Observed on 17 February 2025, Random Acts of Kindness Day encourages people to perform kind gestures without expecting anything in return. The RAK Foundation champions kindness as a means to foster altruism, the selfless desire to help others, while also enhancing overall emotional and physical well-being.
But as we reflect on the day, it’s worth asking: Is kindness ever truly random?
What Makes an Act of Kindness ‘Random’?
random /’ræn.dəm/ (adjective)
Happening, done, or chosen by chance rather than according to a plan.
Consider these everyday moments:
- You see someone struggling with heavy grocery bags and instinctively hold the lift door open.
- You notice a lost tourist in an MRT station and pause to offer directions.
- You’re about to board a bus but stop to let the driver know someone is running to catch it.
At first glance, these acts seem random. But what sets them apart?
intention /ɪnˈtɛnʃn/ (noun)
A thing intended; an aim or plan.
Every act of kindness starts with a conscious decision, to notice, to empathise, and to act.
Many of us grew up in Asian households where we were taught not to interfere in others’ affairs, often out of fear of overstepping. But kindness isn’t about chance, it’s about choice.
It takes effort to step outside our comfort zones, extend a helping hand, and make someone’s day just a little easier.
Of course, being kind isn’t always convenient. After a long, draining week, it’s easier to stay in your own bubble, tuning out the world. But kindness doesn’t require grand sacrifices, just small ripples that inspire others.
The Morning Greeters: A Case Study in Intentional Kindness
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In 2013, Adrian Phoon founded The Morning Greeters after noticing how distant his Bishan neighbours felt, despite living there for two decades.
Having experienced close-knit communities abroad, he longed for the same warmth at home. His idea? A simple greeting to strangers during his morning runs.
What started as one man smiling and waving turned into a Facebook post, attracting 15 to 20 runners.
Today, in 2025, The Morning Greeters has grown into a thriving community, embracing kindness in its simplest form.
“Greeting others is the start of something good—it breaks the ice, fosters connection, and helps us acknowledge those around us. We hope more people will take small actions to uplift others.” – Adrian Phoon
While some may naturally be more empathetic, kindness is a habit that can be trained and developed. Just like practising gratitude or patience, it requires intentionality and repetition to become second nature.
Ways to Cultivate Everyday Kindness
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A simple greeting can spark countless acts of kindness. Other small but meaningful gestures include:
- Daily verbal affirmations to your partner, colleagues, or strangers.
- Acts of service that lighten someone’s load.
- Mindful interactions—being fully present when listening or helping.
Even the smallest gestures can make someone’s day a little brighter.
“Kindness should be practiced without needing to know its full impact. What matters is having a mindset of paying it forward and being open to those around us.” – Adrian Phoon
The Benefits of Being Kind
Acts of kindness often come with unexpected rewards—an intrinsic sense of fulfilment.
A study by Emory University found that: “The person performing a kind act gets a rush of endorphins, which provide energy and relieve pain.”
While this explains how we ‘gain’ from giving, the true essence of kindness lies in its impact on others, as observed in the stories shared in SKM’s Dear You initiative:
A Moment That Stuck With Me
A few years ago, while waiting at a clinic, I overheard a conversation between the clinical assistant and a foreign domestic worker. The assistant explained that he needed to pay an extra $5 for his medical certificate, but he hesitated, saying he didn’t have enough money.
At the time, I was a university student and, though I wanted to help, I hesitated, worried that my offer might be rejected or even offend him. But as I put myself in his shoes, I recognised the importance of that medical certificate for his job and livelihood.
I eventually stepped forward and paid the $5 on his behalf. It was a small amount for me, but upon reflection, I realised that it could have been the difference between him keeping his job or not.
I remembered him smiling and thanking me in a whisper—there were no extravagant gestures of gratitude, but I felt like I was the one who walked away richer from the experience.
It was a moment of instant fulfilment, not from personal gain, but from knowing that I had helped someone in a moment of need.
Making Kindness Second Nature
Although Random Acts of Kindness Day has passed, let it serve as a reminder that kindness should be second nature—whether through small gestures or grand efforts and that what matters most is setting the right intention before acting.
Perhaps, the true beauty of kindness lies in understanding that although we might never fully see the impact of our actions, it doesn’t make them any less meaningful.
Start today, be greater than random and choose kindness on purpose.
What is a kind act that you practice consciously? Let us know!