New Year's Resolution of Kindness
Happy New
Year! and Welcome to 2016!
How many of
you make a New Year’s Resolution? I’m guessing there is a large show of hands.
And of course you have every intention of keeping them. I can tell you the
first week of the New Year and sometimes even the first month is packed at the
gym. But then it dwindles.The dreaded New Year’s Resolution.
How many of
you keep your New Year’s Resolutions? I’ll bet there are a lot less hands in
the air. Or maybe you keep some but not others. Hey, some is better than none,
right?
Me? I like
New Year’s Resolutions for the opportunity to take on a challenge. Do I stick
with them? Yes. Why? A resolution to me means growth, personal growth.
Each year I
like to learn or try something new, something to take me out of my comfort zone
and expose me to new people and new adventures.
Yes, this
year my plan is to do at least one random act of kindness a week. That’s 52
random acts of kindness in 2016. If you are afraid you can’t do it every week
then pick one month and do one random act each day of that month.
On my
birthday I will perform one random act of kindness for each year in my age.
Nope, do not ask. I will not tell you my age. Let’s just say it will be a very
busy day giving.
I would love
for this idea to spread and see more of you do this so please pass the word and
let’s make 2016 a year of giving.
Below is a list of some ideas to help you get started. Please share your own ideas or acts of kindness.
Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness:
- Start a piggy bank for a cause
- Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train, bus, or in a coffee shop
- Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café or restaurant
- Call a grandparent
- Thank a police officer or firefighter
- Share your umbrella
- Pick up groceries for a neighbor
- Bring co-workers a special treat
- Help someone load groceries into vehicle
- Bring flowers to someone
- Pay the toll for the car behind you
- Leave a generous tip for a server
- Help someone with yard work
- Thank a volunteer
- Adopt a soldier: http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/
- Adopt a platoon: http://adoptaplatoon.org/site/
- Read to the elderly or a child
- Return a shopping cart
- Volunteer at a food bank
- Leave change in a vending machine or parking meter
- Use your vacation days
- Hold the door open for someone
- Let the person behind you go ahead of you in line
- Donate clothing
- Leave quarters at the laundromat
- Buy a lottery ticket for someone else
- Buy a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you
- Write a thank you note to a co-worker
- Give up your seat for a stranger
- Say “please” and “thank you” … a lot
- Send a gift anonymously
- Compliment a waiter/waitress/server
- Give another driver your parking spot
- Give a landscaper a bottle of water
- Treat a friend to the movies
- Pick up rubbish in the road and put in a trash receptacle
- Tell your family how much you appreciate them
- Leave warm clothing on a bench with a note letting the finder know that it’s theirs to use or giveaway
- Donate to your favorite charity or donate to my site for Team RWB, which supports our Veterans. Denise's Team RWB donation site
- Tweet a compliment about a vendor
- Put your cell phone away
- Give chocolate…generously and often
- Stop to have a conversation with a homeless person
- Write a positive review for a book or a product
- Adopt a rescue pet
- Leave a bag of microwave popcorn at your local Red Box movie rental stop
- Listen to the person sitting across the table from you
- Donate a race entry fee to the next random person
- Plant a tree or flower
- Make two lunches and give one away
- Give directions to someone lost
- Donate canned goods to a food shelter or at your local grocery store
- Buy lemonade from a kid’s lemonade stand
- Leave a nice comment on a blog
- Wash your neighbor’s car
- Keep a pen on hand – lend it to people when needed
- Call your mom
- Give someone a hug
- Smile. . .a lot
