My resolution for 2012 was to perform as
many random acts of kindness
as I could each day.
So far I have been able to stick to my resolution pretty well!
It isn't hard to do at all. You can spend money or not, stay at home or go out.
You can spend just a few seconds or a few hours. It's all up to you!
Just remember how BIG of an impact a TINY gesture can make in someone's life.
And you will feel so good too! It's a win win!
Most random acts are quite simple really. Holding the door open for someone is
something they only do in old movies,
right? Guess again. Holding the door open is
a polite and thoughtful act you can
easily do for your family, friends and even
strangers, every day. Whether you’re
at school, the grocery story, at work,
or at home, those around you will
certainly appreciate your good manners.
Saying hello to someone, even if you don't know them, is such a pleasant courtesy.
It means you are acknowledging their presence; you are saying that they are a
person,
too, and that they are important enough for you to say hello to. So say hello,
good morning, good afternoon,
and the tried and true, have a nice day!
Donate children's books to your local libraries!
Many children in your community don't have access to books because
of
financial reasons, or because their families don't value education.
That's why
libraries are such a great resource.
Anyone can sign up for a library card and enjoy
thousands of books for free!
How about returning that shopping cart left outside?
There are many small things we can do in our daily lives that make other
people’s
lives easier. An example of this is to serve those who serve us.
Beautify your surroundings! Be kind to the environment
and those around you
by picking up trash when you see
it lying around. It doesn't matter who left it
there, just pick it up!
Have you ever experienced kindness from someone you don’t know?
Knowing that
someone else noticed you can make your day a thousand
times better, especially
if you’re feeling down.
Celebrate those around you by doing random acts of
kindness for strangers, just for
the sake of making someone else happy. Pay the
tab for someone behind you in line
at the grocery store, gas station or the
drive-through. It doesn't have to be costly, just friendly.
Plastic is so commonly used in packaging food and beverages,
it seems nearly
impossible to avoid it. But consider the effects it has on the environment,
and
even our communities around the world. We can all try to be kind to
our planet by using less plastics!
Collect food for the needy.
Take some time out to appreciate all that you have, and also to recognize
that others aren't always as fortunate. There are so many people for whom
putting dinner on the table is a daunting task. Many people are struggling to
find a job and provide for their family. You can help!
Stop and take a minute to think about all the work our police and fire
departments
do in your community. Every day, hundreds of men and women risk
their lives to
make sure that we are safe. How impressive is that?
Why not tell
these people how thankful you are for their services? You can stop into a station or write a note. And I can't tell you how much they appreciate a plate of cookies or loaf of bread!
Next time you eat at a restaurant, leave a generous tip as a surprise for
your waiter or waitress.
Or next time you get coffee or ice cream somewhere,
look for a tip jar and leave more than just the change from your transaction.
Why not throw in an extra dollar or two? Especially if they helped your dining experience a sweet one.
You are bound to make someones day
when you tip more than expected.
Mow a neighbor's yard!
Maintaining your yard can be a hard task. For people who work long hours or
those who have a physical disability, keeping their grass trimmed is often
hard
to do. Offer to mow a neighbor’s lawn for free.
You'll be helping keep your
neighborhood beautiful and making a neighbor happy.
Cook and deliver a meal to a friend who needs it. Perhaps you have a friend
who is busy with a new baby or sick child. Or maybe you have
neighbors across
the street who just moved in--they might not have had time
to go to the grocery
store! Bring someone a meal and
save them the time; it will be a huge stress
reliever!
Thank your mail carrier, bus driver, grocery store cashier, hair dresser, plumber and all the other
people who add so much to our daily lives with their services. Offer them flowers from
your garden, a few of your homemade cookies or a hug. I bet they will appreciate it!
One of my favorite quotes is from Elie Wiesel:
“Just as despair can come to one another only from other human beings, hope,
too, can be given to one only by other human beings.”
Say something kind to the people around you. Compliment their hair cut,
dress, manners, children, dog, garden...there is ALWAYS
something nice we can say to one another! You may never realize it but your words could help
change someones day from sour to sweet. Even the simplest compliment can mean so much.
When someone does something nice for you, return their generosity with a
pleasant thank you note to let them know you appreciated their kindness.
In
this day of technology many people will send emails or text messages.
Be
different! Think about sending an old fashioned snail-mail type of thank you
note.
Dig out your stamps and address book and send a note in the mail!
It will
be an added delight for your friend or family member to get physical mail.
The next time you hear about a blood drive in your area, make the decision to
go
and give blood. Or be proactive and find the local blood bank in your area
set up an
appointment to donate. Nearly 4.5 million Americans are saved each
year by blood transfusions.
You can become a part of this powerful way to help
others!
Donate today.Or go the extra step and have yourself placed on
the national bone marrow donation
list!
Have you hugged someone recently? Hugs can communicate a number of things: A
hug
is a great way to let someone you care about them; It can be a way to
comfort someone who has experienced loss; or it can be a way to say "hello" to a
friend.
Sending each one of you a BIG hug!
These are just a few ideas and I am sure all of you have many more you have used yourselves!
With just a few random acts each day we can help make this world a better place for all of us!
