To ask for random acts of kindness that you've carried out...

[IchWill]

I believe that kindness breeds kindness. I often carry out random acts of kindness, because:

1. If I'm able to, why wouldn't I?
2. The world would be a nicer place if we all helped others out more often.
3. It makes me feel good to make a positive impact on someone's life.

Most I go about and do quietly, genuinely not helping people for recognition or glory, but when I have shared one or two examples with friends, they've said I've inspired them.

Let's hear your random acts of kindness...

I guess -

• was on my lunch break in the canteen of the hospital where I work, sat with a group of colleagues. Spotted an elderly man looking lost, wandering around the food area. Clocked his slippers and patient wrist band, got up and followed him to the lift area - asked him if he was ok, worked out he was a confused patient and gently guided him to the nearest area with a computer where I and a colleague could find out who he was from his name and NHS number. Then got him safely back to the ward.

There were plenty of staff around who could have spotted him and sorted things, but I was the first one to respond. Not usually quick off the mark so was happy I’d helped 😊

Cleaned my neighbours wheelie bin & I mean thoroughly cleaned. They didn't even notice! However I believe in not letting my right hand know what my left is doing so I felt appropriately virtuous.

I also have a habit of grabbing loose dogs (well, 2 so far) when nobody seems to be dealing with them and they are in danger of getting run over - and taking them to the warden/posting on local lost pet Facebook sites - and getting them home safe. To be fair though I really like dogs 😁

I've done plenty, but I don't want to talk about them because Ive done them anonymously and people might read on here!

One random act of kindness that was done to me- I had just received some horrible news, was standing in a shop queue for a bottle of water- visibly distressed and in shock- and one lovely person asked if I was OK, said bad times never last forever and insisted on paying for my water. A lovely person- if they happen to be on here, I have never forgotten the kindness of a stranger.

I had a child in my class who was ‘put up for adoption ‘. I’m now her mum.

Ah! This thread makes me so happy. Planning how I can pay it forward.

Another thing that was a small thing done for me that meant the world.

I'd bought too many packs of size 1 nappies and wanted to exchange for size 2s so needed to use Boots or I'd have gone elsewhere.
Boots had just started their 70% off January clearance sale. The queues was half way round the shop. My newborn started crying. I tried rocking the pram then lifted her out. The lady in front of me then asked everybody in the queue if I could go in front of them.

Theres a homeless guy in town, and he has a dog. Well, there's quite a few homeless to be honest, but he struck a chord with me when I saw him trying to clean his dog with baby wipes after a very rainy night. I always buy the dog a box of food, and buy him something to eat, today it was pie, chips and peas (there's a stall on the nearby market does hot food to take away) and some cereal bars.
I don't care what bad decisions he made to get himself in this mess...nobody wants to end up living like this.

I had a child in my class who was ‘put up for adoption ‘. I’m now her mum.
That's a proper commitment to doing a nice thing! 💐💐💐

I had a child in my class who was ‘put up for adoption ‘. I’m now her mum

Not sure if it counts but I'm a donor on the Anthony Nolan register, have been for over 3 years. I had a phone call two weeks ago informing me that I was a potential match for someone and asking whether I was still okay with being a donor. My blood samples have been sent off for further testing and I've fully committed to providing stem cells or bone marrow, should I be a positive match.

If someone I loved needed it, I'd want someone to be there for them.

After reading this thread I realised i wa son a really mean Scroogey mood and had been for months so I decided to do one RAOK a day until Christmas. Not very inspired so far. I put some money in a charity box yesterday. Today I tried to tip a waitress in a fast food restaurant but was told they weren't allowed tips. And I paid for my friend's dinner, as she'd had a bad week.
I need some ideas on what to do.

Saw someone get stabbed once, called an ambulance and stayed with them until the ambulance arrived. I've since completed my first aid course and helped a few more people.

I dug a trapped magpie put of some tree roots last week with my bare hands, as his little friends couldn't set him free and his poor wings were stuck. I ruined my new jumper, but hey ho!

Out*

I picked up a hitch hiker ones going the wrong way so I thought I’d drop him somewhere where he could get a lift in the right direction.
The problem was that after only one minute blue lights appeared in my back window so I pulled over only to find out this guy had done a runner from the local open prison! Ops!

I’ve done everything from re-wiring people’s houses to fitting bathrooms for them. Helped people to move and all for free.

Did try to be full time sparky but when I found out how much they charge I though it was just rude and couldn’t bring myself to charge that much.

@onestepmorefun have you seen the RAOK "advent calendar", I think it's on page 11 or 12. Theres some nice ideas on there.

I helped a lady in a car park, turns out it was my next door neighbours daughter!

@HariboLecter - no I haven't. Brilliant. I will try that.

Such a lovely thread. Love the Advent calendar. Happy season of goodwill everyone

What time was the advent calendar post please?
(I don’t have pages and can’t find it)

It's at 11.06.19 on Ist December

Thank you

Lots of RAOK are just everyday things that a decent human being can do for another human being, it's quite sad that these things don't seem to happen as a matter of course these days.

I'm thinking of thngs such as, bring washing in if it's raining, bring in the dustbins, picking up shopping, being friendly to neighbours in the street, collecting a child from school if a neighbour/friend is running late, helping to carry bags or lending an arm if someone is struggling up steps...

Yesterday whilst I was waiting for DD1 to finish her piano lesson, a young homeless guy asked me for a cigarette. I didn’t have any but ended taking him for breakfast and gave him £15 for a night in the hostel. Breaks my heart that people are on the streets, especially this time of year.