kindness: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate

The world is in need of kindness. As an optimist, I can easily find the beauty in the world but I can’t deny the fact that an immense amount of hatred exists as well. People find it easy to be kind to those who are kind to them, but treating a stranger with kindness is a bit more challenging simply because we don’t know that person.

sonder (n): the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own – populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness.

When you realize that each and every person has his/her own problems and struggles (even if they put on a façade pretending that they don’t) it becomes so easy to be kind. Just think back to your last bad day. If someone random had done something kind such as buy your drink at Starbucks or compliment you on your makeup that you spent 45 minutes doing, would your day have been better? Maybe, maybe not, but kindness never hurts.

I’ll share with you one of my favorite random act of kindness stories: Back in March my grandpa passed away. If any of you have ever had a loved one pass away you know that there is an endless amount of visitors the days before and after the funeral, which becomes exhausting. For me, it was especially tiring because almost every single person who visited asked me “So where are you going to college next year?” and/or “What’s your major?”. In March I had no idea where I would be going to school and answering the same question five times a day became a daunting task. A few days before the funeral, my best friend and her family came over to express their condolences. She brought me a bag of Skittles and it meant so much to me. It was such a small act, but it made me happy because Skittles are my favorite candy and it proved to me that she cared. It was a little sparkle of positivity during a tough time in my life. You never know what kind of impact your small act of kindness will make.

So now you know kindness is important, but you may be asking yourself where do I start? What is considered a random act of kindness? Here are five things you can do to be kind to others:

1. Buy the meal/drink for the person behind you in line.

2. Express to your friends/family how much you love them in a text or a letter.

3. Create small cards/sticky notes with positive reminders on them and hand them out at school or work.

4. If you see someone sitting alone, invite him/her to sit with you.

5. Do extra chores around the house. Your parents will definitely appreciate it.

I challenge you to do one random act of kindness this week. I promise it will bring you a sense of joy.