Give the Gift of Kindness
Published November 20, 2019
By Kathy Ferguson, RN, Parish Nurse
Let someone go first in line Stand, so someone else can sit Help someone carry their shopping bags Share a meal with someone who usually eats alone Get on a first-name basis with more people Spend some time with an elderly neighbor or relative Volunteer Ask a child what the kindest thing someone did for them this week Forgive yourself Write an apology (even if you don’t send it) Compliment someone on social media Phone a friend and tell them they’re awesome Reconnect with someone special Write someone a letter Share or teach your favorite interest or talent with someone Thank someone who made a difference in your life Share a good book with someone Truly start listening to others (instead of already formulating the answer in your head) Answer rudeness with kindness Include someone who is on the sidelines Donate toys to a local charity drive Bring poinsettias to someone who is lonely Bake (or buy) holiday treats to share with neighbors, along with holiday greetings Buy a cup of cocoa/coffee/cider for a stranger Share candy canes with friends and strangers Read holiday books with folks at a nursing home Leave thank you notes and/or gift cards for service people: mail carrier, trash collector, etc. Call a relative you haven’t seen in a while Write a letter to the editor thanking local police, firefighters, ambulance crews Invite friends and family to join you on a winter hike Hold the door for someone Let a parent with young kids in their cart go in front of you in the grocery checkout line Say thank you to someone who made your life a bit better today Send a thinking-of-you text Make eye contact with anyone who serves you—cashiers, baristas, receptionists, medical personnel, etc. Bring up your neighbor’s trash cans from the street Pay for the person behind you in a drive-through or put extra coins in metered parking when you pull out Pick up litter when you notice it and throw it away Read a book to a child Use people’s names when you talk to them—it feels good to be noticed and known Carry a stack of post-it notes in your purse/pocket and leave positive notes in public places Smile and say hello to people you meet on the street, in the elevator, at work, at church
Most of these suggestions are free and take little time and energy. One small kind thing that you do today can have an impact on things you never considered. In closing, consider these wise words from Mr. Rogers:
Merry Christmas!
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12As I am beginning to write this month’s article on November 13, I have discovered that it is World Kindness Day. I think that is wonderful, but don’t you think that every day should be Kindness Day? According to Karyn Hall, Ph.D., kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness. In a recent study, people reported how they felt after performing or observing kind acts. Happiness was measured before and after seven days of kindness. The researchers found that being kind to ourselves or to anyone else or actively observing kindness around us boosted happiness. In other words, being kind not only helps others, but it has a positive effect on you too! Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller, once said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” With that in mind, in this season of giving, consider these small ways that you can share kindness now and throughout the year. I am sure that you can think of or have done many more!
Let someone go first in line Stand, so someone else can sit Help someone carry their shopping bags Share a meal with someone who usually eats alone Get on a first-name basis with more people Spend some time with an elderly neighbor or relative Volunteer Ask a child what the kindest thing someone did for them this week Forgive yourself Write an apology (even if you don’t send it) Compliment someone on social media Phone a friend and tell them they’re awesome Reconnect with someone special Write someone a letter Share or teach your favorite interest or talent with someone Thank someone who made a difference in your life Share a good book with someone Truly start listening to others (instead of already formulating the answer in your head) Answer rudeness with kindness Include someone who is on the sidelines Donate toys to a local charity drive Bring poinsettias to someone who is lonely Bake (or buy) holiday treats to share with neighbors, along with holiday greetings Buy a cup of cocoa/coffee/cider for a stranger Share candy canes with friends and strangers Read holiday books with folks at a nursing home Leave thank you notes and/or gift cards for service people: mail carrier, trash collector, etc. Call a relative you haven’t seen in a while Write a letter to the editor thanking local police, firefighters, ambulance crews Invite friends and family to join you on a winter hike Hold the door for someone Let a parent with young kids in their cart go in front of you in the grocery checkout line Say thank you to someone who made your life a bit better today Send a thinking-of-you text Make eye contact with anyone who serves you—cashiers, baristas, receptionists, medical personnel, etc. Bring up your neighbor’s trash cans from the street Pay for the person behind you in a drive-through or put extra coins in metered parking when you pull out Pick up litter when you notice it and throw it away Read a book to a child Use people’s names when you talk to them—it feels good to be noticed and known Carry a stack of post-it notes in your purse/pocket and leave positive notes in public places Smile and say hello to people you meet on the street, in the elevator, at work, at church
Most of these suggestions are free and take little time and energy. One small kind thing that you do today can have an impact on things you never considered. In closing, consider these wise words from Mr. Rogers:
Merry Christmas!