A few weeks ago, I wrote about acts of kindness, and wondered what has happened to them. You just don’t see many these days.
I was so happy though with the response from this post. So many readers shared their experiences of having someone do something kind for them, or stories of what they had done for someone else.
It restored my faith in humanity that there are still so many kind people out there.
So let’s continue this, and help to bring back acts of kindness.
The media tends to bombard us with sad news and bad news. Very rarely do they highlight the wonderful things that people do for each other. Occasionally we hear stories of good Samaritans coming to someone’s aid, or of a story of survival in the aftermath of a natural disaster. But more often than not, these good news stories get buried under stories of sporting stars behaving appallingly. Overshadowed by stories of violence in our communities.
I understand that we want to know about what is going on in the world, but must we hear of so much sadness and cruelty? I, for one, would love to hear more stories of kindness. How people are helping others in their community. How people are making the effort to brighten someone else’s day.
So here is some information and ideas about how you can help others in your community. How you can brighten someone else’s day.
I recently came across a great initiative called The Nappy Collective. This operates across Australia and helps a lot of families. The Nappy Collective collects unused, unwanted disposable nappies and distributes them to some pretty amazing organisations that help families in need. And the good news is, you can get involved and start helping straight away.
They are collecting unused disposable nappies from 1-15 May, so if you have any unwanted leftover nappies that bub has grown out of, please consider donating them to The Nappy Collective. They have 214 collection points to make it easier for you to donate, and all details can be found on their website – http://www.thenappycollective.com/. They run two collections a year, so don’t panic if you can’t make the May collection. Pop those unwanted nappies aside ready for the next collection.
For my overseas followers who would love to get involved with something like this, check with your local community groups, councils and family support services to see if they have a similar initiative. If they don’t, this could be something amazing to start yourself. The Nappy Collective was started only a few years ago by a small group of mums, and has now managed to collect and donate over 226,000 disposable nappies. It only takes a few, to start something amazing.
I’m also on board to help spread the word of Make a mum smile in May – an idea by Michaela over at Not Another Slippery Dip. It’s all about simple acts of kindness towards mums and cheering each other up. Something as simple as telling someone that they’re doing a good job. You can read more about Make a mum smile in May, here.
Please seriously consider getting involved. It doesn’t cost a thing. Let Michaela know you heard about it here, and help spread the word using #makeamumsmile.
You don’t have to be a mum, or even know any mums though, to help us bring back acts of kindness.
Think of something simple you could do for a colleague.
Bring in a packet of chocolate biscuits to share at a meeting.
Offer to weed your elderly neighbour’s garden bed.
Do some volunteer work for a charity.
Compliment someone.
Donate some non-perishable goods to an organisation that supports families in crisis.
Give blood.
Smile at others instead of staring down at your phone.
Send a card to a friend to let them know you’re thinking of them.
Pick up rubbish at your local park.
If you still have time left on your parking ticket from a car park, pass it on to another driver as they enter the car park.
We can all do small, simple things.
Help us bring back acts of kindness. I’m excited about this, and I hope you are too.
What are some of the small things you have done to help brighten someone’s day?
Has someone done something kind for you?
Make sure you’re following Life, kids and a glass of red on Facebook for extra giggles and snippets of silliness!
Life, kids and a glass of red 
You are fabulous! I love all your suggestions for acts of kindness. Seems like we are on the same page. Thanks for sharing and I love your blog 🙂
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You’re more than welcome! The more people who get involved in this, the better 🙂
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I love paying forward and acts of kindness never go out of vogue. Good on you for holding the flame and encouraging goodwill.
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Glad you’re on board Caitlin 🙂 It is so simple to do something, isn’t it?
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Another way to show an act of kindness is to bake or cook a meal for a new mother. I did so for a friend who recently gave birth – so simple but so appreciated. Organisations like the Australian breastfeeding association also have get togethers to cook meals that are then frozen and given to new mums in the organisation. Well done Em for getting these initiatives on our radars again. When life gets the better of us it’s these little things that make all the difference. Go girl xxxx
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Get togethers to cook a bunch a meals – what a fabulous idea! All new mums deserve a couple of meals for the freezer to make life easier 🙂
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Slice this blog post! Just This Crazy Life – justthiscrazy.com) just finished its #attitudeofgratitude contest on Facebook (www.facebook.com/justthiscrazy). It was awesome. So many people are out there doing wonderful things. Since I have been on medical leave for my pregnancy, my neighbor has weeded my flower garden, people from our church have brought us meals, different women take me to the hospital, and another woman does my grocery shopping every week. It is amazing. I feel truly blessed. God is good.
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By “Slice” I meant “Love.” I hate autocorrect.
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Got to love auto correct 🙂 It sounds like you have an amazing community around you, so glad there are so many kind people out there.
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Love this so much! It’s important to do good and I like all your suggestions. Maybe you’re starting something here!!!
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I would love it if everyone did just one kind thing, maybe the ripple effect from that would extend out and we could be less nasty to others, and more supportive and kind.
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It totally would! I wrote about this exact thing in my book-we are so on the same page! I love that you addressed it on your blog:)
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Yes, I love this! I have recently written about this in a few posts myself.
Have you seen the kindness cards? I wrote about them here: http://www.shewrites.net.au/#!The-Kindness-Revolution/cmbz/CA76B5FB-2C58-4E21-8E9D-5A3688A784B5
I will definitely check out ‘How to make a mum smile in May’ sounds like a great initiative. You should look at #mumlifeproject. I also wrote about it here: http://www.shewrites.net.au/#!Inner-West-Gem-Help-a-Mama-Out/cmbz/552b19a30cf21d84af989d17
We need to keep spreading the love.
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Glad on you’re board with acts of kindness too! I’ll definitely check out the kindness cards and #mumlifeproject.
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Bring back acts of kindness – what a lovely idea.
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This is something I work on a lot more now that my kids are more manageable, it’s not hard to show other people niceness! Have a great week ahead.
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As a life coach this is a tool I use with clients. It’s a great positive energy activator that brings joy to the giver, to the receiver AND has a flow on effect. I am a very big advocate of acts of kindness. Great idea 🙂
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The Nappy Collective is such a great charity. I heard all about them at Blogger’s Brunch.
I love RAKS or Act of Random KIndness.
I have been both a giver and receipient. I’m big believer in doing all the things you mentioned.
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I love it!!! Such a great idea and think about what a fabulous world this would be if everybody did this!
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Love the idea! I recently decided that this year was my year of RAOK’s. I’ve done a few already. I love making people feel loved. One that I have done a few times is making a double batch of something (mainly bread) and giving the second to someone.
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Making food for someone is such a lovely idea. Everyone needs a break from making dinner / running to the shops for bread every now and then!
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Great post 🙂 I’ll admit I need to step up acts of kindness, I can go through stages where daily stress and being busy means I become very inwards-focused. Good to have a reminder to look up and think of others!
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I love acts of kindness – they are healing for both the giver and receiver. I stopped and gave a man some food the other day and a conversation. Reminded me that there but the grace of God x
Thanks for linking up with us at Champagne Missives.
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