Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, a yearly holiday which promotes the practice of performing deliberate acts of kindness to those around you with the intent of spreading joy. The holiday was first started in 1995 and has since become a global event, with thousands of people stepping in each year to bring happiness to people in their communities.
A random act of kindness can take many shapes, from small acts like spreading words of affirmation to larger ones like sharing unexpected gifts or making charitable donations. The important thing is that your action seeks to make the world a little brighter. If you want to get in on the fun, here are a few easy ideas we have for how to be kind today:
Share a compliment with a friend or neighbor
Even the most confident and self-assured people among us can use a little reassurance every once and a while. Hearing the positive things that you see in someone can help contribute to their self-image and give them a little pep in their step for the rest of their day. Good examples of compliments to give include “You have a great sense of humor” or “You always brighten up a room.”
Pay for the person behind you in a drive-thru
While there is no need to financially stretch yourself in order to do an act of kindness, if you have the financial means, paying for someone’s coffee or food order can be a great treat to give to a stranger. The best part of this act is that it often creates a chain reaction of kindness, with that person paying for the person behind them and so on!
Reach out to a former teacher or employer who made a positive difference in your life
Often in life, we are not able to fully recognize the positive things going on around us until we have the benefit of hindsight. If you know someone whom you feel has impacted your life or career positively, don’t be afraid to reach out to that person and express your gratitude towards them. Chances are that they will be grateful to hear from you and will be encouraged by your kind words.
Donate groceries to a local food bank
A great way to spread happiness on a community level is by making sure that everyone has the opportunity to acquire all the resources they need. Food banks are an important resource for giving local families the means to be healthy, even when times are tough. To find out more about the food banks serving our community, visit: https://feedkingsport.org/