Unofficially recognized as National Random Act of Kindness Day here in the U.S., for those who choose to follow suit, this February 17 will be a day of paying it forward and practicing kindness. Recognized as a cornerstone for many cultures and religions, kindness is recognized as the act of showing concern for others, including our loved ones as well as strangers, without the expectation of that same consideration in return.
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Spreading the Texas Love: National Random Act of Kindness Day is February 17
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True Benefits of Being Randomly Kind
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And the United States isn’t the only country to have adopted a non-sanctioned, in effect random, Random Act of Kindness Day. In New Zealand, RAK (Random Act of Kindness) Day has been celebrated annually since 2004. Theirs is scheduled on September 1, but the simple fact that it’s recognized is a sweeping change towards the modern view of compassion and care. Many studies have indicated that being compassionate helps others as well as making the caring individual happier and healthier. Similarly, those who are kind are thought to have a lowered risk for blood pressure-related disease and improved heart health.
Simple and Powerful Ways to Spread Kindness
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If you’re considering observing the day, here are some simple, yet powerful, ways to spread kindness on National Random Act of Kindness Day:
- Smile at a stranger
- Say “thank you” to those who provide you a small service that day
- Compliment a friend, coworker, or family member
- Pay for a coffee for the person behind you in the drive-thru line
- Help your neighbor with a chore
- Pay for a meal for a stranger in a restaurant
It’s All in How You Look at Things
Photo: Speed Of Creativity
Statistically, if the act is planned, it can therefore not be called “random,” but the intention is well-meant, and if it increases the number of good things that happen to strangers in a day simply due to its acknowledgment, then that can’t be such a bad thing, can it? And if you shuffle the words around to create a different acronym, it could be Act of Random Kindness…which would then spell ARK. Kind of makes you think right? Enjoy plotting your random acts and spreading the Texas love!
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