Teach Teens About Altruism

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A Note From The Los Angeles Teen Therapist

Want to Make 2012 Your Best Year Ever? Practice random acts of kindness–every day. – Sandra

WHAT IS A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS?
“A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people.” according to Wikipedia.  The Jewish word mitzvah has also come to express good deeds or acts of kindness.

FREE HUGS CAMPAIGN
In 2006, a Free Hugs Campaign was made popular by a music video on YouTube, wherein hugs are offered to strangers in a public place. Jaun Mann, the originator of the concept, went on to spark a movement that encompassed the world.

PAY IT FORWARD
The expression “pay it forward“ is used to describe the concept of asking that a good deed or favor be repaid by having it done to others instead. In the movie: Pay It Forward, a teen is given and assignment in his social studies class to think of something that could change the world and then do it.

HOW KINDNESS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
In her book, How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire, and Change Your Life, Linda Cohen decides to perform 1000 acts of kindness to honor the memory of her father. Her two-and-a-half-year journey takes her from sorrow at her father’s death, to inspiration by practicing simple daily acts of kindness.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE LIVES OF OTHERS
Parents and teens can influence their experience of life by where they place their focus. I invite you to consider the possibility that you can expand the goodness you experience in life by contributing goodness to the lives of others.

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Wishing you and your loved ones a joy-filled 2012!

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