National Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, 2022

Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 14-20, 2022

Random Acts of Kindness Day began in 1995 in Denver, Colorado by a nonprofit organization named The Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation. By the year 2004 the observance of the holiday became more widespread.

The thinking behind Random Acts Of Kindness is that when you cultivate feelings of kindness, you end up brightening someone’s day. For those who want to observe this holiday, all you need to do is offer a little bit of kindness to another human being on February 17^th, and remember, acts of kindness is contagious.

Did you know that kindness is a natural painkiller because an act of kindness releases endorphins in the brain? Endorphins are the brain’s natural pain killer. With continued acts of kindness there is a 25% drop in cortisol which reduces blood pressure levels and slows the aging of the body, it also lowers rates of anxiety and depression. Additionally, acts of kindness will increase Serotonin levels which can help wounds heal faster.

During this Acts Of Kindness Week, direct your focus on looking for opportunities to share kindness and show compassion. Your acts can focus on one person, a larger group like your NAWBO chapter, or even the entire community.

After having a bad experience have you ever mumbled to yourself, “People are so rude these days - always in a hurry. Whatever happened to the good old days when people took the time to smile?” Fear not, kindness is not something that a person is born with, it can be taught, which means that everyone can perform acts of kindness.

If you’re like me, and wish you could change the world here are a few tips on how to get started:

• Consider virtual kindness options like inviting someone new to a zoom call.
• Make or take a meal to a colleague who is going through a difficult time.
• Open the door or hold the door for somebody.
• Write a note/letter to a NAWBO member who has positively impacted your life.
• Write a thank you note to somebody who sent you a referral.
• Text someone on your committee and say, “I like having you on our committee because _______________.”
• Pay for the person behind you in line.
• Call a NAWBO member you haven’t spoken to in a while and catch up.
• Put a note in your mailbox for the postman, thanking him/her for what they do.
• Offer to help a committee chairperson with a task.
• Surprise someone by bringing them a favorite snack or drink they love.
• Sit next to someone who is sitting alone at lunch, and have a conversation with them.
• Let someone go ahead of you in line.
• Volunteer for a nonprofit.
• Feed a stranger’s meter.
• When driving, allow someone into your lane.
• Make a donation in someone’s name.
• Leave double the normal tip.

So, make this a day when you will look for opportunities to brighten someone else’s day. A smile, even behind a mask, can change another person’s day for the better.