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Written by Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of International Relations student, Andie-Lee Cilliers.
As a Bondy, I’m proud to say we have an incredible community – everyone is happy to stop for a chat, wave as you pass one another on the Thinking Steps, or come together for a coffee break at Papyrus. I guess you could say that we’re quite good at spreading happiness, but seeing as it’s Kindness Week, now’s the right time to double down on these good vibes.
Random acts of kindness
We’ve all heard about random acts of kindness, but here’s a refresher – a random act of kindness is an unexpected act of helpfulness performed for someone else, whether that’s a stranger, family member or friend. It has no motive - other than to share and spread happiness and improve someone else’s day.
Essentially, a random act of kindness is doing something nice for someone else, without being asked and without the need for recognition, or anything in return.
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The power of kindness
Kindness can increase a person’s sense of happiness, because it promotes gratitude, empathy and compassion. Some research has also found that sharing kindness can improve your mental and physical wellbeing by reducing stress. We could all could use a little bit of extra kindness - especially during challenging times like the recent pandemic. By sharing kindness on campus, you can show your appreciation for people and contribute to making everyone feel happy and at home at Bond.
People are more likely to do be more kind to the people that they have a closer relationship with, so I’ve focussed this list on sharing kindness with strangers. But don’t forget about your close family and friends – they will appreciate your random of kindness just as much!
Here are top 12 random acts of kindness to try on campus:
- In line at Pulse Café? Offer to buy coffee for the person behind you.
- If you are eating dinner at Lakeside, offer to take your table’s dirty dishes to the cleaning station.
- Tape some money to the vending machine outside the Main Library with a note saying, ‘have a snack on me!’
- Sit with someone new in a lecture and introduce yourself – you might just make a new friend!
- Leave a copy of your favourite book on the tables outside the MLC with a note saying, ‘take me’.
- Bring a packet of your favourite lollies to a tutorial to share with your classmates.
- Thank a lecturer or tutor and let them know you appreciate them.
- Write a postcard to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while – share your favourite memory of them, or even just let them know that you were thinking of them.
- Park a little further away than you usually would, so you can save a closer car park for a stranger.
- Give a genuine compliment to two people every day.
- If you know that someone has just organised an event at Bond – let them know that you think they did a good job!
- While getting your free weekly sausage sizzle at the Bond University Student Association's (BUSA) Wednesday by the Water, remember to say thank you, it will definitely put a smile on the BUSA members’ faces.
Kindness Week at Bond University
Bond's inaugural Kindness Week is being held from 25 - 29 October.