When we say the 4-H Pledge – “I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking, my HEART to greater loyalty, my HANDS to larger service, and my HEALTH to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” – these aren’t just words. This is an oath to use our mind, heart, hands, and health to make the world around us the best place it can be. One of the ways we can do this is to practice kindness.
Each year, a week in February is designated as “Random Acts of Kindness Week”, and this year’s dates are February 14-20, with Wednesday, February 17 being “Random Acts of Kindness Day.”
A “Random Act of Kindness” (or RAOK) doesn’t have to be a grand gesture – it can be something as small as holding the door open for someone else to walk through, giving a genuine compliment to someone, sending someone a note or letter to let them know you’re thinking of them (especially if they’re going through a hard time), or simply leaving a positive sticky note to make someone else’s day brighter. If you’re going through the drive-thru at a restaurant and are able, paying for the vehicle behind you is a great way to do a RAOK (who knows, they may be inspired to pay for the car behind them, and you may get something started!) There are so many ways to spread kindness and joy, if you’re willing to look for them.
For more information on Random Acts of Kindness and how to get started, please visit https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/. At this website, you’ll find ideas for RAOK that you can do during Random Acts of Kindness Week, as well as calendars with daily ideas for the entire year!
