Random Act of Kindness Day - Monday 1 September

I am not a direct person by nature, but I've decided to take a stand on this blog.  So here it goes... 

This coming Monday, 1 September, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY encourage you to take part in Random Acts of Kindness Day. 

Here are my reasons why...

1. It feels good to give and everyone has something to offer.
2. You will truly put a smile on someones' face.
3. This year marks the 10th year of RAK Day in New Zealand.  Did you know we are the only country in the world to have a Random Acts of Kindness Day?
4. You receive positive mental benefits (ie. you feel great and it reduces low mood).
5. It reminds us what it means to be truly human.
6. It's an easy thing to do. 
7. Why not?!

I have a few ideas up my sleeve for next Monday that don't require too much effort and energy to do.  In fact, by keeping it simple I plan to do a number of small things to mark this occasion.  

Here are some ideas as shared on the awesome RAK Day website:  http://rak.co.nz/ 

• Pay for an extra coffee and ask the barista to give to the next person who comes in
• Put a note inside a library book when you return it
• Pick flowers from your garden and give to a colleague or teacher
• Pay a stranger a compliment - you just don't know what they're going through
• Leave an encouraging note in your neighbour's letterbox
• Put a flower on a car windscreen
• Send a pizza to the local fire station, police station, staff room
• Take muffins to work
• Give an employee an extra hour for lunch
• Let a car into the traffic ahead of you(!)
• Wash your mum's car
• Mow the neighbour's lawn
• Throw a dinner party for a family in your street
• Take a box of chocolates to neighbours you haven't met yet and introduce yourself
• Give your parking display ticket to the person pulling in behind you
• Visit your local old people's home and spend time talking with a resident
• Pay the bus fare for the passenger behind you
• Ring a friend or loved one you haven't spoken to for ages

There you go.  You now have lots of practical ideas for taking part in RAK Day on Monday.  You won't regret it.  

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

- Aesop