Tag Archives: random acts of kindness

Feel Good February 2018

Random acts of kindness, by definition, are meant to be random and unexpected. Whether it be a pleasant smile to a perfect straIMG-20180204-WA0003.jpgnger, or helping someone heavily-laden with shopping bags carry something to their cars, these are simple things we are all capable of doing (Just don’t be creepy about it!)

Last year, I participated in the inaugural “Feel Good February Create Date” and spent a fun afternoon getting crafty with friends (and in the process, made some new friends). We made a variety of gifts, based on our individual talents and interests, that were then left in public places for strangers to find and keep, or to pass on and shared with others.

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Founded in Sydney in 2015 by my friend, Linda Lokhee Pang, Feel Good Feb‘s mission statement is simple: “to encourage and inspire people to initiate random acts of kindness for their fellow community members.” This should be as basic as breathing.

That is why it is wonderful to be reminded, just as we are all settling into our annual new year’s resolutions, to not just focus on our physical health (logging more hours at the gym so far, anyone?), but on our mental and emotional health as well. After all, “feeling good” comes from within, and helping others feel good will also make you feel good, I guarantee it!

 

Like last year’s Create Date, the 2018 event was attended by friends, families and complete strangers who just wanted to participate in helping others feel good. As we sat around the table being all crafty, my friend Danielle commented, on more than one occasion, how therapeutic and fun the whole experience was. In fact, she had such a lovely time she is planning another Create Date later this month to spread the word.

If you are interested in finding out more about Feel Good February, its founder or other suggestions for random acts of kindness, visit their website, follow them on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. And if you’re keen to know more about Linda, who also happens to be a teacher and children’s book author, you can check out her website.

Don’t forget, #BeKind and #FeelGoodFeb always.

Feel Good February

fgf-web-banner-1500x300Welcome to February, the shortest month in the calendar year. Summer is in full swing in Australia and doesn’t seem to want to let up. This means we have more beach and outdoor time. People are generally in happier moods when the weather is warm and the sky is blue.

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FGF founder Linda Pang

But moods are constantly changeable. In the current political and economic climate, we are hit by negative views and news on a daily (hourly may be more accurate at times) basis. There seems to always be something that makes us angry at somebody or something. It only takes one single word, action or inaction from someone to turn a good day into a bad one.

img_7366By the same token, it doesn’t have to cost you anything more than a brief moment or a simple gesture to show kindness to someone and make their day. And when someone is feeling good, there is a greater likelihood of that person making someone else’s day. It is on this simple idea that my friend, Linda Pang, founded Feel Good February back in 2015.

img_7308To kick off Feel Good February for 2017, Linda invited volunteers of all ages and from different backgrounds to participate in a craft morning, where we collectively brought our artistic and creative skills to create cards, paintings and jewellery which we will then leave at random public places to brighten someone else’s day.


So if you find little gifts around Sydney packaged with small orange cards, pick it up, keep it and pay it forward. Remember, it doesn’t have to cost anything to be kind! Of course, you don’t need to be creative or artistic to make others feel good. For more ideas on random acts of kindness or how to start your own “Feel Good February” (or Feel Good Everyday), go to their Facebook page or website. You can also find them on Twitter and Instagram. And please do share with us your own stories of kindness any time!

In the meantime, have a great February and hope you’re feeling good!

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