The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Are you looking for ways to make yourself and those around you feel better?

Well I have the answer and its pretty simple - its #kindness !

Today is #randomactsofkindnessday and there is no better time to put a smile on someone's face. I assure you that you do not need huge gestures, it can be something as simple as a smile to a stranger, a small act of generosity, or any encouraging word can make all the difference in someone's life. Trust me, it matters!

In times like today where many of us feel overwhelmed, confused, unsure, burnt out, depressed and exhausted from economy struggles, the lack of job security, coming out of a two year pandemic, poor health, division as a society, the loss and grief over lost loved ones --- there's no better time than right now. It matters.

The greatest part is that it has a ripple effect, benefiting society on a massive scale. Being kind releases hormones that reduce pain, stress, anxiety and make us feel happier for up to a month afterwards, pretty amazing no?

Random Acts of Kindness is annual celebration that encourages small moments of goodwill and compassion towards ourselves and others, it typically runs for a week but I encourage you to celebrate this everyday throughout the year.

The Random Acts of Kindess Foundation was initiated in Denver, Colorado in 1995 and since then has spread worldwide with incredible energy.

The Random Act of Kindness Day aims to cultivate the emotion of kindness and brighten up someone’s day, so each year on the 17th of February we intentionally seek ways in which we can demonstrate kindness for another.

To help you out, I have come up with some ideas that you can use today to make someone's day better and let them know that they are seen, valued, appreciated and loved. Here we go:

1. Donate to a cause you care about, no matter how small your donation might be! This can be your time, money, belongings, etc.
2. If you stop by a coffee shop, offer to buy the next customer’s coffee.?We've seen this happen at Starbucks where the chain is over 100+ people!
3. Make a list of your partners lovely qualities and read them out to them.?Children and co-workers as well.
4. Ask your neighbors if you can help them out with something like dog sitting, errands, little things to be fixed around the house or carrying groceries.
5. Donate blood and/or put your name on a organ donor list.
6. Offer to help someone who is carrying a heavy bag or groceries.
7. Leave a secret kind message somewhere along your journey today, for example, you could leave a little note that says “Hope you have a lovely day today!” on your train or bus seat. Or even in the back seat of the Uber!
8. Think of what your strongest skills are and offer to give your colleagues a free class/lesson about one of them.?
9. Plant wildflowers in your community or start a community garden!
10. Stop to help someone who is looking lost and confused.
11. Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter. Even extra food.
12. Take the opportunity to ask your postman or your delivery courier about their day. Offer them a fresh bottle of water.
13. If you notice litter on the streets as you walk, take a second to put it in the bin.?
14. Write a letter to an old teacher or mentor thanking them for all the knowledge they imparted to you.
15. Take time to write an online review about an amazing local establishment or business.
16. Acknowledge someone who deserves praise.
17. Help an elderly or vulnerable neighbor.
18. Buy a homeless person a lovely warm meal.
19. Let someone who has only a few items go in front of you at the grocery store.
20. Call a family member just to say “I love you” - just because :)
21. Leave a glowing online recommendation for an inspirational individual here on #linkedin that you would highly recommend.?
22. Let new parents know that they are doing an amazing job; they most likely need that!
23. Give an unexpected compliment to a coworker.?
24. Practice self-kindness and spend 30 minutes doing something you love today! You too, deserve acts of kindness.
25. Support a local business with a generous tip!
26. Join a local telephone "befriending service" and chat with an older person who may feel lonely and has no family (one of my favorites).
27. Create a photo slideshow or mixed music playlist for someone you love.
28. Buy a few extra items during your grocery shop to give to food banks.
29. Find out your children's love language and then deliver it to them in kindness.
30. Let a vehicle into the traffic ahead of you.
31. Buy a bunch of umbrellas and hand them out to the homeless.
32. Take muffins or cookies to your local librarians.
33. Try to make sure every person in a group conversation feels included.
34. Pay the bus fare for another passenger?today.
35. Send a handwritten letter to someone today.

What else could you add to the list?

Workplace Kindness Challenge

How can we demonstrate kindness in the workplace today?

You can surely use any of the ideas above or even some of your own but how about we make this engaging and fun so we can truly amplify the ripple effect?

Here below is a challenge to use in your workplace to encounter a kinder, more compassionate environment.

Once someone completes all 50 items below, celebrate, this could look like offering an incentive such as a vacation day, maybe tickets to an event or musical, a gift card, a lunch or something your organization finds appropriate.

You can copy this list, print it off, send it in an email and have them check them off as they complete. You can do some of these on your breaks and during lunch!

Ready? Here we go:

• Wake up early to exercise
• Includes someone who might have a new perspective
• Send an uplifting text to a friend or family member
• Celebrate someone's accomplishment
• Explore your surroundings
• Leave a glowing review of a local business online
• Buy something from a locally owned business
• Reflect on three things you accomplish this week.
• Put away your phone while someone else in someone else's company
• Change three small things about your routine that will help the environment
• Smile
• Create time in your day to connect with someone
• Treat someone to a cup of coffee or tea
• Write a list of things you appreciate about your boss and give them to him
• Tells someone they are doing a great job
• Stop what you're doing and breathe deeply, close your eyes and appreciate your life.
• Call someone you've been meaning to reach out to
• Tell someone 3 things you appreciate about them
• Don't complain for 24 hours - nothing
• Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can
• Place encouraging sticky notes in public areas
• Share your favorite song with someone
• Laugh until your belly hurts
• Share some positivity
• Start a gratitude journal
• Take 5 minutes to think about all your positive relationships
• Become an ambassador for something important
• Leave coins at the vending machine so someone can enjoy a treat
• Bring a yummy treat in for everybody to enjoy
• Take a walk and reflect on the things that bring you happiness
• Stop. Hydrate yourself
• Start and end the day with positive intentions
• Help someone that could use an extra hand
• Text a colleague and encouraging message
• Write a letter to your future self and schedule it to send you back to you in one year. You can use futureme.org
• Get some exercise, do something you enjoy during lunch or after work
• Recommend an uplifting movie or book to someone
• Send someone a card or note of appreciation
• Text someone a positive message
• Sign up and be an organ donor
• Donate to a local nonprofit
• Complement with reckless abandon
• Download a meditation app and try it out before bed
• Tidy up a disorganized area, start with your desk
• Make it a point to listen to others and don't interrupt
• Go for a long walk
• Answer your phone with a smile on your face. People can hear your smile
• Relay and overheard compliment to someone
• Publicly acknowledge someone who deserves the praise
• Exhibit kindness, even when in a hurry

Kindness is a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world. - Tara Murney

What Life Truly Is

Through generosity, we can live a life that is truly life.

Today we're celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day and it's a great opportunity for all of us to demonstrate how kindness truly impacts other human beings who feel alone, some even feel abandoned.

I leave you with something I read a long time ago by Tao & Zen and its said so beautifully ---

"What is my purpose in life?" I asked the void.

"What if I told you that you fulfilled it when you took an extra hour to talk to that kid about life?" Said the voice

"Or when you paid for that young couple in a restaurant, or when you saved that dog in traffic, or when you tied your father's shoes for him?

Your problem is that you equate purpose with a goal based achievement.

God or the universe or morality isn't interested in your achievements, just your heart. When you choose to act out of kindness, compassion and love, you are already aligned in your true purpose. No need to look any further."

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY XX

Tara Murney is an Emotional Intelligence Coach who mentors conscious leaders to experience new levels of clarity, focus, creativity, and fulfillment to create a global impact through their businesses.

She is the CEO of TARAMURNEY, a company built on the foundation of empowering women with her teachings on emotional intelligence, intuition, and spirituality.

Tara is best recognized for her coaching with cultural visionaries, leading changemakers and soul-preneurs, consulting and teaching them on how to unlock their creative genius, and uses executive strategic awareness for training, self-awareness, and emotional EQ.