Tuesday, July 5, 2011

35 Little Acts of Kindness

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." ~Unknown


Last week, I was in Toronto and feeling a little stressed about having to drive downtown.  I finally found a small parking lot and was able to get the last parking spot available.   As I was ready to pay for my ticket at the pay station, I heard a man say "Don't pay! Please have my ticket, it is paid up until 6 pm tonight."  I couldn't believe it, he made my day.  It wasn't about saving the four to six dollars for parking, it was about the act of kindness.  My son was even surprised and said "Wow mommy, that was really nice!"  What a wonderful way for him to learn that such a simple little thing, can mean so much to a person.  My goal this week is to practice random acts of kindness and make sure that the kids have a part in it.  I recently found some simple and very easy thoughtful gestures that can make someone else's day just a little bit brighter.  Enjoy!



1. Say "Good morning" to a person standing next to you in the elevator.

2. Pay the toll for the driver behind you.

3. Take a minute to direct someone who is lost, even though you're rushing.

4. Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail.

5. Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor, especially in extreme weather.

6. Give a homeless person your doggie bag.

7. Say "I love you" to someone you love.

8. Put a coin in an expired meter.

9. Help a mother carry her baby stroller up the subway stairs, or hold a door open for her.

10. Each time you get a new item of clothing, give away something old.

11. Take someone's shift as the car-pool parent.

12. Bring your assistant coffee.

13. Out of the blue, send flowers to a friend.

14. Say "please" and "thank you"—and really mean it.

15. When you're on a crowded train or bus, offer your seat to an elderly, disabled or pregnant person.

16. Don't interrupt when someone is explaining herself.

17. Let a fellow driver merge into your lane.

18. Offer to baby-sit for a single mom.

19. Put your shopping cart back in its place.

20. Call or write to a teacher who changed your life.

21. Bring a box of doughnuts to share at the office.

22. Forgive someone a debt–and never bring it up again.

23. Listen with all your senses.

24. Write a note to the boss of someone who helps you, and explain how great a job that person is doing.

25. Simply say "I'm sorry" when you're wrong.

26. Throw away your trash—and someone else's—after a movie, picnic or visit to a park.

27. Encourage someone who seems despondent.

28. Volunteer to take care of a friend's dog while he is vacationing.

29. Help a friend pack for a move.

30. Ask someone "How are you really doing?"—and then really listen to her response.

31. Offer change when the person in front of you at the register comes up short.

32. Before a friend moves away, give her your favorite recipe or quote and a photo of the two of you together.

33. Leave a generous tip for a pleasant waiter.

34. At work, offer to transfer a caller who needs help from another department.

35. Pass along a great book you've just finished reading.

1 comment:

NotSoSilentMommy said...

I would just like you to know that because of this post, I bought the man behind me at Tim Hortons his coffee today.. And then I tipped the girl .50cents!!
Random act of kindness!!
I think the girls in Tim Hortons thought I was a little wacky, but that's okay,, maybe i inspired them...
It felt great to do..