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Day 141: Challenge 3 of RAK Week! Door Please!

Photo by Valter Nepomuceno Flickr

It is Day 3 of Random Acts of Kindness Week. They call it the “Extreme Kindness Challenge.” I call it “fun and easy”incorporating into your life today. It’s what 365give is all about – giving today. Don’t wait for tomorrow as it may never come or your schedule will keep getting so packed you won’t fit it in tomorrow either. It’s all about awareness. Plant the idea in your brain today and don’t let one door go unopened. Even walk a little faster just so you don’t miss the opportunity to do your Random Act of Kindness today.

One more idea for you – incorporate yesterday’s Random Act of Kindness and smile at the same time!

If I can reach out to at least one other person – just one person – and they reach out and do the same for one person. And you do your Random Act of Kindness today along with a 1000 others – by then of the day the effects of just one act of kindness produced by you – produced by each of us will make thousands of people happier and kinder by the end of the day.

What a place it would be to live if we were all kind to each other every day. Almost too pleasant to think about!

Give 141 / Day 141

I’m a bit of a goal oriented person. I may GIVE a lot but I still have goals and today I counted how many doors I was able to hold open for another person. 4 doors. This was the best part – 6 people opened the door for my son and I! To top it off I looked each person square in the eye, smiled and if I was holding the door open I said “you’re welcome, have a great day” and if they held it for me I said “thank you so much.”

So 4 people felt kindness towards them and I put a smile on their face as they had to smile back at my big toothy grin. I even got my 3 year old son on the band wagon and he had the opportunity to help me along the way. If you want to make someone smile just have your 3 year hold a door open. Not only is he cute but the smiles we got back and the gratitude was amazing.

The best part was the warm feeling I got each time someone help a door for me and the stroller. I felt lucky to have the extra help and without even knowing it each of these people were doing a Random Act of Kindness! Spread the word – share your stories. Let’s make this week of kindness one that will keep spreading all year round.

I am quickly realizing that Random Acts of Kindness week is really as simple as being kind to one another. Being gracious and considerate. All those things my parents rammed into our heads as kids and the same thing I am doing with my son now.

When did we forget to be kind to one another. When did we get so wrapped up in our own worlds that we forgot to reach out and touch someone else’s life for even a moment. How did our schedules get so jammed that we don’t even have the time for kindness any more?

Today is the day to put it in your calendar and remember. Make it a reoccurring event that will pop up every day for the rest of your life and remind us to be kind to each other. Your friends, your partner, your neighbour, your coworkers. We all have it in us we just need to be reminded every now and then.

Time Commitment: 1 minute

Cost: 0

**Please help me spread the word about 365give. If you like this post or any others please share it so together we can inspire people to give more in their lives. You can Tweet it, like it on Facebook or email it to your friends and family. Remember to subscribe to my daily GIVES from the main page so you can be inspired to GIVE every day.

Together we can change the world one day at a time.

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)