30 Ways to Spread Kindness

Kindness means looking outside of ourselves. It is about noticing the people around us and being aware of their needs.

My sweet son Justin is a wonderful example of this. He is profoundly disabled and he has a lot of challenges, but he always takes the time to say hi,  smile at a stranger, or tell his sister she's beautiful 😍

This last week, while he was in the hospital there was a really sweet example of this.
They were moving him from the ER to his hospital room. There were a lot of people in the ER and standing in the hallways. As we passed 2 homeless men in rough shape, Justin smiled at them and said, "HI. I love you!"
It was so sweet to see how that touched those 2 men.

Justin has an ability to really see the people around him. And he does love them. I am trying to be more like that. I'm grateful for the chance to really focus on showing kindness.

Here are 30 acts of kindness we can try this month as we focus on being more kind.

1. Smile at strangers. A genuine smile can be contagious and make someone feel good about themselves.

2. Hold the door open for someone. It's a small gesture that shows courtesy and respect.
3. Let someone merge in front of you in traffic. It won't make you much later, but it can make their day a lot easier.

4. Pay for the order of the car behind you in the drive-thru line. This is a fun surprise that will make someone's day!

5. Offer to help someone who looks like they're struggling. Whether they're carrying groceries, trying to change a tire, or just looking lost, offer a helping hand.

6. Compliment someone on something you like about them. It could be their outfit, their haircut, or their kind smile.

7. Write a thank-you note to someone who has made a difference in your life. This could be a teacher, a mentor, a friend, or even a stranger who did something nice for you.

8. Donate blood. Blood donation is a critical need, and it's a simple way to save a life.

9. Volunteer at a local charity. There are many organizations that could use your help, such as soup kitchens, animal shelters, or homeless shelters.
If you want ideas,  check out justserve.org

10. Pick up trash around your neighborhood or park. It helps keep your community clean and beautiful.

11. Leave a positive review for a business that you had a good experience with. This can help other people find great businesses, and it shows the business that you appreciate their good work.

12. Tip your servers generously. Servers work hard for their money, and a good tip can really make their day.

13. Bake cookies, brownies, homemade bread or another treat for your neighbors. It's a nice way to show them that you care.

14. Offer to help a friend or family member with a chore. This could be anything from washing the dishes to walking the dog.

15. Stand up for someone who is being bullied. It takes courage, but it's the right thing to do.

16. Donate gently used clothes or household items to a local charity. This is a great way to declutter your home and help those in need.

17. Support small businesses. They are the backbone of our communities.

18. Be patient with others. We have been working on this and it's a wonderful way to show kindness.

19. Listen to someone who is having a difficult time. Sometimes all someone needs is a listening ear.

20. Offer words of encouragement to someone who is feeling down. A few kind words can go a long way.

21. Put your phone away when you're having a conversation with someone. Give them your full attention.

22. Offer to return a shopping cart to the corral for someone. It saves them a walk and keeps the parking lot tidy.

23. Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter. They're always in need of comfy bedding for the animals.


24. Express gratitude regularly. Thank your family members for the things they do, big or small. Let them know you appreciate them being in your life.

25. Express appreciation verbally. Thank people for the things they do, big or small. Let them know you notice and appreciate their efforts.

26. Forgive yourself for mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Learn from them and move on. Don't dwell on the past.

27. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend. Be there for yourself during difficult times.

28. Surprise a friend or family member with something they'll enjoy. It could be their favorite treat, tickets to a show they've been wanting to see, or a small gift related to their hobby.

29. Learn a new skill to help someone. Maybe your spouse struggles with a certain technology, so you take some time to learn it and assist them.

30. Be someone's cheerleader. Take an interest in something they are trying to do and cheer them on.

I think as we practice doing these kinds of things each day, being kind can become a habit. Just remember to be kind to yourself. We aren't perfect. Making mistakes and having bad days doesn't mean we failed. It just means we start again.

#heatherslovechallenge