Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) Challenge

photo credit: jhritz

Something that has had my attention the past few weeks has been the idea that intention can shape your reality.  It’s the whole idea that one’s thoughts whether positive or negative can affect the direction of one’s life. Simply put – whatever you put out there is what you will receive in return.  What goes around comes around.  Karma.  Whatever you choose to call it, I have witnessed it in my own life and believe that it’s real.

That said, imagine the difference each of us could make if we all decided to live with intention – to live a life that projects kindness and love.  If you believe, like I do, that we are all connected in some way then it only makes sense that our perceptions and experiences not only shape who we are, but, in turn, can be absorbed by others and, ultimately, make a difference in their lives.

In James Van Praagh’s book, Heaven and Earth, he discussed the idea of connectedness:

What we perceive with our five senses is only the tip of the iceberg.  Imagine a perspective from an airplane, thirty thousand feet above the earth.  Millions of people share this perspective every day.  Our perspective of life changes at that altitude.  We see a much bigger world than we do in our automobiles.  You might say that the world has expanded, yet nothing has changed except our viewpoint.

The same is true about the relationships and situations we experience.  The only thing that we can change is our perspective of these things.  When we realize that our attitudes of ignorance, selfishness, competitiveness, and fear create negative results in our lives, we have a choice to alter our thoughts and beliefs.  If we choose to free our minds of past conditioning and predisposed expectations, we will see life from a whole new point of view, one that is filled with the light and splendor of spirit.  Then, instead of misery, we will create conditions and experiences of a positive nature as we develop into high-minded and loving individuals.  From this new altitude we will discover our true selves deep within our hearts.  I believe that when this happens, we will truly begin to live life.

Most of us have been programmed to see life as divided into separate parts – family, job, money, relationships, creativity, religion, and so on.  This leads to feelings of isolation.  But we are all connected, even if we are not aware that we are.  Once we start to reawaken our God-given instincts and use all the tools afforded us, we will begin to find the connections that we have been searching for.  We will radiate our truth in all we do, bringing fullness to every aspect of life’s experiences.

Remember that we are on a journey through life that is one of balance between the illusions of the material world and the truth that is spirit.  We are all spiritual beings on a journey to enlightenment.  By piercing the veil of illusion and tapping into the great God-connectedness of the universe, we will discover that the consciousness of heaven and earth is one.

Regardless of your religious or non-religious orientation, the idea is simply this really, be a nice person.  As simple as it sounds it’s anything but.  The busyness of this world makes it difficult for us to slow down and let go of our frustrations and expectations and stop letting those things drag us down and keep us from being the light we were meant to be.

I think the Beatle’s said it best in their song “The End” : ‘And in the end, the love you get is equal to the love you give,’

How wonderful is it to think that by changing ourselves we could possibly change the world?  A lofty goal?  Absolutely, which is why we need to start now.

Here’s my challenge to you:  Make an effort to do one ARK a day.  It doesn’t need to be anything huge.  Hold open a door.  Let someone with fewer items go ahead of you at the market.  Do like my son Jacob does every single time he sees a soldier in uniform and thank them for what they are doing for our country.  Give a dollar to the homeless man on the corner even if you think he might spend it on something you don’t approve of.  Who are we to judge?  And smile, sometimes that’s the best gift of all to a person who needs one.

Are you up for the challenge?  What are you waiting for?  Pass this along to someone today.  That can count as your first ARK – let’s start something together.

Please share some of your ARKs here (big or small) with the rest of us so we can feel inspired. You can also share a story of when you were the recipient of an unexpected ARK. It’s all good!

And as always,
Believe.
Michelle

Tweet This Post

2 Comments

• 

  By christie, January 12, 2010 @ 10:51 pm

  I love this post. I have taught my kids that there is a real need to go beyond just basic politeness in this world, that giving a little extra can make someone’s day. And remember Pay It Forward?
  Christie, the introvert mom

• 

  By Moxie Momma, January 13, 2010 @ 12:50 pm

  Thanks Christie! Of course, I remember Pay it Forward – it’s one of my favorite books. I think if everyone taught their kids what you are teaching yours our world would be significantly different, don’t you? Let’s start a revolution!

Other Links to this Post

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

Leave a comment