30 Ideas For Acts of Kindness

There's no better way to express gratitude for life than with the generosity of giving -- without the expectation of getting anything in return.

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Purely being kind and loving for the sake of knowing that someone will receive that love, and that's more than enough.

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Here are some ways you can spread love and kindness.

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Random Acts of Kindness Ideas:

1. Call a family member or friend just to say I love you and/or thank you for helping you become the person you are today (this is inspired by Fred Roger's Emmy 1997 acceptance speech).
2. Reach out and reconnect with an old friend and tell them something you appreciate about them.
3. Print our inspiring list of quotes about kindness and put it up somewhere for people to see (office, street poles, cafe, school, break room, dining room, front door, etc).
4. Find your local Community Fridge and stock it with some food or drinks. If you don't have one locally, consider starting a community fridge in your area with some friends and/or colleagues. If you don't have the time or support to do that, another way to support people who are without food through an organization such as Hashtag Lunch Bag or a similar organization serving your area.
5. Find your local Little Library and donate books. 
6. Post sticky notes around your neighborhood with bits of gratitude, compliments, and other kind messages. ‍
7. Keep change on hand to put in expired parking meters.
8. Pay the tollroad toll for the person behind you. IMPORTANT NOTE: There is a rumor going around that if someone pays for you in line at a store or restaurant, you must pay for the person behind you, and they must do that, and so on. Buy coffee, food, or groceries for the person behind you in line. If you want to do that -- go for it -- but you don't have to pay for someone else; that's not what it's about—simply receiving kindness and appreciating it does the initial gift/act justice. Furthermore... learning how to receive love is important and worthy, and doing so is important because school doesn't teach it, and receiving love can be very challenging for many to do and isolate them. So, just like the hats and blankets we give, receiving the love that is given is essential to complete the connection so that love lands and expands where it is needed. Simply by receiving a kindness/loving act, you are part of growing love in the world. You don't need to pay for someone else right away to do that -- and in fact, that might even take away from the initial kind act because love, in that case, becomes somewhat transactional and is quickly passed on -- instead of sitting with and warming the recipient. Love isn't a game of hot potato where we do kind acts as something performative or transactional -- love is real, given, and received -- and love is more than enough on its own.
9. Send a quick message of gratitude to three different people right now.
10. Put your phone on silent and away while in the company of others. Not even on the table or out. Just, away, and be fully present.
11. Yarn Bomb (a yarn art installation - learn more here) something somewhere that needs some art and color.
12. Surprise a neighbor with freshly baked cookies or treats.
13. Let someone go in front of you in line who only has a few items.
14. When having a group conversation, go out of your way to make sure every person feels included.
15. Email or write to a former teacher or colleague who made a difference in your life and let them know just how they helped you and how grateful you are. Doesn't have to be a long message.
16. Write a letter of encouragement to a child you know is having a hard time.
17. Send a gratitude email to a coworker who deserves more recognition.
18. Write three things you are grateful for in the morning and again in the evening.
19. Offer to return shopping carts for people at the grocery store.
20. Let your partner sleep in when it’s their turn to get up early with the kids.
21. Write a kind/grateful/encouraging message on your mirror with a dry erase marker your significant other, a family member, or yourself (you deserve kindness too!).
22. Make a double batch of the cookies you’re baking and bring some next door.
23. Introduce yourself to a neighbor whom you haven't met.
24. Donate to a friend’s favorite charity in their name. 
25. Pick up some litter.
26. Write a letter to someone instead of a text. 
27. Do chores for siblings or family members without them asking.
28. Offer to take someone's dog for a walk or to the dog park (only if you know them and their dog well).
29. Knit or crochet someone a surprise gift.
30. Volunteer at your local food pantry or kitchen.

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Please share with us your ideas and/or favorite acts of kindness!

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