In 1982, a wonderful woman named Anne Herbert incited others to be kind with her words: “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty”. She must have known that random acts of kindness boost well-being. Now there are placemats, web sites, foundations and videos about random acts of kindness. But what is a “random act of kindness”? These senseless acts are inconsistent, spontaneous actions designed to offer kindness towards the outside world. The outside world includes friends, family, groups, total strangers, and animals alike. https://www.rd.com/article/free-random-acts-of-kindness/

Examples of Kind Acts

• Hold a door open for the person behind you
• Pay for the car behind you in the drive-through
• Offer to let someone go in front of you at the grocery store
• Offer a neck massage to a stressed friend
• Bake cookies for the entire office
• Help a person in need pay a bill
• Offer to cook or clean for a sick neighbor
• Randomly clean the trash out of your neighbor’s yard, or anywhere you see it rolling around
• Suprise your friends with a yard sign
• Leave an exceptionally big tip for your favorite server, or any server
• Write an excellent review
• Play games with the neighbor kids so their mom can have some quiet time
• Sit and talk with an elder-you may receive more than you give
• Give an essential oil massage (aroma touch) http://www.mydoterra.com/denisekuhn

Kindness and Well-Being

Well-being has no singular definition. However, it is generally considered a state of satisfaction. One that includes the presence of positive emotions, positive feelings, and fulfillment.

Random acts of kindness improve physiological well-being by causing the brain to release “happy hormones”. A few of these hormones include:

• Oxytocin
• Serotonin
• Endorphins
• Nitric Oxide Mask with the Molecule of the Year (1992)

In a nutshell, the release of these hormones improves health for the recipient and the philanthropist, alike. These effects include feelings of greater:

• love
• awe
• self-esteem
• energy
• calm
• happiness
• self-worth
• security
• relationship satisfaction
• overall health

My Experience with Random Acts of Kindness

A few days ago, I offered the person behind me to go before me at the checkout stand. My random act of kindness was immediately and unexpectedly topped by his gift of a fresh, crisp $100 dollar bill to cover the cost of my groceries. After bagging and loading my groceries, and then processing my thoughts, I realized the checker needed recognition for her crucial participation in this “random act of kindness collaboration”. She could have easily pocketed the money, but she did not. She allowed the ripple of kindness to resonate.

In light of the checkers honesty and honor, I returned the cart appropriately and went back into the store. Her actions inspired me to appreciate her with some true, but kind words and a little monetary gift. I am hoping that the ripple of kindness continues to exponentiate to a multitude of other people in need for a boost of Oxytocin.

Practicing Random Acts of Kindness

As an author, a health coach, and a lover of kindness, I challenge you to indulge yourself with one random act of kindness this week. Please return to this post and share your experience! I cannot wait to see your ideas and hear your results! Until then-I hope you continue the journey to finding your fantastic!

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Yes, It’s true that Valentine’s day is a great opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the ones you love. However, it is also true that you can only give love  freely if you are able to truly appreciate yourself and your gifts!  As a result,  I am suggesting that you learn to love yourself in the Savage Garden sort of way: “Truly, Madly, Deeply.”  Simply stated, with a deep sense of true self-love and self- acceptance,  you  can stand alone knowing ” the comfort and protection of the highest powers.”  With that level of independence, you are free to give and receive love,  to achieve your goals,  and to make a difference in the world!

When looking at successful people, it is important to notice the types of things they say to themselves as they work their way to the top. One of my favorite examples is Mohammad Ali. Perhaps he is not the most romantic example of success on this February 14th, but he spoke very highly of himself, to himself and to every one else! Do you think he would have attained his dream of being the best in the world if he went around telling himself, ” I am the worst boxer on the planet. I float like a ton of bricks”? Never. Instead he uttered only outrageously  positive things. Once he  was quoted as saying,  “I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was!”

There are countless other examples of people and quotes that exemplify the importance of self-love. Perhaps, Mac Davis had it right when he sang: “Oh lord it’s hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way”! In any case, If you cannot  convince yourself that self-love is something you can immediately accomplish, try watching Ann Cuddy’s “Your posture shapes who you are” on TED Talks. In it she  states, “Fake it until you become it!’  http://blog.ted.com/2012/10/11/amy-cuddy-talks-power-posing

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