“Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” This now famous quote is attributed to Anne Herbert who is believed to have written it on a placemat in a restaurant.

The catch phrase “went viral” several years ago (before the word viral was even thought of). It took on a life of its own, with groups organizing to do acts of kindness. Posters and bumper stickers followed. As I am typing overlooking Buck Lake here in Canada I am wearing a tee shirt with the quote on it (I keep favorite clothes a long time).

This kindness blog is going to be different than those written previously. Instead of sharing thoughts, research and experiences, I want to revive a mission and invite you to join me to make the world just a bit better for each of us. Think of the power of that statement!

While this random acts of kindness quote was “hot,” people were doing more of that kind of thing—alas, as the quote was usurped by another catchy phrases and pretty much disappeared, so did the random acts of kindness. I am asking for your help to revive it. Let’s go on a mission together—for the next week, I am asking you to practice random acts of kindness and if you want to share your experience I'd love to read them like:

• the receivers reponse, if you were there (you don’t have to be) and
• how your acts of kindness made you feel—even (and perhaps better) if done anonymously

We can go on a mission to make our tiny part of this incredible world a better place. Are you in? I am a believer in Margaret Mead’s famous quote,

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Let’s just do it and see what a difference we can make in our world. I can’t wait to hear what you've learned.

Maybe, you will find this mission so rewarding, you will be inspired to practice these random acts of kindness for two weeks, then three, and then it may just become a part of who you are forever! Never doubt that you can change the world, one act of kindness at a time. Who knows….

Thinking ministry

Share this thought with your church. Invite people to dedicate one week to deliberately and thoughtfully "practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty" and see how churches all over the country (maybe the world) can be motivated to change our little corners of our world. Amen and Amen.

If you'd like to post comments or thoughts please share them here or on the Ministry Matters Facebook page.