Have You Ever Initiated or Received a Random Act of Kindness?

Locally, we occasionally hear of an out-of-the-blue act of kindness — usually at a drive-through — that brings a smile to the face of the receiver and sometimes brings about a whole change in the outlook on the day. More times than not, the recipient of the free meal, coffee or even baskets of groceries is inspired to pass it on or pay it forward to the next person. 

Thus was the act of kindness that resulted in a day of free coffee for hundreds of people at a shop in Winnipeg, Canada. 

After the Newtown shooting, a movement began to perform 26 Acts of Kindness — one in honor of each of the victims. Facebook pages have been dedicated to the effort and there's even a Twitter hashtag, #26Acts, spurred by Ann Curry of NBC.

Admit it. Whenever a Facebook friend posts a status update or a tweet comes across from someone we know who has been the recipient of even such small or large generosity, it changes our whole outlook on humanity, doesn't it? These little gifts that remind us, no matter the fiscal cliffs and ugliness that makes the headlines, there is still good left in the world.

 Need some ideas that are pretty easy to do?

• Buy coffee for the person behind you in line
• Rake leaves for a neighbor
• Buy lunch for a homeless person
• Send flowers to a rehab facility
• Buy a veteran's meal
• Write your child's teacher a thank-you note
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen
• Donate during a local blood drive
• Spend some time at a senior center
• Send a treat to your local fire department
• Send a treat to a day care center
• Volunteer to read in a school

Have you ever participated in a random act of kindness? Tell us about it in the comments below-