RAK Month

Well, it's month number two and my new thing was oh, so fun. I decided to make February RAK month, or Random Acts of Kindness. Given my lack of creativity, I started Google-ing some ideas and came up with some that I thought would bring a smile to some strangers' faces. The Beatles said it best, "All you need is love."

To begin, I started by picking out a beautiful, blooming daffodil plant. I went to the welcome desk at Holland Hospital and placed the flowers on the desk. I simply asked the lady at the desk to find a patient who doesn't get a lot of visitors and needed some cheering up to give them to and then I left.

My next adventure took me all around Holland on a sort of, backwards scavenger hunt. I stopped at a gas station and purchased five $1 scratch off lottery tickets. On five little slips of paper I wrote, "It's your luck day. Have fun!" and I proceeded to leave the tickets with the notes all over town. I stuck a few on car windshields at a gas station and grocery store, I taped one to the bathroom stall door at the library, and another one to the ATM machine at the bank. I like to think that someone who was really in need of some money found one and actually won something. If not, I'm sure it made their day. Those scratch offs are just so much fun!

During the month of RAK, I decided to sacrifice one of my favorite things for someone else. Occasionally, I stop at the gas station down the street before work to get a coffee or hot chocolate. They have punch cards and after buying five drinks, you get a free one. After purchasing my fifth drink, I left the punch card with the cashier and asked her to give it to someone who looked like they could use a free coffee. I realize this isn't much of a sacrifice given the drinks are only a dollar, but I'm sure someone appreciated it.

My final act was, as they should be, completely random. Last weekend when it was 25 degrees out, snowing, sleeting, and freezing rain all at the same time, I decided I needed to go grocery shopping (why???). On my way, I saw a man standing on a corner holding one of those store advertisement signs to help bring in business. My initial thought was, "That poor man. He must be freezing." So I pulled into the nearest gas station and bought him a cup of hot chocolate. He thanked me and went right back to dancing around with that sign like it was the best job on Earth.

So there you have it. RAK month was great. I made some people smile and had a lot of fun doing it. Give it a try. Spread some love.