Random Acts of Kindness Week

This year Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 9-15, according to the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Do something nice for someone!

Monday I was walking past a car whose passenger door was open.  The passenger, an older lady, couldn't reach the handle to close it because the door was too long.  She was calling to her husband, who was at the other side of the car loading cargo, to come help her.  I said "May I close it for you?" and did so.  Easy, fast, and so worth doing.  Her surprised smile will stay with me. 

I recently read Thom Hartmann's The Prophet's Way, which discusses small, private acts of compassion. I didn't think the "private" part was that important but on reflection, it may well be. Doing something kind isn't about being acknowledged for it. It's about the act of kindness itself.

Need ideas for small acts of kindness?  Check out the Spread Change blog.  They've got lots of suggestions, mostly inexpensive and easy.