As I contemplated the idea of this blog I was eating a sandwich at an outdoor cafe. I had a few pieces of crust left, which gave me the idea to go back and buy a bread roll to take to the Hudson River bank. I found a bench with several sparrows nearby and started to toss them bread crumbs.
I hadn't done something like this for years, and I don't know why. This simple act accomplished such a wonderful feeling! In the past, when I've wanted to help animals I've volunteered with local dog rescue services (fostering them or transporting dogs to adoption events and vets), or brought supplies to animal shelters.
Helping animals can be something small, long term, or perhaps silly in some cases; but always welcomed. And as an animal lover myself, I will also welcome any "Random Acts of Kindness" provided to animals.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Start
It felt so obvious, the idea for this blog. Like it had been looking me straight in the face for months, yet I was unable to see it. It came to me this morning. The anniversary of my sister's death is next month, and I don't want to spend the day thinking how she left us too early. Rather, I want to celebrate her life, and invite others to do the same.
I decided to e-mail friends and family in a few weeks and invite everyone to join me in practicing one of Stacy's most favorite things... Random Acts of Kindness. More specifically, to practice them on September 26, the anniversary of her death.
I'd then ask everyone to e-mail me what they had done, and I could compile all of the stories and e-mail them back out.
It didn't sound right to limit this to only those in my address book, or to one day.
I still plan on sending that e-mail.... but now, I want to share our stories with everyone and not for just one day, but as long as we continue to practice Random (and Nonrandom) Acts of Kindness.
I guess Wikipedia's definition of "Random Acts of Kindness" could be a good place to start:
A random act of kindness is a purportedly selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases even an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities. An oft-cited example of a random act of kindness is, when paying the toll at a toll booth on a highway, to pay the toll for the vehicle behind you as well.
I decided to e-mail friends and family in a few weeks and invite everyone to join me in practicing one of Stacy's most favorite things... Random Acts of Kindness. More specifically, to practice them on September 26, the anniversary of her death.
I'd then ask everyone to e-mail me what they had done, and I could compile all of the stories and e-mail them back out.
It didn't sound right to limit this to only those in my address book, or to one day.
I still plan on sending that e-mail.... but now, I want to share our stories with everyone and not for just one day, but as long as we continue to practice Random (and Nonrandom) Acts of Kindness.
I guess Wikipedia's definition of "Random Acts of Kindness" could be a good place to start:
A random act of kindness is a purportedly selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases even an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities. An oft-cited example of a random act of kindness is, when paying the toll at a toll booth on a highway, to pay the toll for the vehicle behind you as well.
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