Marlborough Magazine Marlborough September 2016 Issue | Page 8

National RAK Day is a day where you do some Random Act of Kindness for someone else. It could be a family member, flat mate, school friend, neighbour or a perfect stranger passing you in the street! ~the ideas are endless, pass it on... National RAK Day is a day where you do some Random Act of Kindness for someone else. It could be a family member, flat mate, school friend, neighbour or a perfect stranger passing you in the street! ~the ideas are endless, pass it on... National RAK Day is a day where you do some Random Act of Kindness for someone else. It could be a family member, flat mate, school friend, neighbour or a perfect stranger passing you in the street! ~the ideas are endless, pass it on... Cut out these ‘You’ve been RAK’d’ cards and hand out with your own random act to keep the kindness flowing, or jump online at www.rak.co.nz and check out all the FREE downloadable resources available. National RAK Day is a day where you do some Random Act of Kindness for someone else. It could be a family member, flat mate, school friend, neighbour or a perfect stranger passing you in the street! ~the ideas are endless, pass it on... Kindness EQUALS Wellness Small acts change the world. BY HUIA CROSBY Kindness helps us to thrive, it enhances wellbeing, longevity and decreases stress – it doesn’t cost a damn thing and it needs to be sprinkled everywhere! Kindness can include the qualities of compassion, generosity, gratitude, inclusion, integrity, optimism, respect and self-awareness - it promotes a sense of meaning and fulfilment for both giver and receiver. What constitutes an act of kindness is pretty much up to you. It can be as simple as picking up a piece of rubbish or allowing a person in front of you at the supermarket when they have less groceries than you. Or it could be more involved, like coaching a kids sports team, organising a beach clean-up or volunteering at the local RSPCA. Either way, it’s about doing something kind with no expectations of it needing to be returned. Kindness is arguably more in need in today’s times than ever. Terrorism is in the headlines and the world can seem a frightening place for many. The world’s population is bursting, the internet is powerful – the ripple effect has the ability to get global at an alarming speed, for better or worse - cyber bullying and internet trolls launching campaigns of harassment. Increased stress levels, depression and anxiety, a sense of disconnection and isolation are common side effects of modern life, with record numbers on prescription antidepressants. Every person can make a difference and every person should try. Start now. Kindness is a divine quality which inter-connects all life. Begin small and grow big - start with yourself, your home, family, friends, work, environment, community, country and even go global – the ‘ripple effect’.