There are a lot of reasons to be kind, and I won’t try to enumerate them here. There are plenty of books that can do that. Rather, I am going to suggest a few free or low-cost ways that you can show some kindness.
- Babysit your friends’ or family members’ kids for a few hours so they can get a break. While you’re at it, tell that parent that they’re doing a good job. It’s a tough time to be a parent.
- It’s also a tough time to work in the service industry. Leave a good review of a business you went to, and mention the staff member who helped you by name. It makes them feel noticed and appreciated and makes them look good to their supervisor.
- Do something nice for your pet. My dog loves nothing more than a long hike and a dip in the creek. Sometimes I don’t take him swimming because I don’t feel like giving him a bath afterward. I should make time for it more though; the glow on his face (and the butt wiggles) bring me so much joy. Every pet is different. Maybe yours would like catnip, a new toy, or a fancy, out-of-the-ordinary treat.
- Pets aren’t the only ones who appreciate treats — your coworkers do too! Bring treats to your workplace. Homemade or store bought, it doesn’t really matter. If you decide to go the latter route, up the kindness factor by buying from a local business.
- Check something off of someone’s to-do list. Maybe take the trash out when that’s usually your roommate’s job, do the dishes when it’s not your turn, or complete a tedious task for a coworker.
- Donate blood, if you are able to do so.
- Pick up litter. You’re extra kind if you do this in Columbia; trash bag space is a precious commodity around here.
- Forgive an honest mistake. It’s such a stressful time, and it’s easy to get frustrated when people make even small mistakes. There is nothing like the feeling of relief you get when you mess up and are bracing for a person to be angry at you and instead they just instantly forgive you. Try giving that feeling to someone else. It may be a messed-up coffee order, someone bumping into you, or someone forgetting to replace the toilet paper. Just let it go.
- Help a tech-challenged relative or friend master a new skill or troubleshoot problems on a device they are struggling with. Pro tip: make sure they write down all passwords somewhere secure and accessible. Watch them do it, and remember where they are. Then, the next time you help them with something, you don’t have to go in and reset every single password (again) if they forget them.
- Send a nice, handmade card to someone who made a difference in your life.
If you’re looking for some fictional kindness inspiration (or kindspo, as no one likes to call it), I would recommend starting with works of Fredrik Backman. When I think of fictional acts of kindness, my mind goes straight to “Beartown.” The overall tone is fairly bleak, but there is one particular act of kindness in it that still makes me tear up. “Anxious People” and “A Man Called Ove” have even more acts of kindness.
Another great pick is “The Midnight Library.” You don’t know the echoes that even the small things you do can have for people. Something like picking up medication for an elderly neighbor, visiting someone in the nursing home, helping someone bury their cat, or teaching a teenager the piano can have a huge, echoing effect. Also, Carey Mulligan does a great job narrating the audiobook.
Go forth, and be kind.
Image credit: Oddharmonic, Kindness Tree via Flickr (license)
