Random Kindess

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!