Can anyone suggest me some Random Acts of Kindness?

Question

I recently joined a collective called 'join me' who perform random acts of kindness, at least once a week, to someone else, for absolutely no personal gain whatsoever. We call them GOOD FRIDAYS. Hey, you can join too!
http://www.join-me.co.uk/

but anyhow, I need ideas? like handing out umberellas on rainy days and tings.

The object is to help everyone, not just the needy. Just brighten a day, not change anyones lives, I don't really know what they need, the acts have to be random.

Answer 1

handing out sandwiches/soup to the poor/homeless, this would be better than giving money for at least they will get something to eat. just fill a few thermos' and off you go!!


what you are doing is very admirable

all the best

Answer 2

Geisha... Just saying a kind word to someone here or in an e-mail can be a "random act of kindness". :)

However, opportunities arise everywhere....at the grocery store putting away someone's cart or bringing a cart to someone you have passed that had only come in for a few things and found their arms overladen with things...at a department store reaching for the item someone else wants but can't reach.....seeing tired cranky children with their parent walking or shopping, drop a few coins on the ground for them to "find" and let them keep some..... at the laundramat help a harrassed mom or dad-an elderly person-anyone-with their laundry either taking them inside from their vehicle or vice versa, handing someone a coin they needed to get something in a machine, giving them a softener packet or garbage bag for large items, etc....make a complimentary remark to a stranger...overhear someone say they are thirsty? Get them a water or soda and walk away without anything but a smile....

Just think of things YOU would like in any given situation...and do it for someone else.

LOL...personally, I don't need to join a group, but thank you for the link....I'm sure it will bring others a lot of Joy! :)

[see how easy that was? :) ]

Answer 3

This is a little like planning your spontaneity. ;o)

I'm not an expert, but I think the key would be to keep a gratitude journal or doing some daily activity that helped you think of positive, helpful things. The more attuned you are to that mentality, the more likely you are to respond to random opportunities to be kind.

I like to return grocery carts for women with small children. My sister used to get really stressed out about loading her groceries in the car, getting the little ones in their carseats, and then returning the cart. So, I try to do that. But I have to be careful, because I could see how a stranger approaching a mom with little ones could actually cause more stress than the original situation. It takes a little intuition and sensitivity to each situation.

I also love handing out coupons I'm not going to use. Sometimes I get them for department stores or clothing stores. I just hand them out to people who clearly are buying something already. I window shop, I see that my coupons aren't going to waste (am I the only one who can't stand to let a good coupon go to waste?), and it's crazy how that can make someone's day.

I can think of all sorts of things to do in the moment, if my mindset is generally grounded in love and gratitude rather than in fear. It's all about being in the moment and seeing what would be kind or responding in kindness.

I've heard of people paying for the bill of the person in line behind them at the drive-thru or the dry cleaners. And certainly I think those qualify. But I think there's also something to be said for the sort of kindness that's free - doing a chore for someone, listening, or really looking someone in the eye when they are speaking to you. People in minimum wage jobs are not acknowledged by most people. If you really look them in the eye and smile, that's kindness.

Answer 4

My church did something similar earlier this year...we called it the "blessed" campaign...we were asked to find ways to bless someone we didn't know at least three times a week. Some of the things I or others in the church came up with...

Pay for the person behind you in line at a drive through (restaurant, toll booth, parking garage, whatever). ...or pay for the next person in line at the movies.

Buy some inexpensive blankets and hand one out to every homeless person you see.

Let the other person have the parking space you've been waiting for...wait and motion them ahead of you.

Let someone in line at the grocery store go ahead of you...pick someone who looks especially hurried or has a lot of kids in tow. You can also offer to help an elderly person (or someone who has kids) load their groceries in their car and return the cart for them.

Mow a neighbors lawn (or shovel their sidewalk if you already have snow!).

Bake some cookies and take them to a place that cares for children after school (after school program, the YMCA, even an orphanage). ...or take some brownies to a retirement center. Take some time to visit with the people there and listen when they talk to you about whatever they want to talk about.

Go to the beach or a nearby park and pick up trash.

Opportunities are all around you...look for people that need help...even the smallest thing like when you see a older lady struggling to drag her trash cans to the curb, you see a person whose car is stalled in the street, a neighbor carrying in a large amount of groceries, whatever...when you see something like this, stop and help...it only takes a few minutes but even the smallest gesture can make someone's day!

Answer 5

Bake some goodies, and take them to the fire station for the firefighters.

Go to a restaurant and leave an OUTRAGEOUS TIP for the waitress.

Buy some gift cards and leave them randomly in library books.

Let someone in front of you at the line in the grocery store.

At a restaurant, pick out a table, tell the waitress you will pay their tab.

Answer 6

I'm planning on donating some of my old clothes to a shelter for the homeless. Its going to start getting cold soon. If you want the acts to be random, you need to go for a walk and just help when you're needed. Help some old lady cross the street. Sometimes the opportunities to do good deeds just present themselves. For example, the other day when I was out jogging past a school, I retrieved a little kid's ball that had rolled across the street...so he wouldn't have to run out into traffic to get it.

Answer 7

Recycle
Open the door for people..
Pick up things people drop and hand it to them
Let others cut in front of you in line
Hand out homemade snacks for your co-workers
Donate old clothes to those who need it
Pick up trash on the sidewalk or wherever you see it
Smile
Buy some less fortunate people some groceries
Vist some relatives
Donate to charity
Help someone with a problem
Offer advice to those in need
Brighten someone's day
Respect other's beliefs
Clean someone's house
Cook someone dinner
Kiss someone that likes you...that you kinda like.
Just be helpful and caring and the world will treat you well...
After all this will all come back to you three times fourth!!!

Answer 8

That's a beautiful idea.

Handing out umbrellas on a rainy day seems rather trivial though.

What about helping at homeless shelters and such? There are needy people out there.

*Hmm, yes ok. I see what you're going for, a trickle effect of niceness. How about ALWAYS thanking a driver who gives way for you? Smiling at passersby. I almost said buying icecreams for kids but these days everyone would immediately assume you were a paedophile... With that in mind... to hell with it. I ain't helping anyone. Damn you all!*

Answer 9

What about handing out free food to help feed the homeless and the needy.

Answer 10

Sometimes it is the basics: Smile at people as you pass them. Get the door so others can get inside more quickly. Hold your tongue when you think of saying something demeaning. Take a small gift to someone who you know could use a moral boost. Invite someone to dinner. Rake leaves for someone.

These are just a few simple, uncreative ideas, but nonetheless they will give a boost to those you serve.