How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn)
***Due to the awesome, unexpected response since I originally posted this, I have started The Birthday Project. The website is www.thebdayproject.com and we have started a great community of amazing like-minded people on Facebook too (please jump over to “Like” it and say “HI!”.) Thanks!***
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago my birthday wish was to complete one Random Act of Kindness for every year of my life thus far, as well as asking friends, readers, Facebook fans and fellow Twitter-ers to each perform one Random Act of Kindness and to let me know about it throughout the day.
I planned out 38 things ahead of time just in case, but really was praying for opportunities to present themselves throughout the day. It was absolutely freezing and windy but we were not to be deterred! My husband, three daughters and my husband’s parents joined me in the most favorite birthday of my life!
OUR 38 ACTS:
1. Returned grocery carts back inside the store from the parking lot for shoppers.
2. Loaded bags of groceries into cars for shoppers (received a hug from one adorable elderly man).
3. Handed bottled waters out the car window to joggers/walkers/bicyclists we passed by (felt like we were support for the Iron Man triathalon or something…lots of laughs from people on this one).
4. Inconspicuously dropped coins on the playground for children to find while they played (my girls are really good at this apparently. No, no one choked on a random found penny. Yes, LOTS of squeals of delight floated through the air as we walked away!)
5. Fed parking meters.
6. Paid for the next two cars behind us on the toll bridge. (Toll operator said, “You gotta be kidding me”).
7. Handed out Tootsie Pops to children (asked parents permission first of course!).
8. Bought a gift card for groceries and turned around and handed it to woman in line behind me. I wasn’t prepared for the look on her face. I immediately left before I started to cry.
9. Walked up to a family eating lunch at a local restaurant, placed a gift card on their table and walked out.
10. Dropped off several hand written thank you notes and doughnuts at the police station.
11. Gave a dozen hot doughnuts to a very cold crew working on the power lines.
12. Took a large bag of clothes to the local homeless shelter.
13. Left 3 gift cards with notes hidden amongst books at Barnes & Noble.
14. Paid for the woman’s coffee behind us in line at Starbucks.
15. Chased down and caught runaway Happy Birthday balloon and returned it to the owner’s unlocked car (then secretly watched as he returned and was completely baffled at the balloon sitting in his front seat!)
16. Tucked happy notes in car doors in parking lot wishing people a good day full of God’s blessings.
17. Handed out mylar balloons to children shopping with their parents.
18. Took art supplies to the Family Waiting Room of labor & delivery floor of the hospital for new big brothers and sisters to be.
19. Dropped off stuffed animals on the children’s floor of the hospital.
20. Delivered balloons to hospital patients.
21. Handed out water bottles to very appreciative nurses (who knew they were so thirsty?).
22. Taped change to vending machines (I actually saw passersby stop and take pictures of the machines without taking the money).
23. Pumped woman’s gasoline so she didn’t have to get out of her car in the cold. (We also added a bottle of some sort of additive since she asked. I should find out what that stuff was. I never add stuff to my gas tank.)
24. Left quarters at a laundromat.
25. Delivered handwritten Valentine cards to the local assisted living facility.
26. Phone card to young woman in need. (I asked the owner of a store I frequent if he knew of any customers who might need it and he got a big smile on his face. He looked at the girl working there and told me she had just confided in him yesterday that she couldn’t afford her minutes on her cell phone to call her family back home. It was a suuuper cool moment.)
27. Handed out hot chocolate at ice skating rink.
28. Left free Krispy Kreme doughnut coupons on coffee table at church.
29. Gave coffee to a toll booth worker on our way home. (He seemed the least affected or appreciative of the day. I feel like he might have needed it the most of everyone.)
30. Walked into McDonald’s and asked the cashier to use my free coupon on next person in drive through line.
31. Wrote a letter to old friend and mailed it (yeah, the total old fashioned way).
32. Took plates of cookies to 2 neighbors I don’t really know and spent some time talking with them (no, I did not bake them myself but no one seemed to care).
33. Read a story to children in Barnes & Noble (I think people thought I worked there! The kids liked it and the parents loved it!). BONUS: My 8 year old daughter found a little guy and read him a book too.
34. Took pictures of two tourists in front of Hard Rock Cafe and a family in the park.
35. Brought in the neighbor’s garbage can for them.
36. Gathered a newspaper that a woman who’s hands were full dropped at the grocery store.
37. Left a small treat with a note of thanks for the mailman.
38. Read an entire Junie B. Jones book (all 9 chapters) to my children before bed, instead of the usual two chapters. (Happy girls indeed!)
**************************************************************************
I was overwhelmed by the number of texts, emails, Facebook messages and Tweets I received from family, friends, colleagues and people I don’t even know, telling me a Random Act of Kindness they did in honor of my birthday. I cried several times throughout the day from how touched I was. Here are the great RAOK other’s did:
Jeanette: I am so glad to hear that you had an amazing birthday! My ROAK - My assistant teacher was having a rough week so I baked her a box of her favorite cookies… Snickerdoodles!!
Heidi: we collected old towels, washcloths and newspapers and am donating them to the local animal shelter!
Debbie: Just paid for the order for the car behind me at the drive thru lane….
Kimberly: Happy Bday! We just taught an older lady how to use the automated postal machine from start to finish ;o) (everyone deserves to learn how to avoid the postal line!!!)
Will: Called a new colleague to tell her a press release had a major typo on it before it went any further! Handled it graciously and with understanding that we all make mistakes.
Becky: Happy Birthday Robyn! I let someone use my discount card at the grocery store since they didn’t have one…not major, but I thought of you and smiled! Hope you get all of your Random Acts of Kindness fulfilled! Enjoy your day! Xoxo
Deanne: I didn’t kick the %$#* out of someone who drove me crazy tonite~~~ does that count?
Sandi: I collected something from Freecycle (electric Hannukah menorah) that I donated to an Adult Living Facility. I know that they prefer electric over real candles. Does that count towards your 38? I love your post!
Heidi: In honor of your birthday i cleaned out our closets and have donated 7 garbage bags of clothing to haiti!! (this was on my radar and i needed a little incentive, thank you!) happy birthday sweet friend!
Traci: We bought a box full of medical supplies, food, etc to donate to Haiti. O. was thrilled to help me pick out band-aids, gauze pads, tape, etc. Love you friend…hope you had the best birthday ever!! XOXO ♥
Mara: Happy Birthday Robyn! A. and I are making valentine cards to send to the military troops today! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Shandra: My random act was that I just paid for the bridge tolls of strangers behind me in line coming back from Logan airport. 
Also gave the toll taker a coffee from Dunkin Donuts. It’s WICKED cold here today.
Stacy: This pay it forward thing is an amazing idea. Wow. I am going to have to do this on my next bday. You have inspired me!!! Giving away free food randomlly to people at our (pizza) place today in your honor…probably shouldn’t say where, huh? xoxo
Lara: Today we spent the morning at the school doing yardwork and then came home and cleaned out closet/garage and donated everything to The Bargin Box!!!
Cameron: I let a mother with two squirmy kiddos ahead of me in line, even though she had way too much stuff
Lynn: Does it count if the lady next to us in “Avatar” was crying her head off and I gave her some tissues? She was most grateful…:)
Nicolle: My RAOK in honor of your Birthday…but, before I share, I have to say that you have started a tradition…and I, too, will use this request on my Birthday in August! I just LOVE this, Robyn…it is right up my alley and has filled me up today with good cheer and warm vibes and in turn has brightened the worlds of complete strangers~ matter-of-fact, I had such fun doing so, that I did it twice today! Ok, ready?
RAOK #1: Walked up to an elderly man in the mall today and simply smiled, asked if I could bless him and was surprised to find how open he was to the occassion…rested my hand on his shoulder, said a silent prayer, smiled and told him he was a special addition to this world of ours~ he, in turn, had tears and a smirk all in one. My heart was fulfilled~
RAOK #2: On the way home, stopped in 7-11, a little girl was glaring at the big cookies…asked her Mommy if I could, she said yes, so we (D. delivered) bought her a BIG GIANORMOUS cookie and some milk to go with it….D.’s little heart was fulfilled and his cheeks were rosy~
Thank you, Robyn!!! YOU, my friend, have made MY day! I adore you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY all over again!!! xoxo
Lara: My raok today, I bought coffee for the man behind me at Starbucks today!! And I just read that you did the same thing! How fun!
Amy: Bought tea for the lady behind me in line at the coffee shop declaring “it’s Robyn’s RAOK day.” Granted she has no idea what that means but my new friend, Betsy, declared that I must be the nicest person in the whole city. : ) I do stuff like this at the Holidays all the time. Thanks for the reminder to keep it going all year long. Love to you! (And I’m totally stealing this for my 38th in 2 weeks!)
Alexandra: In your honor, spent 2 hrs counseling a past acquaintance in his new walk with the Lord. Happy Birthday….
Claire: Hey Robyn- RAOK took $40.00 worth of quarters into Magic Kastle Laundromat and asked the lady behind the counter to pass out to all customers for a day of free laundry. Guess great minds think alike!
Diana: WOW ROBYN! I have never been so excited to have my Bday! You have inspired our whole day! My husband got involved we cleaned my 96 yr old great grandmothers house then went grocery shopping for my cousin who is currently unemployed! My acts werent randon but they were kind! Thank so much for a wonderful day!HaPpY BiRtHdAy my friend!
Michelle: had to call a maintenance guy out to my place yesterday (friend of a friend) - his 7yr old daughter was tagging along with him everywhere on Sat - when I realized I didn’t have any goodies for her, I stepped out & bought some Little Debbie Zebra Cakes & her very own bottle of milk - when I brought them back they were both blushing & smiling when they received them - the whole time I was thinking about your day! Thanks Robyn. B-)
Laura: RAOK We boxed our pizza up and handed it to two guys on the street in NYC. They were so excited.
Corinne: I pushed wayward grocery carts up to the front of the store so the bag guys/gals didn’t have to.
Carlos: RAOK - A boy came to the house selling chocolate bars so that he could earn money for him and his baseball team to go to Cooperstown. When I paid him, instead of picking out the bars I wanted, I told him to take what he wanted for himself. His face lit up! Not the biggest deal, but it was nice for him. And plus, it was for baseball!
Lynn: While visiting the freezing cold restroom at the Outlet Mall, I realized that the lady cleaning the area must really need lunch and a hot cup of coffee. Her sweet face and shocked response when I handed her the cash REALLY made my day! Thanks for inspiring us, Robyn!
Sean: After purchasing our tickets at the theatre, we purchased the next in line’s tix too! The Mom and her two teenagers were completely floored. “WHAT??? WHY????” then…”thank you so much, thank you!!!” We were giddy with having made their day and saved them a buck or two!
Joanna: Our random act of kindness on Saturday in honor of your birthday… At R.’s cheerleading competition we met a girl from Pensacola who was competing as an individual. Her coach, her family and her friends weren’t able to go to the competition, so she didn’t have anyone to cheer her on. We all yelled our lungs out for her. She placed 1st in her division Happy Birthday Miss Robyn!
Kylene: Inspired by your RAOK so I paid for the ladies’ coffee behind me at Starbucks this morning. She seemed excited.
Julie: In honor of your bday I treated the stranger behind me @ Starbucks to their morning coffee. Thanks for the inspiration!
Amy: Just bought gift card for lady behind me @DSW shoes.
Lindsay: not that creative but I paid for a girls cookie at the great cookie co at the mall:)
Amanda: RAOK - paid for the person’s meal in the car behind us.
Michelle: Hi Robyn - hope ur having a great wkend! Reached out 2 a troubled teen 2day-thx 4 the inspriration
Kate: I paid for the next two people behind me at the coffee shop this morning in honor of your bday.
Elisha: I’m organizing an event with friends to help raise money for a friend that has lost 5 members of her family in Haiti and is trying to get money together to send to other family members who are in need of a tents that are ranging in price from $500 -$700 each.
Kylene: Me & my hubby took pictures for 6 different groups of people at Millenium Park in Chicago yesterday. We’re both photogs. 
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CELEBRATED WITH ME. With the exception of my wedding day and the days I gave birth to my children, my 38th birthday was by far the best day of my life. We were both exhilarated and exhausted but mostly reminded how opportunities to help others are all around us all the time; we’re just usually too busy to notice. And thank you again, Kimberly, for the inspiration. You, my dear, are the original Rockstar!
Tags: acts of kindness, birthday celebrations, birthday kindness, birthday project, change the world, pay it forward, random acts of kindness, the bday project, the birthday project, unique birthday, ways to celebrate, ways to give
February 10th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
That is the best birthday celebration I have ever heard of! Happy Birthday Robyn!!!!!
February 10th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Robyn,
I’m so blown away, inspired and proud to know you! What a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful celebration of your life!! Can’t even read them all because I can’t stop crying I am so touched. xoxo
February 10th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Such an amazing read, brought tears to my eyes!
February 11th, 2010 at 1:07 am
You made my day and have inspired me. Great idea. I’ve always thought that birthdays were backwards. The birthday person should be the one giving gifts not receiving them. Thanks for doing this. On my next birthday, I am going to get gifts for everyone and donate everything given to me.
February 11th, 2010 at 7:05 am
I LOVE THIS IDEA!
I will be doing this next year and I am going to do random acts of kindness in your behalf this week!
Plus I will be blogging about you today!
THANKS FOR BRIGHTENING MY DAY!
happy birthday!
February 11th, 2010 at 7:43 am
Now I’m all teary-eyed! What a wonderful way to celebrate your own blessings, and great teaching opportunity for your kids.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:13 am
I wish the entire world could read this post. Your acts of kindness will live forever in the hearts of those you gave to on your birthday.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:40 am
You are simply an extraordinary human being. Selfless, beautiful and inspirational. xoxoxoxoxo
February 11th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Wow, this was an amazing way to spend your birthday. What an inspiration! You definitely made a difference, Robyn!
February 11th, 2010 at 8:53 am
i am so inspired. what a lovely idea. did you do all these things in one day?
February 11th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Love love love it!
February 11th, 2010 at 10:58 am
absolutely incredible!!!! since I missed all the fun i will do a RAOK today in honor of your birthday
February 11th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
You are so incredible!! This is so amazing and wonderful and I really am gonna share this with everyone I know I can. This is so great.
What a wonderful way to spend your birthday.
I love that you did this! You’re such an amazing person!
February 11th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I put a link to this post on FB and told everyone that the world would be a better place with more people like you in it! You are wonderful!
February 11th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
My niece posted this on her FB, and I was so blessed to read ALL 38 that you did. I have been a recipient of RAOK and I was really surprised at how it touched me so deeply. This is an absolutely amazing idea. Thanks so much for the picture portfolio!
February 11th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I smiled and cried through this entire post! What a great birthday for you and for everyone you gave a little gift of love to!!!
February 11th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Wow * Wow* Wow* What an Amazing thing to do! Thank you for showing this world that people DO care.
I want to do this too!!
February 11th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
this is one of the most touching & inspiring things i’ve ever read…what a great lesson for your kiddos. i can’t wait to share a day of raok with my own kids.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
We all live such time crunched lives - how great that you gave your day to everyone else!
February 13th, 2010 at 11:24 am
I absolutely love this and it warmed my heart to read all of the great things!!!
February 13th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Ok, I don’t know you, but I have to tell you that I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! What a great way to celebrate! There is not better feeling that being in the service of others. And, I’m going to copy your idea…..I’m turning 40 in April, and I am going to do 40 Random Acts of Kindness to celebrate, and ask of of my blogging and facebook friends to join me! I’m so excited!!! Thanks again and Happy Birthday!
February 16th, 2010 at 10:40 am
This is so awesome. I remember a lady buying me a box of diapers in the grocery store before. She doesn’t know it but she had just saved me from overdrafting my checking account on diapers. I was so thankful. Thank you for doing this.
February 16th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Your entry was posted on a message board that I frequent. I have to say that I have been feeling pretty down the last few days and reading this really lifted my spirits. I think instead of dwelling on the pain my daughter is about to go through I’d like to do something like this. Thank you for inspiring!
Joanna
February 16th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
This is one of the most amazing blog posts I have ever read. What an incredible idea & way to celebrate life! & an inspiration for my next birthday, coming this June.
A belated Happy Birthday!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:11 am
Robyn, I don’t even know you, but you have inspired me. What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday. I loved reading this and picturing all the wonderful things you and your family did. I cried like a baby and can’t wait to do it myself. I loved it!
February 17th, 2010 at 10:40 am
This literally made me cry. God bless you for being this way. I was having a really bad day until I read this.
There are still good people in the world.
Thank you!!!
February 18th, 2010 at 10:36 am
what a fun person you must be!
February 19th, 2010 at 10:18 am
OK- this has inspired me to do the same thing. I cannot think of a better way to spend a birthday! Thanks so much for sharing.
February 19th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Hi Robyn i just read your blog today happy late birthday but in honor of your birthday well belated birthday i did three random acts of kindness the first i put change on the front of the payphone at the gas station where i was feeling up. The second on i put change on another payphone at the store i was at. And the third i went to albertsons to pick up some milk i bought a ten dollar gift card from their. Then I stood in the produce section for a couple mintues after checking out looking for that somebody who i could give it to. Then i saw this man who reminded me alot of my father and i thought he looks like he is probably single doesnt have much money not broke but not a rich man by any means this is what i was thinking in my head who knows he could have millions hehe so i walked up to him handed him the card and said here is a ten dollar gift card he looked at me and said thank you and it was like he was in shock and didnt belive me it was a card as i walked off i notice him reading what i had wrote on the front of the card. I put the same thing you did here is a random act of kindness for you have a blessed day! We caught eyes one more time he smiled, and i said have a great day. It felt so good i was kiddy! Thank you Sandy It made my day
February 20th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
THIS WAS THE MOST AWESOME ACT I HAVE EVER KNOW YOU ARE A INSPIRATIONAL PERSON TO SAY THE LEAST. Thank you for doing this
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:34 pm
[…] « How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn) […]
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:38 pm
That is why you are such a blessed woman! That is one of the sweetest things I have ever heard. Many of us receive things for our birthday, and yet you decided to give. What an unselfish thing you did and it was sweet to see your children helping and learning about giving in such a special way.
God bless you today and everyday!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Robyn,
I’m late in seeing your post but it has brought me to tears (happy ones). This is such a beautiful idea. I’m going to incorporate this into my family. Imagine what a world we would have if everyone did this on their Birthday. Thanks so much for this wonderful idea and for sharing it with us.
February 25th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
So happy to have stumbled across your post. I’ve been sitting here grinning the whole time I was reading it. Happy blessed birthday to you!
February 25th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Robyn,
Thank you!!!!!!! We are doing a study at church about the Holy Spirit and how he moves in our lives…I think your acts of kindness are evidence of the Holy Spirit working in your life and through your blog. LOVED IT…Gives me chills!!!
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:02 am
That is an INCREDIBLE idea! Love it. What a great experience for your kids. Thanks for doings so many wonderful acts of kindness. I am going to steal some of these great ideas. Happy Birthday!!
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:01 am
I shared this on my blog, i hope it is ok. You have truly inspired me and I hope to inspire others to give rather than receive!
