Every morning, I walk my daughter to her classroom (her choice). When I dropped her off this morning, I overheard her teacher and another kindergarten teacher singing “Happy Birthday” to a child inside the classroom. My daughter is not the most forthcoming with information, so I just assumed it was a kid in her class. Wrong assumption. It was a first grader who had my daugher's teacher last year (this teacher is so fantastic. All the kids love her and former students visit her every morning). Why was my daughter's teacher singing? Well, it turns out, this kid's family forgot her birthday. And she was devastated. So Mrs. B (that's what we'll call her) took it upon herself to make the kid feel better. After all, she tells them that she's their school mom (we can talk about this another day) and that's what moms do.
And it worked because that kid walked out of Mrs. B's class smiling.
This little moment of kindness got me thinking. It really doesn't take much effort or money to be kind to someone. And, in light of recent current events, we need a little kindness right now. You never know how big a difference a small gesture can make. So, here's few things you can do to get your started:
- Smile at a stranger.
- Give a friend a hug.
- Hold the door open for a mom and her kids.
- Don't park in the handicapped spot just because it's closer (or the spot for people with infants).
- Tell a cop or cashier or a teacher or anyone, really, that they're doing a good job.
- Stop to help someone change a tire.
- Put money in an expired parking meter.
- Say “thank you”.
- Say “I love you” to your spouse or significant other.
- Text “happy birthday”.
- Offer to feed your neighbor's cat when she goes out of town.
- Give blood.
- Volunteer to help at your child's school.
- Lend a listening ear to someone having a bad day (you can also leave a supportive comment or Tweet to someone you know is having a tough time).
- Call your grandmother.
- Give a compliment.
- Return your wagon to the return aisle rather than leave it in front of someone's car.
- Let someone in front of you on the road.
- Donate to a food bank or Goodwill or an animal shelter instead of throwing out that stuff you don't want.
- Recycle.
It really doesn't take much to start being kind. And also, it's easier to be nice than to be an asshole (except for some people. But we can ignore them, knowing that their assholeyness is a character flaw on their part, not because of anything we did). And I much prefer to do what's easy. How about you?
Readers, what are some ways you express kindness in your everyday life?
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Love this list! I live in NYC and homelessness is a major issue. I find #1 extremely important because even if I can’t help financially, I think just acknowledging someone’s presence can help make his or her day a little bit better.
P.S. Find it great you say “wagon.” My best friend is from Texas and the only person I know to ever call it that.
Erin (aka BrokeMillennial) recently posted…Candy Tax and other Childhood Grudges
My sisters and I say “wagon” but I can’t think if anyone else who does.
I grew up on Long Island and every time we went into the city, there was no way to ignore the homeless people on the streets. Back then, I was probably afraid of them (out of sheer ignorance and teenage attitudiness) but now, I’d be much more likely to say hello.
I think a smile and a hello is always a good thing in this regard. Many times, people don’t even reply and I think because it’s out of shock more than anything else, that’s how unexpected a simple hello to a stranger is anymore. Also, if you’re asking a question, include a ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Way too many people have lost that.
Money Beagle recently posted…Is Flipping A Charity Auction Item Going Too Far?
Aaah! I can’t believe I forgot to put “say please”! Thanks for the reminder because please really does go a long way. It’s not the magic word for nothing 🙂
This is a great list! Lately I’ve been working on going out of my way to be friendly, and also having a more positive outlook on everything.
Michelle recently posted…Easy Ways to Keep Your Pet Secure
This is something I work on constantly. It’s hard but it’s worth it.
Love these ideas, I try to be cognizant of doing this type of stuff daily.
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Wax on, wax off. Learn five Friday things, then I will teach you karate.
Same here. I cannot stand the chronic rudeness and inconsideration that permeates where I live so I try to be a bit of an antidote.
I really recommend the movie Pay it Forward.
David recently posted…Top 10 Favorite Articles of the Week
Great movie! Sad ending, though.
Hyeah! Love it. I’d add “Say Hello”. Sometimes it makes such a big difference and I know I’m a lazy bastard who sometimes doesn’t want to bother saying hello, but I try to more because it really does mean something.
American Debt Project recently posted…Yeah, I’m Practicing Right Now.
What a great list and reminder how we should work on being the best we can be. I use many of the way on your list but the one I really fancy is just saying hello. One thing I enjoy is when we are out walking the dog or I’m out for a run and I see people that I don’t know I always say Hello, Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening. The smile on people’s faces makes it worth it and you never know who you will meet and who’s day you might make from a simple gesture of kindness and making a difference. Cheers
Canadian Budget Binder recently posted…The Saturday Weekend Review- #16 Are You Making A Difference?
I talk a lot about investing on my blog but I can say without a doubt that kind words takes very little effort and yields the greatest results. An act of kindness can literally lift someone up from an awful day.
Btw I completely believe in karma. What goes around comes around.
Love this list, Jana, and what a great story about the teacher and first grader!!! One thing that we do and encourage the kids to do as well is to thank our military men and women if we see them out on the street. This has brought tears to more than one of our faithful soldiers.
This is very sweet. I always walk to work in the morning and pass by a lot of people not looking very happy. I always smile toward others and occasionally get a smile back. Usually people are not “morning” people and getting smiled at can always brighten someones day!
David recently posted…10 Cheap Ways to Stay Fit
This post reminded me of a tee-shirt I got in grad school that says, “hug a social worker”. I always try to remind my workers what a good job they do with really difficult clients. I also try to send my grandparents little packages in the mail with their favorite things (candies, snack foods, toiletry products etc.). Just so they know I’m thinking about them and miss them.
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted…One Year In Our Home: 10 Tips For Condo Buyers
I love this list! It saddens me how caught up people get in their lives. It only takes a couple seconds to bring a little joy to someone else’s day.
Mr. 1500 recently posted…The Tale of Bad Car Bill