Care to indulge me in an easy exercise (no prancercizing required, I swear)? Take a moment and think about the last time someone did something nice for you. Did someone say "I love you" before you left for work today? Did someone offer you a seat on the crowded public transit? Did someone smile at you on the street? Hold an elevator door? I bet that whatever it is, it helped put a little bit of sunshine in your outlook. If you're having trouble recalling the last time something like this happened to you, |
When we perform a random act of kindness-- no matter how small-- we have the potential to change someone's day. In turn, that person is more likely to pass along the positivity-- and we can start an avalanche of change!
Need some ideas? Here are some quick, easy (and completely FREE!) things you can do to make someone else's day:
- Smile at every person you pass as you walk down the street
- Compliment someone (Beautiful smile? Like their shoes? Cheerful laugh? That color looks good on them? Coworker did a nice job today? Let them know!)
- Open the door for someone
- Let someone go ahead of you in a line
- Let someone else have the closer parking spot (Exercise and fresh air are good for you, anyway!)
- Offer to babysit your neighbors' kids so they can have a break
- Help carry someone's groceries (Bonus points: help a parent juggling children while loading groceries into the car; or offer to return someone's shopping cart!)
- Send a hand written note to someone in your life to let them know you're thinking of them
- Clean out your closet, attic, basement or garage (and donate your old items to Goodwill, Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity or Dress for Success)
- Donate your time to a cause close to your heart. Are you an animal lover? Visit a shelter near you and play with the animals! (Need some ideas? Check out Volunteer Match for volunteer opportunities in your area!)
- Clean up litter (Bonus points for joining your local Adopt-a-Highway group!)
- Surprise a neighbor by completing some yard work (shovel in the winter, offer to pull weeds in the spring or summer, or rake in the fall)
- Leave an inspiring message or happy drawing in sidewalk chalk for others to see as they are out and about
- Leave a secret note to make someone's day
- Say 'thank you' if you notice someone holding a door open. (If others didn't notice, slip a "Have a Nice Day" card in their bag without them noticing!)
- Give stickers to kids when you see them
- Leave a gift card (partially used is fine!) with a cashier to help the next customer
- Visit a senior center or hospital to spend time with residents. Ask a nurse or caretaker who could use some extra company. (Bonus points for bringing a deck of cards or cookies to share!)
BONUS POINTS for these random acts of kindness that you can do for less than $5!
- Feed an expired parking meter
- Buy a cup of coffee, bottle of water or breakfast sandwich for a person in need
- Tape some coins to a hospital vending machine with a cheerful note (Better days are coming - Someone cares for you - Keep smiling)
- Leave a children's book in a family waiting room at a hospital or doctor's office
- Leave quarters on machines at the laundromat
NOW COME ON, DISH! What is your favorite random act of kindness to perform? Did you try any on this list? What was the result? I can't wait to hear about all the positive change we're inspiring in the world by spreading some kindness!