A Random Act of Kindness is going above and beyond … to show kindness; doing something you didn’t have to do and which no one would have expected you to do, but you did it anyway just out of kindness.

We all have memories of unexpected kindnesses done by others, and many of us have memories of one person in particular who made a difference to our lives. Who was it for you?  Whose ordinary daily kindnesses made your life happier? 

The extraordinary thing about an act of kindness is that it benefits both the giver and the receiver. A study by the University of California on workplace kindnesses showed that they create virtuous cycles within organisations benefiting givers, recipients and those around them. In other words, acts of kindness generate more acts of kindness. (research digest)

Inspired by those who have been kind to you, and in their honour, to whom might you show an unexpected kindness – one act, one smile, one coffee, one favour … perhaps to a friend, or a loved one, a colleague, or, best of all, to a total stranger?  A kindness doesn’t need to cost anything financially, but it can change someone’s day.

• Like to know more?  -->  the science of kindness