Random Acts of Kindness

Today is the beginning of Thoughtful Thursdays! Every Thursday, I will write a little something that I hope will make you think.

My topic today is: Random Acts of Kindness.

We've all done something nice for someone else, and experienced the wonderful feeling that comes with it. However, how many of us have done something kind for people who are not close friends, relatives, or partners? Maybe you've even done something kind for complete strangers? Sometimes, this can be the most rewarding act of all.

(This image was borrowed from another blog about Random Acts of Kindness, at http://brandysbustlings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/raok-days-79-80-81-say-cheese.html )

Last year, I started trying to do some "random" acts of kindness. I started with something I found a bit easier than approaching strangers. I gave gifts to my mailman, and to my favourite waitress at my favourite restaurant.

Then, after a couple of particularly frigid days in Fredericton, New Brunswick (-30 or colder), I felt the need to do something to help the homeless. I contacted some local shelters to find out what they needed, and discovered that they take a variety of new and used items. I gathered some shampoo, conditioner, soap, hairbrushes, and more (all new), and then went through my closets and decided to donate anything I wasn't using. I put together a large pile of clothing to donate to the shelter for teenaged girls, and kept a few items aside to donate to the Diabetes Clothesline, an organization I donate to regularly.

I also did some slightly more "random" things like attempting to donate blood (which I attempt regularly, but my iron, weight, heart rate, etc. often disqualify me), suggesting to my friends that they donate blood or register for bone marrow donation (I registered a few years ago, and it's an incredibly quick and easy registration process), donating to the food bank, and a few other small things.

I greatly enjoy doing acts of kindness for the people I love, and for strangers too. Both are incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing this initiative!

Next week, I'll share some of my ideas for random acts of kindness. In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas of their own to share with me?