Spreading kindness is beneficial to both you and the recipients.Recent studies show that giving and receiving kindness helps promote good health and well-being.During the holidays and throughout the year, you can make your community feel good by being friendly and generous.Your kindness produces aripple effect which can and often does branch into an entire network of positivity.Although donating money or clothing to those in need can be seen as being kind, connecting person-to-person with kindness often has more impact on you, the donor, and them.Being kind doesn't have to cost a lot, you just give of yourself, offering to babysit or pet sit, for example, or simply by being well-mannered and respectful.If you adopt the "kindness ethic", you will find that it lifts you and those who your kindness touches.
Step 1: There's a smile.
When you smile, look at the people in the eyes.This is a simple way to spread kindness.Put feeling into your smile and be generous with it.You can smile at the people you come in contact with.People's day can be brightened by this easy gesture.
Step 2: Don't forget your manners.
Good manners make people feel comfortable.If you want to be treated better, treat others respectfully.To be thoughtful and cooperative.Don't forget to give things back if you borrow them.Try to get people who have previously invited you to an event.Work on your communication skills.Think of the communication you are sending with your body language.People use relaxed and open body language.
Step 3: Children should be encouraged.
One of the best ways to spread kindness is to start at home.It is important for children to be kind to all beings.Tell them stories about kindness.They should be taught forgiveness and gratitude as well as respect for all others, regardless of race, gender, origin, culture or socio-economic status.Discuss your acts of kindness with your family.
Step 4: Be respectful.
Don't judge an active listener.Advice isn't always needed and people just want to be heard.If you want to develop better compassion for others, you need to practice self-compassion as well.People struggle silently for many reasons when someone lets them down.Don't hold a grudge or be quick to anger.The other person may be going through something you don't know about that caused them to be late for a meeting.There could be many reasons for the person's lack of acceptable behavior.At the beginning of the day, tell yourself that you won't judge anyone.You should give people your full attention.Don't interrupt, act condescending, fiddle with your phone or be rude.You can practice self-compassion by breathing deeply and releasing the tension in your muscles.Hold your hand over your heart.Imagine that you are using your breathing to send warm compassion to your body.It's a good idea to think of a positive self-affirmation.You are capable and kind.
Step 5: Thank you.
When you can, tip generously.Tell your family why you are grateful for them.Show your respect and admiration for others.Tell someone in your life that you inspire them to be a better person.You can tell them through a note or online message if you don't feel comfortable saying it in person.
Step 6: They should give praise.
Say something nice about someone else when you think of them.It is possible to do this online by liking people's posts and sending good words to them.There are ten things on someone's Facebook profile.Make a habit of repeating the favor for others every Sunday.Say, "What a nice outfit!"
Step 7: Refrain from bad things.
Be aware of both your words and thoughts.Positive thinking can help you approach the world with kindness.Try not to speak negatively during the day.Stick with it until it becomes second nature for you to avoid negative words and thoughts.
Step 8: Drive courteously.
If you want to be a polite driver, put safety first.Only when you need to alert someone to your presence should you use your horn.It's a good idea to keep the distance between your car and the one in front of you.Don't block other people's access while sitting in traffic.Don't try to cut off a line of cars by using the breakdown lane or a turning lane.Don't block driveway, intersection, entrances, and exits when traffic is slow.Don't block the passing lane for too long.Road rage is dangerous and can cause stress and anger.If you find yourself having a strong emotional reaction, breathe deeply, pull over, put some calming music on, and remind yourself that you have complete control over your own intentions.
Step 9: Be kind to others.
Hold doors for people.Shopping carts should be used courteously.People can get around you without having to wait for you to move if you keep your cart to the side of the aisle.If you see an elderly person with a lot of items to load in their vehicle, offer your help.If someone else is vying for the same parking space, let them have it.When you have to search for a parking spot or wait for in-store lines, planning a little extra time can make it easier.Offer to walk the cart back into the store if you see someone looking for a shopping cart corral.They don't have to find a cart return if you use the cart yourself.If you want to use your phone, try texting instead of talking.Match rudeness with kindness and patience.If an advertised product is out of stock, use pleasantries like "please," "thank you," and "you're welcome."If you need to talk to an employee, ask for a manager and present your problem calmly.Don't forget to exercise caution.Don't approach a stranger even if they are crying for help if you are in an isolated area like a parking lot.If a person appears to be injured, tell the person to go to a populated area.
Step 10: Thank you.
You can give kindness an edge if you don't hold onto anger and resentment.Forgiveness is something you should do for your own well-being, and you can lead others by example through living a more positive life.If you want to tell the other person that you have forgiven them, you can say the words "I forgive you" to yourself.You may be surprised at how freeing it is.It doesn't mean you're forgetting the incident or excusing their actions.It doesn't make you a pushover, it means you're exercising control over keeping negative vibes out of your life.If you can, forgive someone's debt.Say, "I've decided to be a forgiver" if someone witnesses you letting a grievance go.You wouldn't believe how peaceful my life has become because of it!
Step 11: You can post on social media.
When someone needs a pick-me-up, your simple gesture can reach them.You can choose an uplifting quote or verse.You can put it on your social media accounts.If you notice someone who seems down, send them a post with an inspiring message.Try saying something like, "I saw this verse and thought of you and your strength in dealing with difficulty."