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:35 pm
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March 3rd, 2010 at 8:48 am
I hope you had a fabulous birthday! You have inspired me….. Even though I do not know you, thank you for being YOU! A random act of kindess does not have to be financial….. But for some reason, people have forgotten that. YOU ROCK! Thank you, Thank you……. I will be sharing this with everyone I know. God Bless
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Every year my family forgets my birthday. And it hurts. So much especially because I make their days so great [at least I think so] and I have 6 kids.
For once I think I will have a birthday to remember - it isn’t until September, but I won’t forget your inspiration and will do in kind. Thank you.
[Funny thing is I have never done all of these things in one day - but I have literally done ALL of them at random, singular times].
March 4th, 2010 at 7:49 am
My sister in law shared a link to this article. How inspiring you are. I wish I had seen it before my birthday. But I think I will do it for my anniversary which is coming up. This was such a great idea and I’m so glad it’s making it’s way around for other’s to consider.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Happy Birthday,
I have to let you know……..I had a horrible day today, feeling down, I got cut off 4 times while driving, my 5 yr old gave me a challenging morning……..but then I read your site. I am in awe….. I am putting this link on my FB page AND my churches page and issuing a challenge…….. I am going to ask everyone I know to do at least ONE RAK…….I figure 1 x1×1x1×1x1×1x1×1x1×1x1×1x1×1x1×1… let’s spread the love around….. thanks for lighting my candle and making my day brighter….. I just may celebrate my 44th birthday in June the same way…. In Christ……Jenn
March 10th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
[…] want to do this for my Birthday!!
March 11th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
well then, that’s just very, very cool. My friend/ neighbor noted this on her blog (because that’s how neighbors in WI communicate during- via internet :).
I love it!
I posted on facebook and got instant reaction. So, doubleYay!
Thanks,
Another robyn with a y, no, not an i; yes you can spell it that way.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
winter. during winter. clearly i need a cup of coffee.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
seriously, like for 3?
yes, a third comment.
sorry.
noting my common love for agave.
just picked some new Raw organic agave this morning at trader joe’s. not sure what raw means, but whatever…
coffee.
March 12th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
To plan 38 random acts of kindness is one thing, to have actually accomplished it is another.I ADMIRE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. respectfully,
Amy Pickering
March 15th, 2010 at 9:32 am
I found your website randomly, but love the idea of the RAOK on your birthday.
I have one coming up in a few weeks, so I think I’ll do the same!!
March 17th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
2 days before Christmas I had someone in front of me in the Starbucks drive through pay for our drinks..so I paid for the car behind me. The next morning I was told by the people that work there that it went on for about 3 hours!!! So On Dec 23 at my Starbucks anyone that went through from 4am until 7am paid for someone elses drink!!! I thought it was pretty cool!!!
March 25th, 2010 at 9:16 am
That is the coolest thing I have ever heard of. It’s my fortieth b-day in 8 days and I am for sure going to hook something like this up. Love it, love it, love it. Hmmmmm! All the possiblities.
March 25th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I do RAOK but your list is not only impressive + generous, you also gave me many ideas for further RAOK.
You are a fine example to people everywhere, young + old.
March 25th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Amazing story- Happy birthday Robyn! I turn 51 in a few weeks- so I think I may take this idea and have some real fun! You gave me such a smile today- make that RAOK #39!!!
March 27th, 2010 at 5:21 am
[…] How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn), Mix Mingle […]
March 28th, 2010 at 2:47 am
Ive been thinking about what I could do for my 40th birthday and feel so uncomfortable with the usual idea of a big party with lots of random people that dont really know each other. I like your idea and am inspired about what to do on my special day to bring joy to friends and the community around me. Thanks from Jocelyn in AUstralia.
March 28th, 2010 at 5:13 am
[…] 38 Random Acts of Robyn. I’m thinking about incorporating this as a 30 day project. […]
March 29th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Absolutely amazing and very inspiring! Thank you!!
March 30th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Your blog post is definitely making its rounds on FB. I put it on the Charity Chicks Houston fan page. Truly an inspiration!
March 30th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
So wonderful and inspiring ♥ Happy Birthday Amanda!
March 30th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
You have done more for your kids than words could ever do, they will know what it means to put others before themselves as Jesus did when he died on the Cross to pay for our sins. God Bless
March 30th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
WOW what a great Idea, an to include your children. I have always taught mine to pratice RAOK. Hope you had a great Birthday
March 30th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
this post made me cry. this is such a great, inspiring idea.
March 30th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Wow…this is amazing. It actually made me cry…this is just a GLIMPSE of Heaven!
March 31st, 2010 at 1:53 am
Wow what an amazing way to celebrate you birthday - how are you going to top that next year?!
I love your blog, just found it through A Familiar Path’s Melissa.
Have a lovely day,
Jade
March 31st, 2010 at 5:34 am
Great article - I love hearing about how people are blessed and inspired when they bless others. Imagine what the world would be like if we all sought to help others on a regular basis in our daily lives. Certainly a much better place.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:24 pm
[…] 38 Random Acts of Robyn. Wow, what an amazing post. (@Mix Mingle Glow) […]
March 31st, 2010 at 5:10 pm
What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday! Mine is coming up and I’m already thinking of what I can do with my boys. The city I live in is home to the 10th Mountain Division, Army - and many of our men and women deploy. We have lived here our whole life and are not military but have a considerable amount of appreciation for all that they are giving up for us. Many times if we are in a restaurant, we will secretly pay for a military families meal. Thanks for your inspiration!
April 1st, 2010 at 5:54 am
WOW. Tears in my eyes, smile on my face…can’t wait to turn 30 in May - thanks for the inspiration:)
April 1st, 2010 at 9:23 am
Wow…this definitely brought tears to my eyes! I LOVE this idea! Can I use it for my sister’s birthday??
April 1st, 2010 at 11:33 am
Love this idea!!! I gave it a thumbs up on stumble upon!
April 1st, 2010 at 11:21 pm
[…] This post really made me smile. This lady celebrated her birthday with random acts of kindness and blogged about it. […]
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:34 am
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April 3rd, 2010 at 10:03 am
Plain and simple, this is awesome. Making someone forget about their own stress in life for a few moments can have positive effects way beyond the simple act of kindness. Kudos 2 you!
April 11th, 2010 at 2:56 am
Found you from “It’s Come to this” blog on the Ultimate Blog Party as one of her favorite stumbles. I think this idea is SO ME! I love to do RAOK and you have just made my 40th BP this summer look so much more exciting then I ever thought it could be! So thank you so very much for inspiring me, and so many others. Oh, and just think, (as I see this has happened a LOT) your 38 acts, driven by one selfless act..(that is, the act/idea of doing something for others) has produced a VIRTUAL RIOT of RAOK’s that become real, touching, day, hour, minute or life changing moments for 1,000’s and 1,000’s of people all over the world. I would say you are definitely Blessed to be a Blessing. So great to meet you. Warmth and love, Tracey
April 13th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
This made me cry. Thank you for existing. It makes me much happier knowing that the world has people like you out there.
This is inspirational.
April 13th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
[…] How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn) ~ @ Mix Mingle Glow […]
April 14th, 2010 at 6:40 am
!!!**WAY-2-GO Girl**!!!
( : 2 Thumbs Up : )
April 14th, 2010 at 6:42 am
Hello
Just read your “38 Random Acts of Robyn”. Very nice! I am presently working on a website to raise money for sick children. A whole new experience that will (i hope) change how we help people. A lot of effort put on the user experience.
If you have any tips, please do not hesitate.
I am from Montreal, Canada.
Thanks again for proving to me that pure generosity still exists.
Have a great day!
April 14th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Wow!! This was an amazing post to read!! It brought tears to my eyes!! What a fantastic idea!!! I think I’m going to try this. Although, I’m so weird - whenever I do something “unexpected” for someone I don’t know - I get all choked up. So then I just look like a freak who is giving/or doing something for someone and crying while I do it. Ay yi yi!!!!
I’m going to try though. God bless you - what a beautiful person you are!!!
April 14th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Hi
Mom had a stroke and she really appreciated visits 
When I saw the smile he was trying to make as he touched the purple hydrangeas I knew it was the right thing to do, even if he wasn’t able to smile back or talk anymore because of his stroke. Next week I’m going to bring him socks that will keep his feet warm. People are often afraid to visit people who are sick, but they so appreciate it. You’re a great inspiration 
I loved your 38 random acts. It gave me chills & tears at the same time. I’m going to try to do at least one every day now. The other day I brought flowers to a neighboor who had a stroke & has brain cancer; his wife didn’t think he would appreciate the flowers, but I wanted to do it anyway. I also brough hot cross buns for Easter
I am from Riverview, NB, Canada
April 14th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Hi!
I can’t tell you how this have moved me! I have always thought that during times of crisis, to give back is the best way to get over it, rather than dwelling on your situation. I say this because I am going through some of my own personal turmoil and my birthday is coming up! After reading your blog and what you did for your birthday, you have inspired me to do the same! I host a radio talk show in London, Ontario and will ask my listeners to hep me (I have a week, my b-day is Apr. 22 and I will be 43 so I will do 43 acts!) I know you won’t mind me copying my idea and maybe I could interview you before the 22nd! It was also so inspiring how you included your kids in it. Watching my mom do Random Acts when I was growing up, always kept it on my mind. She once won a gift card for an achievement at work. She was excited but as we drove home, we stopped at an unfamiliar house. She went inside and when she came out, I asked her where we were. We were at our local women’s shelter and she had simply taken her gift card straight in and donated it. I’m tearing up as I write it. My mom, and you and your family, are wonderful examples!
Shauna Rae
London, Ontario, Canada
April 14th, 2010 at 11:33 am
This has brought tears to my eyes. So nice to hear the good things that people do. You are a special woman Robyn and your kiddos too for helping! Thanks for the inspiration. I have always believed in complimenting people but this is something new to start doing. Love it! God bless and Thank you!
April 14th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Wow!! I hope all of us who are inspired choose to do this on days other than our birthday. It’s amazing how simple acts can make such a difference in someone’s life. Thank you for the inspiration!!
April 14th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Nice! I have donated a truckload of goods to Big Brothers and Sisters. Cleaned out my library of books, donated the ones I haven’t read in eons to the library. Old games, DVDs, CDs, clothes, furniture, all donated to Big Brothers and Sisters.
April 14th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Wow, Robyn you’re a huge inspiration. I love this idea.
I’m a breast cancer-survivor and have had many an act of kindness performed for me. There is such surrender in accepting a gift that truly no one’s looking for a ‘thank you’ for or anything in return. And the act itself becomes the reward for the giver.
I’ve become the ‘go-to’ person for friends or friends of friends that I don’t even know to walk beside and encourage them through their journey with cancer. I’ve been an ear on the other end of the phone to people I don’t even know or sent messages through people to their loved ones battling the nasty disease and treatment right up to going to scheduled surgery days, chemo and radiation. I never could have imagined myself in such a role, but God did, so I follow my heart and feel privileged to share such personal journey’s.
You are spreading such positivity it will indeed re-shape the world around you. Way to go!
April 14th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I love this SO much - I am now doing something similar for my own birthday! Thank you for the wonderful inspiration, sweet lady!
April 14th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
You are awesome!
April 14th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Awesome!!!
April 14th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Robyn, I have tears running down my face as I’ve been reading your blog. I am so inspired by you! Imagine what a different world we would be in if each of us took the time on our birthdays to do as you have done! I think we should start a movement! Thanks for the inspiration!
April 14th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Today is my own birthday. While I have been performing RAOK since before there was a name for it…I never thought of celebrating my favourite day by requesting that as my b-day present. Thank you for a brilliant idea. Same time, next year?! Happy Birthday to you ☺
April 14th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Robyn,
Have a blessed tax day tomorrow!!! 
God bless you!
Tomorrow is my Dad’s 76 birthday that almost didn’t happen for him. I will do a raok for him! You have touched me with your blessings for others. Thank you. Your children are blessed to have you as their role model!
April 15th, 2010 at 8:27 am
This is so fantastically awesome!!! I love the idea. I might have to spend some of my vacation time doing some similar stuff. I can’t spend this kind of money as we’re a 1 minimum wage income household, but I can certainly be helpful in non financial ways!
April 15th, 2010 at 11:02 am
WOW!! Reading your post literally made my day, yeah… I had teary eyes while reading. You really warmed my heart in such a way I just have to share this page with others. Thanks for inspiring me. You are truly an amazing person…I have no doubts you will receive so many blessings back in your life. Happy Birthday!!
April 16th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Wow. Your post is amazing. Wow, I’m speechless
April 16th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Thank you…
I had just written and published a post about love and how we are called to love. Then I read your post here. I had to go back to my blog and add a link directing people to read what you’ve written.
God bless you,
Nancy
April 16th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
This is just the coolest idea ever. I love how you took pictures and listed every act you did, to inspire the rest of us. Did you really do all this in just one day?!
April 17th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
[…] this in mind, you have to read this lovely post HERE about simple ways you can show love and random acts of kindness. I wish I could be like this fellow […]
April 17th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I just found you off of Orgjunkie and I am crying here reading this. You are an insperation to others of how things should be. Blessings to you and your family!
April 18th, 2010 at 10:11 am
I can’t stop the tears. Who would have thought a snippet of simple acts that take literally minutes (or somtimes even less) could be so fulfilling! Just reading about it I feel inspired. I can’t wait till the next time I go to the drive-thur for coffee! I’m so treating the next person in line!
I wish I could read stories about this in the local newspaper!
Hats off to you and to every else who now participates in ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ just for the FUN of it!
Cheers… Melissa
April 18th, 2010 at 10:20 am
It’s the best way of celebrating a birthday and spreading goodism..
April 18th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I found your blog by accident while searching other blogs for party ideas. And now I am sitting here with tears running down my face. What an amazing thing to do for others on your birthday. I wish I lived close enough to you to give you a big hug. You and your family will surely be blessed for the way you touched others.
What a beautiful spirit and big heart you have.
Cricket
April 18th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
From the looks of the pictures you not only had a super busy day but an amazing Birthday! Way to go showing of your RAOK!
April 18th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I wish more people would write blogs like this that are actually fun to read. With all the garbage floating around on the internet, it is refreshing to read a blog like yours instead.
April 21st, 2010 at 7:27 pm
BEautiful idea, I am turning 29 next Tuesday and I will be doing 29 RAOK with my kids. You inspire me!
April 24th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
This is the best blog posting I’ve ever read. I’m bummed that I missed celebrating it with you and everyone, but I think I will do the same for my birthday. Great idea and a wonderful way to bring happiness to people everywhere!
April 26th, 2010 at 2:56 am
Greetings from Norway! What an awesome way to celebrate your birthday. I love doing RAKs, and reading your post has inspired me to plan something similar for my own birthday. Thanks for sharing your day!
April 26th, 2010 at 5:33 am
I just wanted to thank you for your inspiration. I just celebrated my birthday the same way and it ended up being a moving and powerful experience for me (and my entire family).
April 26th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
How utterly amazing you are! And to think that thanx to facebook and Twitter and blogging you are spreading this amazing idea all over
the world. Like so many I read, I can’t wait for my august bday to start this tradition. And one year later I will celebrate my 40th with hi school besties and this is something we can all start together!! Thank u thank u!!
Keep it up! And I am starting now to do one on a daily basis!
Keri
April 28th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
[…] month I read Robyn Bomar’s How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn) and was inspired. Have you seen this yet? Robyn decided she would spend her 38th birthday doing 38 […]
April 28th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Thank you for having a gracious spirit filled heart…. . I was having a hard night with my special needs sister and need to walk away from her for a bit and God put this sweet story in front of me. I am going to walk back in there and give a big hug. I hope this will catch on and we can all start spreading a little WWJD around… God Bless, Joann
April 29th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
The world needs more people like you! Bravo!
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:43 am
An amazing idea… and I think that is just awesome! I have always wanted to do something similar, so I think I may do the same next year for my birthday! Really warms your heart, and reminds you that all people aren’t so bad. Good people still do exist. Your post was great, and it brought tears to my eyes in a good way. Thanks for sharing! What a great memory that will always be with you!
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:31 am
You are an awesome and amazing woman. I My husband & I are both turning 35 this year. I think this might be for us as well….. THANK YOU.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:46 pm
WOW! I’m so impressed and inspired!! I can’t believe you did all of that in one day?? I LOVED the smiles on your little helpers. What a wonderful thing to do with your children. I was recently given a free Starbucks coffee by a random act of kindness and it made my day. WAY TO GO! I’ll be 39 soon as well and would love to try this. I think this would be a great tradition to do with my kids on their birthdays. Doing 4 and 7 things I know I can handle! ha.
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:00 pm
That has to be the best blog post I have ever read. Ever. Thank you so much for sharing it.
It could also be PMS, of course, but I am seriously crying.
Both of my tweens said they want to have RAOK birthdays from now on, too. What a wonderful and Christ-like idea.
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Beautiful. Inside and out. May you have as many blessings come back to you as you have given.
This is my kinda Birthday celebration!
This is what makes the world go round.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:35 am
I have been dreading my next birthday - it’s the big 4-0. Now… I’m not dreading it so much. Guess what I’m going to be doing?
Thank you for this wonderful idea. Thank you for blessing so many others on what was your special day. Thank you for sharing you with us.
May God bless you deeply.
Kate
May 4th, 2010 at 9:00 am
Well I don’t know what happened……I thought I left you a comment yesterday!….I spent so much time, tweeting, FB and blogging about your post, I must have missed commenting!
I think this is AMAZING and you have inspired me to do this as well!! Not for my birthday, but I’m planning a day of RAOK!! thanks for the inspiration!♥
May 5th, 2010 at 10:40 am
I came to you by way of Kate’s Life. She warned to get tissues ready, and I didn’t listen. I should have. I know it’s after the fact…but I am very inspired to do this as well. I just had a birthday in April, and we didn’t really celebrate…so I am going to do this. I may take some of your ideas
But I will have 34 to do in all. Thank you so much for such a wonderful idea.
May 6th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Love it, love it, love it! I’m sharing this post with everyone I know. I think many of us will be stealing your great ideas!
May 9th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
What a beautiful amazing way to celebrate! Thank you for sharing. I will be using some of your ideas!
God BLess you and your family and all the people whose lives were touched by your kindess.
May 12th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
I am so excited about this!!! I am proud and amazed at all the things you accomplished. I hope that your inspiriation will help alot of people push forward and be a little kinder from now on. I know I will. I hope to make this my new project, and see just how many days I can keep it going. If I can accomplish one thing a day, I will be so happy. Thank you for your inspiration!
May 14th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I am touched about your random acts. It moved me, what a wonderful way to celebrate. My birthday is next week and I love the idea, so I am going to see if I can follow your lead. Thanks for sharing.
May 27th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Thank you so much for this article. I have no idea how the Lord brought me to your site tonight but I know exactly why!
In just a week it’ll be my brother’s 44th birthday, however he is with the Lord already. Usually it’s a hard day but I want it to be different and now I know how!
I too will ask my friends, facebook crew, and such to celebrate my brother’s birthday with me as we do Random Acts of Kindness. I can’t wait for June 6th now! Thank you!
