In the movie Evan Almighty a tender scene shows God (Morgan Freeman) 
telling Evan (Steve Carell) that Acts of Random Kindness can change the world. It is a poignant moment in a movie that has been bashed by many critics. While this movie is not an Academy Award winning movie, it warmed my heart and made me smile more than a few times as I watched it on a cloudy Saturday afternoon. How can you not like a character (Evan) who fumbles through a prayer to God because he wants to change the world for the better? When God responds by asking Evan to build an ark, the story becomes predictable and unpredictable at the same time.
Even though the movie offered more than one meaningful message to its audience, I left thinking about the joy of receiving Acts of Random Kindness.
Wikipedia defines Acts of Random Kindness as "a purportedly selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up a stranger. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier."
While the focus is usually on giving ARK to others, I want to turn it around and highlight how can you increase the ARK that you receive.
Eight Ways To Bring ARK Into Your Life
- Be grateful. This is probably the number one way to bring more ARK into your life. Never take a single Act of Random Kindness for granted and openly show your gratitude when you can.
- Notice. Don’t let ARK slip by unnoticed. Take a minute to be truly present to the miracle of the moment.
- Track ARK. Keep a record of ARK as they occur. At night before you go to bed, reflect on your day and make a quick list of the ARK that came into your life that day. Focusing attention on them will draw more of them to you.
- Pay it Forward! Yes, there is a movie by that same title that does a wonderful job of explaining the concept of "paying it forward." The idea is to repay someone's kindness by passing an act of kindness forward to some unknown lucky recipient instead of repaying the original giver.
- Expect ARK. You get what you think about and expect. The more you expect ARK to come to you, the more they will!
- Receive! Give yourself full permission to receive. Be open and accept graciously. It’s okay. Really! Allow yourself to be showered with good stuff and then you have more to pay forward. Receiving helps to create a win-win situation for all.
- Soak it up. Bask in the warmth, love and good feelings that come from being on the receiving end of ARK. Saturate yourself in all the good feelings that are created from the experience of receiving ARK.
- Make it Fun! Don’t take any of this too seriously. Stay lighthearted and playful. Laugh and be silly. This keeps your energy up and puts you in a greater position to attract more ARK into your life.
Is it too self-centered or selfish to actually want to receive ARK from others? Heck no! It is important and vital to give AND receive. So open your heart to doing both and watch miracles of all kinds become more prevalent in your life.
ARK shows up in your life in all kinds of different, unexpected ways. When is the last time you received an Act of Random Kindness? What happened? How did the experience impact you?
Onward!
Beverly Keaton Smith
Copyright 2007
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