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A Punch of Kindness
Sometimes it just takes a small action of kindness to make someone’s day. Kindness has so much power that could warm anyone’s heart with something as simple as saying “Thank you” or “Please”. Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (RAK) was founded in 1995 in Denver, Colorado. This is a nonprofit organization founded upon the powerful belief in kindness and dedicated to providing resources and tools that encourage acts of kindness. They also created the Random Acts of Kindness Day (RAKD) or as other may call it “the whole pay it forward mentality”; this is a day celebrated by individuals and organizations nationwide to encourage the act of kindness. This event is celebrated every February 17th.
This event have become so known that even famous individuals such as Youtubers and celebrities celebrate it. For example, NigaHiga also know as Ryan Higa. He is considered to be one of the most famous Youtubers in the world. About 4 years ago, Ryan and his friends filmed a video for the holidays season that reached almost 5.5 million views. They all got dressed as ninjas and started giving out packed food and resources for the people in need that were outside suffering in the cold. They didn’t expect to gain anything from this act. But they did this because it made them feel good. Given it was so nice of an experience, they made it a tradition. Now every year we can expect two to three video from him or his friends giving out food in during the holiday season. The video went so viral that each day more and more people follow this “trend” of being nice to strangers.
Beside helping people in need and giving them food, there are other acts of kindness. Ellen Degeneres is a famous comedian who has her own talk show. She is admired by many people because of all her random acts of kindness as well as her generosity. When Ellen was a kid she wanted to become a veterinarian; however, she gave up the dream because she was not "book smart". Since that day, she promised herself that she would do better and show the world that anyone could become whatever you want with the help of people who supports you and cares about you. Ellen’s list of random acts of kindness is so long that we can’t even fit it on directory book. Her heart is so big that she could even share or give out things she doesn’t have. One of the acts that we will never forget from her is when Ellen showed up in New Orleans along with Brad Pitt for Hurricane Katrina. This happened about five years ago, and by that time “The Ellen Show” wasn’t that popular; but this wasn’t a barrier for her. She encouraged so many people to donate to this cause. Even herself, she gave funds that she didn’t have. Now at days, Ellen is known as symbol of kindness. That with a simple two minutes video from her, it will make your day.
Our days are happier when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind. Don’t hesitate and start sharing good moments with your close friends. Go outside and help those in need. Go outside and be kind. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself. With just one kind world, it can change someone’s entire day
Katerine Chung