May 29th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Robyn, I cried the entire way through this. Thank you so much for caring so much about other people. It’s what we need most in this world. I’m doing this every birthday for the rest of my life, and I am totally serious. I turn 21 in January. I’m so excited.
I’ve had a few things in mind that I have been wanting to do and just hadn’t done them yet. I’m going out Tuesday to take people in need in my area to lunch.
I read a book called The Divine Matrix by Gregg Braden. In a section of this book he describes how the square root of one percent of a population changing how they think is all it takes to jump start a shift in the consciousness of an entire population. By making yourself aware of these things and sharing them with others, you’re able to realize them in yourself and in others. You’re helping people realize how they should treat other people always.
Thank you again, this is a true inspiration. I have an unbelievable amount of respect for this.
June 3rd, 2010 at 3:02 am
You are amazing. I struggle with my bday every year. Every year I tell everyone I know to please not stress out about buying me something or making a big deal out of my birthday. I usually have to fight off to my family & friends the idea of a birthday party. I know what I’m doing next year. 32 acts of kindness. Thank you so much for the love blankie you just wrapped around my soul. Peace, love, & God.
June 5th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Ummm…. YOU ROCK!! I feed meters too!!! and I give lots of clothes away to non-profit agency thrift store. I also belong to FreeCycle.com! I love your ideas!! I’m going to try to do alot of these too and include my family too!! I LOVE IT!!
June 5th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Robyn
I found your blog today. Today my son is celebrating his 12th birthday with several of his buddies. For the past 10 years I have always asked that a donation be made to a charity instead of giving him presents. As he has gotten older Ben has chosen the charity himselft. The past two years he asked his firends bring food, toys old blankets etc.. so he could take them to local animalshelter. This year he picked a food pantry and you should see the items that came through our door today!
He looks forward to spending time with his friends … talking, playing, building memories and strengthing the bonds of friendship.
For his birthday next year I am going to suggest he try your ROAK and have every friend bring a note of one ROAK they did in honor of his birthday. We will read them aloud and celebrate the joy they have put into the world.
I know I will be asking for this ROAK for my birthday as well as doing a few myself.
Love & Light
Janet
June 10th, 2010 at 10:06 am
[…] June 10, 2010 Filed under: Healthy Me — trntm @ 2:39 pm Wow. I just read how Robyn of Mix Mingle and Glow not only shares one of my middle names, but had a very unique way of celebrating her […]
July 12th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Wasn’t sure if I left you a note or not but you have INSPIRED me to do this with my church. I am hoping to get our church to do this from now on every year. It will be our Random Acts of Kindness Day. Thank you so much for sharing this and for what you have done!!
July 13th, 2010 at 10:08 am
[…] Uncategorized So this year we have started a new tradition in our family. I saw the idea here and fell in love with it. We have gotten a late start on it so it is my birthday we are starting […]
July 18th, 2010 at 11:14 am
My friend forwarded me your link three months ago and I was so inspired by you and your idea that I did the same thing yesterday on my birthday. What a great day I had! Emotional, Exhilarating and Exhausting! (( I did 45!!! )) Thank you for making this blog so that it could inspire others to do random acts of kindness.
July 27th, 2010 at 7:12 am
Amazing! Touching! Inspirational! I cried happy tears reading it all the way through. Guess what I’ll be doing on my next Birthday - perhaps we’ll do this for ALL of the birthdays in my family!
July 31st, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hey! It’s my 38th birthday today too and I think that Kimberly’s idea was fantastic! I think you should do one raok for yourself though, after your thirty eighth. Very few people are actually kind to themselves. Or perhaps the acts you do for others creates yours.. Anyway, lovely idea, although I don’t consider the ones where people are sharing their religious views with other people acts of kindness.
July 31st, 2010 at 11:14 am
This is the second time I’ve been by to read your post. All three of my kids and I have birthdays in December and it’s hard to come up with birthday ideas that close to Christmas. I think this year we’ll rock the RAOK! That’s 57 acts combined! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
July 31st, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Thanks Robyn for a wonderful idea. My mom will be 76 on August 15th and has spent her whole life serving others. She never wants a fuss on her birthday but I know she will love this. I’ve asked family and friends to help so we can reach 76 RAOK on her birthday. I’ve shared the link to your blog post in my invitation so they could come and get some wonderful ideas! Thanks again! I can’t wait!
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 pm
I LOVE this idea! I’m so bummed I missed it for my birthday which was a couple of weeks ago. This sounds like so much fun. Would it be ok with you if I copy this idea on my blog? I would totally give you the credit for the idea.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:51 am
[…] woman’s blog post really made me think about how to bless other people. she spent her 38th birthday […]
August 8th, 2010 at 6:47 am
This idea was truly inspiring! I am turning forty today and have planned an entire day of Random Acts with my family because of you. Thank you for providing me with such a rewarding birthday!!!
August 11th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Damn, girl. *sob* Just found this today and you killed me. It sounds like the coolest. day. ever.
My 39th is coming up soon. I have the sneakiest feeling I’m going to be pulling a Robyn this year.
Thanks for this, I needed it today.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
This is an awesome idea, I try to do little things like this fairly often, my most recent was I tied and elderly man on a walkers shoes at the local casino. He was so grateful he hugged me and he looked like he wanted to cry as did I. We all need to learn about these little random acts of kindness and the world would be a better place.
August 13th, 2010 at 8:01 am
I was looking for ideas of what to do for my 25th birthday, and this is it! Thank you so much for the wonderful idea!
August 16th, 2010 at 10:24 am
[…] promised to spend a day using the $50 to perform Random Acts of Kindness. (inspired by this post) if I […]
August 16th, 2010 at 10:25 am
[…] ~ EDITED – VOTING IS OVER AND I WON!!! ~I have been nominated over at i am mommy for “Best Overall Blog”**The winner of each category will receive a $50 cash prize…….If I win I plan to spend a day using the $50 to perform Random Acts of Kindness. (inspired by this post) […]
August 20th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Two words for you: YOU ROCK!!!
I now know what I’d like to do for my upcoming 45 birthday! Thanks for making my day!
August 23rd, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Your post is inspiring. I like your idea.
August 26th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Wow! Happy birthday Robyn! This is a really neat idea. I think that I will tell my pastor about this….and a few others…AKA I am posting a link on facebook. You took the song “Give me your eyes” by Brandon Heath to a whole new level. Love it!
August 31st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Hi Robyn,
Tomorrow I’m celebrating my friend Lori’s birthday. I was inpired by you and did 40 RAOK in her honor. Check it out http://www.TheBoldlife.com. Thanks so much for the inspiration. If you’re feeling great tomorrow it’s because the boomerang effect is hitting you with love.
August 31st, 2010 at 7:40 pm
[…] sent me this link to a post which features Robyn celebrating her 38th birthday by doing 38 things for others. I LOVE! […]
August 31st, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Dear Robyn.
My friend, Tess Marshall, directed me to this post and we got together and did forty things for my fortieth birthday! Thanks so much for the inspiration. Just think, because of you, two friends laughed a lot, loved a lot, and did EIGHTY things for others. Plus, we asked our readers to join in, too.
Thanks so much for being you. Lots of love to you!
Here are both my and Tess’ post if you want to see what you inspired:
40 Things Love Post
Happy 40th Birthday, JaneBeNimble!
August 31st, 2010 at 8:04 pm
[…] was surfing the net one day and came across Robyn at Mix Mingle and Glow. She celebrated her birthday by doing Random Acts of Kindness, one act for each […]
September 13th, 2010 at 7:31 am
u r a child of GOD.You took time to do these things for someunknown people God bless you.these times are hard and difficultbut yet you did these things without complaing. hats off 2 u
September 21st, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I started crying while reading this.
My birthday is my favorite day of the year. I absolutely love it. It’s 10 months away but I’m going to start planning my own random acts of kindness birthday. Thank you for such an inspiring post!
September 22nd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Just wanted you to know that I was inspired by your post to take a box of cookies to a medical office that has always given me great service. I can’t remember how I got to your blog (probably from a scrapbooker’s blog), but hope that you know you’re influencing lots of good in the world.
September 22nd, 2010 at 6:07 pm
[…] I set out to do something that I had read about a few months ago on another favorite blog of mine, Mix Mingle and Glow. This amazing woman decided that she was going to do 1 random act of kindness for each year that she […]
September 23rd, 2010 at 6:07 am
WOW - that is awesome and inspirational! Thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas.
September 28th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Wow! What an awesome day. Thanks for the inspiration. I realized from reading this that it does not have to take much effort, just the intention, to do a RAOK. I hope to incorporate many RAOK into my daily life.
October 6th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Absolutely overwhelmed by your generosity and kindness - happy tears!
October 25th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
I always box up all my daughters clothes that are still in amazing shape as well as her old toys and take them to a local family shelter.
I have had my drink paid for at starbucks and i turn around and do the same for the car behind me.
November 7th, 2010 at 5:52 am
Hi. I know its past your birthday, but still I wish you a happy long-lasting life with lots of blessings from above.
I am writing because today is my birthday and I was a bit somber about it. It is always the usual. Celebrating at a restaurant or something along that nature. So, I turned to google for ideas and I stumbled across your page. As I began to read, my mood completely changed. My spirit was uplifted beyond words can express.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
You gave me the motivation to celebrate not a birthday but my life. Just simply by doing a 38 acts of kindness on this very day. I do these anyways, but its that the act of selflessness on my special day that makes it all the more fulfilling. Thank you thank you thank you!!!
You can add another to your wonderful list ” I motivated and inspired a stranger”. Thank you and God bless you and your loved ones.
Maritza
December 16th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
You are a kind and generous person! Can we reprint this post?
January 15th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
I love this idea!
January 17th, 2011 at 11:00 am
[…] since my birthday last year when I shared my day of 30 Random Acts of (Birthday) Kindness, my life has kind of changed. The activities and residual blessings in a very deep, personal way […]
January 18th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
I just shared this on twitter…i hope you don’t mind. This is truly amazing and inspiring. Many, many blessings to you!
January 21st, 2011 at 9:43 pm
[…] parents (along with people around the world) in doing multiple acts of kindness in one day: How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn) from Mix Mingle […]
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:22 am
random stumble. so glad I found this. thank you! you are a beautiful person.
January 28th, 2011 at 5:01 am
[…] in a shorter period (like the amazingly moving post by Robyn, who with her family completed 38 acts of kindness on Robyn’s 38th birthday)! Or you could participate for the next two week … just do 50 acts […]
February 13th, 2011 at 8:33 am
Amazing! And such a wonderful thing to do with your kids. I love it!
February 14th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Dear Robyn,
A woman walked up to my husband and I while we were eating at a restaurant a few months ago, and handed us a $10 gift card. It turned out the woman who gave us the card was a manager of the restaurant and that we couldn’t use the card until the first of the year, but details aside, the initial shock of someone randomly handing us a gift card was such a charitable gesture. It started my thinking about random acts of kindness. When we got home I hopped online and googled random acts of kindness, just to see what people out there were doing. This is how I found your blog.
I just wanted to let you know that I admire you! As a wife and mother, I understand how busy life is just trying to juggle your own responsibilities, and I was in awe as a read about all you did for others on your birthday. It is people like you who truly make the world a better place. You have influenced me to be more cognisant of those around me and to remember that even the littlest things can make a huge difference in brightening someone’s day. Thank you for your Christ-like example.
February 18th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
I’m a little late to the party, but thanks for such an inspiring story and happy belated birthday!
You forgot about the 39th act you performed….sharing this with us:)
March 5th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Found you from my blessed life. What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing how awesome people can be. You’re awesome for spending your birthday this way!
March 5th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
[…] year I read about Robyn’s 38th birthday celebration, which was to complete 38 random acts of kindness. Robyn was pretty creative at fulfilling her […]
March 10th, 2011 at 10:41 am
i am sitting here at my desk at work crying. you? oh. my. goodness.
pure goodness, you are.
i am speechless.
and i think i love you.
March 10th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
I saw the link to your blog from http://www.myblessedlife.net and I am so inspired at how both of you spent your birthdays. The posts brought me to tears! My 30th birthday is coming up in April and I am going to celebrate it the same way and also extend the challenge to my fb fans and twitter followers at Jesus Couture!
Thank you for sharing
Jammie
March 11th, 2011 at 8:06 am
I just found your post via My Blessed Life via Nice Things Now and you’ve inspired me!! I was already planning to do 20 random acts of kindness for my 101 Challenge, but after reading what you did I’m going to up it to 28 and do them all on my next birthday. It’s a wonderful thing you did and I love it! Thank you!
March 16th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
I stumbled upon this post and was crying so hard by the end that my fingers were too wet from wiping my tears to use my mouse pad. What an amazing birthday!
March 17th, 2011 at 2:38 am
Found your blog post via google while researching ideas for my own upcoming RAOK birthday in Alaska. I’m borrowing several of your ideas and want you to know that the blessings are still traveling!
March 18th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
A friend posted this blog post on her Facebook page and it was truly inspiring to read. I am going to make this weekend a RAOK adventure with my husband and 2 kids. Thanks for paving the way for many others to follow!
March 27th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
What a fantastic way to celebrate your birthday! Thanks for the inspiration!
March 30th, 2011 at 1:11 am
You are still inspiring others! I was inspired and just completed doing this for my birthday as well. Just posted the recap if you’d like to read! http://jellyrollfamily.blogspot.com/2011/03/birthday-acts-of-kindness.html
April 20th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
I just want to say you are truly AMAZING!! I stumbled across your blog when I googled “ideas for my 38th birthday” as it is nearly approaching. Im going to make a point at least once a month to do something inspiring for someone, anyone! Thanks for sharing, this was a joy to read! oh and happy belated birthday!
April 30th, 2011 at 8:44 am
Thank you so much for sharing this. And thank you to StumbleUpon, which led me here, or I might never have found your site. I am SO going to start RAOK’ing whenever possible. I think, starting today…we are going to a local apple orchard with a petting zoo that allows kids to buy animal food from vending machines to feed the animals. I think I’ll make up some RAOK cards with quarters to to leave!
June 9th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
I excitedly gave 3 army wives a mom break for the day. I ended up with ten kids and a fun filled day. me and the group of kids ranging from two - eleven went to the swimming pool on base, the local elementary school cafeteria for an awesome nutritious lunch, the kids enjoyed eating and a park that had a glorious shade for the little ones to play without getting sunburned.
Happy Birthday angie and the moms send a BIG thanks!
June 14th, 2011 at 6:29 am
I came across this blog through someone’s blog…My twin sister and i are about to turn 38.
I plan on taking a page from your blog and doing the same thing..
Thank you for inspiring me in a way that I’ve been longing for… Ive been wanting to pay it forward for a while now and this is a fantastic way to do so…
Thank you thank you thank you
July 1st, 2011 at 8:01 am
Just googled Random Acts of Kindness and Birthdays and you came up. Just like most folks, I cried. Beautiful. I was just thinking of a handful of things on my birthday, but 38?!?! That’s amazing! I turn 35 tomorrow and am realizing that birthdays should not be all about me. It only took 35 years! I think I will try for 35 random acts of kindness tomorrow!
September 30th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
HI my name is Liz I am going to be 30 years old in 6 days I love your story and I am going to prepare my self to do 30 acts of kindness to others on my birthday ! so I can learn not to be so selfish and think about my self all the time . Thank you for sharing this with others. Fallow me on Facebook Liz Angel Casal Take care God bless you.
October 4th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
I found this post through a pin on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/pin/235973725/) and it warmed my heart. I needed it today. This is a tradition that I’m going to start on my birthday, too! Thank you! =)
xoxo, Hazel
October 4th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Last week I had my birthday and really struggled with my age…how I wish I’d had your insight. I enjoyed a wonderful celebration, but will look forward to it next year and follow your example of goodness. My grand-kiddies would love to help me like your children did, a win-win!
May I share your idea and photos on my blog?
October 4th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
I just saw this on Pinterest but you have totally inspired me to do this for my 30th birthday!! Hope I can come up with as clever of ideas as you. Many Blessings to you!
I did a 30 things before 30, but this has me beat.
http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/2011/06/27/30-things-before-30/
October 4th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Wow, imagine if we did at least one RAOK everyday! Maybe people would be different! Truly inspiring.
October 4th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
i found your website on Pinterest… i cried within the first 30 seconds of reading this.
I turn 38 in January. I am going to do exactly what you did. In fact i think i will do that every year for my birthday. Thank you for the inspiration to live better and be better and help even in the smallest way to make the world a better place. I’m going to start paying it forward today, but on January 28th i will do AT LEAST 38 random acts of awesome. You are a rockstar.
October 4th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
I feel silly but this brought tears to my eyes. You are setting the most incredible example for your children. Thank you for this wonderful, inspiring idea!
October 4th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
I came across this entry today thru Pinterest. Earlier today I had the opportunity to do a very small RAOK, the cashier and recipients were so thankful. As small as it was, it made me happy. I cannot imagine how happy I would have felt to do so many (too many) on my birthday! It sure would make it a HAPPY day. Thanks for sharing your day and your idea, it was wonderful!
October 5th, 2011 at 7:10 am
how lovely - you’re amazing!
October 5th, 2011 at 7:20 am
i just read it because i found it on PINTEREST…i must say that you almost made me cry…almost because right now i’m at the office so i CAN’T cry!!!!! i’m starting to follow you right now!!!! huge love
October 5th, 2011 at 10:32 am
I just saw this on Pinterest, you are amazing!!! I’m going to be 38 in Feb!! I don’t know if you are familiar with the drive threw difference on Klove, but I love doing that. For my 38th birthday, I’m going to do 38 acts of kindness and since it is also my son’s 15th birthday, we may just do it together and make it 53 acts of kindness!!! Thanks for the great idea!!!
October 5th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
What an inspiration you are! Did you do all this in one day? I hope you are okay with me stealing your idea for my birthday.
October 5th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Heet is probably what the additive was. It’s to keep your gas lines from freezing up in really cold weather.
October 5th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
I can’t wait to do this on my 40th!!! Hands and feet…you were his hands and feet that day. A gift to others for every year. What a wonderful idea! Thank you for posting.
October 6th, 2011 at 8:33 am
I found this blog post through Pinterest. Since I’m reading this at work, I have to do my best not to burst into tears. Robyn, I have not felt so convicted in I don’t know how long. Maybe ever.
I always complain about my terrible birthdays, because I haven’t had a cake or a party or gifts from more than 2 people in years. Your Random Acts of Kindness puts it in a whole new perspective, though. Thank you. Thank you so very much. Gotta run before I start weeping.
October 6th, 2011 at 8:48 am
Today is my birthday, I’m now 23, and this it the most wonderful idea. I’m headed out to share some kindness.
October 6th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
I am turning 30 this year. Life has been rather difficult the past several years. My kids and I fled an abusive relationship several years ago. I have been praying that I can make a difference and show how much God has truly blessed us! I think that this will be one way to show my kids as well as others just how much God can use us. Thank you for that reminder!
October 6th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Today was a really not so good day but your story put a smile on my face:-)
Thank you for being such a fantastic human being!
October 6th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Thank you so much! You are amazing and an inspiration! I am crying reading your post!!! Absolutely beautiful!
