Kindnesses. Don’t get me wrong: I pray every day. But I do kindnesses, too.
Being kind. Such a simple thing, really. I think some of us underestimate how powerful one simple act of kindness can be.
Spend timewith someone who can’t get out any more. What’s an hour out of our day cost us? Nothing.
Bake a little something for someone who’s been having a hard time. A pumpkin bread. A dozen cookies. Some cupcakes.
A simple compliment. “You look lovely today.” “That color is so pretty on you!” Compliments are easy kindnesses that can be done anytime, anywhere.
Ask a busy young mom if you can pick something up at the grocery for them.
Donate towels and blankets to the local animal shelter.
Purge your closet and give gently used items to a homeless or domestic abuse shelter.
Fix a mealfor someone who might need the break. There’s something even easier: The other day we dropped off a small plate of strawberries to someone undergoing cancer treatment. So easy. So pretty. So appreciated, too.
Drop by with flowersfrom your garden. If you’ve got an abundance of blooms, drop a big bunch off to a nursing home.
Send a card –– a real card, through the mail–to say you’re thinking of someone.
In fact, some seniors have no none to send them a card. There’s a great organization called Love for the Elderly that helps us provide love and appreciation to lonely seniors by writing notes or even sending a sunshine box. Take a look, here. If you don’t have any spare notecards, check out a dollar store, where you can often get two for a buck. Use colored pens and add little drawings or smiley faces to your letter. Don’t know what to say? The website has examples!
And as you know, my heart is all about helping people heal. So I developed two decks of beautiful little affirmation cards--one for healing and another for grief. The packaging is lovely, too, and either deck makes a thoughtful gift for someone in need of a positive thought. Or 50 of them. That’s how many are in each deck. I’d love for you to take a look, because someone in your life would really appreciate them. Find them HERE.
I think it’s about walking your talk isn’t it Carol. I know in the bible it condemns people who say – be warm and safe and then do nothing to help the person. I’m not much of a cook, but I love giving a compliment and a helping hand if and when it’s needed. Your gift packs are gorgeous.
It seems harder and harder to be kind doesn’t it? A world that is fueled by awful things in the media- we thrive on it. I wish we could all do unto others – always.
Oh, I love lists like these. This one is so perfect.
I’m absolutely going to look into sending cards to seniors – my daughter and I can do it together. She loves doing things like this, too. Thanks, Carol!!
Yesterday while out to lunch with friends we paid for lunch for the military personnel sitting near us. It felt so good and it was so easy – and anonymous!
Kindness is very important and not seen very much in this day in age. I love the idea of the positive affirmation cards. Such a great way to help those around you.
Even something as simple as a smile can help make someone feel better. I like to give to charities and shelters, especially if I don’t have money to donate x
I love this so much. I usually have a snarky comment for almost everything I read, but this. This is special. People don’t know how to be kind anymore. They just don’t. It takes a national tragedy for us to see humanity these days.
This is so true! I am all about paying it forward. I have such a blessed and wonderful life and I want to pass it on to others. If I can do one small thing to brighten someones’ day, it also brightens mine. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration.
The simple kindness not only brings a smile of thanks from someone, it brings an even greater feeling of joy to the giver. I let a construction worker on his lunch hour cut in front of me at the supermarket so he could pay for his take-out and be on his way. he thanked me when I did it and then circled back and thanked me again. Such a small thing for me to do–and it felt so nice to realize he appreciated it so much. The little kindnesses–acts of consideration–may be really little but they mean so much.
This is an amazing post. Today’s society tends to be focused on the self and less on other people. Holding a door open, smiling at person or buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you are littles that go a long way to making someones day
I agree! While I am by no means knocking prayer I believe in manifestation and karma too! What we put out we will get back – good or bad!
You gave so many wonderful ideas on how we can do good for others!
This is beautiful. Doing 3 acts of kindness a day started as a challenge and is now just habit. It always feels so good to do something, the tiniest thing for someone else.
I love your post and I hope that the people who read it make it a point to act on these ideas. I compliment at least 3 people when I am out and not once has anyone thought it was creepy…everyone likes to be complimented and validated and appreciated.
Oh I just love this. I don’t know why kindness has gone so far away. So many people are so concerned with themselves. I hope to raise my boys to be kind…we talk about how they were kind to others each and every day before bed.
It’s actually very easy to show kindness to other people, that’s why I can’t understand why some people find this so hard to do. Even the smallest gestures can make someone’s day.
