It could be considered by some (or many, depending on who you speak to), that the world is in a bit of a pickle when it comes to tolerance with other cultures, countries and religions, which is why I feel that supporting Random Act of Kindness Day on 17 February, is more important than ever.
What, yet another silly day to add to your calendar? Well, not really, this is actually a good one to have and one I fully endorse, especially now, when we live in a world where horrible news is a daily occurrence, where life is too busy and we can become self-absorbed and forget about those less fortunate than us. If we all did just one nice thing, one random act of kindness, if we can put a smile on someone’s face and make someone’s day, that can only be a good thing!
My challenge was to show random acts of kindness whilst travelling around the world.
What, yet another silly day to add to your calendar? Well, not really, this is actually a good one to have and one I fully endorse, especially now, when we live in a world where horrible news is a daily occurrence, where life is too busy and we can become self-absorbed and forget about those less fortunate than us. If we all did just one nice thing, one random act of kindness, if we can put a smile on someone’s face and make someone’s day, that can only be a good thing!
My challenge was to show random acts of kindness whilst travelling around the world.
Random Act of Kindness day was first brought to my attention when I was tagged in a blog post by Anisa from Two Travelling Texans and I was challenged to carry out my own random act. I thought long and hard about what I would do which is ironic really because it’s supposed to be random. When I read her blog and found out I was “nominated”, I couldn’t help thinking this was wonderful gesture and I enjoyed reading her heart-warming story.
As a traveller like Anisa, I wanted to do something kind whilst travelling, but what would I do?
As a traveller like Anisa, I wanted to do something kind whilst travelling, but what would I do?
Christmas cheer
In honour of Anisa, I wanted to repeat what she had done, so on my long-haul flight from Gatwick to Kuala Lumpur, I waited until after the main meal and delivered a Christmas card and box of chocolates to the cabin crew. They were surprised and delighted at their little Christmas gift and when they saw me taking a walk along the aisle to stretch my legs, they would call out with massive smiles on their faces to thank me whilst munching whole heartedly on the chocolates. I knew that repeating Anisa’s gesture was the right thing to do!
However, this wasn’t how I was going to carry out my random act of kindness, I wanted to do something whilst travelling… but what should I do?
Keep Bristol Warm
Before I left the UK in December, I found out about a charity drive called “Keep Bristol Warm”, a community event to help the homeless. Their aim was “To raise as many donations of items useful for the homeless as possible. It will also raise awareness of the ongoing issues faced by Bristol’s street sleepers”. December is winter in the UK and at a time when people are turning up their heating, others are on the streets shivering in concrete doorways wondering how they would make it through the night. I wanted to be a part of the Keep Bristol Warm event but I had already donated my sleeping bag and cups to a local soup kitchen and most of my stuff had been given to Help for Heroes. Thankfully I was still able to pull together a few jumpers (including a Rudolph Christmas jumper!), a couple of coats, some blankets, thick dressing gowns, new underwear, soap and a couple of toothbrushes and toothpaste – all items that were listed on the website.
Keep Bristol Warm
Before I left the UK in December, I found out about a charity drive called “Keep Bristol Warm”, a community event to help the homeless. Their aim was “To raise as many donations of items useful for the homeless as possible. It will also raise awareness of the ongoing issues faced by Bristol’s street sleepers”. December is winter in the UK and at a time when people are turning up their heating, others are on the streets shivering in concrete doorways wondering how they would make it through the night. I wanted to be a part of the Keep Bristol Warm event but I had already donated my sleeping bag and cups to a local soup kitchen and most of my stuff had been given to Help for Heroes. Thankfully I was still able to pull together a few jumpers (including a Rudolph Christmas jumper!), a couple of coats, some blankets, thick dressing gowns, new underwear, soap and a couple of toothbrushes and toothpaste – all items that were listed on the website.
The community event had started about 30 minutes prior to my arrival and I was taken aback by the amount of black bags full of jumpers, sleeping bags and a stand dedicated to shoes which had already been donated, it was heart-warming.
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Shoes, shoes and more shoes... all donated for a very good cause!
I felt as though I was taking part in something special, especially as it was close to Christmas and there was a local choir singing Xmas songs, it really was wonderful.
I began chatting to one of the volunteers who also works alongside Feed The Homeless, she said they drive around popular homeless areas and deliver items to those in need. If there are items left over, these are donated to other homeless charities meaning nothing goes to waste.