October 6th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Wow, I’m in tears! Can’t think of a better way to celebrate my 38th coming up. Thank you and bless you!
October 7th, 2011 at 9:59 am
…this is TRULY inspirational. I will be doing this next June for my 31st birthday. What a way to give back and to be SO thankful for each and every day,year that God has given us. We are truly blessed. You are a wonderful human being. I truly believe that this kind of gesture “pay it forward” really makes this world a kinder place. Thank you.
October 7th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
This is just the kind of stuff our world needs more of. What an inspiration you are to your friends and family. Thank you for sharing this. Really made my day.
October 7th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
I have huge tears falling down my face as I write this. You are an inspiration to us all. You have inspired me to want to do the same. If everyone in the world did what you just did it would be a much different place to live in. On a day when normally one would be thinking it should be all about me me me, you instead gave to those around you. You are a beautiful person. There is a scripture that goes something like this– “when you are in the service of your fellow men you are in the service of your God.”
October 7th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
I was reading through and looking at the photos. I saw the one with the cops and thought their uniforms looked familiar and then I saw Sacred Heart and sure enough realized, we live in the same area
This is truly awesome, you go girl!!
October 7th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
[…] Today I saw a post on Pinterest about how this woman spent her 38th birthday doing 38 random acts of kindness. […]
October 8th, 2011 at 8:48 am
This just made my day. I will join this and have my raok day.
October 8th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
I found this link on Pinterest and just sat here literally crying reading your whole page of ROAKs. I’d like to remember to do some of these things every opportunity that I have. And quite possibly on my birthday too. I’m sure only good could come of it. And what a great role model for your children!!!! You are a pretty special person Robin. Glad that I took a break from house and yard work today and happen upon you. God bless
October 8th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
[…] This is Robyn. For her 38th birthday she got together with her friends and family to do 38 random acts of kindness, and asked her readers to participate too! Her blog post about the day is so uplifting and motivating! Read it here via her blog Mix Mingle Glow […]
October 8th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Thats so sweet!! That made me cry :] . Too kind, everyone should do this !
October 8th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
LOVE THIS!!!
October 8th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
This is so amazing!!! So refreshing to see someone dedicate a day that is typically centered around themselves and focus on others. I turn 22 next week and will definitely be attempting an acts of kindness day
Way to go Robyn!!
October 8th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
I just cried like a baby reading this. I’ll definitely be doing this on my next birthday!
October 9th, 2011 at 1:24 am
i saw this on pinterest. wow! this is awesome! seriously, this would be the best birthday ever! it would be such a fun tradition. you are a beautiful person, with a beautiful family, and a kind heart. thanks for the inspiration!
October 9th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
This is seriously inspiring. What an incredible idea. I am so glad I found this!! You are awesome.
October 9th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
This is very inspiring andy made me tear up thank you for making my day I now feel like going and doing several raoks!
October 10th, 2011 at 4:06 am
Thank you!!! I have been trying to decide what to do for my 40th birthday next year and now I know. This is fantastic.
Well done.
October 10th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Oh my goodness. How amazing!
We are totally going to steal this idea for one of our week’s resolutions!!! (we try out something different each week and track it on our bog, Frozen Sunshine).
Thank you for the inspiration and keeping kindness and happiness alive and well!
October 10th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
I love this and am going to do it
(P.S. The additive you added to the woman’s gas tank was either something that Dirt Bike Riders use to prevent their gasoline from separating (i.e. If she didn’t drive very often) or a product which prevents your gas from freezing inside the lines on the way to the engine (more likely). It all depends on how cold it gets in your area and how nervous you are.)
October 10th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
I so want to do this on my upcoming birthday! 52! What a sweet inspiration you are.
October 11th, 2011 at 4:54 am
Wow! My husband and I just finished reading through the list of what you did and really just couldn’t believe it! What an encouragement you are!:) God must have been so happy and honored by you!:)
October 11th, 2011 at 5:07 am
I am so touched by this article. Despite the fact that I’m only 18, and that I don’t have lots of money, i’ll do this for Christmas. I live in Paris and people here don’t smile a lot, so I hope I’ll make people happy for this christmas…
October 11th, 2011 at 7:40 am
Hello! This is so beautiful! I have been truly inspired. The young adult group at my church has been talking about random acts of kindness, a great tie-in for me as I plan to do this for my upcoming 27th birthday!
And, as an elementary art teacher, I’ve come to see the great teachable aspect of this project (as you shared it with your kids), and so I’ve gotten approval from my principal to complete a 27 Acts of Grace project! (’Grace’ because our building theme is as such for this year and I want to help my students to understand this tricky concept.) I’m hoping to update my progress at http://www.27actsofgrace.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing this lovely endeavor!
October 11th, 2011 at 9:18 am
you have inspired me. My 38th birthday is on the 22nd.. and I am ABSOLUTELY doing this. Thank you so much for the motivation and the tears of joy you brought to my eyes today
(Was sent here through Pinterest)
Peace!
casey
October 11th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Just saw this story on Pinterest and had to read about your RAOK birthday… Im so touched and there are tears streaming down my face. Thank you for being such an inspiration! Happy (Belated) Birthday!
~Steph
October 11th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Unbelievable!!! I love what you did! What a beautiful experience for you and your family. I try to make it a point to tell military (especially!), police, fire/rescue thank you for their service. I would love to do this,however, I am afraid I would be an emotional mess!!!! It is so touching–thank you for the wonderful read and inspiration.
October 11th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
I’m so inspired by your act of kindness on your special day! I’m sad that I dont do things like this more often. My dream of the future is for world to become a better place and I think with more people doing acts like this, it can be! You are truly an inspiration and I hope everybody in the would would follow your example!
October 11th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
This is brilliant!!! I thinking this could possibly be the best birthday present to myself every year. I’m doing this and we’re going to do it on my kids’ birthday too. Way to help our kids realize that birthdays are about our impact on the world, not just ourselves. Man, I can’t wait for March 12th!
October 11th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Hey Robyn! I don’t know if you’ll remember me. We went to St. Andrew Baptist together in Panama City years ago. I was Donna Singletary then. I thought that was you in that picture! I was tooling around Pinterest and saw your picture. Then read about your amazing 38th birthday! What fun and what a great thing to teach your girls. My 38th birhtday is coming up and I may just do something fun like this. Thanks for ideas and sharing your experience. What a great way to give back and pay it forward!
October 12th, 2011 at 9:29 am
Wow! You have inspired me and I’m thinking about using this idea as our highschool girls retreat this November…and for my next b-day. Keep on blessing!
October 12th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
[…] (THIS was my original inspiration!) […]
October 12th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Thank you for the inspiration. I would love to do this for my son, husband, and my birthday. As someone else said, you were being His hands and feet. I love that.
October 13th, 2011 at 9:10 am
What an inspiration. I will turn 40 in one month and have been dreading it - but I think this is the perfect way to usher in the next decade of my life - thank you for sharing!!
October 13th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Wow! This is such an amazing blog I stumbled across! What an inspiring and selfless story for me to read today when I really needed to hear something good the most <3 thank you for sharing! I am going to go out and pay this forward. Love!
October 13th, 2011 at 10:54 am
What a great idea, even though it has me absolutely BAWLING here at my computer.
Will definitely be doing this!
October 13th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Brilliant! I’m so doing this for my next birthday. You are inspirational.
October 13th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
[…] her blog post about it, it is inspirational. Share this: This entry was posted in Random. Bookmark the […]
October 14th, 2011 at 1:34 am
I live in the UK.
Your wonderful acts made me cry.
I am a priest and will share your blog with others in the 6 churches I have.
Thank You
Rev John Shaw
October 14th, 2011 at 7:26 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this!
I am guessing this birthday is one you and your children will never forget.
We are planning our next Family Day with something very similar in mind.
You are the inspiration my dear. Let’s keep this party going!
October 14th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Wow what a superbly fantastic idea!
Thankyou for giving me the encouragement to try this
May God bless you!
October 14th, 2011 at 8:36 am
I just found this post and your blog through Pinterest…I am TOTALLY doing this for my next birthday!! (and hopefully a few random days between now and then!) great list!
October 14th, 2011 at 8:37 am
I am loving this!
October 14th, 2011 at 8:56 am
I just stumbled across this on pinterest- what an awesome idea!
October 14th, 2011 at 10:35 am
oh man. popping over from the driveway of life.
this post just made my day.
you had one of the busiest most awesome birthdays EVER.
EVER EVER EVER
my favorite is the grocery gift card.
i bought a woman’s groceries once - she was ahead of me in line, and clearly, struggling wither her child and full cart, and after her total came up - she couldn’t find her money.
i already knew before that happen that i’d be paying for her groceries.
funny how that works.
it was one of the most awesome things i have ever done.
and i have been dying to do it again, just never had the opportunity arise.
purchasing the gift card and handing it back is SO SMART.
can’t wait to try it.
October 14th, 2011 at 10:50 am
I found your post through Pinterest and I just wanted to let you know it totally inspired me. I will be turning 32 a few days before Christmas and I want to do exactly this for my birthday! Thank you for the wonderful things you did and thank you for inspiring others to do great things as well!
October 14th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Robyn: I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes at the wonderful random acts of kindness you performed. What fantastic ideas! Thank you for sharing this…it was amazing and you gave me some great ideas that I can do for others. God bless you!
October 14th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Read through a Pinterest Link…. I try to do this daily but am inspired to “go public” with it next year for my 40th. Thanks for a GREAT idea and may God richly bless you for all the “little” things each and every day!
October 14th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Robyn - saw this on pinterest and had to have a read. What an amazingly wonderful way to celebrate your birthday and to give back to people around you. This has inspired me to do this for my birthday next year (32!). Cheers from Canada!
October 16th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Wow! Your birthday celebration made me cry! I am reading Love Revolution by Joyce Meyer (along with most of my church) and was looking for ideas on how to show love. Thanks so much for all the wonderful ideas! You are an inspiration.
October 17th, 2011 at 10:30 am
What an amazing idea. My 30th is coming up and I want to make it ALL ABOUT ME! Thanks for the inspiration to rethink it.
October 17th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Reading this brought tears to my eyes. I LOVE paying it forward and will now try and do my very best to make this a tradition. I will first start by paying it forward to all my friends, in hopes they will do the same. Can you imagine if everybody did just 1 RAOK a day? A week? A month. Thank you SO much for your inspiration. . .even after a year and a half.
Thanks pinterest!
October 17th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
I don’t know you - but you’ve made me cry! What an inspiration and I plan to do this for my 37th coming up! Thank you for being a blessing!
October 17th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Thank you for such great ideas!
October 18th, 2011 at 8:02 am
What a blessing! <3
October 18th, 2011 at 9:22 am
You deserve all the blessings that come your way! I am truly inspired and feel a renewed sense of hope.
October 18th, 2011 at 10:00 am
What a beautiful, beautiful way to celebrate your birthday. I certainly have been inspired.
October 18th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
You have inspired me. I have heard of random acts of kindness but never doing one for every year you’ve been alive. My next birthday isn’t until September but I am going to do this. Great idea! Thank you for sharing your heart with the rest of us.
October 18th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
What a great idea! Thinking about suggesting this to the descendants of my grandmother and an honorariam gift to her! What do you give a woman who is 106? How about 106++++ random acts of kindness through the generations! Thanks for sharing your day with us and what a treat to observe your children totally involved in giving to others. Blessings on this day in October!
October 19th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Such an inspiring idea. I’ve done this for the 25 days of Christmas, but I think I’m making this a tradition in my family — starting with my kids. I think thinking about ways to give, instead of what you are getting reminds us of the good we can do in small everyday ways.
Thanks so much for sharing.
October 19th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
I’m having my (scary for me) big 25th birthday next april and definitely am going to do this!! i cant wait!! =D
October 21st, 2011 at 8:19 am
[…] My birthday is just a few months away and I am so inspired by this woman and what she did for her birthday. Dare I say I want to do this too? […]
October 21st, 2011 at 2:47 pm
[…] Maybe some Random Acts of Halloween Kindness […]
October 21st, 2011 at 7:08 pm
This world needs more people like you! Thank you for the inspiration!
October 21st, 2011 at 7:58 pm
WOW. I am in tears, thinking how AWESOME this is! You have not only inspired all the people you helped on your birthday, your family and friends, but now thanks to Pinterest, you have inspired so many others! I truly look up to you and find a role model in you, a person I have never met.
I cannot wait to tell my friends and family, in July on my 30th birthday, which I expected to be ALL about Becca, that this is what I choose to do. I might even begin to blog about you and your choices tonight.
Thanks for being SUCH an awesome example for others!
Oh, I am sharing this with my students too! They can always use inspiration to become better versions of themselves… thanks for that too! YOU ROCK!
Thanks again!
Becca
October 22nd, 2011 at 11:56 am
I wasn’t planning anything this year for my 25th Birthday. But now I will be going 25 RAOK for it!
Great idea!!!
Thanks!
~SB
October 23rd, 2011 at 4:09 pm
This is an awesome way to celebrate your birthday! You truly are inspiring.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:46 am
Wow, such a great idea… nice work! Should have done that for my birthday, but now you’ve got me thinking!
Happy birthday, by the way. Even though it’s probably a little too late now! Just saw you on Pinterest now.
~Corinna
October 25th, 2011 at 9:23 am
[…] I saw via Pinterest. (I’m addicted; Follow me and let’s be addicted together!) This woman spent her 38th birthday performing 38 random acts of kindness. I loved her post and it […]
October 25th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Thank you for the idea. Am doing this today and loving it. It is indeed the best birthday gift!
October 26th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
You truly are an inspiration. Thank you for bringing a moment of happiness to those who may need it most. God bless you!
October 26th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
I realize this is a really late comment, but I just stumbled upon here through another blog. I must say, you RAOK on your birthday was genius! I was sobbing reading each and every thing you did. LOVED IT! I was still boohooing until I came across the post from Deanne. A little comic relief I must say!!! What a beautiful way to celebrate the life God has given you! Inspiring!
October 26th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
I cannot express how inspired and excited I am by your birthday adventure! I’m totally on board, girl. You’ve made a hot spark! I’m doing this - and I know many of my friends will want to celebrate this way too!
October 26th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
I just cried like a baby. You have inspired me so much. You are a true blessing.
October 26th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
I LOVE this idea and am so inspired! Will be doing on my 43rd b-day, December of this year. Need to make a list. God’s blessings to you for all you did & continue to do by sharing your experience with others so your wonderful idea can be duplicated
October 27th, 2011 at 7:47 am
I love all of what you did! I especially love when you and your family gave out balloons to hospital patients and coloring books to children in waiting rooms. If the only thing a patient could do is lay there in a hospital bed, a simple balloon would warm their heart and therefore, help them heal faster by the love given. Well done
October 27th, 2011 at 9:12 am
Wow…this is very inspiring. I had my 30th birthday last week and could not think of anything extremely exciting that I wanted to do for it. I ended up canceling my birthday party to spend the day with my kids at the circus and had a blast. However, I think I will be doing what you did this weekend with my children because it inspired me SO much! Thank you!!
October 27th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
It is more than a year and a half later since this post and I am inspired…. I will now do this on my 24th Birthday in March 2012!
October 27th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Well, I’ve been 25 for almost five years now and my best friend told me yesterday that I’m going to have to celebrate my “big birthday” this year (no more cakes that say, “Happy 25th…again!). Now I know what I want for my birthday! THANKS for a GREAT idea!
October 27th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
You made the world a better place.
October 27th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
This is the best birthday gift! What a way to bring back the excitment to each and every bithday…going to be 35 and am actually looking forward to it:) Thanks for sharing
October 27th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
How absolutely and completely perfect.
Thank you for inspiring me!
October 28th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Thank you!!!! I just cried, this is amazing, thank you so much!
October 28th, 2011 at 11:28 am
I AM GOING TO PRE-WRITE THAT I DID ALOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS SO THAT WHEN I SEE MY SISTER ON SUNDAY FOR HER BIRTHDAY, I GRANTED HER WISH AND REPLIED ON LINE……HOWEVER………. I HAVEN’T DONE THEM YET….. BUT BY SUNDAY, I WILL BE ABLE TO TELL HER ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS I HAVE DONE BETWEEN TODAY (1:27 ON FRIDAY) UNTIL SUNDAY (1:30) WHEN WE HAVE LUNCH!!! OH WAIT.. I JUST REMEMBERED THIS MORNING I BOUGHT AN EXTRA MUFFIN FOR BREAKFAST AT DUNCAN DONUTS AND AN ANONYMOUS PERSON I BOUGHT IT FOR IS ON WEIGHT WATCHERS THEREFORE COULDN’T EAT IT, SO I BROUGHT IT TO MY WORK NEIGHBORS
THEY SMILED AND THANKED ME……….. CHOW FOR NOW….. WILL POST AGAIN MONDAY 
October 28th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
God bless you. This is so encouraging and just fills me with hope that there are still nice people in the world. God bless you.
October 29th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
I cried reading this! what a great example to your children and what a wonderful way to spend your day! May God Bless you!
October 31st, 2011 at 8:55 am
You are an inspiration to us all. To see that someone like you exists in this world has brightened my day; just simply to know that there are people out there who really do care about others. Have you seen the movie “Pay It Forward”?
Happy Birthday
October 31st, 2011 at 9:57 am
Cried when I first read some! I found a link to this page via Pinterest. Totally starting this
I was thinking maybe doing it for Christmas, as well, since my birthday isn’t for another nine months! You are truly inspiring 
Thanks!
October 31st, 2011 at 7:08 pm
I absolutely LOVE this idea! my 20th birthday is comin up on November 15th, and i plan to do 20 RAOK
im super excited!
November 1st, 2011 at 7:25 am
Thanks for sharing your amazing ideas and proud to notice we have the same last name…. Will do something extra special every year in memory of your story…
November 1st, 2011 at 11:03 am
This is amazing! What a wonderful way to bless people & be an incredible example to your children & their friends… that life is the fullest when we pour love on others & do what Jesus did - put people first! I love it!!
November 1st, 2011 at 11:12 am
I also ran across your link via pinterest. Wow! I was so touched by the way you celebrated your birthday, simple acts of kindness, it was beautiful and inspiring story. I am going to do the same thing for my 38th birthday. I am getting my list together now. Also, I am going to strive to do a random act of kindness (or 2 or more) on a daily basis. Have a blessed day!
November 1st, 2011 at 7:33 pm
[…] began thinking about life in a simple way. I read this BLOG and it showed me what life is really about. Giving. Making the most of each day. Bringing a smile […]
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:55 am
[…] good intentions, but stolen nonetheless. To learn more about how this originated, please use this link, or click […]
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:22 pm
[…] I was wasting all of my time on Pinterest and found this AMAZING article, 38 Random Acts Of Robyn, & stole this FABULOUS idea on thanking our mail lady! She is SO SO SO sweet and knows all of […]
November 3rd, 2011 at 1:11 pm
You have INSPIRED me dear Robyn! I love to make people happy and smile, help people out that need it, these are all GREAT ideas and a new tradition that I’ll be starting on my birthday in Feb! Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU!
November 3rd, 2011 at 3:39 pm
you. are. awesome!
