How to Commit Random Acts of Kindness

Life can be tough, right? Some days it's hard to find even a little joy in your daily routine. You'd like to do something about that but what? And how? How can you do just one small thing to make yourself--and even better, someone else--have a tiny little moment of Yippee? Read on to find out.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Relax. No, I mean it. You have to start by relaxing. Realize that every single part of your day or your life is not a moment of high import or drama. Learn to separate the very important from the less important. Here's a hint: there is a lot more of the latter. Let some things roll off you. And when you've mastered that, start seeing that some of those things are actually pretty funny. The guy in the car who puts your life and his at risk by passing you recklessly finds himself sitting in front of you at the next red light. The kid zooming around you on his skateboard, with a shaved head and sporting a ring in his lip is wearing a t-shirt that reads, "Grandma's Angel." Sometimes life is just funny.

2. Practice being observant. Who are those people on the bus with you every day? Or the elevator? Or the lunchroom? Who is the lady surrounded by bags who sits on the corner as you walk to work? You don't have to get nosy, just look at them and see them clearly. What can you learn about them just by looking at them?

3. Let some ideas roll through your mind. Nothing scary; you're not making a commitment here. You're just thinking. What is one small thing that you could do that would make any of those people smile? A cup of coffee for the guy in the elevator? A helping hand to the harried mother who rides the bus with you? Instead of a dollar for the lady on the corner, what if you gave her a supermarket gift card? This part takes some practice. Whatever you think you might want to do should be a comfortable fit for you and a simple and non-threatening gesture to whoever receives it.

4. Don't think about it too much. Once you've decided on one small act of kindness, don't worry it into submission. And don't make a list. Remember, these are random acts. One at a time as they seem to arise is just fine.

5. Do it. Take the step. They will be surprised, maybe wary at first. Roll with it. With luck, you'll get to watch them as they discover the small gift they've just been given. Remember, none of us is really used to this stuff, right? It will take time for random acts of kindness to be accepted as the lighter-than-air little moments they are.

6. Be prepared to get them back. No fair giving and not accepting. It doesn't work that way. When you give, you get. That's just the way it is. Enjoy!

[dancingletters]

on 1/11/2010 I really enjoyed your article--the tone of it, the humor, the depth and wisdom tucked into it. Thank you.