In one of our previous posts, we talked about how doing random acts of kindness could lead to more happiness. Now, we offer you practical ideas to try out:
- Start a conversation with the cab driver going to your office. Ask him what he thinks about this wonderful day.
- Buy a cup of coffee for the 24-hour security guard in your building. He needs it to stay awake the entire night watching over you and your loved ones.
- Offer to buy all the food items from the enthusiastic kids selling them. They might not necessarily be your most favorite treat, but who cares. What’s important is you made someone smile and you can always donate the food to the homeless.
- Send a friend or loved one a note telling them how great of a person they are and that you are thankful to God for bringing them into your life.
- Visit an elderly person at a nursing home near your area. You don’t need to bring anything, because for someone who has seen and done it all, nothing could be more joyful than simply being remembered by a random person.
- Offer a relaxing massage gift card to the single mom next door and tell her you’ll take care of her baby while she enjoys herself at the spa.
- Leave a huge tip for a waiter or waitress who’s having a bad day because they’re being mistreated by other customers. Don’t forget to smile and thank them for their great service as you leave.
- When you’re in a crowded public train, offer your seat to someone in a corporate attire. They might be having a job interview in an hour!
- Send a gift of appreciation to the hotel manager who made sure you enjoyed your three-day stay in their resort.
- Smile and say “Good morning.” Enthusiastically to the person next to you in the elevator. You’ll never know who that person will turn out to be. Perhaps the HR officer who’s going to interview you?
- Send a handwritten letter to someone you believe made a huge positive impact in your life. That person could be your teacher, your boss, or even a friend.
- Offer to do the groceries for the elderly couple living next to your house.
- Find time to introduce yourself to the family who has just moved in to your block or into your building. Offer to help them with some moving-in tasks in the process.
- Lend your ear to a friend who comes to you for a heart-to-heart talk. Don’t offer any advice unless they ask you. More often than not, they just need someone to share their burdens with and pour their hearts into.
- Talk to the new intern and ask her about her experience working in your company so far. Let her know that she can approach you anytime if she needs help or advice concerning her tasks.
- Email your favorite author telling him how his books has helped and inspired you.
- Call your former boss or supervisor telling her that most of the things you know about the industry, you learned while working for her.
- Learn to prepare a vegetarian dish and cook for a friend you know is health conscious.
- Call or text someone you haven’t talked to for a while. Do it without having any agenda in mind, but to simply hear that person’s voice and see how he or she is doing in life.
- On the toll booth, pay for the person behind you.
- Carry an extra umbrella on a rainy day. The person standing next to you on the bus stop on your way home might need one.
- Offer to teach less fortunate kids for free.
- Send a bunch of flowers anonymously to the receptionist in your office.
- If you know someone who has a child who’s eager to learn music for the summer, offer to pay for the child’s tuition.
- Walk to a police officer or solider and shake that person’s hand, telling him or her that you appreciate the fact that they do not think twice to lay down their lives for your country.
- Hugs are known to be great stress relievers. Offer a free hug to a colleague in the office today and tell that person he or she is doing a good job.
- Leave a nice comment on someone’s status in Facebook or Instagram.
- Call your mom or dad today for no reason at all. Tell them you love them and thank them for everything they have ever done for you. Moreover, reassure them that you will take care of them when they can no longer take care of themselves.
- Make a cup of coffee for your secretary or for the interns tasked to go on coffee runs.
- If you know someone who’s in a place of leadership, whether a company CEO, a pastor, or a school principal, encourage that person by telling him how much you appreciate them and what they do. It tends to get lonely on top, and a simple word of encouragement is sometimes all that our leaders need to be refreshed.
- It’s more fun to receive a letter the traditional way. Send someone you know a letter through snail mail, telling that person how she has encouraged you in some way in the past.
- When lining up at Starbucks or any coffee shop, ask the person behind you what kind of coffee she’d like and offer to pay for it.
- Bake a cake and give it to the seemingly cranky old woman next door. Perhaps all she needs to lift her mood is a sweet dessert sincerely prepared for her.
- Form a group of volunteers and visit hospitals in your area dressed as clowns and bring humor to patients Patch Adams style!
- If you know someone who works as a salesperson, ask him what you should tell potential customers if they are looking for a product or service similar to what your friend is offering.
The list could go on and I decided to stop at 35, but that is only because I know you also have your own ideas you would want to share with us. Drop them at the comments section below and we would be happy to add them to our list. Thank you!
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