With the new year approaching, resolutions being made and the tragedies of 2012 we have all asked ourselves “What can I do to make a difference?”
Ann Curry (one of my favorite journalists) suggested that everyone performs 26 acts of kindness for the victims of Sandy Hook. 3 days later, #26Acts went viral on social media as people all over the world were spreading random acts of kindness.
In today’s world of bullying and violence I propose to keep the kindness going all year round and not just in times of tragedy. I call my proposal #justbenice. Which speaks for itself. Not everyone is bad and sometimes it just takes a smile to brighten a strangers day!
Hints for a happy day:
Compliment a stranger
Adopt an animal from the pound
Send paper thank you notes
Pay for the coffee or toll for the person behind you
Let the person who seems rushed cut in front of you- I do this often 🙂
Talk to the person who looks lonely
Hold your tongue – Pause before speaking or writing when you are mad
Be empathetic – Really try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes
Hold the door open for someone
Play cupid – You know those two people who would totally be great together and they just haven’t met yet? HOOK IT UP!
Let people merge-in during traffic
Say “Thank you”, a lot
Call your parents and tell them you love them
Don’t be annoying – Make a conscious effort to avoid doing the things you know annoy people surrounding you
Spread your skills – If you have a skill (photography, styling, cooking, web design, etc.) and you know someone who could use your help, help them!
Have a shirt that your friend always compliments you on? Why not give it to her?
Give warm clothes, shoes, and boots to the homeless
Connect people to each other
Walk the cart back to the front of the store or where it belongs
Send a care package to a solider
Listen when no one else wants to
Be patient (Easier said than done, I know)
Try to find goodness in the person you don’t like
Don’t nag – Even if you really, really, really want to
Be someone’s cheerleader
Do nice things and don’t tell anyone about it
Don’t complain- Someone else has it WAY worse
Share – Even if you don’t really want to
Don’t leave others waiting for you – Be on time
Say “Hi” to strangers
Avoid gossip – No need to spread any negativity
Give the painter, landscaper, or handyman a glass of water or offer them a pop
Leave extra time in the parking meter
Don’t write the complaint letter that you’re thinking about writing
Forgive the person you used to hate back in the day
Let someone else have their way without putting up a fight about it
Be happy for others
Tell the person who is looking for a job when you hear about an opening
SMILE AT STRANGERS!
#justbenice
Make a conscious effort to try out of one these acts daily and you have done your part! Hope you enjoyed 🙂 xo- Dottie
