Lisa Hood

Here are just a few ways to practice kindness, a little bit each day. It’s absolutely amazing the response you receive when you do something nice. Once in awhile I’ll buy coffee for the person behind me in line and everytime I do that, people are just stunned. You would think I had given them a million dollars, but when it’s unexpected like that, it feels like a million bucks. Plus I believe it reminds people that we’re all in this together. It’s too easy to get wrapped up in our own lives and concerns and dehumanize everyone else. “People” become barriers, annoyances, objects to manipulate or control rather than individuals. When a stranger buys you coffee, suddenly you see a person again…

More acts of kindness
Sweep the sidewalk in front of your neighbor’s house when you do your own.
Make a card at home and send it to a friend for no reason.
Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.
Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.
Give a compliment about your waiter/waitress to his/her manager.
Send someone a small gift anonymously.
Stop and help someone replace their flat tire.
Let someone jump the line at the bank or grocery store
Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.
Pay for the person’s order behind you at the drive up window.
Tip the fast food worker who takes your order.
Give a huge tip to someone when they least expect it.
Hold the elevator door open for someone who’s rushing to catch it.
Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.
Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.
Talk to a homeless person and have a “normal” conversation.
Pick up litter.
Compliment a work colleague for their excellence.
Give another driver your parking spot.
Give a piece of fruit to a delivery person.
Help an elderly neighbor run errands or do a chore.
Tell your family members how much your appreciate them.
Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train/bus.
Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.
Smile and acknowledge the person before you.

I used to get particularily annoyed with cashiers who didn’t smile or greet me when I stepped to the front of the line. Now, instead of getting irritated I’ll ask “Are you having a bad day today?” The key is I don’t ask in a sarcastic or nasty way, but with genuine interest. 9 times out of 10 the person snaps out of their sour mood with “Oh, no, I’m just tired. I only have 15 more minutes on shift…” It’s much easier to live life with kindness when you realize very little of what’s going on around you, has anything to do with you.