One of the most important things I have learned is the importance of being kind. I don’t remember ever being told to be kind to others but I remember watching how my parents interacted with others. To them it didn’t matter if it was a close friend or a stranger, they always engaged with an open heart. They made friends with maids at hotels, learned about new cultures from Uber drivers who just immigrated to the states, checked in on friends diagnosed with cancer even when they worked 80+ hour weeks, and even called their parents weekly no matter the time zone they were on. To me it seemed like it came naturally, but now as an adult I realize and appreciate the amount of thought and time that went into trying to make sure that the people around them felt heard, noticed, loved, valued, and respected and they did this through being kind.
Being kind can be both conscious as well as subconscious in your behavior but it has the ability to change mindsets, and I truly believe change the world. I never really understood why some people can be so mean in this world to others when being kind just seemed so simple, easy, and often a free act. To me being kind to others not only makes them feel better about themselves, but also makes me feel better.
Sometimes it’s good to take a break and really reflect on your actions. Now more than ever, I think it’s important to make sure that we are acting with kindness and love to all, so here is a list of 70 different ways you can be kind.
- Call a friend that you have lost touch with
- Just listen
- Consciously advocate for what you believe is right
- Introduce yourself to someone new at an event
- Tell someone you wish you understood
- Ask someone “How can I help you?”
- Make cookies for your neighbor
- Take time to thank the servers at a restaurant
- Send a letter to someone you miss
- Compliment someone you don’t know
- Invite a friend over for dinner
- Give a stranger a flower
- Pick up trash on the street
- Smile and make someone’s day a little bit sweeter
- Donate cans to the food bank
- Pay it forward in line at the grocery store
- Leave a book you enjoyed for someone else
- Encourage a friend or family member who’s feeling unmotivated
- Go on a long walk with a friend
- Have a clothing swap with your friends
- Donate to a cause you’re passionate about
- Give someone a shoulder to cry on
- Ask a colleague to have lunch with you
- Support a local business
- Reduce your plastic waste
- Make someone a cup of tea
- Offer to walk a friend’s dog
- Plant bee friendly flowers in your garden
- Teach a kid a new skill
- Invite someone new to the area out with your friends
- Donate your expertise to someone in need
- Give up your seat to someone on the bus or train
- Tell someone you appreciate them
- Say “I love you” to someone, and mean it
- Celebrate a co-worker or friend’s accomplishment
- Think about someone who inspires you and tell them so
- Leave a love note for someone
- Thank someone who made a difference in your life
- Give someone a meaningful gift
- Do something extra sweet for your sweetie today
- Explore a new place with a friend
- Give someone a high five
- Donate old coats to a homeless shelter
- Share your favorite recipe
- Lend a helping hand
- Leave a good review for a restaurant you recently had a nice visit at
- Accompany someone while running errands. Your company will make it more fun
- Lift up a friend who is feeling down
- Share a post on IG that made you smile
- Facetime someone who lives far away
- Offer to cook someone dinner
- Bring soup to a friend who is feeling ill
- Send a cute gif
- Write a loved one a handwritten letter
- Check in on your elderly neighbors
- Say “I’m Sorry”
- Help out with a household chore
- Write a positive review for a business you like
- Surprise someone with an unexpected visit or phone call
- Bring baked goods to the office to share
- Stick up for a person who has been wrongly treated
- Donate sanitary products to a homeless shelter
- Call your mom and dad
- Buy someone an ice cream
- Keep your word
- Say please and thank you generously
- Buy second hand
- Participate on a beach clean up
- Acknowledge a friends’ small achievement
- And don’t forget to be kind to yourself
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