Make Someone’s Day: Random Acts of Kindness
I love that there’s so much giving right now, but not necessarily the reasons for giving. From thousands of acres of wildfires to hurricane after hurricane to record-breaking earthquakes, I think North America and its surrounding areas have seen enough devastation recently.
But I think it’s sad that it’s taken acts of God to get people to dig into their pocketbooks and give back. I know that so many of us are giving people–have you thought about how you can give back on a regular basis?
Random acts of kindness are my favorite way to give to others. There doesn’t have to be a reason for it. In fact, I think it’s better when there’s no reason at all. I like sending little treats in the mail, buying a teacher a Starbucks gift card or doing something nice without expecting anything in return.
Being kind and doing for others is part of who I am. I’d like to think I’m instilling this value on my children as well. In Sunday School, Molly raised $100 for the homeless. Rather than give the money to a charity, she thought long and hard about how she would make sure that the money was stretched as far as it could be. She decided to create care packages for the homeless, buying them items like a blanket from Goodwill, toothpaste, a toothbrush and soap, then giving them away when she sees someone in need.
Charlie and I recently volunteered for Day on the Lake, an adaptive water sports program at Bartlett Lake put on by Barrow’s Neurological Center. The program allows people with physical disabilities to get on fishing boats and participate in water activities like water skiing and tubing. This was our second year volunteering and it was a great event.
Giving back and volunteering helps children develop empathy. Seeing how the Day on the Lake participants overcome their fears and master the unthinkable is empowering for all involved. It teaches the participants and those of us helping that you can conquer your fear and change your live, no matter what lemons life has handed you.
Beachbody has always been a very giving organization. Over Labor Day week, it hosted Hard Labor Week, giving $1 every time someone completes one of the workouts. In all, the company raised $100,000 for Hurricane Harvey victims in Houston.
I’d like to see people giving back every day, randomly. And I would like to do the same. Do me a favor: Send me an email letting me know your favorite beverage, favorite restaurant, favorite something, and your address. I just might surprise you in the next few months!
