Kindness Begets Kindness

Deliberate Acts of Kindness

It’s no surprise that when one person does something nice for another, the recipient is more likely to do something nice for a third person, and so on.   Research has shown that just as acts of aggression toward others can lead to a chain reaction of aggressive behavior in others, so too do acts of generosity lead to more generous behavior in the recipients.  If you want to help mold your college campus, work environment or community into a kinder place, it starts with being the altruistic example.

Will you commit to doing at least one of these acts every day?  If you do, you'll see the impact it has on you and those around you.

Acts of kindness:

• Say "please" and "thank you" and really mean it.
• Say "Good morning" to people you cross paths with in the morning.
• Put a shopping cart back in its holder – even if it wasn’t one you used.
• Take off your shoes when you enter someone’s home, without being asked.
• Give out compliments – even to strangers such as the person at the register.
• Hold open the door for people coming in behind you.
• When someone lets you in, on the road, wave a thank you to them.
• Remember your restaurant servers name and say thank you to them.
• Listen intently when someone speaks to you.  Look at them, not at your phone.
• When introducing someone, give them a stellar intro – make them feel great.
• When you arrive at someone’s home, take their newspaper to the door.
• Roll empty trash cans from the curb to your neighbor’s drive for them.
• When you arrive at the bank, wait to pull in line for the drive through until you are actually ready, so you don’t hold up the people behind you.
• When leaving a store, give any coupons you aren’t going to use to someone else entering the store.  Or leave them sitting near the products they are for.
• Give a child selling lemonade $5 for the cup they are selling for $.50 and take no change.
• When leaving your hotel room, pile all of the towels in one spot to help the cleaners.
• When your delivery guy drops off a shipment, offer him a bottle of water.
• Pay the toll for the driver behind you.
• Take a minute to direct someone who is lost, even though you're rushing.
• Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail.
• Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor, especially in extreme weather.
• Give a homeless person a bagged lunch.
• Say "I love you" to someone you love.
• Put a coin in an expired meter.
• Help a mother carry her baby stroller.
• Each time you get a new item of clothing, give away something old.
• Take someone's shift as the car-pool parent or the designated driver.
• Bring your assistant, co-worker, or friend coffee, tea, or a smoothie.
• Out of the blue, send flowers to someone.
• When you're on a crowded train or bus, offer your seat to an elderly, disabled or pregnant person.
• Send someone a hand written note of thanks (or leave it on your table for a server)
• Send a ‘thinking of you’ card to a friend or family member for no reason.
• Buy a coffee or water for a person working outside.
• Cut your neighbor’s lawn when cutting your own.
• Walk your friend’s dog.
• Give a compliment about your waiter or waitress to his or her manager.
• Send someone a small gift anonymously.
• Stop and help someone replace their flat tire or get a tow.
• Let someone jump the queue at the bank, grocery store, or coffee shop.
• Pay for drinks for the next person in line (or few people).
• Give a huge tip to a service person when they least expect it.
• Hold the train or elevator door open for someone rushing to get in.
• Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.
• Don’t litter!  Pick up others’ littler as you walk by it, and throw it away.
• Compliment a work or school colleague for their excellence.
• Recommend one of your customers to another one of your clients that could use their services.
• Give another driver your parking spot.
• Let someone in front of you who is trying to switch lanes or turn on to the road.
• Help an elderly person carry their groceries out.
• Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train, bus, or in a waiting room.
• Donate the books or magazines you’ve read to a library or a book resale store.
• Buy an inspirational book for a friend.
• Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.
• Smile a lot, at everyone.

If you have ideas to add to this list, send us a message or leave a comment.  We’d love to add them.  

When you implement these acts, send us a message or leave a comment on how it impacted that person or how it made you feel.  We’d love to hear your positive stories.