70 Simple Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do Every Day
I love random acts of kindness. These small, or not so small, deeds really do make a difference in the world and in the lives of others. The greater the number of people that commit to performing these acts of kindness, the more exponential the effect because of its contagious nature.
Any act of kindness has value, no matter how big or small. However, the acts of kindness listed below are ones that you can do TODAY because they do not require preparation, planning, or a long-term commitment. If we can perform at least one of these kind acts each and every day, we will slowly, but surely, leave an indelible legacy of kindness in this world:
- Give someone a thoughtful gift (it does not have to be expensive)
- Hold the door open for someone
- Write someone a thank you note
- Send someone an email just to say hello
- Call a friend or family member for no reason other than to chat
- Pay the toll for the driver behind you
- Pay for someone’s groceries at the grocery store
- Buy someone a cup of coffee
- Let someone cut in in traffic
- Help a driver in need fix a flat tire or in some other way
- Give up a parking space to someone and park further away
- Give up your place in line at the bank, grocery store, etc.
- Pay someone a genuine and heartfelt compliment
- Send flowers to someone, just because
- Plant a tree or a plant
- Do not complain about anything the entire day
- Cook or buy some food for someone
- Donate old clothes and stuff you do not need
- Take the time to listen to someone attentively rather than monopolize the conversation
- Take your grocery cart back to the store after you are done
- Bake cookies or a cake for someone
- Forgive someone who wronged you in the past
- Tip someone you wouldn’t ordinarily tip
- Tell your parents how much you love and appreciate them
- Give something away on Craigslist
- Give away lottery tickets
- Offer to babysit for someone
- Do not gossip about anyone the entire day
- Thank your mailman for his hard work
- Give someone an inspiring book
- Donate books to the library
- Pick up trash that you see
- Give someone a ride in your car
- Call your grandparents to chat
- Make a donation to a worthy cause (it does not have to be a lot)
- Put your phone away when in the company of others and do not keep checking it
- Smile at someone random
- Hug someone to show you care
- Put positive sticky notes in places where others will see them and be uplifted
- Stop to talk to a homeless person
- Write or tell your partner what you love about him or her
- Put together a small herb garden for someone
- Say thank you to the janitor at your work, school, or gym
- Frame a friend’s favorite quote or lyric and give it to them
- Drop off cat or dog food at an animal shelter as they are always in need
- Make 2 lunches instead of 1 and give one away at work or school
- Be patient, kind and gracious to the customer rep on the phone
- Tell a police officer how much you appreciate him or her
- Apologize to someone, even if it is not your fault
- Thank your garbage collectors, leave them a nice note
- Stick a few coins on a gumball machine for a kid to use
- Stick a sealed bag of popcorn onto a Redbox machine
- Get a free 1-week pass to your gym and give it to a friend or family member
- Make friends with and help someone new in your gym
- Place a happy or positive sign in your front yard
- Help retrieve your neighbour’s garbage can from the curb after collection
- Compliment a parent with polite and well-behaved kids
- Leave only positive comments and responses on social media
- Share a friend’s blog, business website or art on social media
- Leave a box of tennis balls at the park with a sign that explains it is meant for dog owners to use to play with their dogs
- Offer that old cell phone, laptop, TV, or computer to someone in need
- Place a positive or happy sign or sticker on your car so that is visible to other drivers
- Make a difference by donating funds to someone on Kiva, Kickstarter or GoFundMe
- Recommend someone for a job opening
- Donate blood
- Carpool with someone
- Pay for someone else’s meal anonymously at a restaurant
- Drop-off personal hygiene items or diapers at a local shelter
- Do not correct someone, especially in public, even if you know they are wrong
- Keep an extra umbrella in your car to lend someone in the event of rain
All of us can make a difference by doing the little things that matter every day! Leave a comment if you have other ideas to suggest.