If we all did just a few kind things a day, the world would be such a better place. Like you said, it doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, just something simple can make someone’s entire day brighter.
I think simple acts of kindness are a great way to encourage a good perspective in your children. Taking them out and doing good deeds is a good way to develop behavior.
Oh Carol, thanks so much for sharing the Letters of Love. You know I have a very special place in my heart for the Elderly. I’m going to share this with so many people. And yes, kindness is as easy as holding open a door….let’s do more of that, Love to you!
Honestly I think that if you show others kindness then most of the time you will find it will be returned. Sending cards to the elderly is a lovely idea.
These are some great tips and I can’t wait to work on some with our children. We often “pay it forward” but these are some really simple things that even the kids can do.
You have some great ideas for how we can make the world a better place with simple acts of kindness that don’t take much time, just the thought. Thanks for the inspiration as right now I simply try to be more aware & say thanks to the people who serve me … checking out at the grocery store, a restaurant, etc.
PS Want to write a thank you note each day but not doing it yet.
Teaching acts of kindness is so important, there are so many that have no clue what this even means! I have no qualms about telling a stranger they look beautiful today or their hair looks nice. I know how it would make me feel if someone said it to me so I say it to others!
Also, in my home, prayer is just as much an act of kindness as the things mentioned on this list! Thanks for all of the ideas, I’m definitely going to be implementing quite a few of them!
Kindness! That’s what we need more of these days. I don’t think there’s enough going around and what’s funny is that it’s so easy to be kind to people. We have lost that so much and I would like my kids to practice that everyday. A little kindness goes a long way.
I love to do things for other people and this is a great list of ideas. This world would be such a better place if simple acts of kindness were implemented by everyone.
This post really gets to me. i have always said that actions speak louder than words, and this post says just that. Be kind, and help each other. Great post.
Small kindnesses make big differences. I think people have forgotten how to be kind or have lost track of whats important in life. We live in a world where money and fame is the name of the game and kindness in its true form is unique and hard to find. Lovely tips here on how to be kind.
This is such a beautiful post!
Kindness is definitely rare nowadays. And I absolutely adore the tips you’ve given to be kind especially about sending the seniors a card.
Keep Going,
With love,
Halima
I love and agree with this SK true. It is amazing how we can brighten someone’s day by a small act of kindness. I love the baking suggestion. I may try that.
Love your list of simple kindness tips! It is so true when you show just a little kindness to someone, it can truly make a difference in their day. You never what a person is going through and if your small act of kindness brings a person great joy, then you have truly made an impact.
As my mom would say, it cost nothing to show someone kindess. I’ve always held that to heart. Even something as simple as holding the door open or a smile can brighten someone’s day.
This quote is so true. I love the wonderful ideas that you have put together for practicing small acts of kindness. I volunteer to write exams for the visually challenged students to do my bit 🙂
Cards are so important to send since folks rarely receive them. I know it lifts my spirits when I receive personal mail vs. bills and marketing materials.
I love the healing affirmation cards. My cousin is not feeling well at this time. She is remission from Breast CA but lately, she feels weak and depressed. I think I need to give her these cards and maybe drop by her house and fix a meal for her.
I recently watched an ad and at the end of it is a quote that says, “A simple act of kindness creates a ripple.” It’s so true and it’s something that we can do everyday. Simple, easy, sometimes it doesn’t even require an effort.
It is so easy to forget that little acts of kindness have a profound effect on the world around us. The little acts do grow into a huge avalanche. Love the ideas you’ve posted. will try some of them this week itself and let you know how it goes!
We are on the same page Carol as this week I also wrote about kindness. At the moment the world is sorely lacking in this area. I helped out at my MIL’s aged care home’s fete last week and it was lovely spending time with the residents. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day with a kind word or smile.
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
I love comments, so if something resonates with you in any way, don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog. Thank you for stopping by–oh, and why not subscribe so you don’t miss a single post?
And as you know, my heart is all about helping people heal. So I developed two decks of 
I adore this! People have forgotten how to be kind in this world, and it shows. I see it everyday in the world around me. Thank you so much.
I think it’s about walking your talk isn’t it Carol. I know in the bible it condemns people who say – be warm and safe and then do nothing to help the person. I’m not much of a cook, but I love giving a compliment and a helping hand if and when it’s needed. Your gift packs are gorgeous.
I so agree! Why is it so hard for most to be loving and generous with their compliments?
Thanks for this kind reminder…
It is quite sad that often many forget even the smallest of kind responses these days, it is as though the world has become too fast paced.
