Be Extraordinary and Make a Difference – One Act of Kindness at a Time!

Have you ever had someone do something kind and unexpected?  Isn’t that the most amazing feeling?  Doesn’t it make you feel like the whole world looks a little better? Doesn’t it make a difference in how you treat the next person?  Just think if we all got into the habit of random acts of kindness.  I think the world would be a better place.  I think we could achieve world peace. OK, that might be a tall order, but I bet we could make a difference in our little worlds, and who knows where it could lead. Science Daily states that there are three degrees of separation with acts of kindness.  Just think….three more degrees, and you might reach Kevin Bacon.

I have to confess that I have a hard time thinking of kind things to do.  And then when I do, my ADD side never remembers what they were.  Other times, I am stressed out or in a hurry myself and am just not outwardly focused. Other times I hear the voices in my head telling me that no one cares, and they will just think I am a freak.  Some days people just cannot stop smiling at you.  And other days they all look at you like you’re a freak.  Ever just smile at someone, and they look at you like you’re a freak?  Well, I have.  And my self-esteem is just not high enough for a lot of that.  Freak. I can still see it. It gives me nightmares.  OK, maybe I don’t ACTUALLY have nightmares. I like to exaggerate. I’m working on that.

I am not one of those people. If you smile at me, I won’t look at you like grew a purple head.  I will smile back at you. I am also touched when someone does something nice for me or my sons.  I remember once when they were young they went to Taco Bell and found themselves a little short when they ordered. The kind cashier told them it was OK and gave them the food anyways.  Now, even though we were not poverty stricken, and it was just a miscalculation on their part, this kind young girl felt for the predicament they were in and helped them out.  I was so touched by this act of kindness and compassion toward my sons.  I have never forgotten that. I don’t want to ever forget that either.  It reminds me that while some people may not really care, every once in a while your kind act will touch someone who will never forget.  Maybe they will even pay it forward.

There are different kinds of acts of kindness. Some are done for people you know, and others for people you don’t.  Some are done anonymously, and some are not.  I like the idea of anonymous acts of kindness because that way selfish motives are not involved.  Sometimes it’s not always possible, though. I also like the idea of a little card that goes with it if it is anonymous so that they notice it and know it was intentional.  They are more apt to be touched by it, and it will create feelings causing them to want to pay it forward.

In an effort to be more aware, let’s make a list of acts of kindness and challenge ourselves to spread the love. An intentional act of kindness once a month can turn into once a week, or once a day, or even more! Start where you can.

• smile
• let someone out in traffic
• let someone have the closer parking spot
• tidy up behind others in a department store
• take someone’s picture – there’s just something about others thinking you are special enough to want a picture that no matter how much someone resists, the thought is still flattering
• offer to take someone’s shopping cart back on your way into a store
• compliment an employee to their manager, even better write a letter to corporate
• make someone’s day with a big tip
• throw someone a birthday party
• mark special days on your calendar and let others know you are thinking of them
• donate your favorite inspirational book to the library, shelter, or Goodwill to help encourage others
• send a card on someone’s birthday, an actual card in the mail – this never gets old
• buy a lottery ticket for someone
• write a letter letting them know the impact they have had on your life
• give the gift of touch – it’s something we can sometimes take for granted, but it can mean so much to people who may live alone – I know my mother seemed to love it when I would sit close to her and hold her hand
• put money in someone’s parking meter that is about to expire or has expired
• dedicate a song to someone
• let someone in front of you at the checkout who only has a few items or if it is a frazzled mother or a mother with a crying baby
• help a shy person to feel more like they belong – there are often hidden treasures in the quiet and are actually great people to get to know and are usually much different than they seem
• Christmas cheer - I love the idea of going to the stores around Christmas time with absolutely no other agenda than to be  nice to tired and stressed out shoppers.

I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, Or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, Let me do it now, as I shall not pass this way again.  -Steven Grellet

We would love to hear your ideas!