“Random acts of kindness.”

I like that phrase. It makes me feel good when I hear it. Like most people, I expect, I’ve been on both sides of that experience. I have paid for tolls for the person behind me and had my breakfast paid for by another restaurant patron. It feels nice. It makes the world a little less scary and lonely. It makes me feel a little bit lighter. There is much to like about the idea.

But I think I like the idea of “intentional acts of kindness” a bit better. Intentional kindness doesn’t have to be random or anonymous or even completely selfless. And because of that, it has the ability to be far more impactful on someone’s life. Corporations can intentionally choose to operate in integrity and treat their employees with respect and empower them with authority. That kindness makes a difference. Parents can read a story to their young children as they fall asleep if for no other reason than because the kids like it. That intentional kindness makes a lasting difference.

A random act of kindness is leaving a $100 bill on a grocery store shelf and trusting that the person that finds it is the right and perfect person to do so. It doesn’t consider the moral dilemma that that person will go through of whether to turn in the money or accept it. It also doesn’t consider whether the person who finds it even needs the money. An intentional act of kindness, on the other hand, is placing the $100 bill in an envelope with a note saying that this is a gift and to please accept it in love. Then placing that envelope in the basket of an individual that looks like they could use the money.

Extreme Edition, Home Edition is a TV show that is successful because it is so carefully planned. A spectacular house cannot be built, decorated and furnished in 7 days without extraordinary planning and cooperation. People’s lives are changed and neighborhoods healed because of the intentional kindness.

Can you be intentionally kind? Yes, it is simply a choice to do so. Plan something, think it through and do it. Think of what someone needs and give it to them. It’s not hard. It just takes a decision to do so.

Today I posted the story called “Butterflies from Brian”. Traci sent the card that she did because she was prompted to do so. She had an internal tugging that told her to send the card to Brian’s mom. Listening to that prompting and acting on it are what changed Brian’s mom’s life forever. Traci knew Brian’s mom. Sending the card was not random. It was thoughtful, planned and carefully worded. It was one simple act of intentional kindness.

If your intentional act of kindness is sending a card, pour your heart out through what you say. Love the person who is receiving it while you think about your message. Imagine them in your mind and connect with them. Spend some time and say things that will be meaningful, thoughtful and loving. Right now, there is someone that is coming to mind that you could send an unexpected card to. Buy the card TODAY and send it TODAY. Don’t put it off. Don’t ignore the prompting. There are few things more powerful than someone saying, “You matter to me.”