THE POWER OF SMALL SURPRISES

How random acts of kindness can bring joy

Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 9-15, encourages people to do small, thoughtful acts to brighten someone’s day. These unprompted, thoughtful actions — with no expectation of anything in return — can be as simple as letting someone merge in front of you in traffic, taking a latte to your child’s teacher or leaving a note of encouragement for a coworker. 

Research consistently shows that kindness is a two-way street: it uplifts the recipient while also improving the giver’s sense of well-being. Giving kindness creates a culture of kindness — a place we’d all love to dwell in year-round. 

Kind words
Some places even have their own unique language for acts of kindness. 

When Blue Bell ice cream, the iconic ice cream brand from my home state of Texas, first appeared in the freezer section of Lynchburg’s grocery stores, my friend Angie showed up on my porch with a cooler bag of pints, just because she remembered my love for it. That day, I learned the word “cerci” (pronounced sir-see), which means “a small, thoughtful gift given freely and with no expectation of repayment.” 

Similarly, when I was a student at Ole Miss, I learned the word “happy” can be used as a noun to describe a small, unexpected gift or treat. As in, “Here’s a little happy for you.” 

In Louisiana, the word “lagniappe” (pronounced lan-yap) captures the essence of “a little something extra.” It often refers to the unexpected bonus given as a sign of appreciation — like a shopkeeper adding an extra beignet to your order or giving you a cup of coffee “on the house.” 

Why random acts of kindness matter
Random acts of kindness matter because they remind us of the power of connection. Even small, thoughtful gestures can have an outsized impact on someone’s day, creating moments of joy and reinforcing the ties that hold communities together. Here’s why these acts are so important: 

• They create moments of connection.
  In an increasingly busy world, small acts of kindness can break down social barriers, fostering genuine human interaction and reminding us of our shared experiences. 
• They spread positivity.
  Kindness has a ripple effect. One act of kindness can inspire others to do the same, creating a chain reaction of goodwill. 
• They improve mental health.
  Acts of kindness have powerful physical and mental health benefits. Engaging in kind behaviors releases oxytocin, which lowers blood pressure, improves heart health, and boosts self-esteem and optimism. Kindness also stimulates serotonin production, enhancing mood, energy and well-being while reducing depression and anxiety. Overall, being kind promotes greater life satisfaction, mental health and reduced symptoms of depression, benefiting both the giver and the recipient. 
• They strengthen community bonds.
  Random acts of kindness help foster a sense of belonging and solidarity. Whether it’s in your neighborhood or on a global scale, kindness creates stronger, more connected communities. 

How to incorporate random acts of kindness
Kindness doesn’t have to be grand or complicated to make a difference. It’s the little things — the thoughtfulness of an unexpected gift or the warmth of a kind word — that often mean the most. Here are some ways you can incorporate random acts of kindness into your daily life: 

• For strangers: Be generous with compliments and smiles; invite someone to go ahead of you in the check-out line; donate blood and/or sign up to be an organ donor; leave quarters at the laundromat or vending machine. 
• For friends and family: Offer to help a loved one with a task they’ve been dreading; send a text to check in and brighten someone’s day; double tonight’s dinner recipe and share a meal with a neighbor. 
• For your community: Volunteer, donate to a local cause, participate in a neighborhood cleanup; shop locally and support small businesses; donate to a Little Free Library or your local food pantry. 

Consider incorporating the spirit of lagniappe — “a little something extra” — into your day-to-day life. Whether it’s offering an extra bit of time, care or attention, these small actions build upon each other to create moments of joy and connection. 

A culture of kindness
Though Random Acts of Kindness Week provides a designated time to celebrate these gestures, we don’t need to wait for a special occasion to be kind. Kindness can — and should — be a daily practice. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation offers free resources for Kindness at School, Kindness at Home and Kindness at Work initiatives. Their website (www.randomactsofkindness.org) includes lesson plans for teachers, printable quotes and coloring pages, calendars, games and inspirational “feel-good” stories to warm your heart and the hearts of others. Their tagline, Make Kindness the Norm, is a sentiment everyone can support. ✦