The
Publisher of the Australian Charities Book
wholeheartedly
supports the concept and movement of
"Random Acts
of Kindness"
The process of providing support to charitable organisations, whether by donation or in a voluntary capacity is an important one in today's society.
It is hoped that the therapeutic value of acting kindly can be prolonged so that the "random act" becomes a "sustained" one. If the idea is new to you don't dismiss it as "a new age fad". The human dynamic behind this philosophy is very powerful.
Great things can be achieved with a small initial step. There is a true story of a man who escaped from a Soviet labour camp in Siberia. - he walked all the way to freedom with only the food he gathered on the way. He was asked how he managed to walk those thousands of kilometres. His answer was brief:: " I knew that I had to take only one step at a time and if I kept doing this I would be free."
So it is with a random act of kindness - we need only to take a small step to commence our personal contribution to a better humanity.
The benefits to those receiving an "act of kindness" is self-evident but I believe that the giver is indeed blessed in many ways. Just try it and see for yourself!
HOW THE MOVEMENT STARTED
It all started in a Sausalito, California, restaurant in 1982 when Anne Herbert scrawled the words "practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty" on a place mat. From there it spread to bumper stickers, quietly at first, but with all the powerful momentum of something important--calling us to lives of caring and compassion. Random Acts of Kindness, true stories of acts of kindness, was published in February 1993 and set off a chain reaction. Articles appeared in nearly every newspaper in the U.S., and hundreds of radio stations devoted airtime to the cause. Toward the end of 1993, a Bakersfield, California, professor gave a class assignment to do a random act of kindness--unleashing yet another flood of stories. The concept continues to spread, and we hope it will carry on until the beauty of simple kindness touches--and changes--us all.
Some Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness
Plant a tree in your neighborhood.
Yes, it's a drag, but why not put your shopping trolley back in its appointed place in the parking lot?
Place a coin in an expired parking meter.
As you go about your day, why not pick up the litter you find on the pavement?
Give another driver your parking spot.
Send a letter to a teacher you once had letting her know about the difference she made in your life.
Order a mail-order gift, anonymously, for a friend or someone at work who needs to be cheered up.
Go to an AIDS hospice or hospital ward and see what you can do for one person.
Slip a $10 note into the pocketbook of a needy friend (or stranger).
Next time you go over a toll bridge pay the toll for the car behind you and don't forget to thank the toll taker.
Laugh out loud often and share your smile generously.
If you are the boss, bring your secretary a cup of coffee in the morning.
If you have a person with an infirmity living near you, offer to do the grocery shopping for him or her.
For more links to "Kindness" visit the Australian Site
.