I left that place feeling proud, not for what I had done as my contribution was just a small one; I was proud because there were still people who cared enough about the plight of others that they would come out in their droves to donate as much as they possibly could. In a world where we sometimes wonder if there is much kindness left, days like today showed me that yes, kindness still does exist.
I left that place feeling proud, not for what I had done as my contribution was just a small one; I was proud because there were still people who cared enough about the plight of others that they would come out in their droves to donate as much as they possibly could. In a world where we sometimes wonder if there is much kindness left, days like today showed me that yes, kindness still does exist.
Beach clean up
The island of Mabul in Borneo is small and beautiful, but sadly it is plagued with a lot of rubbish. Part of the problem is due to the ocean’s currents bringing in rubbish, but another problem is that there are no rubbish collecting facilities on the island.
This is the unfortunate state of so many idyllic beaches these days - but we CAN do something about it!
We stayed with Scuba Junkie who initiated a scheme whereby if the local sea gypsies (known as the Bajau people) were to collect their rubbish, Scuba Junkie would remove it from the island instead of it being thrown into the ocean. Scuba Junkie also carry out weekly beach cleans and one day I was able to participate. Armed with gloves and a rubbish bag, it took around 10 minutes to fill up the bag which mainly consisted of nappies, plastic bottles and clothes.
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As I spent quite a bit of time on the beach, I made it my mission that every time I sunbathed, at the end of the day I would fill a bag up with rubbish, at least this way I felt I was being useful.
As I now live on Gili Air, a small island in Indonesia, it is more important than ever to keep on top of the rubbish that is washed up by currents onto the beach. I regularly take part in island beach clean ups and have even hosted a few!
As I now live on Gili Air, a small island in Indonesia, it is more important than ever to keep on top of the rubbish that is washed up by currents onto the beach. I regularly take part in island beach clean ups and have even hosted a few!
My Random Act of Kindness
When travelling around, I always try to pick up a few local words such as “hello”, “thank you”, “please” “goodbye” and something extra that is unusual such as “awesome” or “excellent food” as this always brings an extra warm response when used. Whilst starting our full time travelling in Borneo, we ensured we used these words as often as we could and the smiles and appreciation we received were so genuine and heartfelt, I realised that my random act of kindness didn’t have to be a big grand gesture – to make someone’s day, all I had to do was engage with people in some small way. If a local person in the country you are visiting wants to shake your hand, then shake their hand, if someone wants to practice their English by asking “hello, what is your name”, then stop for a moment and respond. If a child wants to high-five you as you are walking or cycling by then high-five them. If someone on a bicycle is cycling past you, waves and says hello, then smile and respond, and if your neighbours want to share a shot of their local drink with you, then share it, you never know, you may end up spending a few hours singing songs with them whilst they play their guitar … and that is what travelling is all about!
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Sometimes in life, it’s the simplest of things that can make that difference, no need for big grand gestures which means that everyone can do it! Everyone has the ability to smile, to open a door for someone, or to let someone in a supermarket go in front of you because they only have one item, or to allow another driver to pull out in front of you.
In conclusion
Being tagged for this post and finding out about the Random Act of Kindness day has left a lasting impression on me. It has made me think a lot more seriously about what we can all do on a regular basis to put a smile on people’s faces, as I found out, it’s the smallest of things that can make someone’s day.
Going forward on my travels, I want to see where I can make that small difference in someone’s day and do something unexpected without being asked. I want to be a more responsible traveller and do what I can without leaving a long-lasting negative impact. I am fortunate to be able to see the world and now I want to make my travels more purposeful.
I now hand over the Random Act of Kindness baton to my friends, and fellow big-hearted travellers : Jenn from By Land and Sea, Anna from Two Nerds Travel, Lisa from Simple Sojourner, Kelly from Trippin Turpins and Stephanie from 1 Adventure Traveler.
In conclusion
Being tagged for this post and finding out about the Random Act of Kindness day has left a lasting impression on me. It has made me think a lot more seriously about what we can all do on a regular basis to put a smile on people’s faces, as I found out, it’s the smallest of things that can make someone’s day.
Going forward on my travels, I want to see where I can make that small difference in someone’s day and do something unexpected without being asked. I want to be a more responsible traveller and do what I can without leaving a long-lasting negative impact. I am fortunate to be able to see the world and now I want to make my travels more purposeful.
I now hand over the Random Act of Kindness baton to my friends, and fellow big-hearted travellers : Jenn from By Land and Sea, Anna from Two Nerds Travel, Lisa from Simple Sojourner, Kelly from Trippin Turpins and Stephanie from 1 Adventure Traveler.
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