One man sets out on a journey to leave a legacy for his daughter. Ryan Garcia is performing 366 random acts of kindness during the year 2012.
Why is he carrying out random acts of kindness every day, for an entire year? He’s on a mission to do something good.
“It was a new year’s resolution.” Ryan Garcia says, “I have a newborn daughter and I just want to set a good example for her.”
February 17, 2012 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. It’s an unofficial holiday but is celebrated worldwide.
Various events take place through individual actions, many through local organizations and communities.
What would you do for random acts of kindness day? Would you be willing to perform an act of kindness for 366 days in a row?
In downtown Chicago, Ryan Garcia held a sign for passersby. “Giving away free hugs”. On a cold day in Chicago, Garcia stood at State and Randolph. As Garcia waved to people hustling by in the busy downtown streets, one woman jumped out of her car to get that hug.
Every day this year, Ryan Garcia is making a difference. This year is leap year so there’s an added bonus of one extra day to be filled with spreading kindness and cheer.
“This is to spread kindness.” Garcia says, “If one person sees this maybe they’ll do something nicer for their neighbor.”
Besides giving away free hugs, some of his kind gestures include raising awareness for a cancer patient, becoming a pen pal for a sick child and giving away a Nintendo Wii. This week Garcia passed out Valentines to strangers.
Garcia is making a difference in the Chicago community. He is inspiring others to follow and encouraging them as he leads the way. Earlier this month, he bought lunch for a group of firefighters from Engine 4 in Chicago.
The Greek writer Aesop once said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
The week of February 13-19, 2012 is celebrated as random acts of kindness week.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation inspires people to practice kindness every day and encourages people to pass that act on to someone else. They have free resources available on their website along with stories of kindness performed by people from various communities.
Author of A Book of Miracles, Dr. Bernie S. Siegel said, “Compliments are the helium that fills everyone’s balloon; they elevate the person receiving them so he or she can fly over life’s troubles and land safely on the other side.”
- Pick up a balloon today; fill it with love and joy; give it to someone in need.
- Visit a friend in the hospital.
- Give a hug today.
- Offer to pay for someone’s lunch.
- Pay the toll for the driver waiting behind you.
- Offer to refill someone’s coffee cup at the office.
There are so many ways people can offer and show love.
Need more ideas? Visit the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation to be inspired and follow Ryan Garcia on his mission of kindness.
Ryan Garcia has performed some wonderful deeds but is always looking for more suggestions. Visit his website for details and send in those ideas.
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