Be Kind: It’s Random Acts of Kindness Week

 

Have you ever wondered what it means to leave a lasting impact on those around you? For me, it means embodying kindness in everything I do and that is why I was thrilled to learn that the second week of February is Random Acts of Kindness Week. It was started in 1995 by Will Glennon, a philanthropist and kindness advocate. After reading a newspaper article, he was struck by the idea that small, selfless acts of kindness could profoundly impact individuals and communities. He launched a national campaign to promote and encourage people to practice random acts of kindness daily.

Since then, Random Acts of Kindness Week has blossomed into a global movement celebrated in over twenty countries, with millions participating in kindness activities yearly. Different cultures celebrate kindness uniquely, from communal gatherings to personal gestures reflecting their values. In my culture, the Baganda from Uganda, kindness equates to what we call  "obuntu bulamu," which means being considerate of others and treating them as we wish to be treated.

Kindness is something that feels natural to me, and I’ve seen firsthand how much it can brighten someone’s day. When you show kindness, it not only lifts the spirits of the person receiving it but also boosts your own self-esteem. It’s amazing how a simple act can make us all feel more connected, like we’re part of a community. Plus, those warm fuzzy feelings we get from being kind can seriously increase our happiness by releasing those "feel-good" hormones. I remember a beautiful example of this happening in a prayer group I'm part of. An anonymous person decided to bless five single mothers in the group, and hearing their heartfelt gratitude really touched everyone. It didn't just stop there; it inspired other members to step up and do something similar. It turned into a chain reaction of kindness, where everyone tried to uplift one another. Moments like these remind me how much of a positive impact we can have, not just on the individuals we help, but on our whole community. It’s all about spreading that good energy!

While Random Acts of Kindness Week offers a wonderful opportunity to emphasize the importance of kindness, it's essential to integrate it into our daily lives. Making kindness a lifestyle choice can lead to lasting change, as demonstrated by Bhutan's concept of "Gross National Happiness," which prioritizes compassion and kindness on a national level and as a result their life expectancy is 72 years.

And you know, acts of kindness don’t always have to be big or take a lot of time. When I think back, it’s often the little things that really stick with me—like when a child gives me a random hug just when I need it. It’s those simple moments that can really brighten your day! This week let’s spread kindness by doing at least one random act each day, like writing a nice note, picking up a stranger’s meal, or showing gratitude to someone who helps us. Together, we can inspire a lasting culture of kindness!

Let’s see how many smiles we can create!