Random Acts of Kindness......

Random act of kindness.....

This is a love lesson/project that my 6yr old son and his youth group are doing and I wanted to share it here. Because I think it is so simple and at the sametime is substantially beautiful. Also, I must say, I hope becomes contagious!

He was given a $5 bill in an envelope. With a few very simple instructions. He was to perform a random act of kindness. Something that would benefit another person in someway. The person had to be someone he didn't know. Next, and I think most important, he has to choose whether to use the money for this person or to do something on his own and return the money. Then he and all the other youths will share their story and experiences with one another.

I am not sure yet what he is going to choose to do. All I know as of now is that he wants to take this opportunity to help someone at the nursing home near our house. He, my mother, and I go there and take people birthday cards and a birthday bear on their birthdays and just visit with them on their special day. It's just something small that we can do to let these people know that though they may be shut in, they are loved and they are not forgotten.

I am anxious to see what he decides to do and will post his story if you would like. I just wanted to share this with you because it reminds me that every person can make a difference. Even if your budget is 0-5 dollars! And the life experience.....priceless!

Maybe a 6yr old can teach us all about random acts of kindness and how to love one another! I know I am of a biased opinion of this little one in particular, lol. But the sincerity and purity of his heart inspires me daily to be a better person. I hope he can inspire you too!

recluse1

Please feel free to share your own story here! I would love to hear about it! Especially about how someone else's kindness has touched your life.

blessings to all
recluse1

(edited to add last sentence)

(((recluse1 and son))))))))
you are very kind yourself
always giving random acts of kindness here at pc
ty

Just out of nowhere...a friend sent me a very sweet pm. I have been feeling pretty blah this morning and this message made me smile. Quite a feet to accomplish today I must admitt,lol.

((muffy)) I so agree with your quote that sometimes it IS the littlest of things in life that make a difference! This is just an example of that.

Blessings to all,
recluse1

help from strangers? or i guess it can be anyone... i am most deeply touched when a stranger does the unexpected and is helpful...

i am thinking of all the many incidences i witness, have been a part of....

all the memories cloud my head... without kindnesses from others i simply do not believe i would exist at all...

a man i knew once.... his father, a soldier, had passed and it was the anniversary of his death.... the son put a USA flag in the back of his truck and drove down the street honking...

it turns out he had taken the flag from someones house and the flag owner decided to chase him down and full speed ahead rammed the young mans' truck...

where is the kindness we are all wondering? .. that son was a very sensitive young man... he did not seek revenge for the damage to his truck even to it left him without a vehicle or a way to repair it... that son gave me his military pants one day... way too large for me to wear....

but it was a thing very special that he wanted me to have... he gave me the gift of love.....

(((recluse1))))) and ((all)))

Can't wait to hear what your precious one does with this task he's been given.

I don't have a story to tell about myself but your post brought one of my neighbors to mind. She lives alone with her two old dogs and a cat. She cooks her pet's meals in bulk and also cooks for herself like that. Inveriably, another neighbor will come to her mind and she shares one serving portions with these people. I've often been a recipient of these goodies.

She not only brings me my portion but she also shares the recipe, especially if she has just found the recipe in a magazine or seen it on TV.
The telling of the recipe is usually filled with humor so that's an added "gift."

((((((NWTR))))) & ((((((September))))))

Thank you both so so very much for sharing your stories here. This has brought me both joy and inspiration! There are so many ways we all touch each others lives and how beautiful it is when we are touched with the love of others! Both stories were gleaming examples of how something so seemingly small can have a great impact on ones life. And to have shared it only inspires others to reach out as well!

Thank you so much and Blessings to all,
recluse1

Recently a friend from church was in need of clothes suitable for church, so I looked over my clothes and gave her half of my good dresses. I also went to the goodwill and bought two dresses, cut the tops off them as they were too small, and added elastic to the bottoms of these dresses and gave her the two newly made skirts. She was so happy to get them as they fit perfectly being just the right size.

(((((oxbowgirl))))))

That was a very nice thing you did for your friend. I am sure she will always remember you and your kind heart. And most likely will be inclined to do something of the same for another because of the kindness you have shown her.

