In a world full of busy people, it’s easy to get engrossed in our own day to day lives full of long work hours, kids sporting commitments, family engagements, running a household and many more activities that we cram into our days.

All this can lead to times of stress and we forget to take that moment to just, be. Take a breath and reflect on your life, your achievements, and your goals. Take care of yourself so you are better prepared to take care of others. Then, look outside of yourself.

Do you see a parent whose child is having a melt-down in the supermarket? They are stressed but a kind word of support let’s them know that they’re not alone. What about a co-worker who has worked hard; they would appreciate that you’ve noticed and taken the time to praise them.

These may be small gestures but they can make a huge difference to someone’s day. It’s taking the time to think of others and how they are coping/feeling/managing their day. It’s not only a positive for the recipient but it feels pretty darn good for the person delivering the act also. In fact, it’s been scientifically proven that acts of kindness may decrease levels of stress, anxiety, pain, depression and blood pressure!

So how can you deliver a RACK? We want to encourage our community to not only look after themselves, but look out for others too. Here are a few examples of how you can make a difference in someone’s day:

  • Pay for the next person’s coffee at your local café. If you’re going to stick around it’s nice to see the look of surprise, then delight on that person’s face.
  • Leave a used book on the seat of a bus-stop with a sticky note telling them it’s free to enjoy and pass on when read.
  • Have an elderly neighbour? Give them a hand with their garden. Getting older makes it more difficult with the upkeep of the garden but pulling some weeds and a bit of pruning makes a huge difference. You could even get your kids to help you and make it a regular family act of kindness.
  • Write a poem for someone special. Taking the time to write a poem shows how much you care and it can be a great way to express your feelings without getting tongue-tied.
  • Let someone go in front of you in a queue. People are usually impatient standing in a queue but being courteous and allowing someone to go ahead of you, gives those around you a moment to think. Slow down, take a moment and smile.
  • Speaking of smiling, make it a habit to smile at passers-by.
  • See a shopping cart sitting out in the carpark? Return it to the trolley bay and give those that serve us, a helping hand.
  • Cook a meal or bake some muffins for a friend in need or new neighbours to welcome them.
  • Bring in your neighbour’s wheelie bins.
  • Surprise your or your children’s coach with a small gift or genuine thanks for the great work they do.
  • Get your child to make kindness bookmarks and deliver some to various letterboxes in your neighbourhood.
  • Compliment someone on their hair/outfit/jewellery etc. It’s a small thing to do but it can brighten someone’s day when they are feeling down.

We want to hear about your RACKs. If you have received or delivered a RACK, please post your story. You can remain anonymous if you wish but we would love to hear from you as your experience may just encourage others to do the same. Let’s fill our community with love, compassion and kindness.

Join the RACK Facebook page here

3 comments

  1. Susan Reilly

    I was asked earlier this year if I would mind picking up some bread and milk for someone who had just moved to the area and hadn’t found work yet. She and her husband and two children were doing it a bit tough so rather than just getting bread and milk, I ordered $200 worth of groceries from Coles online and had it delivered to her house. To this day I have never met any of them. But I know they are very grateful.

  2. Toni

    My Husband lost his mobile phone in the car park of Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre a couple of months ago. Luckily for him a local couple picked it up and called my number which was showing up as a missed call. I was so touched by their honesty and thoughtfulness. We promised to pass on a RACK.
    Thank you again if you ever read this.

  3. Jenny Singer

    A message to the lovely lady on the 444 bus who got off after the QCAT stop and paid the bus fare for our three friends visiting from China, thank you. Your kindness left an everlasting impression with our friends who didn’t have small change for the bus ride from Indooroopilly to Pullenvale on Sunday (two weeks ago). It was my fault, as I forgot to inform them they would need small change for the bus, and they had no idea they couldn’t pay for three adults (a total of $17) using a $50 note (which personally I don’t think should have been a problem with the driver not even checking what she had). After my friend asked other passengers on the bus if anyone could change the note (and the bus driver told them they had to go change it in a shop), you asked the cost of the fare and promptly paid the driver. You then refused to take any money but told our friends “Welcome to Australia, I hope you enjoy your holiday.” Your beautiful words and generous act made my friend cry (I also teared up when she relayed the story). Anyone who has travelled knows how a simple task like catching public transport can be difficult in a foreign country especially when you dont know the system. Our friends have now returned to China with the knowledge that Australians are extremely generous and kind and will no doubt share their story with others. So thank you again for your very generous gesture to some complete strangers. I feel very grateful to be living in an amazing part of the world and I know I have some pretty fabulous neighbours.
    Kind Regards,
    Jenny

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