This post was first published in March 2017
If you’re anything like me, then you love a good random acts of kindness story in your social media feed. Hearing these stories always inspires me to want to be on the giving end of my own random act of kindness. Again, if you’re anything like me, you may also be inspired to generously dote upon an unsuspecting stranger with a thoughtful, unprompted gesture but never seem to bring it to fruition.
I have to admit, a little bit of stress came over me as I thought about how I’m not doing enough kindness for random strangers. My mind would race as I would create various daily scenarios and how I could find unsuspecting victims people to bless. When you’re a mom with a bazillion things to do, it’s not uncommon for things get thrown on the back burner. My semiprofessional career as a random acts of kindness extraordinaire would be one of those things. I resigned myself to thinking that my grandiose random acts of kindness schemes would be tossed to the wayside. Much like the mound of self-help books sitting on my nightstand just begging to be cracked open. *sigh* Failure again.
I started pondering more about the concept of randomly bestowing kindness onto an individual. I realized that what I loved most about it was how I imagined it made the recipient feel. This in turn made me think about the many people in my life who I could honor with an act of kindness. Just a little nod to how awesome I think they are. An act that would seem random to them but in actuality had quite a bit of intentionality and forethought put into it. Perhaps I had been overthinking this whole random acts of kindness thing. It doesn’t have to be perfect or grand. I don’t even think it has to be random. It just needs to demonstrate kindness.
I resolved to pull it together and become a bit more organized when it came to kindness. I devised a plan that involves a list. I’m a list maker. Mostly because I love the feeling of crossing items off the said list. So without further ado, I present my not-so-random acts of kindness tips.
The Intentional Act of Kindness in 3 Easy Steps
- The Recipient. Think about someone in your life who you appreciate. This could be your child’s educator, your co-worker, or even your significant other. It doesn’t even have to be someone you know personally. What about the crossing guard at your child’s school? The server at your favorite restaurant? The list could go on. Take some time to think about someone in your circle of influence who could use a pick me up or who deserves a ‘thank you.’
- The Act. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. It could be as simple as a handwritten letter. How about treating someone to coffee? Perhaps a home-cooked meal for an ill friend. (I recommend Christy’s Sweet + Sassy Chili or my Easy Chicken Soup.) What about helping a neighbor with their yard work? Are your wheels turning yet? Whatever it is, get creative and remember, kindness is the key.
- The Plan Into Motion. The final and most important step is to get your butt moving. Don’t procrastinate. Set a deadline if you must. Put it in red pen on the calendar if that works best for you. Just make it happen. You got this!
My 3 Intentional Acts of Kindness
When writing this post, three specific women came to mind. These women are leaders in our community who dedicate a lot of time and energy to helping others. The first two are the PTA presidents at each of the schools my children attend, and the third is our very own Rochester MN Moms Blog owner. I am lucky enough to call these women my friends. They each deserve recognition, and I wanted to acknowledge them with an intentional act of kindness. I put together simple gift baskets with various treats and a handwritten note. It is my hope that this small token of appreciation speaks love and kindness to each one of these special women.
Everyday Acts of Kindness
Our fast-paced world and busy schedules demand a lot of our time and attention. We need intentionality now more than ever. Not only that, we need kindness more than ever. Look around you. Who can you honor with kindness? You may already be a pro at successfully executing acts of kindness or maybe you’re more of a list-making planner. Regardless, let’s be the type of women who throw kindness around like confetti. Go ahead, sprinkle it everywhere.
