When life becomes a tangled web of negative news, upsetting emotions, and work overload, it gets hard to find ways to feel better. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is hang on and make every move you can think of to keep your mind and emotions positive. One way to psychologically heal yourself is by performing random acts of kindness. The really cool thing about doing random acts of kindness is that you feel great and someone else feels blessed by it as well. By the performance of one simple act, two people will feel better about their lives.
Why not heal yourself and someone else through a few acts of kindness?
Here are a few suggestions, or think of your own particular favors to do for others.
1. Deposit money in a vending machine and walk away. If you work in a setting that has food and/ or beverage vending machines, a wonderful and inexpensive way to give someone’s day a lift as well as your own is to deposit money in a machine and leave it for the next person. Whoever approaches the machine next will see that there’s money “waiting” for someone to make a product selection. They’ll get a free bag of chips or beverage of their choice. And probably a smile.
2. Help someone carry or load groceries into their car. Step in to help a person carry their items from a store to their vehicle. In the event the store has rolling carts for customers to use, offer to help an elderly person move the groceries from the cart into the car.
3. Open doors for others. Although there are still some who open doors routinely for others, it seems this simple random act of kindness has fallen mostly by the wayside. It does raise one’s spirit when someone takes the time and effort to open a door.
4. Invite a person who lives alone for an impromptu dinner. Perhaps you have just prepared your family’s favorite meal. Will having one more person at the table be okay? Send your spouse over to invite the person living next door for dinner. You will probably enjoy some interesting conversation and get to know your neighbor a little better.
5. Mail your grandparent a letter. Even though you tend to e-mail most people to keep in contact, your grandparents would probably love to get a “real” letter or a handwritten card from you. Sending these kinds of greetings monthly is one of the lowest-cost random acts that you can do that will bring a smile to your face as well as to the recipient’s.
6. Roll up your sleeves and help your neighbor wash his car. With a little bit of elbow grease, you and your neighbor will be thrilled with the results of your random act of kindness.
7. Give something away that you don’t use anymore. You know that gaming system you don’t play any more? There could be a child right in your neighborhood that would love to have it, even if it isn’t totally up to date. Keep your eyes and ears open for what people around you say they want. You might own something you don’t even use that would bring great happiness to others. If this sounds too personal, donate items to a charity.
8. Use your skills by teaching someone how to do something. Maybe it’s you learned a fancy textured wall painting technique last year. Perhaps you are a little nerdy or geeky with your new smart-phone and your friend just can’t get the hang of their’s. There are probably people all around you who would love for you to demonstrate your skills.
9. Speaking of learning, sharing knowledge with others is a caring thing to do. For example, if you are an adept small business owner or an experienced poet, imparting knowledge to others brings a new light into their lives. One of the best random acts of kindness is sharing information.
When you engage in caring behaviors toward others, both you and the receiver experience a special kind of jubilation. Help heal yourself and other parts of the world by practicing random acts of kindness.
What random acts of kindness have you performed or received that brought you healing?
Doc
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffsmallwood/4849994901/sizes/z/in/photostream/
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