The time has come when we cannot just rely on others to make the world a better place – each one of us has to do our bit.
It is therefore time for people to be more and more aware about their Personal Social Responsibility (PSR).
PSR is all about doing to others what you would like others do to you. It is about recognizing how your behaviour affects others, and holding yourself accountable for your actions. For example, contrast someone being well mannered and kind, with someone being rude.
And this brings me nicely to the theme of this post – being kind to others.
Kindness is contagious – and as part of Personal Socially Responsibility you might want to consider carrying out random acts of kindness on a daily basis.
It is truly a win/win/win situation. The person you are being kind to benefits through your help. You feel good for having helped someone. And the world is a better place through your kindness.
Never underestimate the impact of a single act of kindness. I still remember, after many years, the time someone stopped and helped me after my car had broken down down. Since then, I have stopped on the road myself and helped stranded motorists a number of times. All because of that single act of kindness by a stranger.
Also, it is important to carry out your acts of kindness without expecting anything back.
So where do you begin?
To get you started, I have listed 29 ideas below. And why the number 29? Because it is as good a number as any – and also because I couldn’t think of idea number 30!
Put them into practice and also create your own:-
- Send someone a hand written note of thanks.
- Make a card at home and send it to a friend for no reason.
- Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.
- Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.
- Buy a coffee for the man on the high street selling The Big Issue magazine.
- Cut your neighbour’s hedge.
- Walk your friend’s dog.
- Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.
- Send someone a small gift anonymously.
- Stop and help someone replace their flat tyre.
- Let someone jump the queue at the bank.
- Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.
- Treat a friend to the movies for no reason.
- Give a huge tip to someone when they least expect it.
- Hold the train door open for someone rushing to get in.
- Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.
- Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.
- Talk to a homeless person and have a “normal” conversation.
- Pick up some rubbish in the road which would otherwise be lying around.
- Compliment a work colleague for their excellence.
- Recommend a competitor to a potential client.
- Give another driver your parking spot.
- Give a piece of fruit to a delivery person.
- Help an elderly neighbour carry the rubbish out.
- Tell all your family members how much your appreciate them.
- Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train / bus.
- Buy an inspirational book for a friend.
- Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.
- Smile a lot.
What goes around is sure to come around – happy helping :-)
Please apply these ideas in your life from today – and share your own ideas and how you get on with spreading kindness in the world in the comments. That way I won’t have to think up idea number 30 myself!
“Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.”
Someone once did it for me! It was an amazing experience. You walk out of an act like that feeling so good about the world, and life, and you just can’t help but do something nice to someone else. Kindness is contagious.
Giving to the unfortunate and expecting nothing from them is considered a cheerful giver in the book of life.
You have to share what you have in order others may live.
Just like in the movie pay it forward! Its such a shame that you can’t do something for someone without them expecting something in return.
I always return my parking ticket to the meter if I hanvn’t used the whole paid time. Put it in the ticketslot for someone else to use, simple and appreciated.
I buy $5 Starbucks Gift Cards and slip them into people’s bags & cars, or leave them lying on tables.
“Recommend a competitor to a potential client.”
That’s not kindness. That’s stupidity.
Who said being kind was smart?
Nipun – I can see why you think that could be madness buy you will be amazed by how much I have got back by recommending a “competitor” when the potential client was not suitable to be coached by me for various reasons.
I have many reciprocal referrals in return. I always say that what you give out comes back to you manyfold.
It’s such a shame that if you try many of these, people will first think you’re just a little creepy.
>18.Talk to a homeless person and have a “normal” conversation.
A homeless man started a conversation with me once, on the bus. I can say without a doubt that he’s the most interesting person I’ve ever met. I was smiling for days afterward, because everything he said was true. I recommend this one, though I’m sure there’s plenty of fruitcakes out there as well.
Melanie – I have spoken to many homeless people in the past and as you say they are often the most interesting people around.
Usually they have become homeless through some unfortunate circumstances and if you connect with them, they often have a lot of wisdom and life experiences to share.
