Thoughtful Thursday: Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, how appropriately thoughtful

How many of you knew that this week, February 13-19, is Canada’s first official Kindness Week?! As explained by the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp):

The bill [establishing the third week of February as National Kindness Week] was enacted on June 3, 2021, making Canada the first country in the world to pass such legislation. The bill states that the purpose of this week is to improve the health and wellbeing of Canadians by encouraging “acts of kindness, volunteerism and charitable giving.”

I sure didn’t know until I happened to see this announcement posted on Facebook by our MP (Member of Parliament), encouraging us to get involved in acts of kindness locally and make Fredericton Canada’s Kindness Capital.

Well, for reasons we all know only too well, the inaugural National Kindness Week has come at a sadly inauspicious time, right in the middle of one of the least kind few weeks in recent Canadian history. The brand new Kindness Week started off here – last weekend – with truck convoy protesters establishing their presence in our city.  Lots of honking, lots of flags being waved for reasons that divide rather than unite, and little thought of kindness.  And this in what I’d argue is usually one of the friendliest of places.  We are definitely learning what two years of a global pandemic and infinitely long lockdowns and restrictions do to people, even in the friendliest of places.  So sad.  Happily, the protest here didn’t last too long and didn’t close things down for more than a day or two.  People had their say, but life could go on, unlike in some other parts of Canada still.

Not only is this Canada’s first National Kindness Week, but today, February 17, is Random Acts of Kindness Day.  There is an organization – randomactsofkindness.org – that provides a host of ideas for possible random acts of kindness: for family members, for friends, for co-workers, and for strangers.  There are activities for children, educators, employers, and more.  If you’d like to be one of those who help turn this angry world around, I encourage you to take a look at this website for ideas.

If you google ‘random acts of kindness’, it’s impressive how many suggestions you’ll find.  There are lists of 10 random acts of kindness, 15 random acts, 20, 25, 50, 100, 125 … it’s endless.  I’m happy to report that many of the suggestions are things that people do for each other in my home town regardless of the day or month … or whether you’re wearing a mask or not.  These include things like holding the door open for others, saying thank you and smiling at someone serving you, and making eye contact and smiling at people you pass (even with masks on we’ve learned that you can tell when someone is smiling at you).  These small gestures are possibly more common in smaller places, but they’re worth practicing.  They don’t only make the recipient feel better, they make you feel better, too.

Here are a few examples from some of the many lists of suggestions for random acts of kindness:

1. Pay it Backward: buy coffee for the person behind you in line.

2. Compliment the first three people you talk to today.

3. Send a positive text message to five different people right now.

4. Donate old towels or blankets, or dog or cat food, to an animal shelter.

5. Let someone who only has a few items go in front of you in line.

6. Encounter someone in customer service who is especially kind? Let them know you appreciate them.

7. Try to make sure every person in a group conversation feels included.

8. Smile at five strangers.

9. Set an alarm on your phone to go off at three different times during the day. In those moments, do something kind for someone else.

10. Send a gratitude email to a co-worker who deserves more recognition.

11. Know parents who could use a night out? Offer to babysit for free.

12. Return shopping carts for people at the grocery store.

13. Write a positive comment on your favorite blog, website, or a friend’s social media account.

14. If you happen to be decluttering, donate items you no longer use to worthwhile charities.

15. While you’re out, compliment a parent on how well-behaved their child is.

16. Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford.

17. When you’re throwing something away on the street, pick up any litter around you and put that in the trash too.

18. Everyone is important. Learn the names of your office security guard, the person at the front desk, and other people you see every day. Greet them by name. Also say “hello” to strangers and smile. These acts of kindness are so easy and they almost always make people smile!

19. Find opportunities to give compliments. It costs nothing, takes no time, and could make someone’s entire day. Don’t just think it. Say it.

20. Put your phone away while in the company of others.

As my first act of kindness on Random Act of Kindness Day, I’d like to express my gratitude to all of you who take the time to read my blog posts and even comment.  You make a significant difference in my life.  Having been able to write my posts and to have been able to read so many of your interesting and varied posts during these past two stressful pandemic years has contributed enormously to keeping me going.  You have helped me grow as a person and have constantly reminded me of how many caring, interesting people there are in the world.  Thank you for being there!

Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day, everyone.  Please take the time to do some unexpected act of kindness for someone in your life today.  And feel free to share one of your favourite acts of kindness in a comment if you’re comfortable doing so.  You just might inspire others!