Random Acts of Kindness

New Acts of Kindness Charity

Noah Curran — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:07:48 GMT

Hi.

My Name is Noah Curran. I have been long-time watcher/reader of your blog. I feel as though I might have a hot discussion for you.

I have recently started a charity and it has caught wildfire amongst the internet sector. It is based on the premise of the game, “TAG” you played when a kid.

TAG or Turning Actions into Good, is a web-based non-profit charity which revolves around the kindness of strangers. The concept allows anyone to participate in a charity, regardless of financial status.

Here is how the process works: Member’s would print off pre-made TAG-cards. Commit an act of kindness. Give the person a TAG-card which asks the stranger to do another act of kindness and go to the website to report about the deed that was done to them. After submitted, viewers can vote for the most touching act of the month. The leading vote getter would receive a prize and a donation towards the charity of their choice.

You’re probably thinking that’s great and all, but why does that matter. Well….. I entered into a contest online, though my college (Belmont University) and the idea spread virally throughout blogs and new sites world-wide. IdeaBlob (the contest) awards start-up money to the winner of this contest. I won the very first leg of the race and was immediately entered into the finals. The finals are Feb 22nd-Feb 29th and everyone will have to vote again.

I thought it might be both beneficial for myself and for your blog to do a story on this.

Please feel free to contact me.
E-mail: NoahCurran@gmail.com

Also, to read more about the charity and to vote, please visit my website:

TurningActionsIntoGood.com

Whatever you and your following can do to help, will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Noah Curran

Christmas Acts of Kindness

Roger Carr — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 16:30:01 GMT

"Wherever there is a human being, there is a chance for a kindness." -Seneca

Put a smile on someone's face at Christmas time by performing an act of kindness. Many acts of kindness do not cost anything, but the benefits gained can be huge.

What are some acts of kindness to consider accomplishing during the Christmas season? Here are a few:

Allow another driver to park in the only available space at a busy shopping center

Call a relative or friend who you haven't talked with in a long time

Shovel snow from your neighbor's driveway and sidewalk

Send cards to service people and students who are away from home for the Christmas holiday

Volunteer your time to help a local homeless shelter or food pantry

Give blood

Baby-sit to allow friends or family members to spend some time Christmas shopping (or for any other purpose)

Donate new and used toys and clothing to charities that can put them in the arms of those who need them most

Contribute money to your favorite charity

Talk, listen and even sing Christmas carols with nursing home residents

You can perform one or more of these acts of kindness or you can make up your own list. Demonstrate to others that they are special and loved.

The original Christmas story is about the ultimate gift given for the purpose of changing the world. Regardless of your religious beliefs, consider spending time this holiday season finding ways to help others. Perform an act of kindness today.

One Child - 25 Acts of Kindness - Making A Difference

Roger Carr — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:49:27 GMT

Laura is a girl who is making a difference. Her personal project Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference is making a difference in people's lives.

For 25 days, Laura is going to work hard to make the world a better place. She started on December 1st and will complete her project on December 25th (Christmas Day). When she says "work hard" she means it. Her task on the first day was shoveling snow for her family and neighbors. You can follow her daily activities at http://twentyfivedays.wordpress.com.

Laura is also encouraging other kids to participate. She wants others to let her know when they perform acts of kindness during this period of time as well. She has provided a list of Ideas for making a difference on her project website at http://twentyfivedays.wordpress.com/ideas-for-making-a-difference. For the child who makes the most difference in December, Laura is going to donate $25.00 to the winner's favorite charity.

I can't think of a better Christmas present that she could give. I can't think of a better Christmas present that we could give. You and I need to follow Laura's example and find ways to show our love and help others every day.

Thank you Laura for being a terrific example and for demonstrating to the world what the holiday season is all about.

Note: I learned about Laura and her wonderful project from Dr.Mani.

CoolPeopleCare Is Making A Difference

Roger Carr — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 04:00:31 GMT

Rebecca Carpenter mentioned a website that caught my attention in her latest Razoo post entitled It's the Little Things... Really. The website is CoolPeopleCare.com.

