Five random acts of kindness
World Kindness Day – a movement that encourages us to make the world a better place by spreading and promoting kindness – is coming up on Wednesday March 13. To celebrate (and because the world always needs more kindness) we’re sharing five random acts of kindness you and your family could try.
Check in on a loved one
When was the last time you sent a text or made a phone call to a friend, ‘just because’? While it might not seem like much, reminding the people you love that you are thinking of them can go a long way – even if it doesn’t spark a conversation, it shows that person that you care enough about them to check in and see how they’re doing. That’s big. Make it your mission to call or text at least one person you otherwise wouldn’t or send a heartfelt message to someone you chat to regularly, but don’t often show love to.
Pick up chores for those who can’t
Check in with your neighbours, family members and people in your community (a phone call or letterbox drop will do!) to see if anyone needs a hand with day-to-day activities, whether it's going to the supermarket or mowing the lawn. It could be as simple as taking the bins out for an elderly neighbour, or walking the dog for a friend who can't! There are so many ways you can lend a hand for the people around you - you'd be surprised how many people need help, but don't know who to ask.
Spread joy throughout your neighbourhood
Want to brighten someone’s day without even being there? Enlist the kids to make a positive poster to hang in your front window for passers-by to see – the more colour and glitter the better. In fact, why stop at one? If you’re short on craft resources or want to get the kids out of the house, take some chalk to the footpath and get busy colouring. You could write fun messages, create a bright hopscotch course or simply draw whatever your heart desires – no matter what you do, people will be delighted to see it!
Pay it forward
Does your local café have a ‘free coffee’ scheme, where you can pay for an extra coffee (or two, or three…) to be donated to a future customer? If not, suggest they start one! You could also offer to pay for the order of the person in the drive-thru line behind you, leave a snack in a vending machine or even simply smile at a stranger. You’ll find these small acts of kindness go a very long way.
Practice self-care
It’s no doubt important to show kindness to others, but if you never take the time to be kind to yourself, your ‘kindness tank’ will empty pretty quickly. Think about something that would make you happy – it could be anything, from a relaxing bath to an indulgent purchase – and go ahead and do it. Just do it, for no reason other than because it will make you feel good.
Get the kids in on the kindness with a game of kindness bingo! The first person to cross off all of their squares wins.
