This thing called life brings us many obstacles throughout our journey. Many mountains to climb. Many storms to walk through. And many incredible moments of peace, joy, and celebration in between. In addition to taking good care of myself mentally, emotionally, and physically; there is something that has always helped me to make a shift whether I’m having a great day, or if I’m in the midst of a personal storm. – To do something kind for someone else. It’s a win-win as it puts a smile on the recipient’s face, and lifts my spirits at the same time. We often refer to this as a Random Act of Kindness. Continue reading below to learn more about simple acts of kindness and the impact that they can create.
This article is written by Kelly Lynch
For more on this topic, check out the full Helping Others collection
Simple Acts of Kindness
The neatest thing about kindness is that it doesn’t have to cost a thing. Here are a few examples of some ways that others have helped me, as well as ways that I found to help support others… even those whom I have never met. Continue reading below for my examples, and check out these 50 simple ways to help others.
Random Acts of Kindness Examples
Reaching Out to Others
Have you ever had someone randomly (or not so randomly) pop into your mind? It could even be someone you haven’t talked to in years! I think of this as a nudge to reach out to tell them that they just crossed your mind. Send them a card, a message on social media, or even a simple text. Wish them a wonderful day ahead. We never know when these nudges we receive are because the person on the receiving end needs that smile. Either way, I think one of the kindest things we can do is to let someone know that they are thought of. And…it doesn’t have to cost a penny.
Holding Doors
Another simple (and free!) way to bring kindness is as simple as holding the door for someone. And for those of you who have tried to push a stroller and open a door at the same time, you know all too well how wonderful it is when someone holds the door for you. Return the favor when your hands are free! This simple act of kindness costs you nothing other than maybe a few seconds. And I have a feeling we could all spare a few seconds even with how busy we are these days.
Smile
And of course there’s that smile ☺ To make eye contact, smile, and say “Good Morning” as you pass someone. Another free act of kindness that can make a bigger impact than you realize.
Tipping
What about that attentive, friendly waiter or waitress? If possible, add a few extra dollars to their tip to thank them for a job well done. There are lots of ways we can save money and a few dollars here and there. Consider giving some of that extra cash to someone who deserves it.
Pay it Forward
One of my favorite go-to acts of kindness is to “Pay It Forward”. When I’m in a drive thru, I tell the cashier that I’d like to pay for the order placed by those in the car behind me. What I especially like about the drive-thru is that I can drive away and remain anonymous, hoping that I might have made their day. And maybe whoever was in that car behind me will continue the ripple and pay for the car behind them! The thing is, I’ll never know the outcome as I trust that it all unfolds organically. I just hope that it made them smile.
Genuine Meaningful Kindness
For kindness isn’t about the response. It’s not about expecting anything in return. It’s the act we do for someone else out of the goodness of our heart. And it can be done in the simplest of ways. More often than not, it costs us nothing.
Create the ripple you’d like to see in the world. This is something we create every second of every day with the energy we carry, even unconsciously. Just like when you toss a stone into a calm lake, how the ripple of water forms and continues out to the edges of the grass. Be mindful of what you’re creating with your ripple. Let kindness be that ripple. Let it be as simple as your contagious smile that shifts someone’s energy.
Kindness can happen with those we know well and with those we’ve never met. We’re all walking through this thing called life. We are on our paths weaving in and out of others as they walk on theirs. We often having no knowledge of what the people around us are going through. What storm they might be walking through. Yet we always have the choice…to be kind.
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For more on this topic, check out the full Helping Others collection
Featured Contributor: Kelly Lynch
Kelly is a wife and mother to three amazing young children, one who resides in Heaven. Kelly has battled 4 different types of cancer, and blogs on Sacred Mountain Press about her journey showing us how life’s lessons show up differently for all of us, yet we all seem to walk parallel paths. She is a Lancaster County native, and loves sharing her message about Random Acts of Kindness.
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