Kindness Boomerang

When I was a child, my mum used to shop in Elphicks, a family-run department store in Farnham. While shopping could be mundane, Elphicks captivated me with its children’s sit-on toys—a well-loved stuffed animal and a motorized horse. The thrill of sticking in a coin to ride the horse was an exciting prospect for an adventurous five-year-old. I would climb on, trying to look nonchalant, hoping that one day my mum might just dig out a coin as a reward for being good. I was never good.

One day, a kindly old man put some money in, and I was thrilled to be shaken around uncomfortably for a couple of minutes while Mum looked on with a slightly disapproving smile. This was my first experience of a Random Act of Kindness, and at the time, I didn’t understand why someone would be so nice to a total stranger.

In today’s world, where businesses often prioritize profits over service, it’s a rare pleasure to confound expectations with an unexpected favor. If you’re between 13 and 25 and feel inspired to spread kindness, consider signing up as a Junction49er. Create meaningful projects to help your community. We offer advice on funding and project planning and connect you with other young people who have completed similar initiatives. Your reward will be immense personal satisfaction, and you can apply for our v10, v50, and v100 volunteering awards.

To inspire you further, check out the film by Life Vest Inside, “What Goes Around Comes Around.” It never fails to stir emotions and highlights the power of kindness.

For more ways to spread kindness, explore our Kindness Boomerang article, and learn about Creating a volunteering habit that sticks.