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:26 pm
I’m totally crying! You have such a sweet heart, and I love that you did this. A few weeks ago, a sweet couple at a restaurant paid our bill before they left. We had no idea who they were, and it was such an overwhelming experience! I’ve often said, I wish I would win the lottery, so I could do things like send gift cards to people who need them, and fill needs as they arise. But I know there are things I can do WITHOUT spending a lot of money. You are so inspiring!
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:30 pm
[…] Bruce Mau’s Incomplete Manifesto for Growth. Tip #36 is “Scat” pertaining to words, not poop. For this lady’s 38th birthday she completed 38 random acts of kindness. […]
November 4th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Wow what a great idea! I think i will be spending the rest of my birthdays doing acts of kindness for as many years i turn…maybe when i am married and have kids, i will start my kids to do it to. This was the greatest idea i have heard ever! What a blessing you are to this world!
November 4th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
You are amazing!!! I need to do this!
November 5th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
God Bless you! this is an amazing idea that i am going to copy! thanks for sharing
November 5th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Great idea……I will definitely do more RAOK and share this website to friends and family.
November 6th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
I love this. Pay it forward is my favorite book. I am so doing this. I love it.
November 6th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
I love this! When I was growing up I’d always beg my dad to pay for the car behind us in the toll booth…but do you know, as an adult, I’ve never done it myself. I am going to try to get in the habit of doing more RAOK though. My 30th birthday is in a few more years, and I think this would be so much fun to do…30 acts of kindness for turning 30 years old! Thank you for reminding us all how important it is to be kind to others!
November 6th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
This is the besssst idea ever. I’m 20 and i’m stealing this for the rest of my birthdays in the rest of my life. haha you’re an amazingg person!!
November 7th, 2011 at 8:55 am
I absolutely loved this wonderful story. {Lump stuck in throat}. Thanks so much for sharing it! I hope you don’t mind, but I added it to my “Changing the World One Blog at a Time” linky party. Whenever I reach a new 100 mark of followers on my blog, I celebrate with a RAOK. Right now I’m working on a coat drive for the homeless shelter. Thank you for all these awesome ideas of random acts of kindness! Happy B-day!
Warmly, Michelle
November 7th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
I loved this!!
November 7th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I am overwhelmed with excitement since I came across this on Pinterest. I just adore everything about this idea. I am turning 40 (even hurts to type that out) in about 7 months and I am just dreading the day. But I think this would make it feel okay. I just bawled my eyes out reading all the random acts of kindness that you did. What a thoughtful and creative way to make someone else’s day. I am glad to know there are people out there like yourself. Thank you for the idea - thank you for being you
November 8th, 2011 at 8:12 am
This is such a wonderful idea! Thank you so much for turning your birthday, the one day it can be all about you, to such a selfless occasion.
Since my birthday is 7+ months away, how about turning the 25 days before Christmas as 25 days of Random Acts of Kindness?! Robyn, you’re truly inspiring!
November 8th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Living on less than 800/mth Social Security it is really hard to do the things I like to do. There are several neighbors on the street that intersects with mine who are in their 80’s (one couple was married 62 years, how great is that). I live alone and love to cook and the wife is in a wheel chair and he walks with a cane. They do get meals on wheels but that is only M-F. I fix things that makes big meals (Chili, Lasagna, Roast, etc.) and take them and two other single older men meals. No I don’t do this every weekend but they are really happy when I do. During the week it may just be desert - no complaints so far. Helping someone or making them happy is, for me, the BEST feeling/gift ever. Will share your page. Thanks.
November 8th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Thanks so much for this post!!! Just found your through Pinterest and loved this…I sat here and read and cried. Its so great to see goodness in people. I’m a high school teacher and know how wonderful even the smallest note of thanks or kindness can really be. You have inspired me and I think that I just may have to do my own 32 Random Acts of Kindness for my coming Birthday….and may even try and work in one a week for the year. Thanks so much for sharing and God Bless you
November 8th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
you rock ! you have a gr8 life coz ppl like you make the world shine
November 8th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Glad to see that there are people in the world who still have a HEART…………..
November 9th, 2011 at 12:08 am
This was an incredible read. I found myself attempting to hold back the tears. And what is even more amazing to me, is that you carried out these deeds, shared them, and the power and message of kindness spread like wildfire. I LOVE this idea and I love the human spirit. You are an amazing woman who has really inspired me today. How would doing this not turn around a crummy day?
Thankyou SO much for sharing.
Shelly xxx
November 9th, 2011 at 4:54 am
Wow, the world needs more people like you and your family.
Have a great day xx
November 9th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
WOW! Talk about bringing tears to my eyes. What a wonderful person you are. Thank you for the inspiration. Thank you thank you thank you.
November 9th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
[…] Blog. […]
November 9th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
This is so nice! When I grow older, I definitely want to do this. I’m already giving out presents to kids in need instead of receiving my own Christmas present, but this is just so much nicer! You gave me yet another inspiration to keep on trying my best to help others! Thank you for sharing your story!
November 9th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
such a wonderful selfless act. u have inspired me. Happy belated birthday!
November 9th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
This made me cry. I want to be able to do something like this. :)) I think you should know, you made the world a better place.
November 9th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
I also just found this on Pinterest. When I read the first few paragraphs I thought “What a nice idea.” And that was about it. Then the more I read, the more and more moved I was by your experience. My small group is always looking for ways to give back to our community and I can’t wait to suggest doing this!! Thanks for the reminder that you don’t have to do something huge, just do something.
November 10th, 2011 at 11:33 am
I found you blog today listed on the Klout fanpage. I am loving all of your acts of kindness toward humanity. Thank you for keeping it 100%…we need more people like you. I think I am going to focus on what I can do for others henceforth!!! Thank you sis….Dee
November 10th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
WOW! this made me tear up! i am so blown away by your wonderful display of grace! thank God for you and thank you for sharing your special day with us! this will forever leave imprints in everyone’s hearts and minds and will follow along with your wonderful example…! God bless you!
November 10th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Love this idea:
I’m going to do this with my family everyday in December leading up to Christmas.
It is better to give than to receive, what a great reminder of that.
November 11th, 2011 at 1:35 am
[…] in 11 Random Acts of Kindness (much like Robyn did 38 on her 38th […]
November 11th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Robyn,
This truly inspired me. my family and i will be doing a 25 days of giving for the month of december. We are each doing our individual RAK’s and on christmas eve, will be sharring our stories/photos instead of exchanging gifts.
November 11th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
I’m going to do this now. See what YOU started!?
November 11th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Adding this to my pintrest and link love on my blog. LOVE IT!
November 11th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
This is kindest. I wish you happiness, success, and kindness.
November 11th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
I found your post on Pinterest as well and am in awe of what you have done. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. You’ve inspired me to plan a RAOK Birthday for my upcoming 28th in February, and I cannot wait to share this with my friends, family & bible study group in hopes to have many more spreading love and kindness to others. God Bless & Thank you!
November 11th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
I am so moved by this RAOK. My two boys and I are going to use this as our advent calendar this year. Counting down the 25 days til Christmas by giving back. We have come up with 22 so far. Can’t wait!
November 12th, 2011 at 1:02 am
[…] I am doing something a little different. I have been inspired by The Birthday Project and Robyn’s Story. Today I will be doing 26 Random Acts of Kindness to celebrate my birthday (eek! so excited!) […]
November 12th, 2011 at 1:35 am
Dear Robyn, I saw your post on Pinterest… I just wanted to say, You my dear are an amazing woman… Its nice to see there are still nice people out there… God Bless You!
November 12th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Celebrating Your Birthday with Random Acts of Kindness ~ WOW. I wish I had read this before my 40th birthday a few months ago! I totally want to do this…i’m going to start thinking of my list of 41 so I’m ready in June!! i LOVE this!!! Your list is amazing, though not as amazing as you!!
sharing your fabulous inspiration here: http://www.facebook.com/barnowlprimitives
xoxo ~ kristi
November 12th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Awesome inspiration and ideas. Can’t wait for my birthday! Thanks for being so thoughtful.
November 13th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Saw you on Pinterest as well. My 40th birthday will be next year and I have already started to dread it and have been feeling sad about it. I am inspired to do 40 random acts of kindness and challenge my friends and family to do the same. What a gift!
November 13th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
[…] link devia ser divulgado mundialmente, pra todo o sempre. É a historinha de Robyn, uma mulher que resolveu comemorar seu aniversário de 38 anos de um modo diferente. Ela resolveu […]
November 13th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
This is the coolest thing I have ever seen. I have always enjoyed doing random acts but never thought of it as random acts. Thanks for such a great and inspiring post!!
November 13th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
What an awesome idea!! I found this on Pinterest, just in time for my Birthday in two weeks! Hubby and I are already starting a list!
Thanks so much for being an inspiration! (OK, now I’m teary eyed again!) LOL
November 14th, 2011 at 2:30 am
Wow…God bless you. Very inspiring indeed..!!
November 14th, 2011 at 9:36 am
What an inspiration you are! I try to do this every so often (pay another person’s toll or buy the person behind me lunch or coffee, also letting people go ahead of me and small things like that), but the amount of time between ROAKs seems to be greater as the years progress. Thank you for reminding me of how good it feels and how easy it would be to do more frequently! I also feel inspired to get my children involved–what a wonderful thing to teach them–thank you!
November 14th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
This definitely made me cry! Such an inspiration! I’m trying to get some friends to do this with me for the 25 days before Christmas!
November 14th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Have started to think of my 37 ideas for my birthday in January, while praying that we don’t get a foot of snow — shoveling random acts of kindness = sore back!
One of my favorite things to do is make wishes in fountains, so I am envisioning taping 37 pennies to the fountain surround at a local mall with a note to make a wish!
Thanks so much for sharing your joy!
November 15th, 2011 at 2:19 am
This is an amazing idea. I was just asked what I wanted to do for my birthday this year, and now I know! Thank you for sharing the idea. It’s making the world a better place one random act at a time! =D
November 15th, 2011 at 9:50 am
WOW!!! Last week out of the blue, I wanted to take 3 hot meals to any random 3 homeless people, because I always walk up on them when I’m taking pictures. This evening with 4 of my 5 children in the car, I couldn’t find or see anyone! We drove around for over an hour, because I wasn’t heading home until someone had this food! Let’s just say that they weren’t the exact kind of people I had in mind, but I said a prayer before we ever started that whoever needs this food shall get it, so I felt very good about giving it to them! And then I see your post! You have inspired me even more!!! I think I’ll make this a tradition!!!
November 15th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Am from Lebanon,here when someone do great job we say for him (Bravo) what u did is really awesome and inspiring.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
What an inspiration!! I cried the whole time I read this. My 35th birthday is Dec 17th, so starting today I am going to do 1 RAOK a day. Of course I’ve got to do 3 today to get caught up =-)
November 15th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
I really enjoyed reading about your wonderful birthday. My birthday is on the 28th this month and I was trying to think of something really fun and special to do for it. My husband was serving in Iraq last year so he missed it, and I told him I wanted a great birthday since he missed last years. So as I was perusing the internet trying to find a great, fun thing to do for my birthday, I saw your post and I had an immediate change of heart. Thank you for helping me dig deeper and remember that true happiness is not about what you get, but about what you give.
November 15th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
It’s been many years since I’ve been excited to celebrate my birthday, but after reading this post, I cannot wait for it to arrive! It’s a few months off, but I think I’ll get to work on a list of things I can do to bless others when the day arrives. Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea and for being such a blessing to strangers.
November 15th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Amazing!!! I too cried my eyes out reading this. What an amazing way to change the world and show your children how to be a great human beings.
November 15th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
This made my day!! You, my dear lady, made me cry and have given me the best idea and instead of doing this for my birthday (bcs its so far away still) I will be doing this as a count down to Christmas!! Thank you so much for the inspiration. <3
November 16th, 2011 at 2:17 am
I am doing this on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for sharing this wonderfully generous part of your life with us.
November 16th, 2011 at 7:54 am
You are an absolute gem of a role model !!! Your daughters are very lucky , indeed !!
November 16th, 2011 at 11:50 am
God Bless you! You are truly a light on earth! Thank you for everything you have done and all the RAOKs you have inspired! I will be making this my own tradition as well. Love, Leah
November 16th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
this post made me cry.
so thanks a lot (sarcasm) but really, thank you (sincerity).
What a fantastic way to spend a birthday. i’ve attempted to do this with every birthday in the past 10 years, through parties with friends, and requesting toys for shelters, etc… and having little money makes it a more challenging (and creative) day. i think we should all challenge ourselves to do this every day of the year… one a day isn’t tough!
(and with little money, to boot!)
thank you so much for sharing… how did birthday 39 go?
November 16th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Hi Robyn,
I absolutely love this idea! It is so great that so many of your friends and family joined you. I will be turning the big 3-0 this weekend and I have decided that I am going to do this!! Thank you for being so kind to others=)
November 16th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Hi Robyn,
What an amazing idea. I love reading things like this that give me that feeling to get up and do something. My birthday is in a few weeks. I hope you don’t mind if I borrow this idea from you.
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone did this on their birthday - or once a day?
Thanks for giving me something positive and happy to read, and for giving me the motivation to go out and be other-centered!
November 16th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Hi Robyn,
I sat weeping as I read your blog. I am so blessed, yet so many times find myself complaining about what I don’t have or need. The Lord really spoke to me through you tonight. I am a single mom raising two kids at home and one in college, without a lot of child support over the years, but God has been so faithful to provide for us, through family, and the ex husband(when he’s been able), just when we need it. I am never going to take my life for granted again. And I am going to start tomorrow with the RAOK. Thank you for inspiring me!
November 16th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
incredible. absolutely incredible.
thanks for this. my face is soaked and my heart soft.
appreciate your heart (and thankful for pinterest that got me here to read of your excellent adventures!:)
November 17th, 2011 at 8:20 am
Such a lovely idea!!!
November 17th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Love love love you girl! I found your raok bday through pinterest and to my surprise I recognized the places in all of your photos! I live in Santa rosa beach and work at Sacred heart hospital in nuclear medicine. Small world:) Ive been looking for some way to get my two teenage boys involved in raok and you have soooo inspired me girl! Thank you for your beautiful gifts of inspiration…we are so excited to get started:) god bless you Robyn
November 18th, 2011 at 2:01 am
[…] could all learn a lot from this 38 acts of kindness post. Prepare to smile […]
November 18th, 2011 at 5:50 am
Just found this post through Shutterbean. WHAT a fantastic, awesome, selfless idea! I really want to do this for my birthday!! Thanks for sharing!
November 18th, 2011 at 11:06 am
Robyn,
This has been a soul crushing year for me and my father. The year from hell and when you think you can’t
take another liar, con artist,selfish people, more horrible news than you can bear, things you can’t do or afford to do, things breaking and having no time to fix ,driving to and living in hospital all year-all alone for the only family you have left, and THEN you read about someone like you. You make the world a better place and touched so many dedicating your day to others. Your thoughfulness and huge heart made me feel so comforted to know what a blessing you are and how RAOK can light up a soul. I send you a hug from me and my father and GOD BLESS you and yours. Happy Thanksgiving. I believe in doing RAOK
daily, and now I know that I could do it on my BD in the Robyn way. xoxox
November 18th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
this post almost made me cry! you have truly inspired me!!
November 18th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
This is a beautiful story. As I’m sure you’ve inspired many the past year, almost two years (!!), you have now inspired me to do something for my 23rd birthday in early January. I’ve been lacking something in my life and after I read this post, I felt like the Grinch and my heart swelled up. I can’t believe I never thought of it before! The ironic part is today at Walmart, I was grabbing my last bag when I heard the person behind me say they only had a dollar but not the chance for a .99 bag of chips and I gave her a quarter to cover the change. I need to start paying it forward and thank you for the opportunity to be motivated to do this.
November 18th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
I just ran across this on pinterest and was so inspired by your kind heart. We should all be so kind.
November 19th, 2011 at 9:34 am
What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:32 am
This is so beautiful. Its amazing how so many small things can make a person’s day!! God Bless you.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
This story was incredible. And you are incredible as well. You have inspired me, for my next birthday, to do the same. Thank you
November 20th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Face soaked and totally inspired. My birthday is Wednesday and I think This is the best way I could possibly spend the day. I am in. Giving, the best gift of all. I am totally excited. Thank you for the inspiration.
November 20th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Very moved by all the ways that you have touched many lives… I plan to do this for my birthday Dec 27. I will need to do 53 random acts of kindness. I love to do roak as much as possible but challenge others to start doing random acts of kindness @ least 1x per week till it becomes a habit. We could change the world….
November 21st, 2011 at 9:53 am
amazing story! I won’t lie I shed a tear or two! Such encouragement especially it being around Thanksgiving and Christmas! Thanks for sharing!
November 21st, 2011 at 6:58 pm
May God Bless you!! Thank you for the totally selfless ideas of giving on your birthday…I too will follow in your footsteps and complete 39 acts of kindness on my birthday in Feb. Also, I pray that my friends and family will celebrate my birthday by doing the same! Love, love, love this!!!
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:44 am
wow this is awesome! are you from destin, fl? i have been wanting to do this but dont know where to start.
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:13 am
You are such an inspiration! Plan to share this with folks and encourage all of us to follow your example. What a great Thanksgiving/Christmas idea as well! Thank you so much for sharing! You have made my day.
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:32 am
loved this so much- thank you…you’re amazing
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:53 pm
This is absolutely amazing. If only everyone knew how affective one random act of kindness could be… Thank you.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:01 pm
[…] so nice of you. I saw on Pinterest this lady did one act of kindness for every year of her life Random Acts Of Kindness __________________ Check Out My Blog ! Me: Crafty, Cooking & Baker - At Least Learning […]
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Made me tear up just reading these. Thanks for the reminder that we never know what’s going on in other people’s lives, and sometimes just a smile or a small, simple act of kindness can change that life for the better… and ours too!
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:14 pm
My husband and have been truly blessed. This would be a perfect way to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary on December 5th. Thank you for sharing. AND thank all the folks that took the time to leave a comment of support and suggestions. Totally MOTIVATING and totally AWESOME!!
November 22nd, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I am turning 38 in January and plan to do this as well. Thank you for the inspiration.
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:49 pm
I do many of those same things everyday. Mine are free acts though. I think that if we all do kind acts everyday, maybe people would start viewing society in a positive light instead of looking at strangers in a cynical way. I was taught to do kind things because it’s the right thing to do and not what we can get out of it. The feeling I get after a kind act has to be way better than the feeling the receiver has. You have done good…lol
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:45 am
What a blessing to see how many people are doing the same thing. Giving a Thanksgiving meal away this year to a needy family and am looking everywhere I go to see what good surprises I can give. Thank you for this site and the really great ideas! I’m turning 65….Wow! just think of the many good things that can happen…I’m starting now!
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:48 am
Fantastic idea!!! However, it sounds a bit expensive. I’ve always wondered how you pay for an order for someone in line behind you when you don’t know what they are going to order and therefore how much it’s going to cost.
November 23rd, 2011 at 10:16 am
Robyn, how amazing of a person you must be! What an awesome day you had! I am going to do a random act of kindness before the end of this week after reading your article. Also, I’m going to plan some for Thanksgiving, Christmas and my next birthday. What a great way to start the day before Thanksgiving 2011-by reading about you! You are awesome!
