"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness, every act creates a ripple with no logical end" – Scott Adams.
A spontaneous effort to perform a random act of kindness can have a significant impact, especially in today's fast-paced, chaotic, and busy world, when people are preoccupied with their own concerns almost to the exclusion of others around them. Yes, you cannot change the world. But you can change yourself. More often than not, being kind to others doesn't cost much. On the other hand, you never know when the smallest gesture of kindness can be the one that changes someone else's outlook on life and gives them reason to smile. You can accomplish extraordinary things by making a daily conscious decision to be more generous.
If you are wondering how you can incorporate more kindness into your life, February is the perfect time to start. February 17 is celebrated as 'Random acts of kindness day' and not only one day but an entire week in this month is dedicated to the conscious effort to be kind to the others around you. We have compiled a list of random acts of kindness ideas for you to get inspiration.
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Bring Your Neighbour Food: Deliver some freshly baked cookies or cakes to your next-door neighbor. It will be an especially kind gesture if they are new as they will feel more welcomed in the neighborhood.
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Buy a meal for a stranger: In the restaurant, pay for the dinner of the complete stranger at the table next to yours. To keep things more fun, ask the staff to keep your identity anonymous!
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Tip a generous amount: Be generous and tip the largest sum of money you can afford to that hardworking waiter who always serves you at your favorite restaurant. It will definitely make his/her day and motivate them to keep working.
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Offer your seat in a bus: If you see someone struggling to stand in a crowded bus or subway, offer your seat to them so they can travel comfortably, especially if they are elderly.
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Reach out to an old friend: Reconnect with an old friend you lost contact with and let them know how their presence has been a significant part of your precious memories.
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Offer to babysit: Do you know a couple that could benefit from a little respite from their daily activities and the obligations that come with adulthood? Make them an offer to babysit their child for a couple of days so that they can have the opportunity to unwind and have some fun for a little bit.
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Offer to walk your neighbor's dog: Have a small furry companion that lives across the street from you and seems to occupy the majority of your neighbor's free time? Make them an offer to walk their dog whenever it suits your schedule.
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Hand out sanitary pads: There are still a lot of women out there who cannot afford sanitary pads during the times of need. So hand out pads or tampons (and maybe other toiletries as well) to the poor women of your community.
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Donate books to the library: Make a contribution of your old books to the library in your community. A significant number of students, many of whom do not have the financial means to purchase all of the books, are able to gain access to them through such libraries.
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Donate clothes to charity: Just like books, bring out all your old clothes you won't wear anymore and donate them to a charitable trust. You will not only help out poor people in need, but also get to de-clutter your home.
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Offer a ride to your colleague: Got a colleague who seems to always struggle with public transport to travel from work to home everyday? Offer a ride to them in your car. Going slightly out of your way, literally, won't make that much of a difference!
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Recommend someone to the superior: Do you have a coworker who is helpful, talented, and works extremely hard who you feel deserves more recognition? You can contribute by suggesting them to your supervisor in order to help out.
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Befriend the new co-worker: Got a new colleague at the office who seems to be struggling to find their footing in the new working environment? Lend a helping hand to them. Try to befriend them and help them get more comfortable in their new job.
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Pick up the litter wherever you can: Make a conscious effort to pick up litter from the road whenever you can. Be it your local park, beach or just your neighborhood, whenever you are throwing out your trash, try to pick up the litters you see around you and put them in the trash can.
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Learn sign language: The answer is that it would need somewhat more work than performing other acts of kindness. However, the reward is well worth the effort. It is a really rewarding experience to become fluent in sign language and to have the ability to communicate with hearing-impaired people who long for the company of those who can comprehend what they are saying. Show Gratitude, compliment, listen to problem, love yourself
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Volunteer at an animal shelter: Volunteering for a worthy cause is one of the best and most impactful ways to perform acts of kindness. Why not help out at an animal shelter while you're at it? Indeed, those adorable furry companions are just as deserving of your generosity as any human being. The experience of caring for and bonding with one of these animals over the course of a day or several days can be quite rewarding.
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Say 'Thank you' and 'I love you' more often: Even though they're easy to say, "thank you" and "I love you" aren't often said as frequently as they should be. One of the most important acts of kindness you can perform is demonstrating appreciation and affection for the people in your life. Tell the people that mean the most to you how much you value them.
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Compliment generously: Compliment people more frequently and thoroughly. Because a simple compliment such as "Good work" may be a tremendous source of encouragement for people who put in a lot of effort, and it can encourage them to keep going. Whether they are your coworkers, pupils, or subordinates, make sure everyone knows how much you value the work they do.
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Listen to others: Giving someone your undivided attention and listening to what they have to say is one of the most selfless things you can do for another person, and it is also one of the most appreciated. Because a lot of the time, all individuals really want is a friend who will just listen to them vent about their problems. Yes, it's possible that you may not have the ability to fix all of their problems. However, simply paying attention to what they have to say and letting them know that you are there for them can already be regarded as a great act of kindness.
Be kind to yourself: This will be the first objective to complete if you set out on a mission to be more considerate of other people's feelings and needs. To have the capacity to be kind to other people, you must first have kindness and compassion for yourself. Try to love yourself a little bit more, and try to be a little bit more generous with yourself. Compliment yourself at least once every single day. Make sure to carve some time out of your hectic schedule to treat yourself to a soothing session at the spa or to hang out with your pals. Be kind and gentle to yourself at all times.