26 Acts of Kindness Examples To Uplift & Inspire
Sharing Is Caring! ♥ Thank You!
It’s often said, “When people know better, they do better.” When we learn what a random act of kindness is and actually make a practice of them for others – we literally change one life at a time. These 26 acts of kindness examples will inspire, encourage and celebrate you for choosing to make a difference in another’s life!
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke
So… What Is A Random Act of Kindness, exactly?
…. they’re my favorite thing in the whole world! (no, really!) But I’ll get serious and explain this a little bit better.
A random act of kindness is any spontaneous act of helpfulness, thoughtfulness, charity, love or care given without expecting anything in return. If you can think of a way to be kind and/or thoughtful, it is eligible to be a random act of kindness!
Random acts of kindness can be done for strangers and friends or family alike. Anyone and everyone can experience change in their lives from the impact of giving and receiving these beautiful, selfless acts of care & compassion.
So, where did the ‘official’ idea behind random acts of kindness come from then? It is believed somewhere around 1982, Anne Herbert, a writer from Ohio & California, wrote on a restaurant place mat, “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”
I’d venture to bet that random acts of kindness have been happening on planet Earth since the beginning of time. Though it didn’t have a phrase coined for it, there were still soft-hearted people seeking to change their world one act of love at a time.
What’s even better is that you and I can carry on this beautiful tradition for many more generations. We can choose to do good for someone else each and every day!
Never Underestimate the Power of Kindness
Y’all, people are hurting…everywhere!
Some are just getting or living with medical diagnoses that change their life and their loved ones lives forever.
Parents are suffering with their children that are making terrible decisions.
Others have just learned that they are being ‘let go’ from their jobs and have no clue how they will support themselves or their families. God forbid they are already working 2 and 3 jobs trying to make ends meet and still can’t! Imagine the pure exhaustion they experience every single day.
Maybe someone’s marriage or relationship is falling apart and they feel totally helpless to change the situation.
We have homeless and hungry people all over the globe. Most of us can’t stand to be hungry more than an hour! Or when we lose our heating or air conditioning … look out! It’s easy to forget that so many people have neither of those luxuries.
The elderly and disabled individuals who have no one to count on. Just getting across the street is a BIG deal for them. One that is fraught with danger. How many places don’t even have handicap accessibility?
How many races and ethnicities are treated with contempt, hate and malice simply because of the color of their skin? (sigh) God help us all, people!
When you extend your heart to another hurting human being through a random act of kindness, you offer hope. Perhaps hope they had once lost.
Your ‘simple’, selfless act of kindness could be what makes someone choose life over death. You could turn their seemingly hopeless situation into one of possibility. Your act of kindness could single-handedly restore their faith in humanity.
I’ll be completely honest with you. Random acts of kindness are the most joyous and fulfilling acts you will ever do. My entire day or week has been made by making someone else’s day. Yours can be the same.
Considering these above scenarios alone, how many people could you extend an act of kindness to?
Kindness is contagious. So is rudeness. Which will you pick?
Need Inspiration? These 26 Heartwarming Acts of Kindness Might Help!
In no particular order, here are 26 easy to do acts of kindness ideas that might inspire you to find ways to bless those around you too.
#1 – Take the time to listen to someone who needs a compassionate ear. Instead of rushing about your day, notice when someone is upset. Ask them sincerely, “Are you ok?” and wait for the answer. You might be just who they need! Simply be present. Just listen.
#2 – Go out of your way to be polite and grateful for anyone who is in service to you. Say thank you for what you do! I appreciate you! Whether that’s the person picking up the trash, making your coffee, driving the taxi or working for you doing various tasks. Expressing your gratitude for them goes a really long way when it’s heartfelt.
#3 – Offer to pray for someone who is feeling down and discouraged. Prayer is power!
#4 – Help an elderly or disabled person with their daily tasks: walking, crossing the street, getting groceries, etc.
#5 – Love someone? Leave a heartfelt note letting them know you care, appreciate them and respect them. You are guaranteed to make more than their day!
Relationships are like bank accounts. You get out of them only what you put in! When you withdraw too much without depositing, you’re in trouble! #wisdom #relationships
#6 – Take food, clothing, hygiene necessities or blankets to a homeless person. You never know what they’ve been through!
