A random act of kindness is a non-premeditated, inconsistent action designed to offer kindness towards the outside world. The phrase "practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" was written by Anne Herbert on a place mat in Sausalito, California in 1982.
Basically its all about doing something nice - to make people feel happier without any come back on who did it - or why.
So I've researched some ideas, some for free, some that aren't on things that we can all do to spread a little kindness.
Things that cost nothing
- Wash a neighbor’s car
- Visit a pet shelter and spend some time loving on the animals (you may need training for this. Call ahead.)
- If you have a friend/neighbor with small children, offer to take them to the park for an hour to give your neighbor/friend a breather!
- Clean up trash on the side of a local road or park.
- Walk your friend’s dog.
- Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.
- Let someone jump the queue at the bank.
- Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.
- Talk to a homeless person and have a “normal” conversation.
- Recommend a competitor to a potential client.
- Spend a day at a homeless shelter
- Make a family member breakfast in bed
- Write a kind or encouraging message on a napkin
- Instead of posting negativity online, spread some encouragement
- Sit with someone who is eating alone.
- Let someone go in front of you at the till.
- Tweet or Facebook message a genuine compliment to three people right now.
- Write a nice comment on your friend’s blog.
- Leave coupons on items at the grocery store for others to use.
- Start couponing so that you can donate items at no cost to you.
Things that cost a little
- Write thoughtful cards with inspirational or uplifting quotes and place them on random cars in a local parking lot.
- Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.
- Buy a coffee for the man on the high street selling The Big Issue magazine.
- Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.
- Treat a friend to the movies for no reason.
- Give a piece of fruit to a delivery person.
- Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train / bus.
- Buy an inspirational book for a friend.
- By flowers to hand out on the street
- Buy a movie ticket for the person behind you
- Write letters to soldiers
- Bring in donuts for your coworkers
- Give someone a gift card that you don’t intend to use
- Pay for someone’s morning coffee
- Send coloring books to sick kids in the hospital
- Donate your hair after a haircut
- Buy your waiter/waitress dessert
- Plan a holiday for your parents.
- Make an anonymous donation to your friend’s favorite charity in their name.
Never underestimate the impact of a single act of kindness.
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