To wrap up Be Kind week, I though I’d make a list of ideas for 50 easy acts of kindness.  You don’t have to spend money.  You don’t have to go too far out of your way.  All you have to do is see things from someone else’s viewpoint and think of something that might help them or make make them feel good.  It was surprisingly easy to come up with this list.  What are some easy kind acts that you can think of?

1. Hold open a door for someone whose hands are full
2. Help someone put their groceries in their car
3. Write a thank you note to your child’s teacher or instructor.  Be specific about what you appreciate or give an example of why they’re so awesome.
4. Call your mom
5. Bring in your neighbor’s trash cans
6. Send a note to your dad recounting a happy memory of your childhood
7. Make your spouse their favorite treat or dinner
8. Offer to watch a friend/family member’s kids so that they can catch a break.
9. Leave coupons that you’re not going to use for someone else at the grocery store.
10. Send a package to a deployed soldier
11. Make an extra dinner portion and give it to someone who could use a little help
12. Bring a snack to share into the office (or to the office of your kids’ school)
13. Return the shopping cart to the cart corral for a mom/dad with young kids OR if you see a parent getting out of the car with two little kids, offer them your cart if you’re done with it .
14. Offer a hot chocolate to someone at the bus stop on a cold morning
15. The next time you bake a treat, bake extra and give it to someone whom you appreciate
16. Write a positive review on yelp if you think someone did a good job.
17. If you receive particularly good service on the phone, ask to speak to the agent’s supervisor and let them know about your experience
18. Collect box tops for kids who are collecting them for school
19. Collect toiletries from hotel amenities and donate them to a women’s shelter
20. Take your kids to visit the elderly at a retirement home
21. If someone (anyone!) smiles at you, for god’s sake, smile back!
22. If you have a bunch of items to purchase at the grocery store and the person behind you doesn’t, let them go first.
23. If you see someone drop something, pick it up for them.  Bonus points if it’s an elderly person, pregnant woman, or parent with a baby in their arms.
24. Compliment a coworker on a presentation or communication well done.
25. Put your crummy day behind you and meet your spouse with a smile when they or you come home.
26. Leave an encouraging comment on someone’s blog.  We love that.
27. Invite a single friend over for dinner on a weeknight just because.
28. Offer a cold drink to someone who is working on your home
29. Leave extra coins on the machine at the Laundromat
30. Make eye contact and smile at the person at the drive-thru
31. Leave a large tip for good service
32. Give a gift card or a thank you note to someone who regularly provides service to you
33. Clean the windshield of the car next to you while pumping gas (ask first!)
34. Leave a flower in a coworker’s cube to brighten their day
35. Write a note with sidewalk chalk on a neighbor’s driveway
36. Bring in your neighbor’s garbage cans
37. Pick up trash at the park
38. Let your doctor know what you appreciate about their care
39. Make a list and rattle off why you’re proud of your child
40. Make a list and rattle off why you’re proud of your spouse
41. Make a list and rattle off what you admire about your parents
42. Thank a soldier and explain to your child (in front of the soldier) why he’s/she’s a hero
43. Leave a treat for your mail carrier in your mailbox
44. Offer to take a picture for someone who is clearly trying to get a picture but can’t get the selfie to work
45. When you see a mom with kids going crazy, give her a smile and let her know it gets easier
46. When you like something about a stranger’s appearance, tell them
47. Introduce yourself to someone who doesn’t know anyone at a party you’re attending
48. Open your home to a friend – no need for a fancy meal or scrubbing the house top to bottom – just tell them to come over
49. Recycle, reuse and reduce – being kind to the earth counts too!
50. Accept kindness graciously.  It allows others to feel good too.