November 24th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
On this Thanksgiving night, as I am preparing to go out and do some black Friday shopping at midnight..I have taken the time (happily) to read these posts and I am so very inspired. I CANT WAIT to do this for my next birthday (24th:) The best feeling in this world is giving to others, and helping others, in a way that will touch their lives forever. Although my birthday is not until September, I will start creating my list of 24 acts of kindness…because………………..I CAN’T WAIT:):) In addition, I will be asking instead of recieving gifts I want others to tag along with me, and help me help others as I am only able to work part time while I am going to school - but I love the gift card ideas…just wouldn’t be able to afford that much! Thank you for all of the wonderful, amazing ideas:) We need more people like you in this world!
November 25th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Happy tears here, too….you’ve inspired me!
November 25th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
I am definitely doing it!! but I will do one random act per day (at least!) in a year. This way I will feel reborn everyday!!! Great inspiration!
November 26th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Robyn, you are an Angel !. And to include your kids in this beautiful/kindness act, wow, that is the kind of parenting this world needs. I am speechless. I am going to tell all my FB friends, they got 2yrs to do this or else “DELETE”…really.
You are an inspiration, brought tears to my eyes, and unfortunately, I am one of those people that just doesn’t cry easy
May I ask you to be your FB friend ?
November 26th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
[…] friend Vanessa shared a link with me recently on facebook and I am so in love with the story the link told that I wanted to share it with you all, too. […]
November 27th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
I was losing some of my faith in humanity and reading this post makes me so happy. I try to do some random acts of kindness throughout the year (buying coffee for the person behind me, flowers to the nursing home on Mother’s Day - they love that one) but you have inspired me to spend my 26th birthday doing 26 of these great ideas. Thank you so much for this! You have a beautiful soul and everyone that knows you is blessed to do so.
November 27th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Oh my goodness! This brought tears to my eyes! I so want to do this next year!
November 27th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Robyn, you are such a cool person!! I found your blog post on Pinterest & reading it nearly made me cry! How kind of you to go around doing these nice things for people. Truly inspiring, thank you for sharing this wonderful idea, I’m going to do this! My birthday is January 2. I’m visiting a good friend of mine & you know what, I bet she’d love to help me make this idea happen.
Yesterday I did do one RAOK, before I read your blog post. Yesterday my husband & I drove our friend to the local airport. Before leaving to head home, on a whim my husband remembered (right before driving past the turn) we needed gift boxes to put clothes in when wrapping Christmas gifts. We were super tired from Black Friday shopping the day before, but we stopped anyway since Walmart is so far from our house. We got out gift boxes & proceeded out to get back on the highway to head home. We come to a stop sign & saw a homeless man holding a sign that read “Homeless Veteran family, please help” & he was holding his Veteran’s ID card along with the sign. I smiled at him from my window, thinking about stopping & helping him but not sure. As we pulled out he closed his eyes as if in disappointment, hoping since I smiled I would help. I asked my husband to turn around & he said he’d been thinking the same. We turned around & asked him what he needed. So we headed back to Walmart & got him about $30 worth of food. We bought him a hot corn dog & some juice pouches he could eat before he got back to his family, hoping he would eat it instead of saving it, too. We brought him several bags out & as we handed them to him we’d tell him what was in it, he’d say “WOW! Thanks!!” in such a humble, grateful way. He was so sincerely thankful & appreciative. I almost wished I hadn’t gotten out of the car because his sweet, gracious voice made it so hard not to cry. As we got back out onto the road & came back to the stop sign where he stood, he smiled & waved at us & I did the same. It made me feel really good that God lead us there & showed him to us. I will continue to pray for that man, & others like him. I hope people like you doing all those nice things for people, just because, will inspire others. If we’d all help out & do more kind, generous things the world would be a much happier place!
God bless & happy holidays!
Amy
November 28th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Tats such a noble deed!!
Belated birthday wishes
God Bless u with health wealth and happiness!!
November 28th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I am reading your idea and it made me think that I want to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday in a big way this year. Before Christmas I will get my friends and family to help me perform 2012 RAOK!! I know it is a lot, but why not? I love what you did, thanks for the inspiration!!!
November 28th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Wow! Happy late birthday! My 41st birthday is coming up and you have inspired me. Hope you don’t mind if I reenact some of your RAOK. Warmest Regards!
November 29th, 2011 at 11:37 am
Wow this is so inspirational! It definitely has me in a very giving mood which is perfect for the holidays! Thank you so much for doing this & sharing it with us all!
November 29th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
thank you so much for this… I will take your lead and do the same. Look at what you have started… My birthday is Jan 3rd one day after Amy. That is two days in a row that this movement will move foward.
November 29th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
I absolutely love this idea.
Incredible. I think I’ll do it next year for my 29th.
- agata.
November 30th, 2011 at 1:33 am
Robyn, what a great idea! I felt I needed to do the same, I feel so blessed and needed to “pay it forward”. So Im doing RAOK everyday from thanksgiving to Christmas.
Thank You for inspiring so many!!
November 30th, 2011 at 11:55 am
This is amazing. Thank you for making me cry @ work! (:
“Pay it forward” is my all time favorite movie. And this shows me, once again, that people really can make a difference, with just one act of kindness.
December 1st, 2011 at 9:35 am
[…] first I was inspired by this woman who committed 38 random acts of kindness for her 38th […]
December 1st, 2011 at 1:52 pm
What a fabulous idea! Love that your kids were in on it too. Great lessons for them also.
December 1st, 2011 at 4:04 pm
this is SO awesome! I would love to do something like this for my 36th birthday coming up at the end of January. truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing
December 1st, 2011 at 4:26 pm
hi Robyn, thank you for your post (I love the pictures you placed to go along with). I found your post on Pinterest. I had just posted on FB yesterday that I am done Christmas shopping and would like to spend the next 25 days teaching my boys (8 and 10) a ‘truer’ meaning of Christmas. your blog answered my prayer (or quest!). I will be doing 25 random acts of kindness for the next 25 days to show the boys this season is for ‘giving’ not just ‘receiving’. I hope we find a lot of Jesus in our RAOK’s (your post about the phone card made me cry- God works in amazing ways). Thank you, you are an inspiration for a mom that needed some in this season. God Bless.
December 1st, 2011 at 4:32 pm
[…] couple of weeks ago, Tiffany sent me a blog of a girl named Robyn who celebrated her birthday by producing a random act of kindness for each year of life she was […]
December 1st, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Im crying right now. Thanks for your example
December 1st, 2011 at 8:32 pm
[…] Read all about Robyn who celebrated her 38th birthday by performing 38 random acts of kindness. I’m totally inspired and am considering how to include more RAOKs in my life and paying it forward. […]
December 2nd, 2011 at 2:31 am
I got what you convey, thanks for putting up. Woh I am cheerful to feel this website finished google. Thanks For Share » Blog Archive » How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn).
December 2nd, 2011 at 8:46 am
I’m just in tears; this was beautiful…
December 2nd, 2011 at 2:20 pm
I was touched by this.. when someone ask me if they can have spare change, I ask them for what, if they say it’s so they can eat, I go to the nearest food place and buy them something to eat.. I’m never that broke to buy someone something to eat
December 2nd, 2011 at 2:28 pm
[…] I wanted to do something different, inspired by Pinterest (well, this blogger who ended up having her blog post pinned on Pinterest). For the next 19 days, I will be doing one Random Act of Kindness a day, as […]
December 2nd, 2011 at 3:16 pm
[…] a great blog. It’s Robyn’s 38th birthday and she asks: What if birthdays became less about getting stuff, getting attention, getting drunk […]
December 2nd, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Robyn, This warmed My heart!! I plan on doing this next year for my 21st!!!! Also… COOL FACT!!! You TOTALLY live in the town I have lived in my entire life!!!! I recognized Baytowne Warf and The Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast! It makes me happy to know someone from my own home town is this amazing!!!! Thank you so much for being a wonderful human being!!!!
December 3rd, 2011 at 1:38 am
Hi Robyn! I was inspired by “The Anaya Initiative” today to read this post. I promised to do something small everyday for someone outside my family. I have been looking for ways to do kind acts and there are some really wonderful ideas here! I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for a couple who was spending the day in Children’s Hosp. for their daughter’s first Thanksgiving. I have sent anonymous gifts of money or items to those I knew were in need. I have purchased from benefit auctions and sales and I donate every few weeks charities and local shelters. I was in need of some smaller acts that I could perform on a daily basis. Thank you for the ideas and the inspiration!
December 4th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Hello!
I just saw your site posted on Pinterest. I reposted it after reading about your experience. LOVE THIS!! What a perfect tradition! As I observe the craziness of the season beginning to really kick in, I am reminded to really be on the lookout for RAOK opportunities to present themselves. As we near Christmas I feel like it is SO important to reach out and be kind! I do try to regularly perform RAOK and to provide small gestures/gifts to make sure that people around me know how much I love and appreciate them. More importantly, to just remind myself how important it is not to loose a connection with people even if you don’t know them. I mean, really…. Who doesn’t enjoy a little something nice when it is completely unexpected! Nice job and thanks for sharing!
December 4th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
This is AMAZING! I was jealous of all your activities as I read through this list and will be instilling some of these soon! THANK YOU for sharing!
December 4th, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Just wow! I love RAOK! I plan on doing this often although I would have to do most things anon because I am a total sap and would cry! Great job!
December 5th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
I read about your story on Pinterest today. I’ve participated in random acts of kindness in the past but never so many in one day. I was totally inspired!! I’ve committed myself to do 12 by Christmas and have already performed 6 today. Thank you for reminding me of this simple act and inspiring me to do more again. Have a great day!!
December 5th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
LOVE this. And what an amazing lesson to teach your kids!
December 5th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
[…] blog that has been reposted many a times is The Birthday Project. She took her birthday a day that is supposed to be all about us, into serving other people. How […]
December 6th, 2011 at 12:10 am
Robyn you ROCK! A friend and I have been working on this for a little while now. We have actually made up little “PIF” (pay it forward) cards so people don’t look so confused and so I don’t have to actually speak to them ( I get very giddy and teary eyed when I do this stuff) I have paid for a Couple’s breakfast one morning at a restuarant. I will often get the car’s order behind me in the Tim Horton’s drive through. Now that winter is here, I plan to do some shoveling for random people. You’ve really given me plenty more ideas and I can not wait to celebrate my 32nd in such a different way!! Thank you again!!
December 6th, 2011 at 9:40 am
You rock….what an absolute awesome idea and fantastic gift to show and teach your kids. You are an awesome woman and thanks for showing others how to be!
December 6th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
You will be blessed in so many ways by this kindness. Your crown will be filled wiht jewels in heaven. God Bless You!
I am going to do this during the rest of the holiday season and do one RAOK each day during the next year. This will also be a project suggestion for our children’s department at church.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
This is such a great post!! Saw it on Pinterest today - Love, Love, Love.
At the end of July each year the MISS Foundation does a world-wide RAOK day for everyone who would like to do something in honor of/memory of their children. it’s always one of my favorite memorial events…and we have cards too, like one commenter suggested, so people know what it’s about and we don’t have to talk to our “victims” (since I would probably also cry!) What a revolution it would be if everyone wanted to do this for their birthday…such an inspiration - thanks for sharing!!
December 7th, 2011 at 8:45 am
Thanks so much for posting. The timing is perfect as we come to the “Christmas Season”. I don’t feel comfortable with the way we have been celebrating Christmas. Doesn’t really seem like we are honoring our Savior with our traditions. I think this will be a way to remedy all of my turmoil. I will reinvent the way I celebrate the holidays!!!! Thanks for the inspiration.
December 7th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
This is amazing! Brought tears to my eyes just reading it
December 8th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
This blog post both inspired me and touched me beyond words. We all need to slow down in the crazy, busy world we have and do something kind for others everyday. You may have just inspired a new Birthday tradition for me too.
December 8th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
This is an awesome “Pay it Forward” ROAK ~ I am excited to start my list. Thank you for starting this and taking the time to blog it. Many times we think of ourselves but giving gives SO much more pleasure than receiving. Last year at Christmas I posted on Facebook a free “drop off” of kids clothing (coats, gloves, shoes & some toys). I posted on craigslist to help families out and delivered the clothes to young kids in need. It was an awesome blessing since our kids are older to see many bright little eyes.
December 9th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Ok, I’m going to sound like a total a-hole here, but this all seems VERY self-congratulatory. I like the spirit of doing nice things for strangers, just to brighten someone’s day, but doesn’t doing it partially to post on your blog take away some of that? Its like you photographed everything so you could publicize it, and you’ve gotten all this attention and compliments from everyone. The way this whole thing is posted and all the pictures and details or people’s reactions gives me the feeling you were counting on or hoping for that… Like I’m just not as touched I guess because it feels like “Look at me, look at what I’m doing.”
I just think doing a good deed and keeping it to yourself means a lot more because it comes from a pure place. But I guess if you inspire people to do more random acts of kindness, then its all good in the end…
December 9th, 2011 at 10:13 am
[…] How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn) […]
December 9th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
I was so touched I cried several times reading through everything you and your family have done and those who celebrated your birthday with RAOK. I am actually going to start doing that EVERY year for my birthday!!! God bless you and your family! It reminded me of the time I had stopped to get some breakfast burritos and I saw a guy on the side of the road asking for change. I had just spent the last of my cash on hand on breakfast. So I asked if a burrito would do the job. I will never forget how appreciative he was! Pay it forward!!!
December 9th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
what a wonderful idea. Many things do not even cost a cent or very little. Will share with my friends and promote more pay it forward with RAOK
December 9th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
I paid for the person in line behind me at Starbucks one time. It totally made my day. What a way to spend a birthday. I really want to do this for my next birthday. It is amazing how such random thoughtful acts change someone’s day! I loved your idea!
December 10th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
wow, great idea. We need more of this and less Kardashian hijinks to share with our children. I’ll be turning 56 next year. best get started on my list. don’t have hubby or kids but some amazing BFFs.
December 10th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
I did 4 RAOK today with my 7 and 9 year olds. We donated 5 new toys to a local Police toy drive, we delivered and donated 40 books to the local children’s receiving home, we paid for the person behind us in the drive-thru and we left a thank you note on a car with a sign welcoming home their son from Iraq. We did this in honor of my son’s upcoming 8th birthday. We will complete 4 more RAOK before the month is up. Thank you for the inspiration and new tradition we will start for all upcoming family birthdays.
December 11th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Thank you, this is a great idea like christmas and be celabrated every day. One day I bought hambergers at Mc Donalds and handed them out to homeless people. Soon I think I willdo the same with Star Bucks Hot Chocolate.
December 11th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Hi Robyn! I just wanted to tell you that coming across this blog inspired me so much! I’ve decided that instead of breaking my bank on my loved ones that have everything they need and more, that I will do at least one random act of kindness every day of December. I started on December 5th 2011, when I found your blog, and I’m not day 6 of random acts. I cannot begin to explain what a good feeling I’m left with after each act of kindness. I owe the inspiration to you! Thank you so much for what you did, and for posting about it. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family!:D
December 13th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
my step mom said we r gonna do somethin like this for my moms birthday cause we would usually put flowers on her grave (she died of breast cancer) but we r gonna take the money we would usually do for the flowers n do 36 random acts of kindness to make the people we help my family n her happy.
December 14th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Wow!I’m sure this had a huge impact on your community
There were so many responses of people that did RAOKs like you I didn’t have the chance to read em all
This is a great idea
You should have a day like”random acts of kindness day and have a whole blog or something dedicated to it and people around the world could all make a difference at the same time
Thnx to pint rest I found this
December 16th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Next time watch out:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-russnow/you-can-be-ticketed-for-f_b_111120.html
December 18th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
wow, this is the greatest idea ever. I just found this post because someone pinned it on pintrest. My 20th birthday is tomorrow and now I’m inspired to be on the lookout for RAOKs that I can do. Hopefully I can brighten someones day, thanks for the great idea!
December 20th, 2011 at 9:24 am
This is amazing! My roommate and I were inspired and are doing this for the new year! Thank you!
December 20th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Loved this! Paying it forward is the best thing we can do! Definitely will be keeping these ideas in mind from now on when I’m out and about!
December 21st, 2011 at 6:08 am
Thank you for making the world a better place by paying if forward.
December 21st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
You’re my hero! We can all do this everyday of our lives… never know how it will affect the person and what kind of day they may have been going through. Made me smile… thank you!
December 25th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Thank you for sharing your 38th Birthday with us! I have been alittle depressed about getting close to 40.. I will be 37 on Jan 2012.. So i been looking for something special to do on my birthday with my family (Hubby and Daughter age 8).. I think your idea will be my new birthday tradition. It was just what I need to make my birthday special!
December 27th, 2011 at 3:00 am
God bless you
Thanks for putting a smile on my face 
December 27th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
I loved reading this. I’ve been trying to think of something fun to do for my upcoming 40th…yikes, yep the big 4-0. I love your idea and think it would be the perfect way to celebrate. Thank you!
December 28th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Just wanted you to know that my kids and I and my friend and her family did a whole RAOK day on Christmas eve that we would have never thought to do if it was to for your blog. Almost two years later, you are still helping others and didn’t even know it. ;). We handed out Christmas cards the kids made with Luke 2:11. I. Am pretty sure we have started a new tradition!!! Thanks so much!
December 28th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Thank you….almost a year after you celebrated & it is still inspiring and paying it forward. I will not wait for my birthday, I will try to do at least one random act of kindness every day. My daughter here is going to make sack lunches and deliver them to the homeless and so is my daughter in San Antonio. God Bless you!
December 29th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Goodness! Reading this made me realize how great I have it and how easy it is to make a difference by a random act of kindess! What a great idea! I will be doing this for my birthday coming up in January. It’s good to know that great people like you exist. Happy Blessings.
December 29th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
I’m simply repeating what everyone else has already said…what a wonderful idea, and so inspirational! I forgot to leave my mailman a small gift for Christmas (I usually do), so you reminded me to do that (check), and I plan to do more. Thank you for sharing!
December 30th, 2011 at 11:16 am
[…] came across a very uplifting blog post last month. It really struck a […]
January 1st, 2012 at 1:03 pm
[…] (and hopefully them) and others feel good. Inspired by The Birthday Project, originally from this blog post, I wanted to do something similar and spread some kindness cheer with the people around me, […]
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:03 pm
I saw this on pinterest and had to pin it. Wow I seriously think you are amazing, what a wonderful way to spend your birthday! I wish there were more ppl like you in the world:)! I think I’ll try this for my 30th- thank you for the inspiration!!!
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:36 pm
I loved your idea and did 54 random acts of kindness for my birthday this year!!! It was the best birthday ever. Thank you for the idea.
