Commit random acts...

You've probably seen this New-Agey bumper-sticker proverb on a Eurovan in your town: "Commit random acts of kindness and senseless beauty."

I think I've mentioned before that a coworker of mine had this as a screen saver. While she was away from her desk, I changed it to "Commit random and senseless acts." I don't think she thought it was funny.

To me, at the time, it seemed like an invitation to trivial, feel-good efforts. Now, the statement seems to suggest that our charitable acts should stem solely from some spontaneous emotional impulse and not some deep-seated moral investment.

It's not the message people on our culture need. It's no more than an off-shoot of "if it feels good, do it." If anything, we need to commit intentional acts of kindness and meaningful beauty and leave lives of impulsivity and senselessness behind.