Random Acts of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness

Looking to make a change in your life, fill a void, try something different, or simply help others? 2013 is a brand new year; make it a point to make a difference in someone’s life or in the world.  Yes, it is extremely important to perform good deeds and help others on a daily basis.  It not only builds inner happiness and peace but it also puts life in perspective and gives life purpose.  Life is about being able to help others, especially those who are unable to ever repay you.  Sharing your mind, strength, talents, skills, money, materials, love, time and much more is a crucial part of life.  A friend of mine decided to do 28 random acts of kindness for her 28^th birthday this year.  She documented and photographed each act and shared her experience on Facebook.   Her deeds were very diverse with many that I would never have thought of.  She made it a point to touch the lives of those who often are forgotten.  These include people like the overnight staffs at hospitals, local employees working minimum wage,  fire fighters, the elderly, random neighbors having financial difficulties, single working moms, low income schools, local boys and girls clubs, women’s shelters, etc.  With my 25^th birthday passing the on January 26th, I was inspired to do something along the same lines.  I have decided to dedicate the entire month of February to executing random acts of kindness.  These will consist of the usual opening of doors for people, helping someone with their groceries, giving spare change to a homeless person, etc. but, I wanted to incorporate new and unique deeds that I wouldn't usually be put in certain situations to do them.  I did some research on different types of random acts of kindness and I came across a myriad of interesting ones from a variety of websites.  This adventure will be so much fun and I am elated to get started!  My goal is to inspire others to do more random acts of kindness just like my friend did for me J

 

Here are examples of some random acts of kindness that I have thought of and that I found online:

• ·         Give homemade cards to those who have made a positive impact on your life
• ·         Give a friend a thoughtful gift for no reason
• ·         Pay someone’s lay-away or a bill for the month
• ·         Create someone for someone who you think I might put a smile on the face of
• ·         Write notes on little pieces of paper that are full of positive, inspirational and motivational quotes, then pass them out to random people you meet throughout the day
• ·         Give out hot chocolate to people working outside in the cold (such as crossing guards, construction workers, etc.) or to homeless people
• ·         Find out if anyone knows of a family or person in need of specific items due to financial troubles, natural disasters, or other unfortunate incidents such as a clothing for a girl or boy your age,  health care products (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc), food, blankets, shoes, professional clothing to someone less fortunate who is trying to get a job, toys and books to a family with kids, or anything else that someone may need.
• ·         Offer to babysit, cook dinner, clean, etc. for a single parent who is busy with work and may need help
• ·         Visit your local elderly or nursing home and spend some time with the people there. This will brighten their day.
• ·         Bake treats or take a hot meal to the overnight staff at your local hospital, fire fighter house, police station, bus drivers, store employees, 24 hour grocery stores, any others.
• ·         Pay the bus fare for the person behind you
• ·         Pay for someone’s groceries at the grocery store
• ·         Take a bag of groceries to an elderly person or family in need in your neighborhood
• ·         Take books, art supplies and learning materials to a children’s play room at a hospital and/or a school in your area that can’t afford enough supplies for its students
• ·         Supply a child with school supplies for their new school year
• ·         Offer to clean and organize someone’s house who may be too busy to do so themselves
• ·         Pass out winter gear (hats, scarves, gloves, socks, ear muffs, etc) to the homeless during wintertime
• ·         Offer to take a friend who is having a tough time to lunch or for coffee, let them vent their feelings until they feel better
• ·         Send flowers anonymously to someone who may be in need of a smile
• ·         Pay for other’s laundry fee by putting a cup of quarters in your laundry room at your apartment building with a note that says for others to help themselves.
• ·         Volunteer a few hours at a non-profit organization event or headquarters, boys and girls club, YMCA, or at a local resale shop where proceeds go to a hospital or another good cause
• ·         Pass out treats or cards to mailmen in your neighborhood
• ·         Tape dollar bills in random places throughout the day for others to find
• ·         Leave pennies around throughout the day for others to find and have good luck
• ·         Pay for someone’s gas at the gas station
• ·         Help someone pay a medical bill
• ·         Pass out valentine’s day cards at the hospital or elderly home
• ·         Pick up trash in your neighborhood
• ·         Leave extra coupons at the grocery store register for the next person to use
• ·         Help someone search for a job and help them apply
• ·         Bake or buy dog/cat treats and take them to an animal shelter
• ·         Drop off flowers at a hospital and ask a nurse to give them to someone who usually doesn’t get many visitors or gifts
• ·         Drop off teddy bears at the police station for traumatized children
• ·         Donate books or magazines to hospitals, libraries, clinics, etc.
• ·         Use your talent to brighten someone’s day at an elderly home, hospital, rehab center, shelter, etc. (such as singing, painting, drawing, comedy, dance, cooking, reading, teaching)
• ·         Help someone with broken English learn to speak English better
• ·         Find charity events to volunteer for during the holidays such as serving food for Thanksgiving at shelters, help collect food at food pantries, help to collect toys/clothes for Christmas….
• ·         Help someone who’s car is broken down
• ·         Help someone with yard work or shoveling snow
• ·         Donate blood
• ·         Spend some time playing with animals at a shelter
• ·         Be a courteous driver all day long
• ·         Talk to a co-worker or someone who you doesn’t seem to have many friends
• ·         Share a funny joke with someone to make them smile
• ·         Give people compliments all day
• ·         Have fun and think of creative ways to raise money for a charity
• ·         Go to a local charity event, such as a run/walk or marathon, and cheer participates on and hand out water.
• ·         Adopt an animal from a shelter

