Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Random Acts of Kindness
Have you talked to your children about doing random acts of kindness? On the one hand, I think it is disturbing that we have to teach people how to be nice... on the other hand, I guess it is something that parents should be teaching their kids (mostly by modelling) from day one.
I think the point of random acts of kindness should be not just to be nice to your family, friends and neighbours...but to total strangers. Like today, on my way to work, at least 5 people held doors open for me. That was random...and nice!
I remember attending a conference a few years ago... it was entitled "Putting Faith into Action"... whether you are religious or not, I think this is a great concept... that if I have faith that I can make a difference in this world, my actions will matter.
This site has some great inspiration about doing random acts of kindness. There is actually a Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Cool eh? There are great stories and lesson plans for teachers (hey you homeschoolers this means you too!)
Helpothers.org is another great site that takes the idea from the movie Pay It Forward on helping others anonymously. The approach is kind of like a game of tag - when someone does something nice for you, then "you're it" and you try to do something nice for someone else. If you haven't seen this movie, it is fantastic, and great for kids about 10 years old and up.
I think it is very important to show your kids how to care about others, to take responsibility for those in their community and that they can make a difference. By demonstrating our own love of humanity, they will embrace this value and bring it into the future.
I hope by blogging, somehow I can help strangers feel better, whether it is by cheering them up, listening to them, providing links to needed resources, or just letting others know that someone else has been through something similar.
TAG. YOU'RE IT!
I think the point of random acts of kindness should be not just to be nice to your family, friends and neighbours...but to total strangers. Like today, on my way to work, at least 5 people held doors open for me. That was random...and nice!
I remember attending a conference a few years ago... it was entitled "Putting Faith into Action"... whether you are religious or not, I think this is a great concept... that if I have faith that I can make a difference in this world, my actions will matter.
This site has some great inspiration about doing random acts of kindness. There is actually a Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Cool eh? There are great stories and lesson plans for teachers (hey you homeschoolers this means you too!)
Helpothers.org is another great site that takes the idea from the movie Pay It Forward on helping others anonymously. The approach is kind of like a game of tag - when someone does something nice for you, then "you're it" and you try to do something nice for someone else. If you haven't seen this movie, it is fantastic, and great for kids about 10 years old and up.
I think it is very important to show your kids how to care about others, to take responsibility for those in their community and that they can make a difference. By demonstrating our own love of humanity, they will embrace this value and bring it into the future.
I hope by blogging, somehow I can help strangers feel better, whether it is by cheering them up, listening to them, providing links to needed resources, or just letting others know that someone else has been through something similar.
TAG. YOU'RE IT!
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