commit acts of random kindness

The cookies will be made tonight, insh’allah, and the list of inexpensive small acts of kindness will be written. So little time… o.O

It’s amazing to think of how many little things I have done that revolve around money. Many of the very small things that come to mind are not free, they just seem to evade being thought of as part of the “spendy” list because it’s a small amount of money. =\

Example: A short while back, I used to go down to the soda machine at our old apartment complex nearly every day, around 10:00 pm, to grab a Mountain Dew. I decided to leave 4 quarters in the machine every few days, so the next person to grab a soda would find that it was waiting to dispense something, sans payment.

This small act of kindness ducked under the radar because it’s “only a dollar,” but yet I could not have done this w/o the dollar! Not to mention the times I could not do this because the dollar needed to go to other, more important things.

This may take more thought than I had realized. I’d prefer my list to have more than 6 or 7 things on it.

(>_<)

I have just read a post by redheadraye that mentioned doing this without breaking the bank… I will compile a list of inexpensive and/or free Random Acts of Kindness a bit later today, after baking cookies for my children. That has to come first. =)

I believe that putting together a list will be both an excercise in creativity and a lesson for myself in getting past the idea that money = happiness.

On to the cookies!! WooHoo!

I know it’s good karma, and depending on what Religion you are dedicated to, it is a matter of musts... but there is something so satisfying in doing this just for the sake of doing it. =)

Little things, like paying for the coffee of the person in line behind you at the Starbucks Drive-Thru… paying extra for something at a yard sale and telling them to keep it, their stuff is worth it… even writing a short note to someone you meet online to say, “I’d like to know more people like you.” So many options, such a short time we’re here.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget why we do things like this when so many people have been conditioned to think small acts of kindness are a way to get something in return, and they refuse your kindness. Some people are outright suspicious and tell you you’re a freak. LOL

When these people return home, however, and think about the fact that you wanted nothing in return, it will make them wonder why, and hopefully they will try it someday in turn.

What really makes this worthwhile, however, is living with the knowledge that we do not need a reason to be kind. =) Long after we click “Worth Doing” on our lists, most of us will continue to do this. It’s more addictive than coffee, and I have never seen coffee truly take a step in changing the world. ;)

I think it’s time for me to stop writing, and go do something nice! =D

^{I know going out with the intent do this is not exactly random, but hey we do what we can. LOL}