 

Here are a few links to websites that are full of other random acts of kindness ideas:

http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas?page=1

http://www.daretobeanangel.com/tasklist.php

http://www.karmacooler.com/2009/02/100-ideas-for-kindness/

Remember, it’s the small things that matter and can make a difference in someone’s life.  It doesn’t matter how many deeds you do or what you do, it’s just a matter of doing it J Hopefully you can inspire others to do the same!

 

“Those who make compassion an essential part of their lives find the joy of life. Kindness deepens the spirit and produces rewards that cannot be completely explained in words. It is an experience more powerful than words. To become acquainted with kindness one must be prepared to learn new things and feel new feelings. Kindness is more than a philosophy of the mind. It is a philosophy of the spirit.”

-Robert J. Furey (Author)

“The true essence of humankind is kindness. There are other qualities which come from education or knowledge, but it is essential, if one wishes to be a genuine human being and impart satisfying meaning to one's existence, to have a good heart.

-Tenzin Gyatso /The 14th Dalai Lama

“No act of kindness is too small. The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple that over time can turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many.”

-Kevin Heath (Ceo More4kids)

“In life you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load. When you go through your day expressing kindness and courtesy to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth and good cheer, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with.”

-Brian Tracy (Motivational Author)

“Your greatness is measured by your kindness; your education and intellect by your modesty; your ignorance is betrayed by your suspicions and prejudices, and your real caliber is measured by the consideration and tolerance you have for others.”

-William J.H. Boetcker (Religious Leader, Influential Public Speaker)

“To be rich in admiration and free from envy, to rejoice greatly in the good of others, to love with such generosity of heart that your love is still a dear possession in absence or unkindness - these are the gifts which money cannot buy.”

-Robert Louis Stevenson (Essayist, Poet, Novelist)

Challenge Yourself

The human mind loves to be pushed to its limits. It love to work extremely hard to resolve an issue. The human mind thrives under pressure. It anticipates that which we never even knew would or had occurred. The human brain is an incredible work of art and providing it with simple challenges will keep it fresh and alive.

Pushing yourself outside of your boundary sometimes is great.  To take yourself out of your comfort level and to challenge yourself is great in helping to build character and strength.  There are various ways in which you can challenge yourself. Here are a few examples:

