To be kind is to show a thoughtful gesture or act friendly and courteous. It’s pretty simple, really, and the beautiful thing is that kindness is contagious. Practice a few simple ways to spread kindness, and you’ll be doing your part to make the world a better place.
Smile and Say Hello
A smile goes a long way. Imagine walking through the grocery store and seeing everyone frowning. Then, you come across that one person who smiles and says, “hello.” It brightens the day and lifts the spirit. Suddenly, grocery shopping isn’t so bad! Kind gestures like this remind us that there’s still good in the world. A friendly hello from a stranger will most likely cause you to smile at the next person you see. Let the domino effect begin.
Volunteer Your Time
As we live our comfortable lives, many people need a little extra support. Volunteering spreads kindness and love, and you’ll just feel good doing it. Check local media sites for information in your area. Homeless shelters, food pantries, and soup kitchens need help organizing items, serving, and just being around for lonely people to talk to. You may end up surprised at the great need in your own community. Sometimes, we don’t know until we start looking for it.
It’s Not Always Strangers
Hopefully, you already treat those you care about kindly. How loved would they feel if you surprised them with a random act of kindness for no reason but to show you care? A little note in the mail is extremely rare these days and would come as a welcome surprise to a dear friend you haven’t seen in a while. A phone call out of the blue or a quick text to tell someone you are thinking of them will brighten their day and yours. If you know a friend, family member, or coworker is down in the dumps or not feeling well, ask if you can drop off a meal—better yet, tell them you are dropping off a meal. You can leave it on the porch, and they don’t even have to visit.
Live purposefully with an empathetic heart, and every day, you will easily find simple ways to spread kindness.