Random Acts of Kindness

There's a radical - and wonderful - new idea here . . . that all children could and should be inventors of their own theories, critics of other people's ideas, analyzers of evidence, and makers of their own personal marks on the world." - Deborah Meier, Educator

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Random Acts of Kindness

by WKCD| JUNE 16, 2014

“The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness.” — Maya Angelou Poet, Dancer, Producer, Playwright, Director, Author (1928 - 2014)

What better time to practice "random acts of kindness" than summer! We've put together a list to get you started, but we encourage you to make up your own.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Have the courage to be kind when others may not.
Look out for those who can't look out for themselves.
Stand up when others would rather stand out.
Leave the world a kinder place than you found it.

Hold the door for someone.
Let someone go in front of you in line.
Send an email to someone to show your appreciation or thanks.
Give a compliment. It only takes one sentence.
Say “Good morning." (Saying hello to someone, even if you don’t know them, is a common courtesy. It means you are acknowledging their presence and that they are important enough to you to say hello.)
Return a shopping cart.
Pick up litter in your neighborhood.
Help someone in need with their packages or their cart at the supermarket.
Help around the house without being asked to do so.
Organize the clothes you don’t wear anymore and donate them.
After your morning Facebook status check, head over to Care2.com/click-to-donate/. Each time you click, their sponsors donate.
Give blood (if you are 17 or older). Go to the Red Cross website for information.
Mow your neighbors’ lawns or water their plants while they are out of town.
Use your manners. Say please, thank you, and excuse me.

Are you a gamer? Then play Games for Change and give back while playing.
Donate a tweet at http://justcoz.org/.
Go to GenerationOn.org/teens/pick-project, find a cause that matters to you and read what you can do to help.
Stand up for those who are being bullied.
Buy (better yet, bake) as many cakes as you can. Then with a group of friends turn up unexpectedly, like a flash mob, at a public place (e.g., a shoppping mall)--and hand out free cake to anyone you see.
Volunteer at a community garden.
Compliment waiters/waitresses.
Collect canned food for a food bank.
Leave a used book on public transportation.
Help someone with yard work.
Do a household chore for someone.
Wash a car for a friend or family member.
Be grateful. Make it a habit to thank the people who touch your life, even for little things.
Give affection. Sometimes all it takes is a hug, a touch on the arm, a kiss on the cheek, a squeeze of the shoulders to make someone’s day.
Forgive someone.
Be kind to yourself.

What Kids Can Do, Inc. | info@whatkidscando.org | www.whatkidscando.org