This is what I’m talking about, man! The Karma Experiment Group on Facebook is described this way:
What if everyone, for one minute, was made aware, to take a moment to reflect on how they could make a conscious effort to make a difference in someone else’s life……a family member, a friend in need, or better yet a complete stranger!
They report over 331,000 “random acts of kindness” completed. Now, groups are nice and all, and it’s very encouraging to see so many people participating. It makes me smile! 
But you don’t need a group membership to participate in a Good Karma campaign.
You need an awareness and a decision to be kind to others. You need to be conscious of how your actions impact people you connect with in your daily living. You need to make a decision, plain and simple, to spread joy. And with the kindness you consciously spread, you get the joy “blow-back” effect. Many people find themselves wondering who benefits more from kindness: the recipient, or the giver. Honestly, it doesn’t much matter–any act undertaken with positive intent benefits everybody in the vicinity. In short, that’s good karma.
Some of my favorite (easy) random acts of kindness:
- Smiling and visiting with clerks and others who serve the public. Their jobs are often stressful and tiresome, and “the public” is not always as kind or appreciative as they could be. I like to make up some of the difference.
- Picking up trash. It’s easy, it’s free, and it makes the world a better place, thank you very much.
- Participating in technical support forums. Maybe it sounds a little weird, but I like to spend time regularly helping people with their technical questions. I have the knowledge and ability to help, so I do!
- Sharing helpful links – on blogs, in social media, or when someone has a relevant question.
- Complimenting strangers on attractive clothing or jewelry. Doesn’t it make your day when someone notices your cool shirt, after all?
- Holding the door open. Whether the person behind you has their hands full or not, it’s just a nice thing to do.
- Planting flowers. Maybe it doesn’t sound much like an act of kindness, but I get great joy knowing I’m contributing to the beauty in my environment in a way that others can share as well.
- Asking people how they’re doing–and sharing an positive wish when it’s not “great.” Another odd one (or maybe I’m the odd one!), but I swear, a few friendly words can brighten almost any long face.
- Smiling at children. With my pink hair, the youngsters tend to notice me. A smile, wave, or a couple of friendly words lights ‘em up.
And those are just a few. What about you? Got any favorites random acts of kindness?
photo credit: jonmatthew photography
Posted on February 5, 2009 at 12:48 pm in: Good Karma
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
The world could be a better place if everybody lived by Karma
I wholeheatedly agree, Brett.
There will always be good and bad karma. This can be understood by looking at the First Noble Truth. –Suffering is Universal–