Well, hello there. A very happy National Random Acts of Kindness Day to you!
Countless national “whatever” days exist. Really. There are whole websites dedicated to this, each with multiple “x”-days, per day. Mhhmm, multiple. Now, while many of these “holidays” are very left-field (i.e., did you know yesterday was National Do A Grouch a Favor Day?), I do like some of them like Random Acts of Kindness Day. It’s gives my heart the fuzzies to think someone thought enough of kindness to get this day officially recognized. And specifically for random acts of kindness! Those are the best, aren’t they? They come when you least expect them and re-ignite that need to take a break from the busy-ness of our day and pass on the love to someone else. A simple example is when someone buys a coffee for the next person in line, and — soon enough — it turns into a whole day of people buying coffees for each other. Ever seen stories like this on the news? It’s my favourite part of the news hour! And this is what’s great about kindness. It can be happening to someone else but onlookers get a similar sense of warmth from just watching!
So, today got me thinking. I thought I’d take a second to share just some of the ways in which I’ve experienced kindness:
- Sweet and simple, someone who was making my coffee at Starbucks once took the time to make doodles on my cup, and write something along the lines of, “You are amazing”. I can’t remember the exact words but this was so unexpected and I look back on that moment with fondness. A busy coffee shop environment does’t always lend the time for someone to do something like that, but that’s why it was so much more meaningful.
- I was recently visiting TRiM Hair Salon (who were super kind enough to invite me to check out their shop, btw!) when I realized my parking meter was about to expire. Noticing that I would look ridiculous running around the streets with foils in my hair, my stylist (Michael) was sweet enough to add more time for me. He volunteered himself to dash out the doors of a warm shop into the pouring rain to help out someone he just met! He didn’t really know what my car looked like or where it was, aside from the measly description I gave him. Now, I like to think I have a decent tolerance for that kind of embarrassment (I mean, how hilarious would I have looked?!), and yet I was so incredibly thankful he did that for me.
- Through my many years on Instagram, I’ve witnessed the building of a positive social media community first-hand. While the endless scrolling and liking can be seen as mindless and superficial at times, it truly makes my day when someone leaves a comment from the heart. I’ve had some people that are either new to my page or have been around for a while leave absolutely beautiful words on my posts. I really can’t describe this feeling, and to know that someone got something out of a photograph I took or a long caption I spent hours trying to write just means the world. The “mindlessness” of social media goes away, and I’m reminded why I’ve spent so much of my life on that app these past few years. It’s a great tool to connect personally with people, if that’s what you choose to make of it!
- I was recently volunteering with a local organization and we had someone come by to donate who was familiar with the cause for some time now. Not only did he come by to donate multiple times that day, but he dropped off some lunch for the volunteers. And then came by again to ask for our coffee orders! It was amazing to see how he internalized the kindness of the volunteers, and in turn, brought it upon himself to do something to help as well. This was so appreciated as everyone was so wrapped up in their time-sensitive tasks to hop out even for a quick bite.
- Lastly, on a more unconventional note, one of my favourite types of kindness is being kind to yourself. Lately I’ve been getting so much enjoyment out of viewing a lighter side of several people I follow on Instagram. Many of us may use Instagram to post something that takes a while to look *just right*, and while I love the creativity that comes along with that, I’ve really been appreciating everyone who has been sharing their “off-camera” selves. The stuff they do in their downtime like a silly little dance here and there, a secret talent, or a sarcastic joke they found funny. I find this presents a chance for everyone participating in the moment (the Instagrammer and the audience) to be a bit more vulnerable. I’ve noticed more people taking the chance to do this in the past year (I guess with IG stories being so fun to use) and I really love it! Maybe, by adding a more personal touch to how we seem on social media it helps spread kindness because others can see themselves in us, and vice versa. By posting something silly, we make it OK to laugh at ourselves and therefore allow others to laugh with us. My guess is that the more we present ourselves as who we fully are, the less others see us as a walking “highlight reel”. The more that people see others comfortable in their own skin, the more encouragement they may have to do the same. It’s an unintentional cycle that I hope continues so that we all see the widespread normalcy of our own mundane habits. And perhaps, we’ll create a little less judgement of ourselves and others, and a lot more love.
I just recently became aware that National Random Acts of Kindness Day was a thing — but as soon as I heard, I knew I wanted to write about it; even if nothing more than for delving into a few moments of heart-warming reflection. But mostly, I hope this post got you thinking as well. It’s relatively easy to be nice to people, but being kind infers an act of actual doing. A collective mission we can all strive for today is to be on the lookout for ways to be kind to others… and actually do it! Perhaps (likely) it’ll be easier than imagined and we’ll carry it forward to tomorrow, and the next day! Please tell me below, what is a way you’ve had others be kind to you, or how have you previously been kind to others? I’d love to hear — MY HEART IS READY FOR THE FUZZIES, PEOPLE!
P.S. If you need a nudge to get you on the kind train, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes that inspires me to be a better person:
“Speak to all people as though they are the wisest, gentlest, most beautiful beings on Earth; for what they believe, they become.”
― Heather K. O’Hara