RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK

Today we’re taking a break from Crafts Monday to talk about Random Acts of Kindness because today kicks of RAK Week, a worldwide celebration of kindness that takes place the second full week in February each year.

Established in 1995, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (RAK) is an internationally recognized nonprofit headquartered in Denver, CO, dedicated to inspiring people to practice kindness and pass it on to others. RAK provides free online resources to encourage acts of kindness across the globe, specifically in school communities.

The foundation’s goals are threefold:

1. To inspire others to be kind.

2. Legitimize kindness as a way to improve society.

3. Be a highly regarded, visible social and emotional learning education program.

Why not commit to practicing random acts of kindness this week and every week? Here are a few suggestions from the foundation:

1. Just smile at one extra person.

2. Eat lunch with someone new—at school, at the office or just out and about.

3. Make sure to say “I love you” or give someone special an extra hug.

4. Volunteer for a Special Olympics Team, coach a youth sports team or even referee for an hour on a recreational league.

5. Take your kindness digital by downloading Kindr from the Apple App Store. Then brighten someone's day by sending a creative compliment, a hug or even a cute animal video.

6. Try a new vegetable or fruit or even try to cook something healthy and new for you or your family.

7. Attempt to park your car a little farther away than normal as to provide that sweet spot for a pregnant lady, a person with special needs, an elderly person or someone who just needs a little more ease.

8. Send a positive message to someone in need or help someone who might not need it, but would appreciate it.

9. Donate unwanted or unused clothes or household goods to a shelter, non-profit or animal rescue organization.

10. If you feel you just must make a monetary contribution and are insistent, buy someone’s groceries or offer to help pay for someone in line.

Do you practice random acts of kindness? Stop by the blog on Wednesday to learn how practicing random acts of kindness can benefit you in ways you never realized.