Random Acts of Kindness

On Aug. 21, 2014, almost 800 people made the news in St. Petersburg, Florida. No gunman was threatening lives and corporate America was not fighting another scandal, instead the big story was humans doing good. 

Lasting almost 2 days, a Pay it Forward chain was created at the local Starbucks. Strangers volunteered to pay for the next customer's coffee after being told that their coffee had been taken care of by a previous customer. Smiles came free as the random act of kindness chain continued to inspire almost everyone involved. 

Starbucks customer and a Pay it Forward chain participant Lucy Ramone told Bay News 9, "I think it just puts a smile on people's face."

Some in the public eye, did not see the Pay it Forward chain as an impromptu Random Act of Kindness. St. Petersburg blogger Peter Schorsch argued on his website that "customers were being told that they had had their drink paid for and then asked would they like to pay for the drink of the person next in line. That's not generosity, that's guilt." 
Full Story: http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/21/us/starbucks-pay-it-forward-chain/

While there will always be  critics in the world, that should not stop us from future Random Acts of Kindness. Even a simple smile to a stranger or holding the door open for someone behind you, can make someones day a little brighter. 

Can you surprise someone today and restore their faith in humanity? Here is a list of ideas to get you started: 

* Pay the bill for the person behind you
* Write a letter to someone who made a difference in your life 
* Donate to Goodwill 
* Make a kind or positive comment on an article or blog 
* Praise an employee to their manager 
* Return the shopping cart 
* Bring a treat to your neighbor or co-workers 
* Compliment a stranger 
* Leave a gift card in a book at a bookstore. 
* Donate blood 
* Leave an inspirational note on a strangers car 
* Leave a big tip
* Give another driver a close parking spot 
* Donate your used books or magazines to your local library 
* Drop a quarter into an expired parking meter 
* Feed a homeless person 
* Send a thank you to your local fire department or police station 
* Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while but miss 
* Help raise awareness for a cause that’s close to your heart 
* Donate canned food to a local food pantry
* Leave change at a vending machine 
* Send flowers to someone as a surprise 
* Give any unused coupons to the person behind you 
* Donate to http://www.donorschoose.org/

For more Random Acts of Kindness ideas please visit: http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

You ready?

Life is messy. Life is complicated. But life is also beautiful. There are little moments everyday that make you stop and realize that something great is happening. You are a living, breathing human being - be present in your world. Take it all in and never take it for granted. 

I don't know if you have figured out your purpose yet. Some people find theirs at 5-years-old, others at 90. I flip flop on my purpose, which probably means I haven't completely found it yet. I have grand dreams but the mountain ahead of me can be incredibly daunting. Let's do it together. Let's figure it out. Let's make this messy crazy life a little more beautiful together.

You ready?