“No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.” (Aesop)
Have you ever helped someone just to be nice
and helpful? If so, then you’re already an expert at practicing random acts of
kindness. If you’re not sure what qualifies as a random act of kindness, just
remember acts of kindness don’t have to be grand gestures. Even the smallest
act of kindness has the power to change someone else’s day (and mood) for the better.
With random acts of kindness, there’s no hidden
motive or expectation of repayment. It’s often spontaneous. The design is to
spread love, good will and kindness in the world. Even though random acts
of kindness are meant to boost others, being kind also has the awesome side
effect of making you emotionally and physically healthier.
The brain’s pleasure and reward centers light
up when you act kindly towards others (either by volunteering or donating money).
It’s the same response the brain has if you were the recipient of a good deed
rather than the giver. Below are ideas on ways you can feel better as you
shw others random acts of kindness:
1.
Be
on time.
2.
Become
an organ donor.
3.
Bring
treats to your local fire station.
4.
Call
your parents just to say “I love you.” (If they are deceased, go to the cemetery
to give them the same message.)
5.
Compliment
a neighbor on a feature of their home.
6.
Contribute
used books to the library or school media center.
7.
Do
chores for a family member who could use some extra free time.
8.
Donate
flowers to a nursing home.
9.
Donate
gently used clothes to a charitable thrift shop.
10.Donate
to a friend’s favorite charity in their name.
11.Donate
your old cell phone or other electronics to charity.
12.Donate
your old glasses.
13.Donate
your unused frequent flyer miles to a charity partner of your airline.
14.Figure
out a friend or family member’s half birthday (six months from their full birthday)
and surprise them with a surprise on that day.
15.Forgive
someone who has wronged you. Make amends with someone you have wronged.
16.Give
an unexpected compliment.
17.Give
old blankets, sheets and towels to an animal shelter.
18.Hand
out disposable bottles of water to FedEx, Amazon, or UPS drivers on a hot day as they
deliver items to your door.
19.Help
someone struggling to carry their grocery bags.
20.Keep
plastic bags filled with snacks and sample-size toiletries in your car to give
to the homeless.
21.Leave
a great coupon next to that item in the grocery store.
22.Leave
a positive comment on a news article or blog post.
23.Let
someone cut in front of you in line (at the grocery store).
24.Make
dinner for a neighbor who has just had a major life event.
25.Mentor
someone by sharing your particular expertise freely.
26.Mow
the neighbor’s lawn, rake their leaves or sweep their sidewalk as a surprise.
27.Offer
to return a stranger’s grocery cart to the front of the store.
28.Pay
for the meal of the people at the next table. (Leave before they realize what
you’ve done.)
29.Pick
up a piece of litter on the street and throw it out.
30.Plan
a neighborhood block party so everyone can get to know each other better.
31.Play
with or walk animals at a local shelter.
32.Post
sticky notes with uplifting messages on the bathroom mirrors (at home).
33.Put
coins in an expired parking meter.
34.Reconnect
with an old friend you’ve lost touch with over the years. Share a memory you
carry with you.
35.Research
your family tree and share what you learned with other family members.
36.Scrape
the ice off a neighbor’s windshield after you’ve finished doing yours.
37.Send
a care package to a service member.
38.Send
a Facebook message to a friend, letting them know you appreciate them.
39.Send
a friend a helpful or inspiring article (through Facebook) that made you think
of them.
40.Sign
up for a shift at your local soup kitchen.
41.Slow
down so someone can merge in front of you in traffic.
42.Smile
at someone who looks sad.
43.Stop
to assist someone who looks lost.
44.Suggest
a friend listen to a favorite ebook you enjoyed on Hoopla (or OverDrive).
45.Take
the time to write a great online review for a restaurant you love.
46.Talk
to a stranger at a party who looks like they don’t know anyone.
47.Text
a favorite smartphone photo you took to a friend.
48.Visit
a nursing home to sing, read books to, or play board games with residents.
49.Walk
your neighbor’s dog when they have to stay late at the office.
50.Write
a thank you note to your mail carrier (or your trash collectors).
“Carry out a random act of
kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day
someone might do the same for you.” (Princess Diana)[i]
[i] Adapted from:
· “100 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas”
by Jen Pilla Taylor
· “Celebrating Random Acts of Kindness”
by Mindful Littles
This post was inspired
by the TV series, Random Acts.
 |
| TV series, Random Acts |
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