Why Random Acts of Kindness are So Important

We first heard the saying practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty, many years ago when we were at Findhorn, the well-known spiritual community in Scotland. It always struck us as being the most obvious thing to do, that practicing kindness and beauty should be a natural expression of who we are.

Although wonderful in its intention, recently there appears to be some misunderstanding about it, particularly the practice random acts of kindness part. This misunderstanding seems to arise from the idea that the receiver might not appreciate the kindness, that it might even make them apprehensive or distrustful. Sadly, this speaks more about the suspicious world we live in than about the nature of kindness. It is a shame that this may be the case, but if so, then what is needed are more acts of kindness and done by more of us, not less.

Be generous. Give to those you love; give to those who love you, give to the fortunate, give to the unfortunate — yes, give especially to those you don’t want to give. You will receive abundance for your giving. The more you give, the more you will have!– W. Clement Stone

Wikipedia says that a random act of kindness is: “a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual… There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier.”

Perhaps it is the use of the world random that is misleading, and that it would be easier if we used the word spontaneous or impulsive instead. Spontaneity means we are acting on an impulse, in the moment, freely; particularly, that we are moved to do something for someone without any thought of receiving something in return. Such behavior is surely the ground of a healthy and joyful society, where we happily give of ourselves to help another and such an act is happily received.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Holly E.

7:29AM PDT on May 3, 2012

One must remember that the whole idea of giving was obliterated inside the corporate culture of the United States of America. Inside that paradigm of thinking it is considered "wasteful" and "inefficient". You are considered "silly" if you give to someone else just out of a desire to show love to a fellow human being. This is one of the reasons artists, like me, were considered "childish" for wanting to give of ourselves even though it would not return a "profit". You are not applauded for that act. You are ridiculed. The perspective in corporate culture is that if your effort doesn't directly benefit you than you shouldn't make it. This is still a prevalent belief inside the world of business and needs to be confronted and challenged.

send a green star

ii q.

3:37PM PDT on May 2, 2012

Robert O.

11:15AM PDT on May 2, 2012

Random acts of kindness are important because they remind us that we are all part of the human race and threads in the beautfiful tapestry of humanity. We need to help one another and be cognizant of our actions and how we treat others. What goes around comes around tenfold.

Emma S.

3:16AM PST on Nov 10, 2011

I'm going to be on the lookout from now on - for the acts I receive, and for opportunities to give.

Geetha S.

7:22PM PDT on Aug 23, 2011

Thanks for posting.

PAM S.

11:29AM PDT on Aug 23, 2011

I WAS IN THE GROCERY AND A LADY WAS WALKING WITH A CAST. I ASKED HER WHAT HAPPENED, AND AFTERWARDS I TOLD HER I WOULD PRAY FOR HER AND SHE LIT UP WITH A BIG SMILE. TO ME IT FELT GOOD TO MAKE SOMEONE SMILE. I JUST LOVE THAT. IT'S A BLESSING WHEN YOU CAN DO THAT.

Elizabeth B.

7:33AM PDT on May 27, 2011

respond to people's need at the time it happens and sometimes the need arrives randomly embarce it so be it......everything has a season and we must be conscious of heart to hear it and not be distracted by menial tasks these will wait to later......man does not live on bread alone but by the holy spirit
i always admired this proverb, thank you for writing this article

dana l.

5:18PM PDT on May 8, 2011

i found a stray kitten a home.

Vanessa S.

9:59PM PDT on Apr 30, 2011

The past week has been one of the hardest that I have ever had to endure. After eight years of being in an extremely unhealthy relationship, I finally took my three kids and my dog and went to a domestic violence shelter. As soon as I walked in, one of the other ladies that were staying there came up to and hugged me. She told me that no matter what happened, it was all gonna be ok now. I just burst into tears because I had been barely able to keep it together, and that small gesture was just what I needed to hear exactly when I needed to hear it. Those little things matter so much. During this same week, my dad had surgery to replace a wire in his pacemaker. He is currently in stage four congestive heart failure. We had been waiting for what seemed like forever when the doctor finally came out to let us know how the surgery went. Unfortunately the wire could not successfully be replaced. It was extremely heartbreaking news to hear after we were so hopeful that some of his suffering could be relieved. We were just sitting there crying together after the doctor left. We weren't able to comfort eachother or really form a word. That's when a family came up to us with their faces showing the same worry and signs of crying as ours. They put their arms around us, and told us that we were not alone because they were going through the same thing and they would keep us in their thought and prayers. These small things made all the difference in helping us get through these difficulties