Getting to Know You Day: RAK

Hi everyone, it's me, Holly, doing another round of GTKY day here at CaC.  Lately I've been more mindful of all I have to be thankful for, appreciating what I have and finding little joys in every day things.  One of my passions is rubber stamping and making cards and postcards for people, an even bigger passion is to send them out into the world to people who are not expecting them.  On some of my card making groups a call will go out for a RAK, Random Act of Kindness, meaning you send a card, letter, or small gift to someone who needs cheering up. (There's even a Random Act of Kindness website here.) A good friend of mine is going through a very difficult time in her life, her husband was diagnosed in the end stages of lymphoma and is not expected to live much longer.  She is at home trying to care for him while they wait for a spot in the hospital to open up, neither of them has benefits or an income presently.  To make things easier for them, people in my workplace have started up different monetary collections, purchasing grocery gift cards for them and signing cards to help her know many people are praying for her and thinking of her at this difficult time.  I am so touched by so many people willing to help a fellow person in need.  We see this happen so often but the goodness in people is overlooked for the sensational stories and all the bad that is out there.  Today we'll be digging in a little deeper and finding out who/what brought us through the rough times in our lives.  Maybe it will inspire all of us to reach out and do one small thing to cheer someone else up.  Reach out and RAK someone today.  You can find my answers here.
1)  When you were going through a rough time in your life, what did someone do to help get you through that period. (you don't have to tell us about the rough time if you don't want, I just want to hear what helped you through it)
2)   Have you ever been on the receiving end of a RAK? What was it?  How did it make you feel? 
3)  Have you ever sent out a letter/greeting/bunch of flowers to someone, just to cheer them up?  Did you do it anonymously? 
4)   If you were not familiar with Random Acts of Kindness before now, are you more inspired to go out and do something nice now?
5)If you know of another good website that encourages spreading joy and love, please pass it along.

That's it for this week, let's get some good endorphins, joy and appreciation flowing.  Have a bountiful week.

Comments

[windyangels]

Forgot to say a huge thank you Holly for this wonderful topic.

angels be with you,
Wendy

[windyangels]

I would so love to have a moment to share all the wonderful RAKs which have been granted unto me. I feel so blessed. I think RAKs have been a part of me since I was conceived. My father has been the spirit of kindness in my life since that time. My dear wonderful father living now mostly in that world of confusion of memory, of emotion.
Suze http://artography.wordpress.com/
and I have been sharing RAKs since we first met probably about a year ago. I most recently sent her an e-card on the day she started her new job. She is often sending me her loving thoughts also.
But Helenina and I have this sharing going which she started a couple of months ago. I say she, but I believe in angels and fairies, so...
http://windyangels.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-have-chosen-this-image-for-theme-of.html

Angels be with you, each and every one of you,
Wendy

[bella]

Very cool questions! Here are my answers.
http://deelovelee.typepad.com/mamamuses/2007/07/getting-to-know.html

[Tammy]

I posted my answers earlier in the day!!

http://tamberstone.blogspot.com/2007/07/getting-to-know-you-rak.html

[Rissa]

This was thought provoking! Thanks!

http://blog.prettyimpressivestuff.com/?p=592

[Janet]

what a great bunch of questions and an equally fantastic topic! My post is here:

http://www.fondofsnape.com/archives/2007/07/getting_to_know_6.php#003112

[Nina]

Holly - love this post! And I so appreciate what you are doing and encouraging others to do. Helenina's idea is great . . . . maybe just pick out one or two other bloggers today and send an encouraging email. Someone we have never met before, and perhaps make a few new friends! Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday! Nina

[helenina]

great theme to talk about Holly! I love empathy, it's something I value a lot in humanity!
it means a lot to me, people who can feel any compassion are just dried empty shells, I cannot understand it but this world is full of strong individualism... life is life

I am so sorry for your friend...I would feel so bad if it happens to a friend of mine!
I do send raok, I also have a higher goal to make a change later with my art, when my business will work...hopefully
this higher goal means a lot to me
I am not here only for a career, for fame or whatever
I am here to do good as much as I can & so hopefully later I will Create this thing(for now I keep it secret because I want it so bad, I just know it might be real in 5 or 10 years...but it will be!)

http://helene-deroubaix.blogspot.com/2007/07/getting-to-know-you-for-create.html

here is my small post:)
I remember trying hard to help a friend in depression
I asked people to send her letters and small surprise
she got a lot of letter, she was really touched, she could see how far I could go to help her, but alas our friendship still was not meant to be...sometimes I felt I lost energy on people who did not 'deserve it' so I try to help with no feelings attached which is better in the end and of course to be careful with the friends I let myself get attached to:)
of course we can never know what tomorrow will bring
all this inspires me art, I can wait to create!

thank you for talking about Raok, we should all do that:)
maybe here at CaC we should make the Celebrate Rak day ;)
for each members bday we all would send an handmade card or a little note, to make them feel remembered etc:)
that would be fun:-)

Blessings***