Outside my local supermarket there is a homeless guy who survives by selling “The Big Issue” magazine and as I speak to him so often, we are like friends now.
We usually share some jokes and rather than buying the magazine every day, I get him a banana! And it makes my day.
Ok, I don’t expect anything back and I would like to think I am doing this without wanting to “look good” but I do feel great afterwards :-)
[...] 29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Every Day: I believe in always doing something nice for others. My dad did this every morning when he walked. He’d carry a bag of dog bones and give them to all the neighbors’ dogs and he would move newspapers from the sidewalk to people’s doorsteps. I miss you, Dad. [...]
That’s the great thing about random acts of kindness, arvind, you feel better for them, too! I’ve been the recipent of several of these ideas, and some of them are such a normal part of my life I don’t even think about it (talking to homeless people, picking up litter, leaving an interesting book to name the top three). Oh – I’ve got one to add – help out someone by cleaning their house for them (someone elderly, sick, with a new baby, or often who just doesn’t have time).
Thanks for sharing that tip Summer – I am rapidly building up much more than just 29 tips!
I must offer to clean out my sister’s messy room one of these days….
Pay the toll for the car behind you.
Why is it that many of these comments/suggestions relate to money?
That’s a great list! This is probably a very long shot, but I was thinking about inserting each one of those ideas as daily tasks in my to-do list. There’s enough for one different act of kindness a month (and there will be always a couple of days left to be my old selfish me, hehehe). Hast anyone tried this yet?
BTW, why is my avatar picture a Lady? Not funny… :P
AJ – I reckon that only 4 out of the 29 suggestions are actually related to money!
Waldir – great idea to add these tips as tasks on your to-do list. You already have 29 and there have been some more great tips within the comments so you actually have 31 or more :-)
I am going to try this myself. Maybe Waldir you have started something here :-)
This is a great post. Hopefully you’ll post a Part 2 with more posts. You can even post a Part 3, Part 4, Part 5…
Similar to James’ comment about paying the toll of the car behind you, for those feeling a little richer – pay for the food of the car behind you in the drive-thru.
And my daddy (who’s been in retail for 30+ years) once told me “When it comes to customers, be knowledgeable enough to be a part of the solution to their request, even if it means sending them to a competitor. They’ll remember that and come back to you.”
(sending to a competitor) My mechanic won me over for life (or at least as long as I am living around here) when he told me that a certain repair was still covered under warranty and I should go to the dealer instead.
We are looking for Regional Directors for the Pass it On Movement. I would like to send interested parties some attachments for your review. We are in the process of putting together 101 board games, card games, puzzles and word search games, truth or dare games, challenge games all promoting the Pass It On Movement. Did you see the trailer from the movie Pass It On? You can see it on the http://www.ipassiton.org website.
Arlan Berglas
Director of Global Development
We, The World
http://www.wetheworld.org
http://www.aunitedworld.org
(818) 517-1007
[...] 29 ways to carry out random acts of kindness every day : quelques idées pour faire preuve d’un peu de douceur dans un monde de [...]
These are great ways of giving and Spreading Joy! Thanks for the encouragement. I love that you have some free ways as well as some ways that actually “cost” us.
There is a great children’s book that helps parents teach their children the importance of kindness. It is called “Other People’s Shoes”
Check it out! http://www.eloquentbooks.com/otherpeoplesshoes.html
Hello. My name is jacson. I have read about your writings after see the video rainbow warriors in the internet. And a lot of i ve seen true now is acsacly wath i tell to others true mayan calendar. Thanks for your love and please send me your birthdate so i can help some more. I help people with calendar. Maybe someinteresting can happen from this… nothing is coincidence in my life. my e mail is jacsoncorreiatulum@hotmail.com
I like Summer Fey Foovay post from May 16th, 2008 at 10:43 am “Oh – I’ve got one to add – help out someone by cleaning their house for them (someone elderly, sick, with a new baby, or often who just doesn’t have time).”
