The 17th February 2025 was Random Acts of Kindness Day.
For me, it raises a question: Can an act of random kindness be truly spontaneous if it’s planned? There’s even an Act of Kindness calendar with daily suggestions. Thoughtful, but utterly exhausting!
I am wondering whether the answer lies in how we approach kindness. If we only perform acts of kindness today because the calendar tells us to, then it might feel more like an obligation than a genuine off-the-cuff impulse. Not unlike, in my humble opinion, Valentines Day.
But if we use today as a reminder to notice opportunities to be kind as they arise, then perhaps we can still capture that element of spontaneity, aka ‘randomness.’
Companies often focus on customer appreciation or employee recognition on set dates such as Valentine’s Day, Employee Appreciation Day, or annual bonuses. But truly impactful businesses don’t wait for a date to show they care. Think loyalty cards, unexpected rewards, or a personal thank-you that are small, consistent gestures which build stronger relationships than a single, scheduled act.
I asked AI, what is kindness, he came up with this:
‘Kindness is the simple yet powerful act of recognizing another person’s (or even an animal’s) needs and responding with warmth, generosity, and care—without expecting anything in return. It’s about making space for compassion, choosing empathy over indifference, and offering a helping hand when it’s needed.’
Couldn’t have said it better myself, although I do think kindness and thoughtfulness go hand in hand as well.
For me, random acts of kindness aren’t about ticking off a list or waiting for the ‘right’ day.
Sometimes, I bake biscuits or cakes and send them to friends or family going through a tough time. I know I can’t fix their situation, but I hope it reminds them they’re thought of.
Other times, I send things ‘just coz’—for absolutely no reason at all. Occasionally met with friendly suspicion, but more often, with a smile and a thanks.
If I can’t spend time WITH someone because of distance or for any number of reasons, I can still make time FOR them. In this case, TIME is the real act of kindness… not the stuff, and certainly not a date on a calendar.
What does kindness mean to you? Let me know.