Thank you for sharing!
recluse1

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recluse1 said:
Just out of nowhere...a friend sent me a very sweet pm. I have been feeling pretty blah this morning and this message made me smile. Quite a feet to accomplish today I must admitt,lol.

((muffy)) I so agree with your quote that sometimes it IS the littlest of things in life that make a difference! This is just an example of that.

Blessings to all,
recluse1

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((recluse))))))))))))))) you deserve all the nice things that happen out of nowehere.......

Well, my son was given until Wednesday to do whatever he decided. I must admitt it was harder than I thought it would be to not impose on him or "lead" him on his journey. BUT, I did not. I left it TOTALLY in his hands and upto him to decide. He hadn't spoken about it to anyone and I was starting to think his 6yr old mind had forgotten or he had just decided to not participate. As much as I wanted to ask or remind him....I kept my mouth shut and waited. I am so glad I did. It was beautiful to watch the events unfold and see how his heart lead him!

Yesterday, we were getting ready to go to the nursing home for a birthday delivery/visit. I was getting our things together for the visit and for the plans we had afterward. Totally oblivious to what my son was doing. As we started out the door, I saw a basket sitting by the steps. He had quietly been putting his "care package" together to take along.

He had told me before he wanted to help someone at the nursing home, but he hadn't said anything more about it. So, he began to explain about the basket and what it was for, I could feel my eyes hugging him as I stood there listening. On our previous visits there was a woman that was always sitting in the entrance. She had spoken to us once about how much she loved birds and how she missed her pets. There another woman who had pointed out the window of her room to show us an empty post where a feeder once was. And how she missed her "friends" visiting & perching outside the window. He remebered their sadness and want to help them both. He decided he would give of himself and not use the money given to him. (Which delighted me that he was able to see on his own that you don't need money to do something kind.)

He had gotten two feeders of his, filled them both with seed and placed them in the small basket. And off we went! His mission was to take the feeders and place them outside each of their windows so that they wouldn't be sad about the birds anymore. He said if they had food for the birds, the birds would come and visit and that would make these ladies happy. And boy did it ever! The smiles on their faces and their roomates when this little boy showed up and explained what he had came to do! It was a beautiful experience for ALL of us.

After that was accomplished we set about our birthday delivery. We found our "birthday girl", a sweet little woman celebrating 90 yrs, in the dining hall with the others waiting for their supper. We gave her the stuffed bear and a birthday card and wished her happiness on her special day...........this is where my son's 3rd and unexpected act of kindness came into the picture. He began to sing happy birthday to this sweet little woman and all the other residents present joined in. Oh, how the birthday girl beemed with delight! Then to top it off he reach over and gave her a hug and a peck on the cheek, just as he had the other two ladies. And this just put him over the top with everyone. How they fussed and made over him.......sooo sweet! Much to my suprise he didn't boast or get the big head as I thought a child his age would. He handled himself so humbly and graciously........It touched me in such a special way I can't even describe it.

I hope his story has blessed you as much as the experience has blessed all that were involved. May it inspire us all to share a little time, love, and tenderness!

Blessings to all,
recluse1

WOW ! what a bright child you have, that was very smart of him

((((((coralproper))))))))

((((((((((recluse1 & Son))))))))))))))))),

Your experience brought tears to my eyes. As I have been in several nursing home situations (my Grandmother with alzheimers being one of them). I only know so well what absolute joy your son brought to those women.......& how wonderfuly sensitive he is to put together what they had mentioned along with his project of kindness. Your son is one very special person. It's awsome when you see the kindness coming through a very young person like that. That trait is something to keep reinforced as it's important throughout life.....expecially down the years & there is a wife in his life. The awareness & sensitivity to others & the ability to LISTEN & put that together with a need. That is a very complex ability that he has........you can see true love at work in him. Part is his nature, but it is also what he is growing up around & being made aware of as important things in life. It says a lot for you as parents also that he feels safe enough to give so freely of himself.

You are definitely blessed to have such a wonderful son,
Debbie

((((((((eskielover)))))))) now you are making me cry. Happy tears though. Your words were so kind and I thank you so much. And I agree, God did bless me. Children are a precious gift!