I wish someone would often this to us… We are excepting a new baby in May 2009 and we have a toddler. Just can’t seam to get the office cleared out.
Just the other day a couple was at my favorite restaurant while my daughter and I were there. I ordered Mushroom dumplings with had 4 in the order. They sound interesting in try them, so I gave them 2.
wow, those ideas are great! i’m in high school, and just got the idea today to start a random acts of kindness club. my friend’s sister belongs to a similar club in college, and i thought it was so neat. they heat up hot cocoa in the winter and give it out to people, and put out pennies, heads up around campus.
i think we’re too caught up with our lives to truly appreciate kindness, and maybe a club might help remedy this.
Thats funny our campus does that too, except they glue the coins to the ground and laugh as people try and pick them up.
Thanks Becky for sharing about random act of kindness clubs – what a great idea!
Good luck :-)
hi.
i’m going this topic for my ‘persuasive speech’ in english.
great idea.
[...] If you need some help getting started, go here or here or here. [...]
I have another idea :D
Go to http://www.operationbeautiful.com and start spreading out post-its with encouraging messages on them! It’s so uplifting – I always carry a pad of post-its with me.
Or, join http://www.secretagentlinpgh.blogspot.com/ and become a secret agent!
Thanks for sharing those two wonderful ideas – it shows how easy it really is to spread some kindness!
[...] Not So Random Random Acts of Kindness Index of Kindness Ideas 29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Every Day [...]
[...] out all these 29 ways to ……… and choose one or more methods to bring more kindness into the [...]
[...] out all these 29 ways to ……… and choose one or more methods to bring more kindness into the [...]
[...] friend of mine introduced me to the concept of “random acts of kindness“. (God, I loved this man!) Whenever we were together, he would do things like: buy a drink [...]
[...] His blog “Make It Happen” focuses on making things happen in your life and the world. 29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Every Day The time has come when we cannot just rely on others to make the world a better place – each one [...]
[...] His blog “Make It Happen” focuses on making things happen in your life and the world. 29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Every Day The time has come when we cannot just rely on others to make the world a better place – each one [...]
[...] http://www.lifehack.org [...]
[...] Show kindness to people around you. You can never be too kind to someone. In fact, most of us don’t show enough kindness to people around us. Being kind helps us to cultivate other qualities such as compassion, patience, and love. As you get back to your day after reading this article later on, start exuding more kindness to the people around you, and see how they react. Not only that, notice how you feel as you behave kindly to others. Chances are, you will feel even better than yourself. [...]
[...] 2. On Friday 11 June (the actually feast day itself), in the spirit of St Barnabas, the son of encouragment himself, we want to encourage you to undertake a random act of kindness. For examples of what that can include, look here: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/29-ways-to-carry-out-random-acts-of-kindness-every-day.ht… [...]
[...] click and read: 29 ways to carry out random acts of kindness every day [...]
I was at a drive thru restaurant the other day and paid the tab for the car behind me. I paid for them after getting my food and then drove off.. I hope it made their day because it certainly made mine.
lovely
[...] 29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Every Day. [...]
Spend some time with the elderly. They are often lonely and really appreciate somebody taking the time to talk to them. We tend to not treat the elderly very well here and one day, if we are lucky, we will be one of them.
Also, just use your talents. Earlier today I was looking at someone's facebook photos and saw an old scan of a photo that was horribly scratched and wrinkled. I could tell the photo meant a lot to them so I spent a couple hours restoring it in Photoshop and sent them the new version. I don't ever speak to this person in "real" life, but a couple hours of your time on a Saturday morning is worth brightening a day, right?
