Live Your Best Life

Well, today is National Random Act of Kindness Day. Initially, I would say that all these national days are pretty lame! But in actuality, sometimes it takes something like this to make us stop and reflect about life. With all the hustle and bustle these days, kindness has become a second thought. I watched my son struggle the other day as he tried to open the door for a stranger. It was an odd gesture for him. Not that he is rude or indifferent, but rather, quit shy and sometimes doesn’t look around to avoid eye contact. Therefore, missing the chance to perform random acts such as this. He is struggling at this age to find his way, I am not making excuses, as I know he is one of the kindest people I know, but it made me realize that kind gestures sometimes aren’t instinctual, and we may need the occasional prompter such as “national days” to remind us to break out of our own worlds, and see the community as a whole, and as one.

It is one of the most touching experiences when a random act of kindness is done for you. If you stop right now, can you think of one you have done lately? Or one that has been done for you? You hear those stories that go viral about people occasionally paying for someone’s grocery bill, or leaving a waitress a huge tip. There are monumental moments in my life where someones kindness changed my entire day and mood with just a simple word or smile. Yes, even a smile is a random act of kindness. As you never know what that person you just smiled is going thru. A while back,  I was in a terrible mood for what seemed like days. I couldn’t get out of this rut I was in. I was conducting the mundane tasks of the day, and had stopped to get gas. Of course the pump credit card machine wasn’t working so I had to actually walk into the store. (That dreaded task at times) Anyway, I handed the cashier my money with out even gazing at him, and he spoke to me. I almost walked away with just an answer under my breath, but realized that I didn’t quit understand what he had said, so I stopped, turned around and looked at him. He had the kindest eyes and a great big smile on his face. At that moment, I laughed and smiled back. That random act of kindness, the pureness of his kind smile and intentions to satisfy his customers brought me back from the depths of the hole I had been hiding in. So simple. Kindness does not require money, time or much creativity. It takes 1 second or pure intent, even if it isn’t second nature and feels odd.

On this day, I ask that everyone takes a moment to reflect on one thing they can do for another person. And know, it will be returned to you tri-fold.

Written by Angela Christu. Proud Momtreprenuer. Nutrition Advocate.  CEO of Corporate Angels, LLC  and Author of “The Mom Chronicles”

Angela is passionate about her family, community health, the global food crisis and empowering moms to succeed in both motherhood and business.  Please feel free to read more on her involvement in the wellness industry, follow her daily blogs of life as a stay-and-work at home mom or join her Yevolutionary Team of nutrition advocates out to rock the world!