January 3rd, 2012 at 3:01 am
Hi Robyn
So glad to hear what an exciting (and rewarding) b’day you had. I feel as though I was mean’t to stumble across your blog today. On our family letter this year I wrote that our goal was to think more of others and less of self, to step out of our comfort zone and help others more plus I have a b’day coming up in February - 49! So there’s quite the challenge. Thanks to you I have been inspired to invite family and friends to join me and I have time to plan it too which is cool. The term RAK is not so commonly heard of here in the UK although I know they happen all the time. We were invited to take part in a RAK hamper for Christmas in 2011 simply because good friends had spent Thanksgiving in America and were introduced to the concept of RAK. We let God lead us and our chap clearly was desperately in need - our blessing brought tears to his eyes (and ours). I can’t wait to share your blog post with them in return since I know they’re looking to do more and to encourage others as well. Hugs to you from across the pond m’dear and bless you for going above and beyond and sharing this with everyone so we can all bless others. OXOXO
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:45 am
to begin with Happy Birthday,,,and i think doing something unexpected for someone is great,,,i only found a couple of things that bothered me tho…if u can afford to go to Chili’s to eat or Starbucks for coffee,,,then u don’t need,,,but the rest i thought was awesome,,,everyone needs to give a little….i know a family with 4.3/4 children didn’t have washer and dryer,,,i gave them mine,,,they had no heat, i gave them heaters, i made blankets and pillows for all 4.3/4 children for christmas,,,i have found lots of things people throw away that r still good and give it to ones that don’t have.
thank you
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:34 pm
This is incredible!! My 21st birthday is coming up on January 16th, and I think I’m going to celebrate with 21 random acts of kindness. Looks like I just found a new birthday tradition
Thank you for posting!!
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:44 pm
[…] and great ideas for projects. Just a couple weeks ago, I came across a pin for a blogger who did 38 random acts of kindness in honor of her 38th birthday. And then I saw another pin for another blogger who did 35 acts of […]
January 4th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
I had goose-bumps while reading this. It’s such a nice thing to do and to receive a random act of kindness. I’ve definitely been inspired to try something similar. I really hope this can inspire people to be kinder to each other. When I have a bad day, and a stranger actually takes an interest in what I have to say, I feel better knowing that there are nice people out there. Thanks for the kindness!!
January 4th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
I did something similar with my kids this year for their advent calendar. Instead of 25 treats for them, we incorporated ways they could share of themselves during the Christmas season. I kept a photo journal of all of our visits, as you did. We brought cookies to the Fire Station, items for a local Animal rescue (kitty litter, litter box, paper towel, bleach), carrots for the horses at Roanoke Ranch for kids, meal to an unexpecting family, left money for the kids to ride Sandy an electric pony at a local grocery store, paid for another students popcorn at school, made muffins for the teachers lounge at school, dropped off clothes, baby toys and baby formula to the Pregnancy Resource center. The best was when we brought a Gift bag filled with a blanket, gloves, hat, toiletries and chocolate to a homeless shelter downtown. My youngest daughter (6yrs) went in with me. On the way out a gentleman held the door for us. My daughter was very leery of him. He said “My dear child, even though you are surrounded by the elements here, there are still good, kind and safe people around you”. As I opened the truck doors he said hello to my husband and other children and began to sing “We wish you a Merry Christmas”. The other men standing on the street walked over and joined in. As we drove off they all sang “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. It will be a bright and lasting memory for my whole family. I turn 40 this year and I think I may follow suit with what you did for your Birthday Celebration.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:21 am
Have just read through your blog - you must be an amazing person to do such acts of kindness. Am thoroughly inspired!
January 6th, 2012 at 10:59 am
[…] this about me but these birthdays tend to roll around once a year. And then…I stumbled upon Robyn and her awesome idea to celebrate her 30th birthday! I totally stole it! I wanted to get my […]
January 6th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
I happened to come across your blog though someone else you have influenced and thought I’d leave a word to say you have intrigued me and inspired me to do the same thing. This November I am 30 and I now feel this is a very fitting way in which to celebrate. By reading your blog and browsing through your replies (soo many!!) I see you’ve inspired a lot of other people and for this I think you should be very proud of yourself. I shall be spreading the message and hopefully we’ll all be seeing more random acts of kindness
Thank You
January 6th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
[…] I follow and came across Val City Gal’s blog and due to reading this I was intrigued to read Robyn Bomar’s blog. These two blogs have inspired many people and me now being one of them. I love the idea! If […]
January 6th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
I love this! I saw this on pinterest and repinned it immediately. Brought tears to my eyes and I am so excited to do this and share with others. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
January 6th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
This is so inspiring! I was trying to figure out what to do for my birthday, and this is TOTALLY IT!
January 7th, 2012 at 5:56 am
Love love love this idea! Just saw this today and am so bummed my birthday is not until November… But my 8-year old daughter has a birthday next week! I aam going to share this with her when she wakes up and we will do 9 RAOK to celebrate her birth and to thank God for blessing us with her. You are proof positive that one person can make such a huge difference in the world! Thanks for sharing, you are an inspiration and a blessing to so many.
January 7th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
I LOVE this idea, and I’m gonna do it for my birthday in April!
January 8th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
My birthday is Jan 14th. How great that I learned about your blog today.
January 9th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
This is such an amazing idea!! Spread the love and happy 38th birthday!! You have inspired so many people and are proof one person can make a difference to so many
January 9th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
I Borrowed this idea from you and did a countdown of 24 things to make people smile before my 24th birthday. I put it on Facebook and had sooo much positive feedback! I have 5 friends from all over the world have pledged to do the same on their birthdays! look at how great this pay it forward business it! Thanks for the great idea, it was a ton of fun!
January 9th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Robyn–I was so excited to read this! It’s truly inspiring and so great to know that there are still people out there that are that kind! My birthday isn’t anytime soon but your post has inspired me to donate a whole day just to do RAOK! Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring others! I can’t wait to go out and make someone else’s day!
January 10th, 2012 at 8:54 am
Hi Robyn,
I just had to tell you how much your wonderful project touched me. A friend sent me your post, and I did the same thing for my 40th birthday. It was truly the best birthday of my life. And the joy continues. Thank you. I wrote about my experiences here:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/parenting-the-blues/201201/giving-back-40-40
You continue to spread cheer around the world.
Thank you!
Amy
January 10th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Wow, I am overwhelmed with love and the need to give. Their are angels all around us, some of them just haven’t gotten their wings yet, you are clearly one of them. Peace, love and faith to you and your helpers. If the world had more givers than takers it would clearly be a country of God’s will. Thank you for the inspiration, tears of joy and sharing with everyone. God bless you.
January 11th, 2012 at 4:31 am
What a wonderful way to show the world that there are still beautiful people in it and a great way to teach our children and those around us how to be kind and loving. Thank you for the great idea.
January 11th, 2012 at 9:20 am
My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and you have inspired me, as well as a lot of other people to celebrate by doing RAOK. I will include my children as well. What a great way to pay it forward. Thank you so much for the inspiration and your wonderful acts of kindness, I’m sure you changed lives with your generosity, you never know what kind of day a person may have been having until you came along, you could have been the one responsible for changing their day (life) in a way you may never know. I commend you, God Bless:)
January 12th, 2012 at 11:58 am
I LOVE this idea - saw on a friend’s post. I do things like that during the Christmas holidays with my kids, but what a fantastic idea to do it on your birthday! Thanks for inspiring so many acts of kindness!
January 12th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Great Idea. I’m going to do this with my 3 daughters.
January 15th, 2012 at 8:18 am
[…] blog and this one have some really awesome ideas. How much better is celebrating your birthday when you […]
January 15th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
[…] How I Celebrated My Birthday (AKA 38 Random Acts of Robyn) […]
January 15th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
My 38th is coming up in a couple of weeks and I’m TOTALLY spending it doing RAOK! Thank you for the inspiration! This is going to be fun!!
January 16th, 2012 at 11:18 am
I saw a link from a friend’s fb page to your blog. You have inspired me to do more random acts of kindness. However, since, it’s my 68th birthday this month I doubt that I will be able to do that many acts in one day!
Last fall, a lady on a fixed income mentioned how expensive groceries are. Since I knew her address, I bought a gift card from the grocery store and sent it to her without signing the card. She is probably still wondering who sent it to her, just as I am wondering who sent me a $100 bill in the mail in December! It is a blessing to give and receive…plus it is fun!
January 17th, 2012 at 12:23 am
This seriously brought tears to my eyes, thanks for being such an awesome example to all of us!
January 17th, 2012 at 1:48 am
Did this for my 34th birthday today, loved it and shared it with FB friends. Thanks for inspiring the best birthday celebration ever. The best part of my day was during evening prayers when my 5yr old expressed thanks for all the “good deeds” we got to do today. I’m so glad I came across this. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
I saw this post on pinterest and was immediately inspired. I’m turning 22 in February and have already planned to do 22 acts of kindness with friends and family. I’ve already started to plan them because I’m really excited! I think this is going to be my best birthday.
Also I’m amazed at how many people you’ve truly touched. You posted this blog 2 years ago and people are still commenting on how it affected them. You’re a great inspiration to me! I never knew one person could make such a difference.
Thank you so much!
January 18th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
[…] Read the full blog post here. […]
January 20th, 2012 at 10:33 am
Very inspirational!!! I have to do this!
January 20th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
I am so thankful to have found this blog post. This past August when all my adult children were home for my son’s wedding they were teasing me about turning 50 this coming July of 2012. I’ve struggled with my birthday’s over the years and I’m not sure why. 40 was particularly hard for me so after they had all left I decided this next birthday was going to be different. I didn’t know how or exactly what I was going to do so I started praying and thinking about what I could do so that I wouldn’t have this big dread about turning 50.
A couple of months ago I decided I was going to do 50 acts of kindness or blessings for others. I started making a list of people I want to acknowledge for being there for me over the years…to reconnect with people I’ve lost contact with and letting them know how they blessed my life at a particular time…and then I started thinking about all the different things I could do on and around my birthday that could be random acts of kindness. I’ve thought about asking others to do random acts of kindness or just something for someone in need of a blessing as a gift to me instead of giving me gifts. I am trying to come up with something special to do for my mom in celebration of her giving birth to me. 50 roses? Doing this has taken the focus off of dreading my birthday and looking forward to blessing others. I’ve begun making my list of certain things I plan on doing for others on the day of and around my birthday.
Here I thought I was being original as I hadn’t ever heard of anyone doing anything like this before and then a couple of weeks ago I ran across a blog post or an article about someone doing this and then today I came across this blog post through pinterest. How cool. I look forward to reading through the various idea’s expressed here and checking out the birthday project link.
So, I just had to stop and say thank you. The thought had come to my mind the other day that others might think that I am being silly and reading this has reinspired me to follow through with this. If you have any idea’s or suggestions for me I will happily take them. Blessings! Lori
January 21st, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Thank you for sharing this with all of us! You’re impacting people more than you know. I will be turning 25 in February and after reading your blog I’m actually excited about it! I’m going to make a list of 25 acts of kindness. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you. Thanks again! God bless!
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:53 pm
You are truly an inspiration. You are proof that good still exists in this world and that there is hope for humanity. Thank you for being a good person.
January 25th, 2012 at 11:03 am
What an inspiration you are!! Just found this through a link on Pinterest.
It has inspired me.
I LOVE my birthdays!!!! Always have.
I turn 40 this year…..and was just thinking this morning how I could have a big celebration.
This is what I am going to do!!!!
So excited!! And my bday isn’t until September!!
January 26th, 2012 at 8:15 am
This is a huge encouragement to me. Just to know there are so many people that are kind and generous. I never knew!!
Just another RAOK to think about. At an ALDI in your neighborhood leave your quarter in the cart or just give your cart to the next person coming to the rack. To do more you could leave quarters in many carts.
I did this and stuck around to watch what happened, it took several people to take the cart with the quarter. The woman that took the cart was a mother of two young children, she looked around with a smile before putting her children in.
January 26th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
I just received a free starbucks from the woman in front of me! I posted on FB about how special it was and that I wanted ideas for how to pay it forward. A friend sent me a link to your blog post! How amazing……your kindness is spreading like wildfire! Great ideas. Bless you!
January 26th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
This is such an amazing idea and I totally want to try his one birthday. This is a major inspiration!
January 27th, 2012 at 7:44 am
What an amazing way to spend your birthday! This made me cry a little!
January 28th, 2012 at 10:50 am
I just found this blog post as I was using stumbleupon. I have to say, it made me cry! I am turning 35 this year and am not looking forward to it. So now I know how I am going to celebrate my birthday this year. Thank you so much!
January 28th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Thank you for this. What an encouragement! God bless you.
January 29th, 2012 at 2:21 am
Thank you - I found this on Pinterest and cried through the whole thing. It is my 38th birthday tomorrow and I am inspired and excited to plan it out for #39 or my husbands birthday in April. So amazing - thanks again!
January 30th, 2012 at 7:02 am
[…] read this lady’s story about how she did a RAOK for every year of her life on her 38th birthday. I nearly cried a couple […]
January 31st, 2012 at 7:42 pm
you are such a beautiful person. once a month i buy the person’s coffee behind me in the tim horton’s line, and i know first hand the kind of feeling you get afterwords. I am now inspired to do this for my 19th birthday. I cried reading this. God bless you!
February 1st, 2012 at 10:03 am
Wow, I am dumbfounded…so little can mean so much!!!
You are an inspiration to me…
God bless!
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Hopefully; this will catch on to many, many others. Not just for Birthdays, but everyday. Some may not be able to make a purchase, but there are a ton of little things people can do for one another that doesn’t cost a dime. Thank You for “Paying It Forward”. This is our Motto for the Civitan Club I am in. Love helping others. God Bless you and All that give of themselves to help others.
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:02 pm
I turn 51 in a few days- 50 was a hard year as none of my friends did anything special with or for me at all. This year, I’m turning the tables! It may take me a couple of days since I work all day that day, but thank you, thank you, thank you for giving me a different perspective.
February 2nd, 2012 at 11:13 pm
I am soooo inspired by this. I turn 50 in a year and a half and I’ve really been wanting to celebrate in a special way. I am totally stealing this!
February 3rd, 2012 at 9:07 pm
[…] pinning last night, and came across a pin that lead me to Robyn Bomar’s blog How I Celebrated My Birthday (aka 38 Random Acts of Robyn) - her birthday wish was to complete one Random Act of Kindness (RAOK) for every year of her life […]
February 3rd, 2012 at 9:55 pm
[…] from responsibilities. It’s always a wonderful day! This year, though, I was inspired by another blogger to make my birthday a day that has more of an impact. I decided to spend my 38th birthday doing […]
February 4th, 2012 at 9:18 am
WOW, you have inspired me lady! Off to make my list, I soooooo want to be a blessing!
February 4th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Thank you so much for the inspiration!! I just spent my 38th birthday celebrating with acts of kindness and it was the most wonderful day!!
http://dirtundermynails.com/2012/02/03/38-acts-of-kindness-for-my-38th-birthday/
February 4th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
I am not sure where you are located, but I wanted to let you know that we have been impacted in Madison, WI! Last weekend some people came in celebrating a woman’s 26th bday with 26 random acts of kindness. I am a nurse and was working that day when they came to drop off home made cookies to us along with 5 beautiful bouquets of flowers for patients! They inspired ALL of us at work and I am now planning my daughters 11th bday and doing the same!!!! I only wish I could get to know the person who inspired me… she has touched more lives that she even knows:)
February 5th, 2012 at 6:34 am
[…] ? Searching for ideas to help give back to your community through random act of kindness ? Check out this blog post, over at Mix Mingle Glow. Robyn has inspired so many people (including myself) with her awesome […]
February 5th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Wish The World Was Filled With More People Like You. You have Inspired Me To Do Something Similar To Celebrate Birthdays In Our Home In A Similar Fashion. Many Thanks
February 5th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Thank you what a terrific idea, do you mind if I do this for my b-day? I’m 62
February 6th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
So going to do this. Thank you for inspiring me. Pinning you on pinterest.
February 7th, 2012 at 1:45 am
I was blown away that there are still kind people like you in the world. I cant remember the last time i witnessed a random act of kindness. It is nice to know even if it is not witnessed they are still out there! I will be 26 this year and I will be making sure I think about this as my birthday approaches. Thank you for making me smile today
February 7th, 2012 at 11:41 am
I know now that this will be my plan for my next birthday!! It makes me happy making other people happy!! Thank you for all that you did! Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all did random acts of kindness on our birthday or everyday!!
February 8th, 2012 at 12:55 am
God blessed so many people through you on your birthday and beyond. I’ve got a 44th coming up (44??) and I think this will be how it gets spent. Each time this happens, we spread God’s kingdom and people can see what the world would be like if ONLY God’s will were done, and what it will be like one day when that’s the case. God bless you for being such a voice!
February 10th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
This is amazing, beautiful and inspiring! God bless you!
February 12th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
So I’m totally late to this party, but I still want to join in the fun. This is awesome and lovely! I’m on # 44 this year - wow! really? - and that will be 44 ways to do something nice for someone else without expecting nor receiving anything in return. Fab idea lady!
February 13th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Seriously tearing up, lol.
#23: It was most likely Acetone in the gas tank.
February 13th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Robyn, This was SO inspiring. I love this idea. I am turning 22 this year and I definitely want to do this. My husband is deployed, however, so not sure if he will be back for my BDAY…but all the more reason to do something like this, right? I have been blessed so much, especially in this past year so I am so excited to return the favor. Thanks for doing this and inspiring so many people!
February 14th, 2012 at 11:20 am
How inspiring! I know what I’m doing on my birthday this year! Thanks for the loving message!
February 16th, 2012 at 8:37 am
My 40th birthday is coming up this summer and this is what I want to do. Thanks for a great start to my day!
February 17th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
I turn 50 in November. I can’t think of a better way to spend my day. Thank you for sharing.
February 18th, 2012 at 12:08 am
Perhaps a “random” act of kindness should also be a selfless act of kindness. One where one doesn’t feel the need to broadcast in via the Internet.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
[…] in October I read a blog post that blew me away. It was about a woman who did 38 random acts of kindness on her birthday. (Also, check out The Birthday Project.) After reading it I sat down and typed up some things I […]
February 21st, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Hi Robyn,
I read your blog about 6 months ago, and decided I would repeat your glowing example. Today is 38 days until my 38th birthday, and I started my 38 days of random acts of kindness. I posted my Facebook status this morning…..” Instead of giving UP something for Lent, and in the 38 days leading up to 38th birthday…I have decided to preform a random act of kindness each day. Day 1 starts today!! :-))”
I was a bit overwhelmed and pleasantly surprised with the comments and am so happy that some friend will be doing the same thing! Kindness spreads like wildfire and I can’t wait to keep this flame going!
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Thank you for sharing this…and for sharing so much kindness on your birthday! I am literally tearing up right now. This is so encouraging and inspiring! There is never enough love or positivity in the world!
February 24th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Wow, I couldn’t help by to get teary eyed from this. So amazing and wonderful!!!! What an awesome idea!
Thanks so much for sharing!
February 25th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
I turned 40 last week. You and your Acts of Kindness were such an inspiration, that I conducted 40 acts in honor of my birthday as well.
http://www.fieldofpoppies.blogspot.com/2012/02/lordy-lordy-guess-whos-forty-40-acts-of.html
‘Sina
February 29th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
What an awesome way to celebrate. You’ve set a great example for your children and others. I am currently teaching the children in my church about love (1 Corinthians 13). Love is active! I plan on mentioning some of your RAOK’s to my church kids to help them better understand what really is, and how easy it can be to put into practice a selfless love. THANK YOU…and Happy Belated Birthday!
