This week I have seen lots of stories about being a RAKtivist and wondered what this was about. On their website Random Acts Of Kindness they define a RAKtivist as
RAKtivists are an extraordinary class of kind do-er’s. They truly believe that kindness can change the world and exemplify that in their day-to-day lives.
To me acts of kindness can be simple things such as saying hello to someone who walks past you, to helping someone with their shopping. Did you know that when you say hello to a random stranger in the street, you could be the only person that has spoken to them in weeks and by saying a simple hello, you are making them smile and they might not feel so alone.
I remember when I had my interview for my university place and they asked me why I wanted to be a nurse and I had flashbacks to the forums I had been on asking what things would I be asked in my interview. One of the main things they said was don’t say “Because you care or want to look after people” as this is not what they are looking for. However, when it came to the question, my response was exactly that. Why else would I want to be a nurse, it’s because I care about people and because I want to look after them. This is the same with RAK’s, it’s because you know that your one simple act could have a profound effect on someone.
Did you know that according to Age UK, over a million older people go over a month without seeing anyone. That’s like solitary confinement. Could you imagine going to bed each night wondering if tomorrow you will see someone. When I was working for BT as a 100/999 operator in my very younger days, about a third of the callers would be those who had no-one else to talk to. They knew that if they called us, that we wouldn’t put the phone down and could sometimes be on the telephone for over an hour, but I didn’t mind because to me they were like my nan and they sounded so lonely.
Whenever I go shopping on my own, because if I go with my husband he gets impatient, I will say hello to as many people as possible, or if people look lost I will try and strike up a conversation. At times I get odd looks, but hey, who cares, as long as the person i’m talking to is ok and happy then i’m happy. My husband hates it and quite often tells me that “You chat shit”. I can talk for England and I do love to talk 🙂
Of course RAK’s are not always just about the person you are doing them for. I think I would be lying if I didn’t admit that when I do a RAK, I feel awesome, is that wrong? I only think it’s wrong if your RAK is more about making you feel good and not the actual act itself. It’s like the 3 laws, if you do something for personal gain then it will come back threefold in a negative way.
So what will your first RAK be? My first RAK of 2016 is going to be delivering some hats and blankets to the local Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Poole Hospital. Over the christmas period I have knitted and crocheted Blankets and premature baby hats.
My reason for doing this is because my daughter was born at 25 weeks gestation weighing 1lb 9oz.
My husband and I will be going over to Poole hospital in the next few days with the hats and blankets. With the blankets the best thing to do is to put the blanket next to the mother’s skin for 24 hours and then use on the baby, that way the baby will have the mother’s smell.
So what will be your first RAK of 2016? Click HERE to find out more information about being a RAKtivist or to apply.
My journey through life 