RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: SPECIAL WEEK

Smile.

Random Acts of Kindness Week is just around the corner. The week celebrates everyday kindnesses that make us pause from the rush and worry of this fast-paced world.

It's these small kindnesses that can make a major difference in someone's life. They're easy to do, hard to forget.

This marks the fourth year the Southeast Missourian has sponsored Random Acts of Kindness Week -- just one year less than the national celebration. Past local observances have spread up to 100 miles away and have involved more than 20,000 people. If early signups are any indications, this year's celebration promises to be bigger and better than ever.

It appropriately begins on Mother's Day, May 9, and runs through May 16. People can start the week with kind words for Mom.

We need your help to make the week a success. Businesses, churches, schools, organizations and individuals can simply call the newspaper at 335-6611 and sign up. Participants simply agree to do a kind act during the week. Not sure what to do? Then ask for our sheet of 100 kindness suggestions.

Participants' names will be published on the front page of the newspaper. In addition, free items are available to help spread the cheer: bright yellow smiley face stickers, bookmarks that proclaim "I practice random acts of kindness" and small posters that tell everyone that you're a RAK participant. Informational packets are also available free of charge. Just call 335-6611.

During the week, dozens of stories will focus on people who perform kind acts as part of their everyday lives. These are people for whom kindness comes just as natural as breathing. If you know a kind person who deserves some kind recognition, please call us at 335-6611.

Why do we do it? Too often the headlines are filled with bad news.

-- War in a place most people have trouble pronouncing.

-- Raged-filled lunatics who kill innocents.

-- Tragic accidents that take people we love.

-- Political scandals that takes on a life of their own.

Sometimes the world doesn't seem like a very nice place.

But it can be. All of us tend to overlook the small, everyday kindnesses that can melt hearts and spread smiles.

Kindness is waging its own war in the trenches. It provides hope and assurance that most people do care about their fellow man.

Random Acts of Kindness Week doesn't mean that kindness is limited to a single week. But it a great opportunity to focus public attention on the importance of kindness in all that we do.

A random act of kindness can be as simple as sharing your smile. What are you waiting for? Smile, and don't forget to sign up for Random Acts of Kindness Week.