• Sign up for a race/marathon.
• Join a club sport
• Join a competition. (I.E. a Pageant like me!)
• Backpack a foreign country (or 22 like I did! J)
• Paint your own masterpiece.
• Take a dance class.  It’s fun, a stress reliever and a great work out!
• Audition for something that you love like singing or acting
• Apply for your dream job!
• Set a goal for how many books you can read in a week
• Learn a new language.  There are over 6,000 languages spoken around the world.  Learning a foreign language can be challenging but it has many benefits. It exercises your brain, it expands your marketability for jobs, it fosters cultural understanding and it encourages you to explore the world.
• Start a Blog!
• Break a routine.
• Do something that scares you.  I’m terrified of heights but I contantly do things that require heights just to prove to myself that I can do it.  Such as roller coasters, plane rides, parasailing, etc. and one day sky diving!
• Write a novel or create a poetry book.  If you love music, write a song!
• Learn to play an instrument.
• Get creative.  Go to a craft store and buy materials to: paint a picture, make a scrap book, sew/make a blanket, make a card, create jewelry, decorate a picture frame, etc.
• Join a gym or YMCA and create a health plan.
• Take a yoga, bikram, spin, kick boxing or pilates class.
• Enroll in a cooking class and then make what you learned for your friends and family.
• Wake up early to get your day started.
• Create a weekly exercise routine.
• Create a life handbook.  Write down what you want out of life and what you need to do to achieve those goals.  Don’t be afraid to go outside of your box.  Dream, Do, Live. Be sure to include your past and current accomplishments as well.
• Start a 30-day challenge.  Set a goal and give yourself 30 days to achieve it.
• Try to mediate. Clear your mind, refocus yourself and calm your body. 
• Read at least one self-improvement article a day or book a week. 

To learn more ways to challenge yourself visit:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/42-practical-ways-to-improve-yourself.html

Make A Difference by Giving Back

• Giving back is so important. There are endless amounts of ways to give back. You don’t have to be directly affected or know somebody who is directly affected in order to donate your time with a not-profit.  Volunteer with organizations that you are passionate about whether it may be helping to fight hunger, helping fight child or domestic abuse, helping women or men in need, helping animals find loving homes, helping the homeless, helping to fight a disease, etc. 
• It’s important to find volunteer opportunities that allow you to utilize and maximize your strengths and interests.  For instance, if you love sports then you can teach child with disabilities how to play your favorite sport, if you love to teach then you can help someone learn to read or to speak English, if you love to cook then you can help at a soup kitchen or to prepare food for an event, if you love to decorate then you can help set up a charity event, if you love to organize and plan then you can be on the development side of an event, if you love working with money then you can help with the financial side of an organization and/or help to raise money, if you love to exercise then you should sign up for a race, etc.
• How to Find Opportunities: 
• Email the volunteer coordinator on any organization’s website and ask how you can help.  Organizations are always in need of some extra help.
• www.volunteermatch.org
• www.1-800-volunteer.org
• www.myvolunteerpage.com
• Volunteering ideas: exercise your passion for event planning and help set up at a charity function, put your social skills to work and help out with advertising and cold calling, take dogs who are at shelters or the humane society for daily walks,  think of fun and creative ways to raise money for an organization,
• Volunteering is great for many reasons.  It allows you to meet people, learn more about your community, it builds social skills, it can lead to exciting new opportunities, it allows you to learn what you are most passionate about in life, it builds great character and self-esteem, it’s great for your resume, etc. I volunteered for a few events with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Illinois Chapter which led to me being asked to be an intern with the organization and work downtown in a fabulous high-rise.  I helped out wherever I was needed but eventually I became the assistant event coordinator for the 2010 MS Walk. It was an amazing experience and I learned a lot.

Ease Your Stress

• Stress causes your body to hold onto unwanted toxins which then get stored in your muscles.  Stress can also cause you to tighten your muscles, sometimes without even realizing it, which can cause tension headaches. To loosen up tight neck and back muscles: fill your tub with warm water, pour around 2 handfuls of Epsom salt into the water and ease your way in.  The Epsom salt will naturally extract any toxins that are being stored in your muscles causing aches and discomfort.  Epsom salt can be found in local drugstores and grocery stores in the health and nutrition isles.  I bought Epsom salt that is infused with Eucalyptus oils from the dollar store.         
  

• Eucalyptus is a natural destresser.  Use products that contain eucalyptus oils like bath salts, candles, lotions, soaps or shampoos to help clear your mind.

• Sit Still and Breathe. Relax and refocus your mind and body with your eyes closed and in silence for 10 minutes a day. It may be challenging but it do you good.

