Random Acts of Kindness Week

Did you know that this week is Random Acts of Kindness Week? Or even that Random Acts of Kindness Week is a real thing? So, move over Valentine’s Day. Let’s celebrate love with random (or on purpose, whatever your thing is) acts of kindness to those we love.

Background

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation believes in changing the world through teaching and building kindness in the workplace and at school.

I love this message. I also love that a lot of their kindness ideas are environmentally-focused, like opting out of junk mail and run your errands in a cluster. But many are simply just kind, like complimenting a fellow driver on their parking.

A Kid-Friendly Week

The days leading up to yesterday, I was bombarded by the vendors near our house selling Valentine’s Days gifts: roses (real and fake), over-sized pink bears, balloons. And, I was reminded that the holiday, while rooted in showing love, has become about stuff. Ugh.

Most of us trying to simplify are getting away from “stuff” and moving towards experiences. So, this year, we had a little Valentine’s Day lunch picnic and movie (with a heart-shaped loaf of sourdough – my love language might be good bread). But, I resisted the urge to buy my kids any little treats or toys.

I also considered what the message that Valentine’s Day as a consumer holiday might send to our kids. And decided that Random Act of Kindness Week is a much better celebration.

So, we decided to celebrate kindness and giving instead, because these are the values that we want to pass along. And, Random Acts of Kindness Week is nothing if not kid-friendly.

We might try:

• Putting together a kindness jar
• Writing a love note (or love drawing!)
• The $5 Difference

So, why not join them this week?

Spend the week spreading love and kindness. Need inspiration?

Here are a few of our ideas for spreading kindness this week (and hopefully beyond!). Most of them don’t cost a dime!

Write an uplifting text, email or note to someone who might need it.

Compliment a stranger (or a friend).

Give yourself a facial, a foot massage, a little extra love. No one said the kindness needs to be just towards others, right?

Tell another mom how awesome her kids are – if you have a specific story, tell her about it.

Do something that your partner usually does (I will take out the garbage this week and wash the diapers).

Sometimes the winter months can drag on and get a little dreary. Brighten someone’s day with a plant or plant a tree, if you’re really ambitious.

Spend some time in nature. Breath it in and let it ground you. Bring someone that may not have as much access to nature as you do.

Go plogging.

Linger a little longer when playing with your kids. Put your phone away, and really play with them.

Eat vegetarian, just for one day (or the whole week!)

Regift something that you are no longer using but a friend might love. Reuse old tissue and wrapping paper to wrap it.

Or get really kind and become a RAKtivist!

For more about the Random Act of Kindness Foundation or to get inspiration, visit their site.

And don’t let the week go by without expressing kindness in some way.