Not So Random

If you're a teenager, you know a teenager, or you've ever watched an episode of Laguna Beach, you know that the phrase sweeping the teenage nation is: "That's random!" Everything from pizza for dinner to inviting a boy you like to the prom is considered "so random". But what I'm talking about today is the concept of "random acts of kindness" and as far as I'm concerned there's nothing random about them at all. I just got home from our local Cure Autism Now: Walk Now Event (where I gave a little speech), so I'm feeling motivated. There are a couple little things that everyone can do. These are really just basic common courtesy, but others will really appreciate yor kindness.
1. Put the little divider down behind your groceries at the grocery store.
2. Pick up someone else's trash. 3. Smile & say "Hello" to a stranger (this seems to freak people out in New York). 4. Give up your seat on a bus, train, airport shuttle to anyone older, pregnant or injured. 5. Let a car merge in front of you on the freeway (if you swear under your breath it doesn't count). 6. Hold the door open for a stranger. & my number one suggestion: Give the Gift of Time. Find something that you're passionate about and donate your time. It only takes a couple minutes (plus a loaf of bread & pack of lunch meat) to make a tray of sandwiches to drop off at a homeless shelter. You can volunteer to play with dogs at the humane society, or read stories to kids at a local classroom or library. Most adult day health care centers have monthly parties where volunteers can sing, play bingo or hand out cupcakes. If you live by a military base, most of them have programs over Thanksgiving where you can "Adopt a Marine, Soldier, etc" & bring them into your home to enjoy the holiday with your family. I have 6 kids & 4 dogs & still find time to volunteer. If I have time, so do you. OK, I'll step off my soapbox now. http://www.cureautismnow.org/site/c.bhLOK2PILuF/b.1021889/k.BFD8/Home.htm