's going on in their life.

I know these things don't amount to much, but I don't want to be grumpy cat all my life.

@PINKdogWOOD

It's usually the little things, that mean the most!

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

Constance2 — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:25:44 GMT

My husband was having outpatient surgery and I ran out to get a quick bite to eat at the McDonald's drive-thru. I got to the window ready to pay and was told my meal was paid for and I owed nothing. I was so surprised and energized. I prayed God's blessing on the anonymous person in the car ahead of me that did such a kind act. I later was able to do the same . It is always more blessed to gave than to receive and it makes you feel good, too.
You never know how much the recipient needed a lift.

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

sidsmom — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:59:22 GMT

@bonnielu wrote:

I had an interesting experience. Most people are very kind and help me reach a high shelf. I am 5 feet tall, but just once, a "tall" person said to me. NO, I don't ask you to get something from the bottom shelf.

I dunno...sue me. I giggled...giggled hard...when I read this!

Re: Random Acts of Kindness--let's start something & share it!

panda1234 — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 17:39:04 GMT

@bonnielu wrote:
As a young woman I could never go into a nursing home. I got so upset it amounted to feeling faint. Now that I am a much much older "young" woman I still feel the inner distress UNTIL...

I am a square dancer and our groups do programs and demos for assisted living or nursing homes. I was reluctant to sign up but I went anyway. What I initally saw was what I saw before, lots of mostly women looking as if they were sleeping, bend over, dead to the world, little or no movement. BUT WHEN THE MUSIC STARTED AND THE DANCING BEGAN the whole place seemed to change. Alive, alive and more alive. People were young again and watching with great joy and excitement. When the event ended WE WERE ALL GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCE, those of us who could dance and bring life back and those who got their life back even if it was for THAT hour or two were all celebrating LIFE. What a feeling! Medical miracle at its finest for us all!

This is such a sweet story. I work in a nursing home and I know how joyful this must have been for the residents.