Random Acts Of Kindness

Hi Amy,
I read an article in Natural Health mag about a woman who decided to do one 'Random Act of Kindness' everyday for a year, including leaving notes for people on buses, park benches etc.

I too give the Big Issue guy money sometimes, even though I don't have the mag (they're brave standing out in all weathers' - especially at the moment brrr!

If more people were like you then the world might be a nicer place :newangel:

Thanks Iolanthe. Wow that woman must have had some lovely experiences! She is surely undergoing really good karma.

One I like to do is give someone my car park ticket as I'm leaving if it has a useful amount of time left on it.

Another one I frequently do is receive school coupons - at a supermarket checkout. I don't need them but give them to a parent that I see with a schoolkid; they are always pleased to receive them. 🙂

Rather than just a couple of quid given out some sense off guilt, I once gave a homeless man twenty quid - without any kind of lecture what so ever.

Another time, I filled a cheap rucksack up with a warm winter coat that was never used, some toiletries and some food and gave it to a homeless man that I used to see quite often in the same place. It was obvious that he felt deeply ashamed about his situation, couldn't bring himself to look at people as they went past. Quite heartbreaking.

I have to be honest though, and say I'm not so charity minded these day's... (....there's a discussion waiting to be had....)

Act of kindness

On Tuesday my colleague at the Amnesty book shop where I volunteer shared her sandwich with a homeless guy, then popped home, and came back with a sleeping bag for him and a bag full of food.
We invited him in for a cuppa but he didn't come - I think he was ashamed of the situation he was in.
In this current economic climate there must be more and more unfortunate people finding themselves in this situation :dft006:

There is more kindness on personal level taking place everywhere than we can imagine. Because personal level kindness is not splashed all over the media for millions to see, it stays private but eveil, violent, mindless acts get circulated, telecast, we think world is all chaos and treachry. Far from it. Human heart is capable of compassion and love. It's mind that is frighrtened and violent very busy offending and defending, entrenched in mine-thine

All the good deeds mentioned on this thread, if were shown on tele, people would be crying tears of joy

Even in strife ridden parts of the world, on a perrsonal level, people are sharing welcoming and kind- yes frightened and doubtful but still goodness of heart is more pervasive than we think.
...and kindness is essentially unpretentious, spontaneous, hidden,covert, quiet, shy. If it isn't then that is just another trickery and cunningness of mind out to score some browny points.
Most kindness that happen on personal level is quiet, unplanned. It is a response to the urge that arises within. It is an Indian saying " throw your act of kindness in a well". so no one comes to know about it. For one heart it is everywhere. Why talk about what good you have done. Something beautifull is lost, even in talking about it.

Reaching out comes natural to sentience. Even animals reach out and become present to you, when they see you down.

I think it is vitally important just to communicate. Many people are isolated. Because we don't live in extended families anymore, because we move house a lot, far away from parents and friends, because we think we have to work all hours, because we live in towns were there are too many to really want to see.
In charity shops I often talk to people who are just browsing there. Or I say "I like your hat!" or something similar, to a person who seems to need or invite that. I am ready to chat to anyone who is happy to listen.
Unless of course, I want to be by myself .... luckily I live in a very small place and can usually get away from them all when I really want to!
Love, A.

Here's a current worthwhile way of making your act of kindness have further ripples. Filling in the form (in the link below) enables the Government to make a donation to 6 charities for the Xmas period.

[DLMURL="http://www.itv.com/thismorning-take-a-moment/your-moment/"]Your Moment | Take a Moment | This Morning - ITV[/DLMURL]

I once received a double whammy of random acts of kindness at a time of need. My bike chain got all tangled up suddenly, on a high street. I upturned the bike on the pavement and started to grapple with yanking the chain free...not easy. This cheerful man came up and proceeded to take over the job. He did it but was covered in greasy hands (which embarassed me). He didn't seem to mind though and, after I offered my deep thanks, went away as cheerfully as he had appeared.

I had black grease on my hands also so had to find a way of washing them. Nearby was a cafe that had a toilet. I propped my bike outside the shop and was hesitant about leaving it there unchained (didn't want to touch the fabric covered chain with my dirty hands). 3 people (who were chatting together nearby) had apparently seen this and came over. To my amazement, they offered to stand guard over my bike whilst I washed my hands! I could hardly believe it - seemed so unusual and heaven sent. I came out with cleaned hands and thanked them.

It saddens me somewhat that in our culture acts of kindness are seen as something we have to make an effort to do rather than our normal way of being.

It saddens me somewhat that in our culture acts of kindness are seen as something we have to make an effort to do rather than our normal way of being.

Yes, I know what you mean but, to the person receiving a kindness that is of no real consequence.

Today I saw a man whose dishevelled appearance and large holdall bag indicated to me that he was homeless. Without a second thought, I went up to him and gave him some money adding that I had been homeless so knew what it was like. I was surprised by how well mannered he was - calling me "madam" (I had a hat on!) and his face looked intelligent. I wondered what his story was....

Rather than just a couple of quid given out some sense off guilt, I once gave a homeless man twenty quid - without any kind of lecture what so ever.

Another time, I filled a cheap rucksack up with a warm winter coat that was never used, some toiletries and some food and gave it to a homeless man that I used to see quite often in the same place. It was obvious that he felt deeply ashamed about his situation, couldn't bring himself to look at people as they went past. Quite heartbreaking.

I have to be honest though, and say I'm not so charity minded these day's... (....there's a discussion waiting to be had....)

Yep, I've done this myself. Got together a couple of warm fleeces and some goodies etc.... the person I gave them too gave me a hug the following day! Plus they were smiling from ear to ear.

Amy thank you for your updates...