Have you ever been totally blown away by a Random Act of Kindness (RAK)?? Just totally flabbergasted that someone -friend, family or stranger - does something totally unexpected for you and want absolutely nothing in return??
Well that has happened to me – I met a true RAKtivist – my own guardian angel. I wrote about it and @immortal-tongue –asked if I would post about my feelings after this response to his comment.
My response:
Yes it is sort of strange that she did not want me to thank her in my own way. She had spent so much time with me - I cannot complain.
I feel blessed that she was there for me. I was extremely vulnerable and was clearly out for a long time. It is an overwhelming feeling as it is as though I was dead for a while. Of course, I was just unconscious but I have no idea what occurred from the moment I passed out until I woke up - that is a minimum of 30 minutes- it is a long time. I am then at the mercy of good humans.
I am truly blessed because I was cared for 3 more times by total strangers who took care of me as they would themselves.
I assisted a trapped fly and the memories came flooding back of a total stranger who gave up the better part of her morning to take care of me. If you are curious about what happened –you can find the story here: An Unforgettable day: a guardian angel.
A stranger momentarily came in my life in an unexpected way and then she was gone – back to the concrete jungle and the hustle and bustle of the city.
Here are my feelings
Without getting too soppy – I felt blessed. Nice things happen to me all the time but nothing like this. People are not often so selfless. I could have been ignored but I was not. There are still great people with a kind and good heart in this world. I can attest to that.
Someone might think - well MoMoGrOw - you got lucky that time. It was really a random act. However, I fainted a total of 4 times in public and came to no harm. It is an overwhelming feeling - words cannot truly describe how I feel.
A funny thing happened to me – I started to see life in a different way. I became kinder and more grateful. I am no Mother Theresa but I endeavor to be a RAK-tivist whenever I can. RAKs are contagious too. When you get one - you want to also give one away.
RAK –RAK –tivist.
My story epitomizes the phrase Random Acts of Kindness. So what is that really?
According to Wikipedia:
A random act of kindness is a non-premeditated, inconsistent action designed to offer kindness towards the outside world.
The phrase was first written by Anne Herbert in 1982 – she published a book called Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty in 1993.
Did you know that there is a RAK week? It starts on February 11th and ends on February 17th - Random Act of Kindness Day.
source
To be a RAKtivist - one does not need to do anything big. Not at all – it just needs to be something kind; for example:
- Paying for a cup of tea of coffee for someone in your local Starbuck or coffee corner.
- Moving the lawn or shovelling snow for a neighbor.
- Writing a 15 second email., saying “Thanks for being a great friend” or “Thinking of you”. An endearing comment could change someone’s day. Often people do not hear how special they are, often enough.
- Giving a compliment to a stranger. So many people can use one of them – try it – you will brighten someone's day.
- Donating used clothes or books to a shelter. You will only care about a quarter of the things you are hoarding in years to come.
- Leaving a nice note on someone desk. This note might be kept for a long time and become a little treasure.
- Holding the elevator door for someone (even when you are in a hurry). Chivalry is not dead.
- Send a joke to someone. Laughing is a great medicine.
- Be kind to yourself too. Write down 2 things you are grateful for every day.
blockchain gestures
- Giving a 100% upshare to someone who is not your follower or a friend. This will certainly be appreciated especially by newbies.
- DM someone whose post inspired you - thank them.
Being kind should not be so unusual that we need a special day. However why not – there is a day for so many things and who does not need a reminder to be kinder than usual on a particular day. If we all practice – soon we will all be kind without thinking about it. Wouldn’t that be great. You will feel different. The world will feel different.
Just remember it starts with one person - you can create a ripple effect.
A RAK can change someone’s life – I am the living proof.
A few question which could Start the Ripple:
- Are you a RAKtivist?
- Have you ever received a RAK? If yes, how did you feel thereafter?
- What do you think about celebrating RAK Day here on the blockchain?
- Do you think you are now inspired to do a RAK today, tomorrow – soon?
I am eager to hear what you think.
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