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Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

NikNikSenior Contributor08 Oct 2014, 5:19 pm AEDT

Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

Doing something kind for someone increases our wellbeing – It’s a win-win situation really! I think this video says it all really

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7LBggDKEtM

Kindness = connection

Here is your mission if you wish to accept *insert mission impossible reference here*

Try out a random act of kindness tomorrow.

I think I will try and shout a coffee for the person lining up behind me....

Come back & let us know how it went!

37 replies

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In response to: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

PeppiPattySenior Contributor09 Apr 2015, 5:28 am AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

Like that smiled at people......
@Neb charity gifts crochet.....
@Jon giving directions

Mine was material.......
When I went to visit my ex husband for the first time in 2 years he had no food or cigarettes. So....
I bought my ex husband some food and cigarettes today. And said he didn't owe me anything.
Out of the blue.
And a large packet of cigarettes for someone I know who suffers lots of times of mental ill health. In return, he took me out for dinner last night .........I didn't even ask for it !

In response to: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

Gidday2uCasual Contributor13 Apr 2015, 3:51 pm AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

Hi to all, it'd a wonderful idea to do or show a random act of kindness, it can be quite contagious. That one smile or simple hello may be the only one that person receives that day however, I was once told if you ask how the person is you must be prepared for the response, rather than just keep on walking. I always try to remember this as it makes so much sense, why ask a question if you don't want an answer. Gidday 2U x

In response to: Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

PeppiPattySenior Contributor13 Apr 2015, 4:58 pm AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

@Gday2u,

this is a very good point you have written about:
To be prepared that the receiver of Random acts of kindness may show you an emotion that you didn't think they would show.
This is what you are stating?

In response to: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

Alessandra1992Senior Contributor13 Apr 2015, 9:28 pm AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

I think it is more about being prepared to listen if you ask someone how they are. Whereas a smile doesn't require anything of the other person...
It is nice to be on the receiving end of a smile..

In response to: Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

NebSenior Contributor15 Apr 2015, 2:47 pm AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

The fact you say hi to someone, is not asking anything in return, but most people will be startled into an automatic reply. For those who have lived in big cities, this can be a bit fear producing...." What does this guy want " sort of thing. I have rarely been given the rundown of a person evidentially in desperate need to pour forth, but it is an aknowledgement of that person being real etc. Saying hi to some folk of different ethnicities can be unrewarding as they do not respond, but hopefully, they take that brief moment in time to think about a response in future etc etc.

In response to: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

Unknown userMember09 June 2015, 8:38 pm AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

You are PRECIOUS, NikNik! @>---->----->---- & 11 more BIG red ones!

In response to: Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

AppleblossomSenior Contributor05 July 2015, 4:54 pm AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

@NikNik

I have long believed in the value of random acts of kindness. It is the little moments of hospitality or understanding I have received from perfect strangers that have kept me going. Eg Being picked up as a hitch hiker when young. There are also dangers there but ..I was mostly lucky.

The randomness of it is good as there is a detachment and anonymity that honours the act as not done for response, karma, mutual admiration type friendships., brownie points etc. That is some of the value of anonymity on this site too.

I still try when I have something to offer, but have also tried to refuse to give , eg street beggars, sorry not today., so that I dont feel forced and unconsciously driven and powerless in my decsion to help.

I sing at a church that has a lot of needy persons camped around it. It can be important that it is random for the receiver too.

I am a sucker for homeless people and supported one person in their artwork etc and gave lots of little gifts, paints, art stretchers, my sons brand new coat that son refused to wear etc. I told him how I had sold cards with my mother in Sydney subways etc Knew what it was like. I was upset when there people's footprints on his drawings. Mother showed up once and I introduced her to him. A relationship grew but it was not comfortable for either of us. We were not in the same place anymore no matter how much I could identify and give empathy. So he moved up the road and away from the entrance of the church. I still say hi or smile or wave if I run into him on the streets, but I knew after a year that he did not want to feel bad about still being there. I knew the steps and time it took for us to get off the streets but respected his awkwardness and need for space.

In response to: Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

NikNikSenior Contributor06 July 2015, 11:44 am AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

I agree @Appleblossom, the randomness honors the selflessness behind the act and not expecting anything in return.

I think it's a great point about putting boundaries in when giving your kindness to other people. I hadn't thought about that.... it's a good tip!

In response to: Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

PeppiPattySenior Contributor06 July 2015, 2:06 pm AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

I never thought of that too: bpundries in being kind .......

I only let certain people in my home @NikNik,

Is that boundries?

In response to: Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

AppleblossomSenior Contributor06 July 2015, 4:56 pm AEST

Re: Random Acts Of Kindness - Community Challenge

thanks @NikNik

Good point@PeppiPatty

I have been thinking about "having a front door" as me finally being able to put boundary on others. But it has taken 13 years of house ownership to be able to feel "allowed" to make that call.Ie have to let family and their friends in .. and also as piano teacher having students and their hangers on inside.

The good thing is that I am now very clear about issues as I can deal with them one at a time ..it took 10 years to be able to say "no" to oldest daughter(non biological) as she would just coolly check things out and have continual mocking verbal patter to me and be controlling with son.

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