Surprising someone with a random act of kindness can be exciting and personally rewarding. Once you start you don’t want to stop, random acts of kindness are surprises meant to uplift someone having a bad day or someone who gave you a smile or word of encouragement when you needed it.
This writer found many random acts of kindnesses and in most cases they were as uplifting for the giver as they were the receiver.
What can I do?
- Leave a copy of your favorite book in a cab, a bus, or a plane with a note tucked inside saying, “Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.”
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Pay another's way across a toll bridge. It will surprise them and make them feel special.
- Grab a cup of coffee in the morning and an extra one for the driver behind you. By the time he (or she) gets to the drive-thru window you will already be gone, so no need for a “thank you,” perhaps he will pass on the kindness to someone else.
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When cashing out at a restaurant, pay for a random person’s tab and tell the cashier to only say their bill has been paid by someone else. It could be an elderly person, a veteran, a couple, or a family, everyone of us need to know someone cares. Find someone who looks down and out, has a troubled look or seems stressed, give them hope by picking up the tab.
- At the utility company, after you pay your bill, explain to the cashier you want to pay money on someone else's bill. Tell her how much and let her decide who to help or suggest the next elderly person that walks through the door.
- Be an angel, a layaway angel, visit a store with layaway and tell an associate you want to pay someone's layaway for a set amount. Have the associate apply the money to a random bill, when that person comes to pay for their merchandise they'll find it paid by a total stranger. It’s priceless.
- If you work in an office or bank send someone a flower that doesn't have anything on his or her desk, especially during a holiday when everyone else has something special. A singel rose delivered anonymously or go all out with a vase full if you can budget it.
- At Christmastime, pick a hard-working parent who is struggling and help the family with random gifts delivered to their front porch in a huge red Santa bag; knock and leave.
- Visit your local school and donate much needed clothing for children who have accidents or can't afford winter accessories. Donate sweatpants, underwear, and sock for the occasional accident or give hats, mittens and scarves for students who don't have them. Buy discount items all year and when school starts donate them.
- Decide on a day to choose someone to give a fruit basket or gift basket, it can be a bank teller, a waitress, or any other person that impresses you. You can also pick a home at random and send a basket or flower with a note that says, “Have a great day!”
What a great way to celebrate today, National Random Acts of Kindness Day!
