Teens Meet Outreach

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Mark Twain

Every one of us at one time or the other has received an act of kindness from someone; it could be from a friend or a stranger. How beautiful would it be then, if you also decide to extend kindness to someone else? There is a sort of satisfaction that is felt when you are a source of blessing to a person. You feel sooooo good!

The History of Random Acts of Kindness according to http://www.auscharity.org http://www.auscharity.orgstarted when Anne Herbert scrawled the words “practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty” on a place mat in a Sausalito, California, restaurant in 1982. 

What is a Random Act of Kindness?

It has to do with an act of showing a love that is unpredictable. I think its unpredictability makes it more exciting. Imagine getting an encouraging text from someone you got to know by chance and hardly communicate with. You would feel elated, as I felt when someone did that for me today. My spirit was lifted!

We would examine a real story of someone who performed a random act of kindness and got rewarded. Thereafter, we would proceed to different ways through which random acts of kindness can be performed.

In 2 Kings, we read about the woman of  Shunem who extended a hand of kindness to a stranger who turned out to be a man of God. And as a result, she got blessed with a child. Now, it is key to note that an act of kindness should not be done with the motive of receiving something back. In fact, it is better to give and forget about it and surely, your reward would come back in unexpected ways. And thus, the random act of kindness cycle continues!

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Ecclesiastes 11:1

Ways to Show Random Acts of Kindness

1. Compliment someone

I met a guy in school and the first time we talked, he complimented me. He said I looked beautiful! And you know the funny thing? Anytime I see him, I get complimented about how beautiful I look (he likes the fact that I wear a natural look). His birthday was a few days ago and the first thing that came to mind when I saw his picture was that “I am beautiful”. It may seem little, but you never know what a compliment to a random person could mean. A true compliment, not exaggerated flattery!

2. Buy someone a gift

It could be your parent, a friend, your sibling, anybody. An old friend helped make my hair for free weeks ago and she also bought more beads to beautify it when the beads I bought got exhausted. Now, that is an act of kindness!

3. Send a text encouraging someone

Like I said earlier, a particular lady I exchanged numbers with sent me an uplifting message and I was really blessed. We rarely talk and I was surprised by the message.

4. Speak love rather than criticism

Speak lovely words to your colleague, sibling. Rather than criticise them with hurtful words, try to correct in love.

Read: The Futility of Criticism

5. Call an old friend

Remember that old classmate you haven’t spoken to in a while, call that person and speak encouraging words. You never can tell how much impact your call would have.

6. Write to an old teacher or mentor who inspired you

Remember that teacher who encouraged you to love maths, the one who inspired your first article and helped harness your writing skills? Search them on social media, reconnect and appreciate them for what they did then. Don’t forget to tell them how what they encouraged you on then has made you a better person today.

7. Smile at everyone you meet

Smile! Smile! Smile! 

Read: Why Smiling Should Be a Part of You

8. Say thank you to a friend for something they helped you with in the past

Don’t forget the kindness of your friend, let them know you appreciate what they did. It would encourage them to do more in the future.

9. Give the person sitting beside you money for offering in the church

This may seem weird, but it is not a bad idea. The 17th of February 2019 is World Random Act of Kindness Day and it is on a Sunday. You can do this as an act of kindness. You could also share your hymnal book with the person by your side or your Bible if they are not with one.

10. Volunteer for an outreach that spreads kindness

We are committed to spreading love and kindness at TMO. You can join us!

Spread kindness! It is contagious! Let the cycle continue! 

Happy world random act of kindness day in advance!

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As the day for the Random Act of Kindness draws near, what do you plan on doing to show love to others? You also don’t have to wait until then. You can do this any day and any time and that’s the beauty of it!

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