• Meditate.  It will help you calm and clear your mind.  Meditating before bed will also call for less sleep because the clearing of your mind's clutter will make you feel refreshed.   

• De-Stress with Lemon-oil. Make your own lemon essential oil by using lemon peel. Grate the outside of the lemon over a bowl and then fill a small glass spray bottle halfway with the grated lemon zest. Fill the rest of the bottle with olive oil.  You now have your own distressing spritzer!  Set the bottle on a windowsill or somewhere where there is a lot of sun.  Leave it there for a few days, but shake the bottle a few times per day.  Be sure to keep your homemade lemon oil in an airtight container at room temperature.   

Financial Tips

·         Save your Money! Saving your money isn’t always that easy. The world is full of tempting things that scream your name.  But, more now than ever, it is crucial to save.  I have a variety of tips to help you save your money and to get your finances under control.

o   Put your money into your bank account as soon as you can.

o   When putting your money into your bank account, put the majority of it into your savings account and always leave a certain amount in your checking.  This is for a few reasons. 

§  This will give you control over your checking account when it comes to spending.  You will be more aware of a budget or limit when spending rather than knowing that you have an “unlimited” amount when using your debit card or writing a check. 

§  For safety reasons: in case you lose your debit card and someone finds it and decides to use it, all of your money will not be available for the fraud to spend (just what will be in your checking account).

§  Make sure you have a saving account that has a good interest program.  I have been with Bank of America for a few years now and I love it.  They have a Money Market Savings program that allows me to gain a small amount of interest every month.  Also, they have a nice Keep the Change program that rounds up to the nearest dollar whenever I use my debit card.  That amount is then transferred from my checking to my savings account. 

o   Pay in cash whenever you can.  This will allow you to a better idea of exactly how much you are spending.  When using debit or credit cards, it’s easy for costs to add up before you realize just how much you have actually spent.

o   I am not a fan of credit cards, at all. I feel that they are a big reason why people are in the unfortunate financial state that they are in these days.  But, truth is, credit cards are not always bad.  It is important to build your credit so that you can qualify for loans for buying a house, car, etc, in the future.  Be sure to pay off your credit cards in a reasonable timeframe so that you do not end up accumulating too much interest.

o   It’s no secret that it can be extremely difficult to find a job in this economy but, that is no excuse to soak in your sorrows about not having money.  There are always options; you just have to put in the work.

§  Search job websites like Craigslist, IndeedJobs.com, CareerBuilder, etc.

§  Look into Temp agencies.  They will help you find jobs that are best for you.

§  Clean out your closet and sell it to local Buy,Sell,Trade stores like Platos Closet, CrossRoads and Bufflo Exchange (search for what stores are in your area).

§  Sign up for focus groups online.  These are companies that will contact you to do surveys or testing sessions for different types of product or services.  It’s fun, easy and they pay a nice amount. 

§  Ask your friends and family members if their job is hiring or if they know of any place. It never hurts to ask.

§  Just go in and apply! Not every place posts ads for hiring online. It’s possible that one of their employees left and there is an open position. Go into a place to apply or give them a call.  You’ll never know unless you try!

§  Search for seasonal work.  Plenty of companies look to hire additional people for seasonal hours (meaning anything from sports seasons to holiday seasons).  If you do a good enough job, maybe they’ll make your position permanent!

Tips on How to Save Money!
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/10-best-web-sites-to-save-you-money.htm

o   I Love Couponing!

§  Millions of dollars get thrown into the garbage everyday with coupon ads.  Instead of ignorning those ads in your local newspaper, take a look at them and maybe you’ll find a coupon for something that you actually buy.  It will save you money!

§  The more coupons you use, the more money you’ll save!

§  Use your savings card for the grocery store.  It’s the easiest way to save moey.

§  Check the weekly savings ad for your grocery store to see what is on sale and then check the coupon ads, you may get a double savings!

§  You can use coupons are stores like CVS and Walgreens too.

§  Walgreens always has their own coupon book near the weekly saving paper which hold good coupons.

§  Some grocery stores like Jewel Osco have their own coupon books near the customer service desk.

Tips for a Novice Couponer!
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/5-extreme-coupon-tips-for-normal-people.htm