It seems harder and harder to be kind doesn’t it? A world that is fueled by awful things in the media- we thrive on it. I wish we could all do unto others – always.
Oh, I love lists like these. This one is so perfect.
I’m absolutely going to look into sending cards to seniors – my daughter and I can do it together. She loves doing things like this, too. Thanks, Carol!!
Yesterday while out to lunch with friends we paid for lunch for the military personnel sitting near us. It felt so good and it was so easy – and anonymous!
I’m afraid we’re barreling down a steep decline in kindness, Carol. It is our personal responsibility to ensure we don’t get dragged along.
b
It seems as though simple acts of kindness are really becoming few and far between, It’s so important to show kindness.
Kindness is very important and not seen very much in this day in age. I love the idea of the positive affirmation cards. Such a great way to help those around you.
There are always things that can be done to help others out. It’s the littel things that mean so much.
Even something as simple as a smile can help make someone feel better. I like to give to charities and shelters, especially if I don’t have money to donate x
I love this! It is so important to remember how something seemingly small to us can completely change another person’s day for the better!
I love this so much. I usually have a snarky comment for almost everything I read, but this. This is special. People don’t know how to be kind anymore. They just don’t. It takes a national tragedy for us to see humanity these days.
This is so true! I am all about paying it forward. I have such a blessed and wonderful life and I want to pass it on to others. If I can do one small thing to brighten someones’ day, it also brightens mine. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration.
These are some really lovely ideas, a little bit of kindness can go such a long way.
I need to put these into practice more. That reminds me I need to call my mom.
Such a simple thing. Say something, or do something, nice!
One act of kindness goes such a long way. I love those healing notecards, too.
The simple kindness not only brings a smile of thanks from someone, it brings an even greater feeling of joy to the giver. I let a construction worker on his lunch hour cut in front of me at the supermarket so he could pay for his take-out and be on his way. he thanked me when I did it and then circled back and thanked me again. Such a small thing for me to do–and it felt so nice to realize he appreciated it so much. The little kindnesses–acts of consideration–may be really little but they mean so much.
This is an amazing post. Today’s society tends to be focused on the self and less on other people. Holding a door open, smiling at person or buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you are littles that go a long way to making someones day
I agree! While I am by no means knocking prayer I believe in manifestation and karma too! What we put out we will get back – good or bad!
You gave so many wonderful ideas on how we can do good for others!
This is really great. It isn’t too hard to be kind to others, I have found the smallest gesture can make someones day and boost them up!
Lovely as usual.
I really love surprising those I love with flowers at random times. People don’t realize how much one act of kindness can do.
This is beautiful. Doing 3 acts of kindness a day started as a challenge and is now just habit. It always feels so good to do something, the tiniest thing for someone else.
I love your post and I hope that the people who read it make it a point to act on these ideas. I compliment at least 3 people when I am out and not once has anyone thought it was creepy…everyone likes to be complimented and validated and appreciated.
Oh I just love this. I don’t know why kindness has gone so far away. So many people are so concerned with themselves. I hope to raise my boys to be kind…we talk about how they were kind to others each and every day before bed.
It’s actually very easy to show kindness to other people, that’s why I can’t understand why some people find this so hard to do. Even the smallest gestures can make someone’s day.
I want to try to send more cards. I’ve always been so bad at it during holidays, but I really want to try to do it for no real reason. 🙂
I have just purged my closet and donated a bunch of stuff. I really am blessed to have what I do and I need to share more.
i think it is always so important to do nice things just because we can and to help people just because.
If we all did just a few kind things a day, the world would be such a better place. Like you said, it doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, just something simple can make someone’s entire day brighter.
I need to practice this sometime it”s so hard to be kind for others and I agree act of kindness goes such a long way
I think simple acts of kindness are a great way to encourage a good perspective in your children. Taking them out and doing good deeds is a good way to develop behavior.
Oh Carol, thanks so much for sharing the Letters of Love. You know I have a very special place in my heart for the Elderly. I’m going to share this with so many people. And yes, kindness is as easy as holding open a door….let’s do more of that, Love to you!
Honestly I think that if you show others kindness then most of the time you will find it will be returned. Sending cards to the elderly is a lovely idea.
These are some great tips and I can’t wait to work on some with our children. We often “pay it forward” but these are some really simple things that even the kids can do.
You have some great ideas for how we can make the world a better place with simple acts of kindness that don’t take much time, just the thought. Thanks for the inspiration as right now I simply try to be more aware & say thanks to the people who serve me … checking out at the grocery store, a restaurant, etc.