My favourite thing to do since I am a teenager entering college and often can’t spare even a dollar on some days – I write on a piece of paper or a post-it note “Smile, you’re beautiful” and leave it in a public place for people to see. As someone who always struggles with self esteem (as im sure we all do from time to time) i would love to see something like this :) and everyone needs to smile =)
go&die
Hello Christine,
Below is an excerpt from page 376 of THE SEEDS WE SOW, KINDNESS THAT FED A HUNGRY WORLD:
Directly and
indirectly, the evil men of the twentieth century caused the deaths of some 200 million
people. Two hundred million people, most guilty of nothing other than being of
a different race, or religion, or ethnicity, or political persuasion. Evil
extremists prescribed death as the penalty for being different, and 200 million
people died. Yet, 200 million lives, given to evil excess, sums to just ten
percent of the 2 billion lives saved by the seeds and the kindnesses passed on
to humanity through George Washington Carver, Henry Agard Wallace and Norman
Ernest Borlaug.
William Shakespeare’s Mark Antony
was partially right. The evil that men do does, indeed, live after them. But he
was also partially wrong. The good is never, never interred with the bones. Because you see, the seeds of kindness
continue to ride through generations on the wings of butterflies. And like the
seeds we sow, those butterflies are multiplying, always multiplying.
Two billion—and still
counting!
So, while the mean spirited comment directed at you from a “Guest” a couple of months ago may seem evil, the good you do, the kindness you create is many, many times more powerful.
Best wishes,
Gary Beene
http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Kindness-That-Hungry-World/dp/0865347883/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302491274&sr=1-1
[...] Live it” and “Personal Social Responsibility”, both of which are available from Amazon. 29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Every Day. The time has come when we cannot just rely on others to make the world a better place – each one [...]
Around here most people have gardens in the spring and summer, but neither of my nieghbors have been able to care for as many plants as they used to. So, I bring extras to them whenever I can. Many people also leave their extras on the community center front table for whoever needs/wants them. I can’t tell you how many times that table has saved me a trip to the store.
Around here most people have gardens in the spring and summer, but neither of my nieghbors have been able to care for as many plants as they used to. So, I bring extras to them whenever I can. Many people also leave their extras on the community center front table for whoever needs/wants them. I can’t tell you how many times that table has saved me a trip to the store.
I also try to weed others plots at the community garden as much as possible whether or not I know them.
I love this article. Thank you for posting it. I was looking for sites for my blog (thepowerinyou.wordpress.com) and came across this one.
[...] 29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Every Day [...]
[...] can find ideas here, and here. But most importantly, just keep an eye open for opportunity. Jonathan was always doing kind things [...]
yayayaya…
favourite thing to do since I am a teenager entering college and often can’t spare even a dollar on some days – I write on a piece of paper or a post-it note “Smile, you’re beautiful” and leave it in a public place for people to see. As someon
[...] you are looking for ideas you can find some on Lifehack or on the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Or you can simply do what feels right for [...]
[...] Stumbled upon this great article: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/29-ways-to-carry-out-random-acts-of-kindness-every-day.ht… [...]
What is the reason behind the popularity of ‘random acts of kindness’ as a social media phenomenon?…
Random acts of kindness often help companies earn more customers, and earn more purchases from repeat customers. In other words, perhaps counterintuitively, random acts of kindness from a business are actually quite profitable. I interject that it may …
[...] http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/29-ways-to-carry-out-random-acts-of-kindness-every-day.ht… [...]
I’m starting a ministry called upside down like Jesus. He was a radical of his time and pushed all the social barriers. We are going to do things unexpected like wash peoples windshields at the gas station, and open doors for people around town. We are going to pass out popsicles in the park and help carry out groceries. We will do all of these things and more to demonstrate his love for us.
someone wrote “smile you’re beautiful” on the bathroom stall wall at my high school even though that’s cheesy i smile for a brief second
[...] perform one act at least once in the entire month of December. If you need some ideas, here and here is a link for some great ideas that are simple and can be performed [...]
I recently sent thank you cards to a church that helped me get my car repaired so I could trade it in for a more reliable one. Then a thank you card to the manager at the dealership that without question saved me a lot of stress for a car repair on the new vehicle. Truly grateful and try to return my gratitude always
Loving all of these ideas! Just linked this page on http://www.facebook.com/GiveHappyGetHappy :D