Random acts of kindness are a wonderful way to spread joy and positivity in our world. Kindness is an action that can be as simple as offering a compliment to a stranger or helping someone carry a heavy load. It is often said that a single act of kindness can start a ripple effect of compassion and generosity. The concept of random acts of kindness has been around for some time, but it gained renewed popularity in the 1990s when a group of people began passing out cards with the phrase ‘Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty’ written on them.

The idea is that we can make a big difference in the world by performing small acts of kindness. There are so many ways to put this to practice. These include things like leaving a kind note for a neighbor, donating to a local charity, buying a cup of coffee for a friend or offering to help someone with a task. Small gestures like these can have an enormous impact on the lives of those around us. When we show kindness to others, we are also showing kindness to ourselves. Kindness is a form of self-care that can help to reduce stress and anxiety. It can also boost our mood and overall well-being.

One of the simplest ways to spread positivity is to simply smile at those you pass on the street. Smiling is infectious and can be a powerful way to bring some brightness to someone’s day. Here at Life University, we have what we call our Speak Tradition where the simple goal is to encourage Life U community members to speak when they meet or pass someone else on campus.

Formalizing the Life U Speak Tradition was originally suggested by a student, Robert Love (who has since become Dr. Robert Love and works in the LIFE Chiropractic Centers), as a simple way to express Lasting Purpose, especially the SLP (Standard of Lasting Purpose), ‘A personal commitment to building relationships and promoting connection between all members of the Life U community.’

Just the act of saying “hello” and acknowledging another human being can be very uplifting. Random acts of kindness can also help to create a sense of community. By helping others, we are demonstrating that we all have something to offer and that we care about the well-being of others. Overall, random acts of kindness are a great way to make a positive difference in the world. We all can be kind, and by taking small actions, we can have a large impact on the lives of those around us.

References

  1. Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Practice_Random_Acts_of_Kindness_Day
  2. How to Practice Random Acts of Kindness: https://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Random-Acts-of-Kindness
  3. Random Acts of Kindness: How Kindness Benefits You and Others: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/random-acts-of-kindness.htm

Slice of LIFE is an invitation to and extension of everything happening at Life University. Whether you are a current student, a potential freshman or a proud alum, Slice of LIFE can help keep you connected to your academic community. Know of a compelling Life U story to be shared, such as a riveting project, innovative group or something similar? Let us know by emailing Marketing@life.edu.