From writing a kind person's name on the sidewalk with chalk to sharing a genuine smile or an appreciation message to their friends, BYU–Hawaii students said they participated in the Random Acts of Kindness Week by looking outward and serving others by small and simple means. Students shared thoughts and feelings of happiness by being both the giver and the receiver of these acts.
The Service Center hosted activities to inspire students to perform acts of kindness, said Danilo Mantilla, a senior from Colombia majoring in marketing.
A booth outside of the Joseph F. Smith Library was set up on Feb. 8 where students could write with chalk on the ground about someone who had been kind to them, take a picture, and then send it to the person. Different groups participated, including tours of Japanese students. Students spent time writing one or more names. Mantilla expressed, “If we reminded ourselves of how grateful we are for people, the list would be endless, but the chalk wasn’t.”
Alyssa Allen, a senior from Colorado majoring in humanities, commented, [Random Acts of Kindness] is “a national event that happens every year," but she thought "it is the first time BYU–Hawaii has done it.”
Mantilla shared an experience when a friend randomly reached out to him. “That feeling of somebody doing something kind for me without me asking ... or without me being present, [it was] something I had never experienced.”
The giver
Mahori Eteru, a sophomore from Australia majoring in communications and psychology, said he enjoyed the activity because “it lit my day. It is so easy to compare ourselves to others, looking at grades or looking at people next to us, but we looked at people who bless our lives.”
He described the way he felt as, “All my stress was alleviated, and it cleared my mind ... It made me so happy. I wanted to keep going.”
Darby Riley, a sophomore from Utah majoring in molecular and cell biology, said she made the effort during the week to smile at everyone she saw and reach out to those she didn’t know. She said, “It’s easy to do something good for somebody you know, but to do something kind for somebody you don’t know takes a step out of the comfort zone. It reminds me of how the Savior works. He didn’t just help people He knew, but He was kind to everyone.
“It doesn’t take a lot of time. I find I am less stressed [when I serve], and I have enough time to get everything I need done. I feel better.”
Mantilla shared, “Once you get into the world of service, your mind shifts into something else. You forget about yourself and think of others.”
Mark Maslar, a sophomore from California majoring in theater education, said, “If you invest in doing something kind or remembering something someone else did, then you feel that nice, tender feeling inside and feel it was worth [it].”
The receiver
Eteru shared he had his name written down by someone else for being kind. “It encouraged me to remember I’m doing better than I think I’m doing. It feels nice to be appreciated and it was a unique way to do it,” said Eteru.
Riley said she had her name written down a total of five times. She shared, “I don’t think I’m the kindest person. I think the people who are usually the most outgoing ... often have an inner struggle with themselves, so it is nice to see [acknowledgment] one in a while.
“Sometimes we can beat up ourselves, and we can feel like we're not doing enough. Then, when other people reach out and say, ‘You’re so kind,’ or ‘Thank you for being there for me,’ It makes me feel better and [I think], ‘I’m doing okay. I’m not perfect, but at least I made somebody smile.’”
Sister Kim Olsen, a senior missionary serving in the Leadership Office with her husband, said, “I saw a student folding butterfly origami. They then showed up on the Random Acts of Kindness table outside the Service Center. It is stuff like that, that makes people smile.”
Service beyond Random Acts of Kindness Week
Allen said she hopes it’s something the students can hold onto in their hearts, not just for a week, but a whole year. “I hope to build awareness of kindness. I feel kindness goes beyond just our actions. It’s also our thoughts and hearts. That would be mission accomplished.”
For more information on local service opportunities, visit the Service Center or go online to justserve.org.