Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you probably have noticed that the tragedies in our world are seeming to escalate exponentially. From terrorist attacks to police brutality to negativity with the upcoming election, there is very little positive news anymore. Although individually most of us can't make much of an impact on these unfortunate events, we can choose to do small things that positively impact those around us. Even the smallest act of kindness can make a great impact. This being said, I dare you to choose one thing on this list and act upon it today. A little positivism goes a long, long way.
1. Donate
Whether it's clothes, food, or time, donate something! By gathering up your old and unwanted clothes and donating them to the Goodwill or Salvation Army, you are helping someone else clothe themselves for little to no cost. If clothes aren't your thing, raid your pantry to find canned and boxed foods that you aren't going to use. By dropping them off at your local food bank, you are helping multiple people get their meal for the day. If you have nothing physical to donate, donate your time to something worthwhile. It can either be time volunteering at an animal shelter or simply helping an elderly neighbor mow their lawn. By donating something, not only are you helping out others in your community, but you will feel great as well.
2. Tip a Service Worker
You always tip your waitress, and that's great. But what about your mailman, your trash guy, or your plumber? These service givers usually get skipped when it comes to tipping and if you think about how hard they work, it doesn't really make sense. Just by tipping a worker a small amount, you could greatly improve their day.
3. Plant Something
We live in a world of waste, pollution, and overall abuse towards our environment. Most of us don't even realize how much harm we actually do to our earth. Planting a tree or a bush or even some flowers is a small but valuable gesture towards the betterment of the environment. By planting something, you'll be helping cleanse the air, reduce pollutants, and adding beauty to your and others' surroundings.
4. Give Blood
Blood is always needed. Sometimes hospitals can run low or even run out of their blood supply. If you qualify for blood donation, you can take an hour out of your day to donate much needed blood. By donating your blood, you could be saving someone's life. If you're afraid of needles don't worry, it only hurts a little.
5. Give Bus Tickets to a Shelter
If you want to directly impact a few people in an anonymous way, donate some bus passes to your local homeless shelter. You will be providing a few people with the transportation that they need for the day without the stress of figuring out how they will pay for their pass. It may not seem like that big of a deal to you, but it could make a world of difference to someone else.
6. Pay for Someone's Coffee
If you find yourself at Starbucks, pay for the coffee of the person behind you. They probably can pay for their own coffee if they are already in line to buy it, but paying for their cup will surprise them in a positive way. Who knows, maybe they will pay the kindness forward and you will get your coffee paid for in the future.