March 1st, 2012 at 3:30 am
[…] months ago I started reading the helpothers.org Smile Stories and came across this awesome post by MixMingleGlow. I made a list of my own, and now I need your help to make all these things happen! Details […]
March 1st, 2012 at 2:56 pm
I love this post. I just connected two women together, one who needed a place to live and the other who was kind of looking for a boarder. I don’t know either of them but thru a Facebook post that I put out on two groups because I was looking for a place to live, I met one woman. Then another person posted about the woman who wanted a place to live. I connected them to each other. I heard it made one woman’s dream come true and the other is so happy! I just requested that she pay it forward… Thru that same post, I found a place to live where I will be house sitting for someone across the country for 6 mos. I have never met her but thru that Facebook post, someone connected me with her. When we spoke we found we had many spiritual connections. If we all just stop during our day and think about someone else, listen to what others needs are, we are able to make these kind of connections for people. Who can you help out today? Today is my birthday and I am out to help others today!
March 1st, 2012 at 5:25 pm
[…] during your own RAOK adventure. And for a wonderful blog post with more ideas for RAOK…go here. And that blog post spawned this website…which takes the whole idea to another lever […]
March 1st, 2012 at 11:51 pm
Robyn, we are kindred spirits. I, too, had the idea to do 40 RAOK for my 40th birthday in 2010. I, though, unlike you did not think through and plan it all out etc. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful and creative ideas…. ideas that I hope to use for my next birthday! May God continue to use this to inspire others to show Love to Others!
March 4th, 2012 at 1:21 am
Wow, what a magnanimous thing to do. I’m sure most of the people you encountered truly appreciated it.
I need to do something like this more often.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
[…] I found a person/blog via Pinterest (yes, don’t laugh, you already know I’m addicted) that did something truly inspiring. This woman, Robyn, celebrated her 38th birthday by going around (with her kids) and did 38 random acts of kindness. Everything from taping quarters to a vending machine to unloading groceries for an older gentleman, and even bringing balloons to children in the hospital. How incredibly selfless and inspiring! Read her recounting of this one her blog here. […]
March 10th, 2012 at 7:07 am
[…] What an awesome way to celebrate your birthday! […]
March 12th, 2012 at 7:57 am
This is so inspirational! I’m my 21 birthday is in October, I have no interest in alcohol or getting wasted. I just found the PERFECT Birthday idea!
March 13th, 2012 at 11:18 am
You are an inspiration, I wondered what to do that would be special for my 52nd birthday next week (wish I were only 38, would be simpler). Wish me energy! Even though you started this 2 years ago, the love continues on, thanks for the spark.
March 13th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
[…] Do 170 Random Acts of Service. Enlist everyone’s help. This woman spent her birthday doing the number of random acts of the age she was […]
March 14th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
will be turning 30 in september. what a great idea to celebrate!
March 17th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Just came across this post today. As I was reading all the acts of kindness I had tears in my eyes from all the nice things people had done. Just like everyone else, you have inspired me to do this on my birthday. To be honest, I’m going to do the on a regular basis.
March 19th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
I do not know you personally but I think you ROCK! I wish I would have come across this article before my b-day(02/19) Since that was not the case, I have decided to do celebrate my be-lated 44th b-day by doing one RAOK for the next 44 days. Thanks for the inspiration and happy B-Day.
March 19th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
I absolutely loved reading this! It always warms my heart to hear about people doing random acts of kindness. You have blessed many people. You are such an inspiration!
March 23rd, 2012 at 11:17 am
This is such a beautiful idea!!! It made me tear up, and I consider myself a pretty cynical person. As a frequenter of Starbucks, I believe I’ll start paying for people’s drinks
I can’t wait for my 26th birthday now! I’ll re-read this to keep me inspired. Thank you!
March 26th, 2012 at 8:43 am
Omigosh! FUN!
I am inspired and totally looking forward to my birthday!!!
Good stuff! Thanks!
March 26th, 2012 at 9:17 am
[…] awesome is this?!?
March 28th, 2012 at 9:06 am
Thank you for this wonderful idea! I am going to do it for my birthday on April 8th. You have inspired me.
March 31st, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Great job on your quest. I recently prepaid $20 in fuel for an elderly woman counting change. She tried to refuse but when I suggested she use her money to do something with her family she grabbed my hand, and said “they will be here this weekend”. With such appreciation in her eyes.
March 31st, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Words cannot express how much I needed to read this today. I was starting to have doubt in myself and the people around me. What a beautiful idea. You are an amazing woman and an extraordinary mom! I only hope to be that same kind of example to my daughter. God Bless!
April 5th, 2012 at 11:31 am
[…] and I got the idea from this post (which was so popular it became this website) and lest you think I am a saint, I do expect Clark to […]
April 5th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
I love this
Convincing my boyfriend and his eager mother to help me do this for my upcoming 21st…oh and the additive to the gas is most likely to keep it from freezing 
April 9th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
This is a great idea and very very sweet! Even though the tollbooth guy didn’t seem appreciative of the coffee, you may have planted a seed it his mind. I wonder how expensive this whole day was…
April 12th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Robyn, awesome job. I did something similar on my 40th, but everything had to total 40, or be a multiple of 40.
April 20th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
[…] Do 170 Random Acts of Service. Enlist everyone’s help. This woman spent her birthday doing the number of random acts of the age she was […]
April 22nd, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I will be 30 in June! I am going to do this RAOK on my four day weekend…you are an inspiration! Change the world one RAOK at a time! Blessings
April 25th, 2012 at 7:13 am
Found this link on Pinterest today, and just wanted to say how inspiring this is! What a great way to spend a birthday! The world needs more people like you.
April 25th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
I had goose bumps when I read this! Thank you for being who we should all strive to be. I shared this with my kids (19 & 21) they can’t wait to do it!
April 26th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Hi there! I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me. I turned 30 on April 16 and because I you, I chose to do 30 Acts of Kindness. It warmed my heart how many people I could help and you have inspired me to do more. Here is a link to all the acts I did because of you! http://saversavvy.com/2012/04/24/pay-it-forward-celebrating-a-milestone-by-helping-others/
April 27th, 2012 at 3:43 am
Very moved and touched by reading this, so extremely inspiring..!
Thanks..!!
April 27th, 2012 at 6:03 am
[…] was last month, and I thought I’d share today about how we celebrated with her. After reading this post, where a 38-year-old spent her birthday performing Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK), we were […]
April 28th, 2012 at 11:36 pm
Robyn - you are an amazing woman and Mom! Thank you for inspiring so many to do so many good things to bless other’s lives. In a world with a lot of challenges you have given people hope and joy!
April 30th, 2012 at 11:12 pm
I have an “un-birthday” every day this week! Sounds like perfect occasions for RAOK!!
May 4th, 2012 at 5:44 am
[…] messComplement a strangerCelebrating a birthday through random acts of kindnessby Robyn Bomar from Mix Mingle GlowHand bottled water to walkers/joggers/bikers from car windowWalk up to a family eating lunch at a […]
May 4th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Robyn- I love this idea! Tomorrow, for my 21st birthday I will be completing 21 random acts of kindness and the idea is all thanks to you!
May 14th, 2012 at 11:37 am
This really touched my heart. What an awesome thing you are teaching your children
God bless you.
May 15th, 2012 at 10:05 am
[…] decided to celebrate her 38th birthday with 38 random acts of kindness around her community. Her blog post went viral and with the overwhelmingly positive reaction, The Birthday Project was […]
May 15th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
I just want to thank you so much for sharing! What a blessing you are to the world! I know what I am doing on my next birthday. On the other hand, why wait until my birthday? Tomorrow sounds good to me! Thank you once again! I can’t even begin to think how many life’s you have touched! WOW, Blessings!
May 18th, 2012 at 8:39 am
im so in love with this. my 26th birthday is coming up on june 16 and this will without a doubt be what i do. im so glad i found this right now… i wish i would have found it sooner so i would have had more time to prepare lol! thanks for being a blessing!
kayla
May 24th, 2012 at 3:33 am
[…] TweetIf you’re new here you may want to sign up for my weekly newsletter. Thanks for visiting!I saw an article a while back that I thought was an amazingly scary and wonderfully inspiring way to celebrate a […]
May 24th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Got pretty teary eyed reading this…
You are such a wonderful person. I am definitely doing this on my next birthday and meanwhile as many as I can each day until then!
Thanks for the big smile.
May 26th, 2012 at 6:51 am
I love this. In Tucson Az we have a Place called Bens Bells and they encourage random acts of kindness and this is the best I have seen. This raises the bar to a new level altho any act no matter how small is so BIG for that person towhom is recieving it. Happy Birthday.
May 26th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
you are a true inspiration! will start to follow in your footsteps. all the best and most wonderful for you and your girls (from all the way across the Atlantic: Portugal! good vibes travel far
thank you and god bless
May 26th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
I let the lady in front of me use my 30% discount at Kohls. She then turned around and told the cashier to give me her $30 in Kohls cash that her purchase had just earned. She explained that she did not live near a Kohls and would not have any need for it. Now…who ever said that no good deed goes unpunished?!? Thanks for posting this blog. It made my day!
May 27th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
What a great idea! I do random acts of kindness as often as possible, but I just never thought about celebrating my birthday this way. I love it!
June 4th, 2012 at 8:09 am
[…] woman spent her 38th birthday doing 38 things to serve others. LOTS of amazing […]
June 5th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
I love this so much I am using it as a part of my “best of” post on our blog.
Thanks for your great example!!
http://www.smallandsimpleblog.com
June 7th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
This is my second time to read you blog and it still brings me tears. Thank you for the inspirations… my birthday is coming I’ll try to do the same. I feel like I’m getting more in spending and giving it to others who mostly in need or just sharing.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
I love, love, love this and I am going to do this for my 52nd birthday! I am also going to do this with my kindergarteners! We will celebrate their birthdays with random acts in their honor…I KNOW they will love this idea!!
June 11th, 2012 at 6:51 am
I live on a very fixed income, so I have to find non monetary ways to be kind. I just wanted to say how proud of you I am. I don’t know you but pride sticks in my head as I read all these comments. Look at how many acts of kindness have happened because of yours. “Pay it forward” works even when you aren’t trying to do that. My birthday is in Aug and I will be 57. Already thinking of what I can do.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Found this on Pinterest! i adore this!
I do stuff like this for the homeless every christmas and thanksgiving but this has shined a new light on the word “kindness” for me! im doing this several times a year now! lol i hope this inspires everyone out there who comes across this ! the world needs more people like your family out there!
June 18th, 2012 at 6:45 am
I am so excited about this idea…On 12-12-12 I will celebrate my 60th birthday…a very special day but it is in the middle of the week and we recently moved to a new community a couple of hours from the rest of the family and most friends…though not far, too far for a week night celebration…this is a perfect solution…if I can get 12 friends & family to join me wherever they are in 12 acts of kindness…what a celebration! I am already starting to plan!
June 18th, 2012 at 6:45 am
I am so excited about this idea…On 12-12-12 I will celebrate my 60th birthday…a very special day but it is in the middle of the week and we recently moved to a new community a couple of hours from the rest of the family and most friends…though not far, too far for a week night celebration…this is a perfect solution…if I can get 12 friends & family to join me wherever they are in 12 acts of kindness…what a celebration! I am already starting to plan!
June 20th, 2012 at 11:01 am
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPEND A BIRTHDAY,. OR ANY DAY.. HOW SPECIAL YOU ARE LITTLE ONE. IF EVERYONE DID JUST ONE RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD IT WOULD BE. HAPPY EVERYWHERE. FOR EVERYONE.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REMINDER OF WHAT SWEET ANGELS WALK THIS EARTH, THEY ARE TRULY AMONG US.
(^__^) <3 MITZI OSBORNE, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
June 21st, 2012 at 8:57 pm
[…] ran across this post last weekend and have been chewing on it ever […]
June 24th, 2012 at 5:08 am
We sure do need more people in this world like you. I do small things sometimes to try to help out people but my husband is always stopping to help people on the side of the road when they are having car trouble, he is a mechanic in the army, but your story has inspired me to be a little more like you and my husband.
June 28th, 2012 at 6:48 am
[…] now and then to complete 29 random acts of kindness. This is inspired by a blog I read last year (read it here) that has evolved into a sort of movement, called the Birthday […]
July 2nd, 2012 at 11:38 am
This was a beautiful thing you did for your birthday! Every year for mine, I pick one cause to support and ask for gifts and donations to go towards that. I am glad there are people in this world like you!
Reminder to those reading this: A random act of kindness doesn’t only have to be done on your birthday or another special occasion. I drop my change all the time, switch pennies to heads-up, post inspirational notes on people’s cars, pay for people behind me in drive-thrus, etc. Just give a smile. Together, we can make the world a better place.
July 4th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
really made my day to read this — you’ve inspired so many people — you’re wonderful!
July 7th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Met a young lady who was begging for money. She was far from home, pregnant and trying to get money for a bus ticket home. It was well past lunch, and I asked her if she had eaten that day. She’d eaten an apple someone had given her. I told her to meet me at a restaurant across the street. I treated her to lunch (eating a salad I wasn’t hungry for so she wouldn’t feel awkward with me not eating) and chatted with her while she ate. I think the company meant as much to her as the food.
My birthday is this week. I won’t be performing 51 RAOKs, but I will keep my eyes open for at least a few opportunities…maybe even a dozen.
July 9th, 2012 at 6:02 am
What a lovely post and a lovely person you must be. If there were more people like you the world sure would be a much better and happier place.
July 10th, 2012 at 7:46 am
[…] trying to give back, encourage others. I am blogging about it because I got the idea from a blog I read and that is why I did it in the first place. It was so much fun and joy filled I thought some of […]
July 10th, 2012 at 8:25 am
Made me cry and got inspired!!!! THANK YOU!!!
July 10th, 2012 at 9:37 am
I ran across this on pinterest and my heart is pounding. For a long time, I’ve wanted to make a difference somehow and volunteer when I can. I now know that the difference is in the details. A whole lot of small joys has to add up to a meaningful contribution. Thanks for this.
July 10th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
didn’t read this until today and my birthday is in May. Not waiting until May going to do a random act every day! thanks for the inspiration!
July 10th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Thank you for sharing your birthday idea of kindness. I wanted to lounge the day of my birthday. Your story and act of kindness is a better idea. On my weekend of my birthday, I will do this project. Hope to do this every year. I love this!
July 11th, 2012 at 7:42 am
Robyn, thank you SO much for the inspiration. Just when I start to lose faith in society, I’m reminded of what we are all capable of.
A friend and I were just reminiscing about the block parties our parents used to collaborate in when we were little. I miss that.
Well, all I know for sure is it’s going to be a random-acts-of-kindness birthday for me this year. This is going to be so fun! I think this would be a great way for the family to “do” Christmas too… (I’m so inspired!)
xo
July 11th, 2012 at 9:53 am
I have tears in my eyes!! I’m taking this not only for my next birthday, but you’ve inspired me with the perfect gift for my daughters 18th birthday. She never had a Sweet 16, doesn’t like to be the center of attention, refuses parties and gifts in her honor; she is planning on being a missionary and already travels to the Dominican Republic every year to build homes. Instead of hiring a limo to take her and her friends someplace fancy, I’m going to have it (or me) take them out to perform 18 random acts of kindness in honor of my daughter. She’ll love it!! Thank you! You’ve made the wold a better place!
July 11th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Hi, Miss Robyn! I saw this blog post on Pinterest, where it is rapidly increasing in popularity, and felt like I just HAD to say something! You are so incredibly inspiring! I’m only 16 - but I plan to get a bunch of my friends together and do this when I turn 17, as well as make more of an effort towards my own RAOK! We are all so blessed to have people like you in the world!
July 11th, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Wow i love to read stories about caring ppl
July 11th, 2012 at 11:39 pm
God bless your heart. You have just inspired me of how should I celebrate my birthday too. It also reminds me that I should have still keep the positive outlook in life. Thank you so much. God bless you more and more.
July 12th, 2012 at 9:49 am
You are AWESOME! There definitely need to be more people like you in the world, My 24th birthday is on July 21st, I’m totally doing this for my birthday!
July 13th, 2012 at 6:19 am
I love this! Before I had read this I had also done a RAOK. I was at walmart and the gentleman before me looked like he had worked a long hard day, his clothes were filthy and he looked tired. He was trying to buy a drink and a roasted chicken but when he swiped his card it wouldn’t go through, I knew he must not have the money in his account. So when he stepped away to call his bank and the cashier started ringing me up I told her to add the chicken to my purchase. After I paid I handed it to him and told him to have a blessed night. He was stunned, made my day :). I will definitely have to do this on my birthday next year.
July 13th, 2012 at 8:24 am
Awesome! God Bless You for teaching your girls to be kind…
July 13th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Absolutely beautiful! I love that this has touched so many people beyond those you originally blessed… The one about the look on the person’s face behind you in the grocery store seemed really vivid to me in these times with so many out of work. And what a wonderful way to lead your children in His heart for others.
July 13th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Thanks for your website - I will be 60 in a couple of years - may have to do 60 RAK in 60 days, but I really want to do it! My life has been blessed with rain - so I will appreciate the sunshine, darkness so I appreciate the stars, storms so I see the silver lining, always loved, always blessed.
I did one thing a while ago I remembered. I found a wallet at a ATM machine. It was empty except for a paycheck stub from a local carwash. I put $20 into the wallet and returned the wallet to the manager of the carwash to return it. It made me smile all day!
July 13th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
I’m so inspired! I try to do things here and there when presented, but I want to purposely do more daily year round. My 48th B-day is coming up and my husband & will be celebrating our 28th anniv. (all in the same month). I think it would be cool to give 48 kind acts on B-day and maybe 28 for couples during the month. I have several months to purposely plan and am excited about it!!
July 13th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
I’m very inspired by this movement and your story. I’ll be 50 this year and have decided to do RAOK, too, with a twist. As fate would have it, 50 days before my birthday is September 11th. So, in honor of those who lost their lives on that day and for my birthday, I plan to begin on that day and perform (at least) one RAOK each day for 50 days. My hope is that after those 50 days, performing a RAOK will become second nature and not something that I have to stop and think about. I have just under 60 days to plan and am already getting pumped up about it! Thanks for the great ideas you’ve listed and thanks to those who have posted their ideas, as well.
July 13th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
My birthday is four weeks away. You have inspired me to follow in your example to pay it forward. Thank you for sharing this. I admire you for being a simple woman doing extraordinary things in your everyday life in the world around you.
July 13th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Where are these people when you need them?
http://www.gofundme.com/ilovemymom
July 13th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Just read how you spent your 38th birthday, LOVED IT…. As I read through I gradually cried more and more, thanks for the reminder that there is still good hearted people in our cold hearted world. You really bring hope to the ones that need it, especially when it’s not expected. Thank you, what a breath of fresh air!! God Bless….
July 13th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
I just read this blog and i am so looking forward to doing something like this for my next birthday. Its nice to know others are doing random acts of kindness.