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Valued Contributor
Posts: 874
Registered: ‎07-05-2010

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

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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.  

 

 

SerenityNow!
"Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her; still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings." ~Victor Hugo
Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,412
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

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

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,997
Registered: ‎05-13-2010

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

[ Edited ]

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.

 

 

Super Contributor
Posts: 309
Registered: ‎03-20-2015

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

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.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,883
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

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

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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!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,572
Registered: ‎07-29-2012

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

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.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,658
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

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

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!

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You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,615
Registered: ‎07-11-2010

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

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I promise to remind myself every day that I am strong, courageous, and resilient.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,242
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

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

 

 

 

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.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,242
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

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

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!