Step 12: You can give free advice about something you like.
Do you have work-related or hobby-based skills?Seek the advice of someone you know who could use it.Provide your advice on online forums.You can find online forums where the topic you are an expert at is being discussed.If you want, you can anonymously give advice to the forum.
Step 13: pet sit or babysit
If you know someone who could use a babysitter or pet sitter, offer them your services.To a friend, neighbor or family member.You can offer to take the dog for a walk.Say, "If you ever need a babysitter, I'm happy to help free of charge!"
Step 14: Clear the driveway.
If you live in an area that gets snow, the next time you are out shoveling or snowboarding, consider doing one or more of your neighbor's driveway as well.Clear the paths to their doors and sidewalks.Load your gear in the car and drive to a friend or family member's house to clear their driveway.
Step 15: If you want to help a nonprofit, you should volunteer.
Donate your time to a charity that means a lot to you.If you want to find out more about volunteering, look on their website or email them.You can make a financial donation if you don't have time to volunteer.You may be able to deduct it from your taxes.Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to charity if you shop through them.Do you have any questions about which charity to give to?What values are important to you?What are you most passionate about?Do any current issues matter to you the most?Do you think your contribution will have a local or global impact?Pro bono is when you volunteer your professional services.You can offer your assistance at https://www.taprootplus.org.Share a charity on social media by posting a link to their information and/or a news article about how they are helping to spread kindness.
Step 16: Donate your time to help feed the needy.
You can volunteer at a soup kitchen, local church or a campaign.You can find soup kitchens by going to a search engine and typing in your location.You can visit HomelessShelterDirectory.org.Call or visit the soup kitchen website to find out more about volunteering.The Meals on Wheels program relies on volunteers to deliver meals to elderly people who are homebound or otherwise unable to prepare their own meals.You can learn more about volunteering at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
Step 17: Students who are tutor students.
Help young people read.Look for local literacy volunteer organizations by visiting a search engine and entering the name of your state with the words Literacy Volunteers.
Step 18: Pay the person's tab.
If there is someone in line behind you, tell the cashier you want to pay for their order.You can do this inside of a coffee shop on your way out.The object is to be discreet and anonymous.Say, "I would like to pay for the person behind me."You can ask the cashier to relay a message, such as, "please pay it forward someday!" if you're uneasy about how much the bill might be.Say something like, "Here are ten dollars towards the bill of the person behind me" or "If the cashier mentions there will be change, tell them to keep it in their tip jar."
Step 19: You can invite other people over for a meal.
If you want to visit, call friends, neighbors or family.If the invitation is for lunch, dinner or tea/coffee, you can mention it.If you tell them they don't need to bring anything else, you can be extra kind.
Step 20: There is a place to put free stuff.
You can do this on a website that has a free category.You may want to consider giving away items such as furniture, household items, tickets, toys, games and auto parts.You should consider whether you can give it away if you don't need it anymore.It's a good idea to take safety precautions when meeting strangers.You can read more about it at www.craigslist.org.
Step 21: Food can be donated to the hungry.
Donate canned food to the food bank.You can ask your friends and family to bring items to the drive-by.You can find food banks near you.
Step 22: Give away clothing and shoes.
You can find a local church.You can look online for a drop-off box that accepts such items.
Step 23: Send a card or treat.
Send snail mail to your loved ones with holiday cards you purchase at a supermarket or stationery store.It is possible to deliver treats through a service or in person.Many companies offer mail order gifts of Christmas cookies, nuts, and other goodies.It's a good idea to surprise some of the people you know with a box.When you know they will be home, you can show up with a box of homemade sweets.When they answer the doorbell, sing one or two of your favorite carols.
Step 24: Public areas should be left with anonymous gifts.
A couple of ideas to consider are stamps or books.Carry a pack of sticky notes and a pen with you for acts of kindness.If you go to the post office to buy stamps, you can leave them in or beside the machine.Take a good book and leave it in a public place with a note for someone else to enjoy it.It's for you, write something like that.Please pass on an act of kindness to someone else.
Step 25: There are flowers at the nursing home.
Buying two to four bouquets is a good way to do this.You can find a nursing home in the yellow pages.You should find a staff member when you arrive at the nursing home.Give one bouquet of flowers to them, and ask them to give the other bouquets to the people who need them the most.If the staff member asks why you gave them flowers, just say, "It's a 'Thank you' for passing these out." If you prefer not to do this in person, you can.The person you are generous to is likely to feel obliged to do you a favor in return.Since you are giving a bouquet to a staff member, you increase the likelihood that they will pass the kindness on to the residents.You can also bring other types of gifts, such as knitted scarves.
Step 26: Drop off your items at the hospital.
There are children's hospitals in the directory.Call ahead or visit the hospital's website to find out where you should bring the gifts and if there are any guidelines about what you can give.Some items you should prepare for kids are craft sets, stuffed animals, and quilts.
Step 27: You can set up a coffee or hot cocoa stand.
You can do this with kids.Set it up like a lemonade stand, with a table, chairs, and a large sign.You can serve either coffee or hot chocolate.It's important to dress appropriately for the weather.It's a good way to spread kindness during the holidays.Write on the sign, "FREE Coffee and Hot Cocoa!" and add an advisory such as "Warning: beverages may be very hot."