Founders Sam Davidson and Stephen Moseley are using the website to encourage others to do good deeds every day to make a difference. It is a site worth checking out.

How Many People Do You Influence?

Roger Carr — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 19:27:51 GMT

We really have no idea how many people we influence. Our acts of kindness can

inspire a chain reaction of others doing the same. There are also people

observing and potentially mimicking our actions who we are unaware of.

I was recently reminded of this.

I usually keep my car in the same

parking garage during my visits to Washington, DC. I make it a point to be

friendly with the parking attendants when I see them. One day I discovered

that one of the attendants loved to read. When I heard this, I immediately

went back to my car and gave him my inspirational and entertaining magazine

called Going Bonkers. He was excited. A couple of weeks later I

was paying my parking fee to one of the other attendants. He was telling

me about a great magazine he was reading. It turned out to be the one I gave

his co-worker.

How many people do you think had already read that magazine?

How many do you think will read it in the future? We don’t have any idea.

This morning I received a phone call from one of the top Internet

Marketing leaders. He started the conversation by saying “Hi Roger. I have

been watching you for some time...” Each of us has many people observing our

actions. They can be of any age and in the most unlikely locations. They

are watching us and we are unknowingly influencing them.

How many people are

watching us? We don’t have any idea.

The number of people we influence

is much greater than we realize. Continue to help others and you will encourage others to do the same. You have the potential to be a world-changing role model.

Free Hug Day To Be Celebrated Around The World

Roger Carr — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 06:20:22 GMT

Juan Mann landed in Australia with no family or friends to offer him a hug. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he made a sign with the words "FREE HUGS" and held it up for everyone to see. He felt great with every hug given and so did the others who participated.

That was the spark that started the Free Hugs Campaign. The campaign has now spread all around the world.

Would you like to become a part of the Free Hugs Campaign? There is a group at Facebook who is celebrating Free Hug Day on Monday. Everyone is invited to participate. You can learn more at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2412896548.

Related Post: National Hug-A-Thon In South Africa

Would You Like a Refill?

Roger Carr — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:40:49 GMT

Already seated at one of my favorite Italian restaurants, I was ready to eat lunch. It was a hot day and I had put in quite a few miles on the road. I was even thirstier than I was hungry.Â The server was friendly, attentive and prompt.

Every time my drink got down to the halfway point, my server would ask, "Would you like a refill?"

The first time I was asked this question, I had just begun to eat my salad. This was repeated a few more times as I completed the salad and enjoyed my entree. The best servers in restaurants can anticipate your needs and respond without asking these types of questions.

Why did he need to ask me that question? He was probably taught to ask the question. I believe he was genuinely trying to be helpful.Â He asked the question and responded to my answer in a very polite way.

This experience got me to thinking about how we react to others in need. How many times have you known of someone who was experiencing a difficult time and you said the words "Just give me a call and let me know how I can help."

When you said those words you really meant them. You were trying to be as polite and helpful as you could be. However, most people that are in a difficult situation don't want to be a burden on others. There is a difference between this situation and the restaurant example above. In this situation the person will probably tell you he or she will call but then walk away with no intent to get back to you.

If you know someone who is in need, find ways to help him or her and take action. Do it in a way that respects their privacy and desires. Even if you can't do something to ease their hurt, there are several things you can do to encourage them and demonstrate someone loves them.

Get out your pen and write a note of encouragement. Invite them to your house for a meal or deliver them a meal. Share one of your favorite books with them. Pray for them.

Helping and encouraging someone does not have to take a significant amount of time or energy. Demonstrating your love is powerful. It can have a long-lasting effect on other's lives.

Next time you are talking to someone in need, don't just ask how you can help. Make sure you follow your words up with acts of love and kindness. There is someone who is depending on you, whether they tell you they are or not.

Giving Thanks, Love and Appreciation Is Powerful

Roger Carr — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:40:49 GMT

Thanks, love and appreciation are powerful words when expressed from the heart.Â How many times have you used these words today?

I recently received two thank you notes in the mail on the same day. Both of them were thanking me for the volunteer work I have been doing with the Arthritis Foundation. One of those notes was from a girl that suffers from juvenile arthritis. It was unexpected and really touched me. It also motivated me.

