Random Acts of Kindness Week started years ago by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. I love the fact that this week falls several weeks after the holiday season because by now we are back into our daily routine of life and can sometimes forget about that spirit of giving that is so prevalent during the month of December.
This week, is the perfect opportunity to rekindle that spirit of giving by focusing on the daily actions each of us can take to make a difference in our little corner of the world. It doesn’t have to be heroic, in fact the best ones usually aren’t. Just begin to look for opportunities that you can be generous with your time and your heart and see what happens. This week commit to smiling more, holding the door open, surprising someone with a kindness or helping a stranger. Once you begin to “look” for opportunities to do and give more you will notice them more frequently
For more suggestions, check out my 2012 A Mitzvah A Day page, where I have been listing a daily mitzvah every day since January 1st. This should give you dozens of other suggestions.The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is always an amazing resource as well.
Invite your family, co-workers, friends from school, church and synagogue to join you. Maybe you want to even make it a friendly competition. Who can do 25 kindnesses this week? Who can do more?
I’d love to hear from you about some of the great stories that come up for you while you are participating in RAK week. When the 1,000 Mitzvahs book launched I asked others to joined me in their own mitzvah projects – committing to do their own mitzvahs – I’ve heard from some recently telling me how the project is affecting them.
“I’m more aware of when I’m doing something kind. There are certain things I’ve done routinely and now I realize they are acts of kindness. That makes me more aware of how my actions can better someone’s day. Conversely, I’m increasingly aware of how my attitudes and actions could adversely affect someone’s mood or day.”
“I find I am giving people the benefit of the doubt routinely.”
“I’m living more purposefully and enjoying myself much more. Writing down the acts of kindness I perform each day (I just make a list, I’m not writing anything else) has changed my attitude toward myself. It has actually given me a chance to appreciate myself.”
Participating in Random Acts of Kindness Week is a win win for everyone. This is the perfect week for you to join in something positive and simple that will have lasting benefits. I hope you’ll join us!
1,000 Mitzvahs 