A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-17-04....Random Acts of Kindness

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Experiments in Anonymous Kindness
~ http://helpothers.org ~

Starting in September of 2003, small cards like this one began appearing all around the world. They are markers - a newfangled game of tag, where “you're it” because someone has done something nice for you. Then it’s your turn to do something nice for someone else and, in the process, pass the card along.

This is a game of pay-it-forward. It is a game that makes the world a brighter place by putting smiles on the faces of both the unexpecting recipient and the stealthy giver. It’s a game that makes us aware of the abundant opportunities to help others – folks we know and those we’ve never seen before. It is a game that teaches the fun of purely selfless giving – doing for others without recognition or reward. It is a game that celebrates anonymous service.

For these experiments in anonymous kindness, you are the scientist and the world is your laboratory. Is kindness truly contagious? There's only one way to find out...

Some Ideas

Want to do something kind, but just can't think of what to do? Here are a few ideas you might try. (And smile when you do them)

• Give a lottery ticket to a stranger.
• Compliment a stranger sincerely.
• Return shopping carts to the store.
• Buy biscuits for your neighbor's dog.
• Drive a neighbor without a car to the market.
• Shovel your neighbor's sidewalk or mow their lawn.
• Put a quarter in a parking meter that has expired.
• Send someone a small gift anonymously.
• Write something nice about the waiter or waitress on the back of your bill.
• Help someone start their car when it has stalled.
• Help someone find something they have lost.
• Invite someone who is alone over for Easter or Thanksgiving or just Sunday dinner.
• When visiting in a hospital, spend a few minutes with someone who has no visitors.
• Write someone who has just received sad news, a note of encouragement.
• Adopt a senior citizen or grandparent.
• Make copies of this page and give to all your friends.
• Bring your pet to a nursing home for a visit.
• Help people load their groceries into their cars or, if it's raining, hold their umbrella.
• Tell your boss that he or she does a great job.
• Plant some wildflowers along the roadside.
• Pick up trash or pull some weeds in your neighborhood.
• Give another driver your parking spot.
• Give family and friends "kindness coupons" they can cash-in for special favors.
• Write a thank-you note to a person from your past who has made a difference in your life.
• Clean graffiti off of neighborhood walls and buildings.
• Bring home-cooked meals, blankets and socks to the homeless.
• Write a note to the boss of someone who has helped you, praising the employee.
• Put an anonymous supportive note on a colleague's desk.
• Buy a box of popsicles to share with the staff on a hot day.
• Offer to switch a shift with a colleague when they need time off.
• Walk a colleague to their car or bus at night time for safety purposes.
• Mentor someone and share your skills, knowledge and abilities with them.
• Drop a few coins in an area where children play, where they can easily find them.
• Spend a few minutes going through your old photos, and send whatever you can part with to the people in the photos.
• Donate blood, and encourage others to do so.
• Wash someone's car as a surprise.
• Donate to the needy - money, clothes, food.
• Clean someone's home.
• If someone has a dog, and the person is temporarily incapacitated due to an illness or injury, offer to take the dog for a walk.
• Go to opportunity shops and purchase toys in good condition and donate them to charities for children.
• Surprise somebody with a small gift that they may be unable to afford.
• Be courteous in traffic and in parking lots.
• Stop to take a lost animal to its owner or to an animal shelter.
• Offer to be a wheel chair pusher if you know of a disabled group going on an outing.
• Volunteer for 'Meals on Wheels'.
• Take your neighbor’s washing off the line if it's raining and they are not home, or put out/take in the rubbish bin/recycling box.
• Step aside to allow a frail or elderly person to go ahead of you in a queue.
• Smile and laugh more often.

All of the text and information in today's post was found at http://helpothers.org. Most of you already practice kindness in your everyday lives, and there are probably no ideas above that you haven't already thought about or done at least once, so let me take this opportunity once again to thank you for all you mean to us ....

You are all the bestest and the finest!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-16-04 Military Monday

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Thanks, Mixer!

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[Billie]

Thanks, Maggie, and I knew this would be right up your alley today! Way more than ONE of those good deeds belong to the LadyX though!

[dansangel]

Any news yet on Florida? (please tell me yes!)

No. :-(

I'm told this is a "normal" time frame, although I have certain issues that are pressing right now - a lease that needs renewing and a *major* project at work that does not have my undivided attention until I know what's doing down south. So......

Please continue to pray for me. (((((Billie)))))

[Billie]

Good morning, Johnny Mac. Love your post, as I always do!

[Billie]

Good morning Billie and all. I'll try to do something nice today.

Good morning, Mr. Owl. That shouldn't be hard for you to do. :)

[Billie]

I'm told this is a "normal" time frame, although I have certain issues that are pressing right now - a lease that needs renewing and a *major* project at work that does not have my undivided attention until I know what's doing down south. So......

Please continue to pray for me. (((((Billie)))))

Will do - it's going to come together, wait and see. :)

(((((((((FloridaSunshineGirl))))))))))

[MeekOneGOP]

Good morning, Meekie - don't be so quick to call winter over in Texas! LOL! (though I'm ready) :)

hehe ! I'm with you.

It looks like Springtime here the next 4-5 days. Heading for the upper 60s, lower 70s by the weekend.

But IF it does get cold again, I'm back in the 'I wanna see some snow' mode ! haha ! ...

[FreeTheHostages]

Oh, but I'm *sure* the Thin Man will be kind! His mere presence is a kind gesture to us all.

[dansangel]

(((((((((FloridaSunshineGirl))))))))))

See? You've made me smile *again*!

:-)

[MeekOneGOP]

Don't forget to take a doggie treat.

I want one ! I want one ! Me too! Me too ! Me too ! Me too !

[Billie]

Snow's okay - for one day only maybe! :)

[The Thin Man]

Hi Billie. In keeping with the theme I wanted to say something kind to you but I can't think of anything. :)

[Billie]

(does this post count as a kind thing to do?)

LOL! I think you get double points for that one! Hopefully he will be here soon so that we can give him a nice warm hug. :)

{{{{{{{{{{{{T Man}}}}}}}}}}}}

[The Thin Man]

And, to someone that makes me smile even though he tries his best to *ruin* my day

It's just a shame you don't have any teeth to brighten that smile (that's if your tagline is to be trusted).

:-)

[Billie]

Good! I like to see you smile. :)

[Billie]

Of course I had my fingers crossed when I posted #52. :)

[The Thin Man]

Oh, but I'm *sure* the Thin Man will be kind! His mere presence is a kind gesture to us all.

LOL! I'm quite surprised at your very kind and sincere words. It seems I've underestimated the value of my presence.

[MeekOneGOP]

Yep ! One day's about how long this one lasted, too.

[The Thin Man]

Of course I had my fingers crossed when I posted #52. :)

I'm doing my best to be extra nice, I wish you would do the same. :)

[dansangel]

It's just a shame you don't have any teeth to brighten that smile (that's if your tagline is to be trusted).

True. But, it's the thought (and effort) that counts!

:-)

[dixie sass]

I do so pledge.

Morning Billie - this is a really neat thread!