You cannot do kindness too
soon, for you never know
how soon it will be too late.
-RALPH WALDO EMERSON
No Act of Kindness,
No Matter How Small
Is Ever Wasted.
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Random Acts of Kindness
We will know this movement is successful when our acts of kindnesses are passed on and those receiving them have a desire to pay-it-forward.
My personal goal is to spend the rest of my life paying it forward with the hope that others will be inspired to do the same, each in their own way. All through my life, God has nudged me to take new and challenging journeys. Each trip has been exhilarating, discouraging, frightening, and amazing – all at the same time. Some were met with great resistance (on my part), but provided life lessons and produced scar tissue along the way.
The goal is NOT about writing a check or getting a trophy. It is about opening heads, hearts, and souls while filling even the smallest needs that may make a difference in someone’s life. Whether simply offering a kind word, or making a monumental effort, every person has the opportunity of making an impact. The case studies below are examples of giving that might inspire you in your acts of kindness impulsively or purposively.
My friend Linda Locastro says, “For all the things we cannot accept about people, we close the door to knowing them more intimately.” I would add, “What a loss that would be for both parties.” The best way to illustrate our point is to describe some of the actions we have taken as random acts of kindness, with the hope that it will inspire you and give you some ideas that might excite and motivate you to join us on this adventure.
Here are some ideas of random actions that take less than 10 minutes of your time and can mean the world to someone else:
• Smile at someone for no reason at all.
• Shake the hand of a Police or Fireman and thank them for what they do.
• Send a text to let someone know that you are thinking of them.
• Learn the art of making a sincere apology – own what you are sorry for.
• Listen to friends, family, and strangers without sitting in judgement.
• Send a card or a handwritten note to let someone know they are important to you.
• Thank a server that has been especially good and hand them an additional cash tip.
• Give someone doing a good thing a thumbs up or verbal “Way to go!”.
• Notice something nice about someone and compliment them.
• Give anonymously.
• Smile at someone for no reason at all.
• Shake the hand of a Police or Fireman and thank them for what they do.
• Send a text to let someone know that you are thinking of them.
• Learn the art of making a sincere apology – own what you are sorry for.
• Listen to friends, family, and strangers without sitting in judgement.
• Send a card or a handwritten note to let someone know they are important to you.
• Thank a server that has been especially good and hand them an additional cash tip.
• Give someone doing a good thing a thumbs up or verbal “Way to go!”.
• Notice something nice about someone and compliment them.
• Give anonymously.
If you have a little more time…
Our Founder's Story
Petey Parker is a recognized speaker and business consultant. She is the author of Body and Soulful Thoughts and Corporate Kitty Litter, and she has published several stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Petey is bringing her experience into the newest iteration of Petey Parker and Associates – namely – Paying it Forward with Kindness. So why make this sudden departure from years of succeeding in the business world? This is the back story … as told by Petey herself.
“At age 5 my father walked out on us, but not before stopping by my bedroom and literally breaking my piggy bank, taking the few pennies and nickels I had saved and disappeared from my life except for one meeting 15 years later. Having a single working mom, I was blessed to be partially raised by my grandmother.
Two of the most memorable lessons she taught me are:
1. Never sit in judgment, everyone has a back story; and
2. All things are possible, but you need to earn them … Learn from your mistakes and move on
It has taken a lifetime to come full circle.
I died when I was 18, and like others, I traveled through a light and felt the presence of a higher power. Instead of dedicating myself to live a better life, I took the low road and made immeasurable mistakes, sinned, and hurt others along the road I had chosen.
My back-story is full of trial and error, and I know that through the grace of God I’ve been forgiven.
God only knows what this life has in store, and I know I will still fall from grace on occasion, but … My pledge is to do my best to not sit in judgement (everyone has a back story) and to pay it forward with kindness at every opportunity, with the hope that those on the receiving end will find it in their heart and soul to do the same.
Case Studies
My mother committed suicide when I was 7 years old. My young mind could not comprehend it, and I wondered how I would live without a mother, and what right did she have to leave me alone in this world!? It wasn’t long after...
My husband and I had the pleasure to join 10 friends at a local restaurant for lunch. We over- ordered ‘family style’ and had an abundance of left-over food. It was decided to make 12 individual plates for the couples to deliver...
Zachariah enjoyed a day at the Dallas State Fair from his wheelchair. He had surprised the hawker when he easily tossed balls at sturdy targets and won a large stuffed animal. A little girl...
There was a reunion of my brother, sister, nieces, and nephews caravanning on a sight-seeing trip to a huge dam in Tennessee. As we pulled into the parking lot the group spied an old but...
Several years ago, Angela told Petey about her paraplegic son starting a non-profit (Dream to Walk) to buy wheelchairs so that others with his disability could...
He was literally found by the side of the road - homeless for the third time at the age of 22 and totally on his own with no money or possessions and contemplating if..
What started as an object lesson with our family on Christmas morning 35 years ago by taking a few teddy bears to the hospital to give to sick children, exploded into delivering thousands...