Random acts of kindness happen millions of times each day, and are often some of the most beautiful things we can experience in our lives.
Studies have shown that kindness makes us happier, gives us healthier hearts, slows aging, improves relationships , and has a ripple effect where those observing kindness regularly decide to be kind themselves.
When deciding how to be kind to another, there are many wonderful and truly enjoyable ways to begin.
Here Are 7 Simple And Meaningful Ways To Practice Random Acts Of Kindness
1. Be Kind To Yourself
The first and foremost step of kindness, compassion, and love in general, is always to start by being kind to yourself. Developing love within ourselves is a sure way to be able to share love with others. If our own inner cup of love is empty, it can be challenging to give genuine love to others through kindness. Being kind to ourselves can be as simple as taking ourselves out to a yummy meal, as sitting down and reading one of our favorite books, as listening to peaceful music, or as taking a peaceful and calming warm bath.
The practice of self-compassion is a very effective way of building inner feelings of love. Spend some time allowing your heart and feelings to open up and soften through the practice of self-compassion; begin with healthy personal affirmations such as, “I am lovable, I am good enough, I am worthy of love and kindness in my life.” Then take some time in a quiet place, and really focus on the physical feeling of love in your heart. Once you can steadily feel the feeling of love, begin to bring that love to all areas of your body, and to all of the feelings you are currently experiencing. Tell yourself how much you love you. Consciously feeling the feeling of love towards ourselves will cause us to emotionally open up, to relax, to feel really great, to heal past hurts, and to be in a state of love that will make practicing kindness a natural expression.
2. Share A Smile
Often a simple smile can be enough to brighten someone’s day. Smiling has a beautiful way of signaling to another person the feelings of love, warmth and acceptance, and to someone who is struggling, it can sometimes give them the hope they need to make it through another day.
If you want to show kindness to someone, whether they are a stranger or a friend, show that you’re happy to be with them in that moment by offering them a smile. If you meet someone who’s feeling down or upset, your smile can help to open up a conversation with them. Ask if they’re having a rough day, compassionately listen to their problems, offer to help in any way you can, and sincerely wish them better luck in the future. If you’re comfortable, share email contact information offer to be there for them if there is anything you can do to help them down the road. Such an action may seem like a lot at first, but for someone struggling, it can mean the world to them.
3. Visit Or Send Postcards Or Small Gifts To Sick Children In The Hospital
Even if you don’t know them, kids love having someone new to talk to and to encourage them. Bring a small gift, such as a stuffed animal or movie tickets they can use when they get better, and show them that people love them and are thinking of them.
The elderly can also get lonely, so consider visiting seniors in the hospital or a retirement home as well. Spend time with them and listen to their stories. Let them teach you something. They will be sure to remember the good times you shared long after you leave.
4. Volunteer For A Charity Cause You Truly Care About
Find a local suicide hotline and sign up to become a volunteer to compassionately listen to those going through a difficult time, look for a local homeless shelter and offer to help prepare meals, or if you love animals, look for an animal shelter or rescue and offer to help clean cages and take the dogs for a walk once or twice a month.
If something is deeply important to you in terms of making the world a better place, search for a charity, cause or organization that is helping in this area. Your passion will be the cause for many smiles and good feelings for the people this cause helps and is there for.
5. Pay It Forward.
Pay for the meal of someone sitting next to you at a restaurant. Cover the coffee of the people in the car behind you at the drive-thru. Feed the parking meter for the car next to yours to keep them from getting a ticket. Pay for tickets for the family in line behind you at the zoo or movies. Wonderful and unexpected acts of kindness can be deeply moving and a joy to experience.
6. Give Up Your Seat On Public Transportation
It doesn’t have to just be for an older person or a pregnant woman; everyone appreciates a kind gesture in a packed bus or train.
7. Bring Some Food And Water To A Homeless Person, And Tell Them How Much You Love Them
As Mother Teresa once said, “Being unloved, unwanted, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” Consider stopping by a local store the next time you see a homeless person, give them something they can use, and tell them how much you love them. The homeless often do not have friends nor family members to speak with or turn to, and loving interactions can be very, very rare. Showing them a little kindness and love can bring some bright hope into their day, and can make them feel like life is worth living.
“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
~Mother Teresa
As someone who is looking to make the world a better place, we want to sincerely thank you for your beautiful heart.
You are loved.
