We all have good and bad days. Some days we radiate joy and some we smell of sadness. On the days we feel down in the dumps, the kindness of a stranger could aid in making the day a little bit brighter. On the days we are feeling happy to be alive, we must be that stranger to someone else. You never know what effect your actions can have on a person.
If you can't think of any kind gestures, think smaller. Even the slightest gesture can make a difference. Here are some ways to spread more kindness to the world:
1. Offer a smile
A simple smile could make or break someone's day, believe it or not. Think about the days when you are down and feeling like the whole world is against you. A smile in your direction will make those days just a bit better.
2. Pay for someone's coffee
Every once in a while, when I am feeling extra generous, I will pay for the person behind me in line's coffee. Whether it's an elderly man, a teenage girl, or a middle aged man, everyone appreciates a kind gesture.
3. Hold the door open for someone
If you see someone walking into a building behind you, far enough behind you that it would not be impolite to not hold the door, hold the door anyways. Take those extra 30 seconds and spread kindness to the people in your community!
4. Tell your friends and family the things you love about them
Many of us forget to tell the people we care about how we feel. It is always nice to hear that there is someone out there who is on your side and only wants the best for you. If you feel this way about someone, tell them. Every deserves to know what they mean to their loved ones.
5. Listen to someone vent to you
Sometimes when we are faced with a problem, the one thing we need in that moment is to vent about it. Having someone there to talk through it can be very beneficial for both parties. The speaker will feel better afterwards, if if the listener doesn't say much. A simple ear to hear what another has to say can make them feel a little more comfortable whatever the situation may be.
6. If you think someone is pretty, tell them
Do you ever come across a stranger in a public setting and immediately feel an attraction towards them? Or maybe you simply recognize their beauty and appreciate it. Instead of sitting back with these thoughts running through your head, tell them! Everyone deserves to be told their pretty or handsome, especially coming from a stranger.
7. Write down one nice thing you did for someone each day
If you keep a journal tracking the kind gestures you offer to the world each day, it will make you consciously think about performing nice gestures and soon enough it will come naturally.
8. Pay it forward
Kindness is not repayable. When you do something nice for someone, you don't expect anything in return. The idea of paying it forward is the best approach at spreading love and kindness. If someone does something nice for you, it is not necessary to repay them in any way, shape, or form. The most simple way to return the favor is to offer kindness to someone else, thus spreading it across the globe.
