Random Acts of Kindness

Some times it is the little things in life that can make some one's day.  These random acts of kindness, just a small kind gesture, can make it a long way.  

One of the differences I have noticed about transferring to a new college is that not all students everywhere perform these small acts. I don't know if this is the difference between a small private college and a public university or what, but there is clearly a difference between the two institutions.  For example, yesterday in my 60 person lecture I sneezed.  Take a guess at how many people said bless you...one.  Just one person out of all the people in the room.  I find that a little disheartening.  Why don't people have manners?

Anyways, enough of the complaints. I try to be kind to every one on campus and who I encounter in life by performing random acts of kindness such as; holding the door open, saying please and thank you, saying bless you when somebody sneezes, leaving money in the parking meter for the next person to use, saying have a good day after a cashier rings you up, and simply by just being friendly.  None of these things are difficult to do if you are consciously make sure to do them. In fact, a lot of these things just come natural to people.

"Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and underrated agent of human change"

-Bob Kerrey

Kindness Ideas:

Donate used books to the library

Hold the door open for someone

Provide the elderly with the gift of music at a retirement home

Help children learn

Help someone for free

Let someone go in line in front of you

Pay the tab for the person behind you in line

Return your shopping cart

Pick up trash

Be a designated driver

Be kind to somebody you do not like

Randomly send flowers to somebody you love

Donate a $1 to a local cause

Say thank you to people 

Offer someone a piece of gum

Complain less

Post a positive comment on a picture or blog

Hand write a thank you note

Share your umbrella

The list is endless, but these are a few things that you can do with lithe effort.  If you visit randomactsofkindess.org there are tons of ideas how you can perform random acts of kindness, how to teach this to your children/students, and so many more fun things dealing with kindness.

I challenge you to perform at least one random act of kindness today!

Xoxo

-mQs-