PS Want to write a thank you note each day but not doing it yet.
What an awesome post I’d love to read more about this and it is important to be always kind to others.
Teaching acts of kindness is so important, there are so many that have no clue what this even means! I have no qualms about telling a stranger they look beautiful today or their hair looks nice. I know how it would make me feel if someone said it to me so I say it to others!
Also, in my home, prayer is just as much an act of kindness as the things mentioned on this list! Thanks for all of the ideas, I’m definitely going to be implementing quite a few of them!
Being kind is very important! There is no point of praying if you are not kind and do something for the ones around you.
I love these ideas! Showing kindness through little acts goes a long way.
Kindness! That’s what we need more of these days. I don’t think there’s enough going around and what’s funny is that it’s so easy to be kind to people. We have lost that so much and I would like my kids to practice that everyday. A little kindness goes a long way.
I love all of these. It is very easy to be kind and I think sometimes we forget that. I love these ideas, I will be using them!
I love these ideas. It is amazing what a small amount of kindness goes a long ways.
I get ’em two for a buck at the Dollar Store too. 🙂 I agree being kind is a good thing. Makes you happy too. 🙂
I love to do things for other people and this is a great list of ideas. This world would be such a better place if simple acts of kindness were implemented by everyone.
This post really gets to me. i have always said that actions speak louder than words, and this post says just that. Be kind, and help each other. Great post.
Quality time is soooo valued and appreciated! something as simple as spending time with someone is so important.
Small kindnesses make big differences. I think people have forgotten how to be kind or have lost track of whats important in life. We live in a world where money and fame is the name of the game and kindness in its true form is unique and hard to find. Lovely tips here on how to be kind.
These are all such great ideas! Those cards would be perfect to pass around.
wow! that is such an eye opener and thought provoker. its amazing how the simple things can take our breath away hey
I agree being a small kind is a good thing, it can make big differences
This is such a beautiful post!
Kindness is definitely rare nowadays. And I absolutely adore the tips you’ve given to be kind especially about sending the seniors a card.
Keep Going,
With love,
Halima
I love this idea of spreading more kindness. It really is such a simple idea that seems so hard for some.
Lovely post! I feel as if it’s hard to be kind nowadays without the expectation of wanting something in return, which is quite sad.
How true! A simple act of kindness can make a world of a difference. I wish that there was more kindness in the world!
I love and agree with this SK true. It is amazing how we can brighten someone’s day by a small act of kindness. I love the baking suggestion. I may try that.
Love your list of simple kindness tips! It is so true when you show just a little kindness to someone, it can truly make a difference in their day. You never what a person is going through and if your small act of kindness brings a person great joy, then you have truly made an impact.
As my mom would say, it cost nothing to show someone kindess. I’ve always held that to heart. Even something as simple as holding the door open or a smile can brighten someone’s day.
This quote is so true. I love the wonderful ideas that you have put together for practicing small acts of kindness. I volunteer to write exams for the visually challenged students to do my bit 🙂
Kindness is something that we can share everyday and it doesn’t have to cost a thing! It could be as simple as a smile or holding a door open!
Cards are so important to send since folks rarely receive them. I know it lifts my spirits when I receive personal mail vs. bills and marketing materials.
During Memorial Day, we took the kids to a hospital and visited a Vietnam Vet. Kindness is powerful.
I love all of these ideas of kindness. I need to incorporate kindness and positivity into my life more.
I love the healing affirmation cards. My cousin is not feeling well at this time. She is remission from Breast CA but lately, she feels weak and depressed. I think I need to give her these cards and maybe drop by her house and fix a meal for her.
Beautiful ideas to practice the art of giving.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
I recently watched an ad and at the end of it is a quote that says, “A simple act of kindness creates a ripple.” It’s so true and it’s something that we can do everyday. Simple, easy, sometimes it doesn’t even require an effort.
It is so easy to forget that little acts of kindness have a profound effect on the world around us. The little acts do grow into a huge avalanche. Love the ideas you’ve posted. will try some of them this week itself and let you know how it goes!
Would love to hear!
We are on the same page Carol as this week I also wrote about kindness. At the moment the world is sorely lacking in this area. I helped out at my MIL’s aged care home’s fete last week and it was lovely spending time with the residents. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day with a kind word or smile.
I love the idea of “Love for the Elderly.” Time we started up something similar here. After all, ou population is ageing…
Lovely simple but effective tips Carol. Thanks.
Yes! Great ideas. So important to be kind!