The Power of Small Acts of Kindness

 

Great opportunities to help others seldom come,

 but small ones surround us every day.

                                      Sally Koch – Author

 

We often hear about organizations that are having a positive impact on the world, and we may be inspired to support their work, through our financial contributions or by offering our time as a volunteer. There is power in coming together to help others.

As we consider the impact of our individual acts of kindness, we may feel that, by contrast, we individually, cannot make much of a difference in the world.

I see it differently. I believe that the cumulative effect of our daily small actions is the foundation on which we are building a safer and more compassionate world. If we each reach out with friendliness or support to another person every day, the cumulative effect will be immeasurable. We will never know the impact on the individual receiving our kindness, and then the ripple effect, as they pass it on through the day, as a result of the uplift it gave them.

There are so many ways to acknowledge others or to show appreciation for them. If we go out into our day with the intention of spreading kindness, opportunities appear with everyone we encounter. These lead to unplanned actions, determined by each situation.

You already have your own way of being kind, so you know how good it feels. Here are a few ideas that may inspire you to expand your kindness practice.

 

Spontaneous Acts of Kindness

Smile at anyone you meet, whether they respond or not. They usually will.

Make a sincere compliment to someone you encounter - perhaps the receptionist or another person in the waiting room with you. I enjoy telling people what a great smile they have – but only if they really do.

Ask the name of a worker at a store or in an office that you visit regularly and then, greet them by name each time you see them.

Make a comment of appreciation for anyone who helps you – a cashier in a store, a nurse in a doctor’s office, even the person restocking shelves at the grocery store.

Notice someone who is struggling and may need help opening a door, getting out of a chair or putting groceries in the car - then step up to help.

Greet other people in a waiting room or in line at a store with a pleasant comment, then see what conversation may follow.

Ignore a rude comment, or respond with one that is kind, assuming that the other person is having a bad day.

Each situation will provide a chance to respond in a kind way.

 

Planned Acts of Kindness

Family, friends, and neighbors provide many opportunities for kind acts. Do you have a skill that will help a friend through a challenge? Does someone need help with shopping, a ride to a doctor or help with yard work? Does a neighbor who lives alone need a friendly ear and caring heart?

Ask what you can do to help, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the chance it gives you to connect in a deeper way.

Birthday cards or ecards and messages of congratulation on an anniversary or graduation are a good way to connect with people we don’t see often. Thank you notes, after receiving a gift, give us a way of acknowledging the kindness of others.

Do you have an old friend or a distant family member that you haven’t connected with lately? Perhaps, a phone call - or a pleasant email greeting - would brighten the day for both of you. Make a list of people you have not talked with in a while, and you will be surprised at how many opportunities it gives you to reach out.

Many organizations providing services to less fortunate members of our community need contributions of clothing, household items, toys, and other items for children. That provides us a good way to pass on items that we no longer use and to brighten the day for someone else.

As we continue on our kindness journey, we notice the people around us, and we find new opportunities to reach out to them. We become more creative in our response, and we get to experience the joy of finding new ways to take our love out into the world.

Our wish for you is that you have fun on your journey.

   *Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

 

What are your thoughts?   

In what way do you most enjoy sharing your kindness?

Please leave a comment below.

 

Help us spread the message of kindness.

If you know others who might appreciate these ideas, please share below.

 

We’re grateful that you are on this journey with us.

With love from our hearts to yours,

Pat and Larry