06-05-2018 12:29 PM - edited 06-05-2018 12:30 PM
After a small hiatus Topical Tuesdays are back!
This week we are talking about Acts of Kindness.
We all know this intuitively and through our own experiences, but there is now a lot of mental health evidence for the benefit of performing acts of kindness! When you do something nice for someone else, it can really have a positive effect on your own well being. And of course, when someone does something kind for you, it feels great!
Some questions to kick off:
1. What's the kindest thing someone has done for you?
2. What's the last kind thing you remember doing for someone?
3. Here's a list of ideas around acts of kindness - what can you add to the list?!
Challenge for the week :
This week, do one kind act for a stranger, or someone you know, out of the blue. Share and report back if you'd like!
06-05-2018 12:35 PM
@taokat @Zoesplace @Wonderous @Helplessmum @
@arnokenway @hippychick @sunflowermom @softballmum
What you all think about this topic? Would love to see your random acts of Kindness suggestions, and any stories you have.
I know that a lot of you have shared really difficult things going on in your lives at the moment, and this may feel like too much - that's completely okay. But for some of you, this may be a welcome focus away from what's going on, and might give you a much-needed mood boost.
I will also be taking up the random act of kindness challenge, and will report back!
06-05-2018 05:34 PM
The last kind thing someone did for me was at the shops in IGA. I was about three dollars short at the checkout and I had absolutely no money left in my account until payday the next day. The lovely shop keeper fudged up some numbers and made it work so that I could get the essentials I needed. I will never forget her for that. It meant so much. I will let you know in the next few days how I go with my random acts of kindness.
06-05-2018 09:30 PM - edited 06-05-2018 09:31 PM
We had a potluck meal at work and someone took my dish home and washed it since I left early before I could retrieve my dish. That was very sweet.
For a random act of kindness I will have to report back tomorrow. I can think of many things I do for my family but not strangers.
06-05-2018 11:03 PM
Hi @gina-Ro I love these ideas! I already do some of these, but I'm going to make an effort to do more.
My boss gave me some flowers the other week to celebrate 2 years working with them, which was really lovely. This was a complete surprise - I didn't even know it was my work anniversary! Its probably not the kindest gesture I have experienced, but one of the most recent.
I think that every time someone likes a post or replies to a topic on the forums is an of Act of Kindness. Sharing experiences and providing support to someone you don't know, demonstrates empathy, compassion and kindness that is a great comfort to other parents. I want to applaud all our Reach Out community for doing an awesome job
06-06-2018 09:16 AM
@hippychick - that's such a lovely story. It's crazy how something that might seem small - a couple of dollars - can mean so much in a situation like that. The kindness of a stranger can not be overestimated.
I've had a similar experience in a petrol station, but it was the person behind me in the line who gave me the few extra dollars I needed. The gratitude I had was huge, and put me in a good mood for the rest of the day.
06-06-2018 09:19 AM
@sunflowermom - that is so lovely of them to wash up the dish.
We can add that, and the giving a few dollars to someone at a shop, or petrol station, to our list of potential kind acts to do.
With the challenge, the random act of kindness may be something pre-planned that you think about and prepare ahead of time - or it could also be about looking out for opportunities to present themselves. Be on the lookout for ways to make someone's day - it's like a kindness scavenger hunt!
06-06-2018 09:22 AM
@Zoesplace That is so lovely of your boss - flowers are ALWAYS a good idea!
That is so true that on the forum every time someone replies to a post, it shows care and concern and is absolutely a beautiful act of kindness. Thank you to all of you for doing this so often for so many strangers. The impact is huge.
Another story I just remembered, one day I was coming back to my car, in a car spot i use regularly, and saw a note on the windscreen. I panicked thinking it was a parking fine, but it was actually a nice note from a stranger saying that I had parked my car the wrong way, and that they had gotten a fine in this spot for doing the same thing. They warned me to park it the other way to avoid a hefty fine. It was such a kind gesture, and I always park the correct way in that spot now!
06-06-2018 11:51 AM
06-06-2018 03:56 PM
Random acts of kindness?! Hmmm, I was struggling with this one. Then I remembered.
When driving, I always show patience and care for others in what many drivers seem to consider a contest.
I make a big effort to:
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