7 Easy Random Acts of Kindness

Psst…It’s Random Acts of Kindness Week, and you have the power to turn someone’s frown upside down! Never heard of it? It’s an annual opportunity to unite with others around, well, kindness.

It all started with The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, a nonprofit launched in 1995 and dedicated to spreading kindness throughout homes, schools and communities across the globe. The organization holds fun events throughout the year and so far over 8,000 people worldwide have joined the movement—coming together around the idea that sweet gestures can alter the way people see and interact with the world.

Just think, when you’re feeling a bit down, doesn’t it feel nice when someone takes the time to do something as simple as smile and say hello? So how about it? Ready to become a RAKtivist? (Random Acts of Kindness activist!) Here are seven easy ways you can spread the love today.

1. Bring in bagels. Whether it’s homeroom or an early morning class—bring in something for everyone to nibble on to help start the day off on a positive (and tasty!) note.

2. Say thank you. Maybe it’s your parents, a teacher, bus driver or a friend—if you feel a sense of gratitude for the role someone’s playing in your life to any degree, express it! It may mean much more than you know.

3. Offer to help a fellow student with work. See someone struggling with the latest Algebra equation? Reach out and assist!

4. Ask how someone’s day is going. Could be the janitor, lunch lady or your principal. Whoever it is, they’ll appreciate you taking the time to ask how they’re doing.

5. Organize a food drive. We frequently see canned good collections and the like happening during the holidays but people—including kids!—are in great need all year long.

6. Pick it up. That is, something that has dropped. In the hall at school or the subway, people will be grateful you helped return their item to them.

7. Encourage the other team. Maybe you’ve just won the big game or competition and you’re feeling ecstatic. But you know what being on the other end feels like, remember? Head over to an opponent and compliment them on their performance. They may be down in the dumps at the moment, but you’ll lift their spirits—if even for a second—and they’ll be remembering your sportsmanship for a long time to come.

Share in the comments section below if you’ve tried doing these or any other random acts of kindness and how they turned out. Or give a shout-out to someone who did something kind for you that made your day.