Saying "thank you" is powerful.

When I'm talking on the phone with my wife or son, I always tell them that I love them at some point during the conversation. If I'm on my cell phone in public during the phone call, heads turn in my direction with a smile when I say those words.

Recently I read a book by Dan Baker, Ph.D. and Cameron Stauth entitled "What Happy People Know: How the New Science of Happiness can Change Your Life for the Better." I highly recommend the book. They discuss love being the opposite of fear. The best way to overcome fear is with love.

Saying "I love you" is powerful.

Several months ago I sent an e-mail to my clients and subscribers entitled "I Appreciate You." I received a larger response to that e-mail than any other before or after it. It obviously struck a positive chord with many readers.

In the same book mentioned above, Baker and Stauth wrote "Appreciation is the highest, purest form of love...Appreciation asks for nothing and gives everything."

Saying "I appreciate you" is powerful.

Share your feeling of thanks, love and appreciation with others through notes, telephone calls and face-to-face conversations. These simple acts of kindness have the potential to change lives and make the world a better place.

Giving Thanks, Love and Appreciation Is Powerful

Roger Carr — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:27:48 GMT

Thanks, love and appreciation are powerful words when expressed from the heart.Â How many times have you used these words today?

Saying "thank you" is powerful.

Saying "I love you" is powerful.

In the same book mentioned above, Baker and Stauth wrote "Appreciation is the highest, purest form of love...Appreciation asks for nothing and gives everything."

Saying "I appreciate you" is powerful.

5 Simple Ways to Make a Long Term Impact: Part 1

Sebastian Traeger — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:18:21 GMT

When talking about making a difference in the world, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the enormity of problems and seemingly small dent you could ever make in them. While itâ€™s true that global challenges canâ€™t be solved by only one person, itâ€™s also true that one person can make a significant impact. As a wise friend of mine often says, we tend to overestimate what we can do in the short-term and underestimate what we can do in the long-term. With this idea in mind, let me give you the first of a two part series: â€œ5 simple ways to make a long-term impact.â€

1. Encourage a co-worker or friend: Doesnâ€™t it feel great when someone tells you how much they appreciate you? Life is hard and many people feel that their tanks are empty and that they barely have enough emotional energy for themselves, let alone others. You might even feel that way. Well, encouraging someone â€“ noticing something about them or what they did well â€“ is a great way to give someone else a boost. It doesnâ€™t take much to turn a hard day into a good one, so start to regularly encourage someone you know.

2. Get Informed: Ok, itâ€™s unrealistic to gain a global perspective or problems and issues over night. However, itâ€™s pretty easy to tackle them one issue at a time. Eventually, Razoo will be an amazing place to learn more about the world and to discover what you are passionate about. As you read through and learn about causes, our hope is that you will eventually find one that you connect with and that motivates you. Beginning to learn more is a great way to grow a greater desire to make a difference.

3. Buy a Gift: What to get the person who has everything? Weâ€™ve all struggled with this â€“ so let me give you a practical suggestion for the next time youâ€™re asking yourself this question: shop at www.tenthousandvillages.com. This company sells products that are made by artisans around the world, many of whose lives are significantly improved through your purchase.

4. Watch a Video: How can watching a video possibly make a long-term impact? Well what if that video inspired you to make a radical decision or take a bold step. Three filmmakers are trying to provide exactly that type of inspiration at www.invisiblechildren.org. They are motivating thousands of people through their honest look at the problem of child slavery. Perhaps they might even inspire you.

5. Brainstorm Periodically: A couple mornings a week I spend about 30 minutes in the Starbucks just next to our office â€“ and all Iâ€™m doing is brainstorming. Usually itâ€™s about how to get Razoo off the ground, but often other ideas flow into my head and then onto paper. Most of these are never given a second thought, but occasionally they stay with me and lead to big plans and steady action. Taking a step back and brainstorming is a small way to produce big results. As you apply your thoughts to new issues and areas, your mind will increasingly think of new ideas and opportunities.

I hope this list is helpful â€“ please check back for more in the series.