Take the Kindness Challenge...

[Guest guest]

The big snow storm that hit the East Coast of the United States a few

years ago prompted countless " random acts of kindness. " Have you ever

been the recipient of a random act of kindness? Or better still have

you ever given one?

 

Generosity warms the spirit. The act of giving, no matter how small,

opens our hearts and spreads joy to the giver of the gift as well as

the recipient. Random Acts of Kindness are the perfect springboard to

leap into generosity. But what exactly are Random Acts of Kindness?

Simply put, they are good deeds done for strangers who could use a

little blessing.

 

Agreed we all have stress in our lives. We all have good days and the

not-so good days...but there's nothing like a Random Act of Kindness

to pull any person out of a lousy mood.

 

In our long ago Chicago days, my wife and I used to make sure we had

extra change with us when we traveled the tollway system. We would

pull up to the booth and give the attendant our toll, plus pay the

toll for the car behind us. And the reactions that we got for this

were priceless. While some people sped away, unable to understand

they had been the recipients of a Random Act of Kindness, most were

appreciative. Some even made the effort to catch up to us and thank

us.

 

Another target for Random Acts of Kindness is the drive-thru window.

If you go through a fast food joint for breakfast and have an extra

four dollars, pay for the meal of the person behind you. Imagine

their surprise and delight when they pull up to the window to pay for

their food, only to be told, " The guy in front of you already paid

for it. "

 

Random Acts of Kindness can be big or small. If you would rather be

more generous than a sandwich or toll booth change, perhaps you can

buy groceries for a needy family. If you can, put the groceries on

their front porch without them knowing. Go for it. What's the worst

thing that could happen?

 

If you are unable to buy them food or are uncomfortable doing it get

them a gift card from the local supermarket. Find somebody who knows

the family in need (maybe their pastor, or a neighbour) and ask them

to give them the card, but not to tell them the gift is from you.

Random Acts of Kindness are best served anonymously...

 

Be creative with your Random Acts of Kindness. Have fun with them.

Make them a family project. If you think you get a charge from it,

wait until you see how the kids get into it.

 

The possibilities are endless, as are the opportunities. We just have

to train ourselves to be watchful for the chance to share God¢s

blessings.

 

It can be as simple as a greeting card slipped onto a stranger's car

windshield that says, " You are loved " . You could even send flowers to

a hospital patient you've never met.

 

Opportunities to share love surround us every day. It's up to each of

us to grab hold of those opportunities and turn them into Random Acts

of Kindness.

 

- By Chris Courtney, Heartwarmers.com

- Heart2Heart Team

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan