Random Acts of Kindness
Kindness is an innate quality of most human beings. When we see it directed toward others, it makes us feel good. When it is directed toward us, we feel great. Yet sometimes we feel kindly toward someone around us, but feel uncomfortable showing it. Why not let your kindness show? One of the best ways to do this is by practicing random acts of kindness.
Kindness doesn’t cost anything. In fact, it’s much easier to be kind than to be mean. In addition, the kind acts we perform will often prompt others to act in the same way, even if we may not always see it.
The secret to practicing kindness is to not expect a reward. If we’re not dependent on the other person’s reaction, we can enjoy the simple act for itself. Another key to kindness is to keep the act anonymous. What if you arrived at work and found a batch of freshly baked cookies sitting on your desk? You would want to know who gave them to you, but even if you never found out, you would still enjoy the cookies.
Practicing random acts of kindness on those around you--even people you don’t know--is easy. We all know someone who is having a difficult time at home. Maybe that person has a very ill family member or maybe he or she is just down and depressed. A fresh bouquet of flowers from your garden left on the person’s desk may just brighten his or her day and lessen the load. Offering to fill in for someone who is anxious about a sick child at home is a more direct act of kindness, as is offering encouragement and support to a co-worker who is struggling with a difficult task or project.
It doesn’t take much to start practicing random acts of kindness, just a good spirit and a desire to be helpful to another person. Don’t be surprised if other people in the office start doing the same once you get the ball rolling. In addition to being very good for your mind and spirit, kindness is also contagious. Once you start, you just can’t stop.