# 7 – Fix a problem for someone else. Bill need to be paid? Parents need a date away from the kids? Charity needing donations to complete a project? Nothing is too small or big to consider.
#8 – Send thank you cards to our military men and women. Or sweet & funny cards to hospitalized kids.
#9 – Have a really great experience with someone in customer service? Contact their supervisor and acknowledge their exceptional work!
#10 – Everyone around you gossiping? Crash their party by sticking up for the one they’re gossiping about. It could have been you they were talking about, ya know! Empathy goes a long, long ways….
#11 – Treat a friend or loved one out to a quick lunch or a nice dinner just to catch up and say “I’m thinking of you and I value our relationship.” Maybe even consider making lunch or dinner yourself for them; especially if they have specific dietary needs.
#12 – Bake cookies or other yummies for your local fire department, teachers and police officers. Let them know you appreciate all their dedication to you and your family!
#13 – Visit your local nursing home and spend some time with the residents. Many of these precious people have absolutely no one coming to visit them. The joy you will bring to their lives can’t be expressed with words!
#14 – Donate gently used and like new items to the local shelters in your area. Reach out to these shelters especially around the holidays to see what needs they have. You could give these kids a Christmas they’ve never had! Christmas for Kids is a good example.
#15 – Offer patience. You never know what kind of battle someone is facing. They may be suffering from severe depression, chronic invisible pain, problems at home, anything at all. Often, the most angry people among us are the ones who are hurting the most.
#16 – Know a friend trying to get a business up & running? Help spread the word! Purchase something from them and help them realize their dream is worth achieving!
#17 – Get off the phone! So many people now spend their whole lives looking down at their smartphones. Put it away. Be physically AND emotionally present with those you care about. You might be surprised how much better you feel.
#18 – Be the friend to the ‘underdog.’ Take time to see the value in someone when everyone else thinks they’re ‘not worth it.’ Get to know them. You just might find your new best friend!
#19 – See an animal in need? Take them in if possible. If not, provide them with food, water or shelter. Tell others about it and try to find its forever home.
#20 – Know of a family in dire need? Offer to pay their grocery bill, light bill or other expense. It could mean they have the chance to stay in their home! See if you can find ways to help get them back on their feet.
#21 – SMILE! Mother Teresa said it best: ” We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” A genuine smile straight from the heart can turn someone’s day from dark to light. I’ve witnessed this myself over and over again.
#22 – Consider sending flowers just because you can. Any time I have received flowers as a surprise, it has really touched my heart! Sending flowers is a powerful way to communicate friendship and affection.
#23 – We all like to save money, right?? I do! If you know of a great coupon or current deal, share it with people!
#24 – Give someone you love a hug! They are extremely healing and increase the bond between two people.
#25 – Hold the door for someone. And please, be sure to help in any way needed if this person has a disability.
#26 – Going to a hotel? Leave a note in the nightstand that reminds someone how valuable and special they are. Not planning to visit a hotel any time soon? Leave encouraging, positive and uplifting notes around town at random! It is guaranteed to make someone’s day!
These 26 Acts of Kindness Take Little Time But Make A Big Difference
My personal favorite is paying for the person’s meal or coffee behind me in line. What if that person you pay for is wondering how they were going to keep feeding their family? No matter what we’re going through, someone always has it worse than us.
The radio station I listen to most often, Spirit FM, has a program called, “Drive Thru Difference.” It encourages people to do just that – pay for the meal of the vehicle behind them. It creates a train of gratitude, reaching far beyond that day. Such an act of kindness is not easily forgotten!
Who knows, this might turn into a blog series. There are endless ways for which we can take a moment of our lives and forever change someone else’s.
I have often said – we may not remember what we did for someone several years ago. Yet for the one who received your kindness, they might remember it for a lifetime.
My best advice? Give to someone else what you wish you had. You just might be surprised how what you sow comes back to you multiplied. When you sow love, compassion, joy, and kindness – you will reap that and more! (2 Corinthians 9:6)
Do you have a personal favorite out of these 26 acts of kindness listed? What is your favorite way to show empathy for your fellow humans? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you also for sharing this article on social media. All of us together doing the right thing can change the world – one heart at a time. Join me, will you?
If you’d love to do more, please visit the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Their mission is one to stand behind. 💕
Kindest Regards,
Sharing Is Caring! ♥ Thank You!
