50+ Simple Ways to Create Kindness in Your Life and Boost Your Own Happiness

This morning while I was waiting for the bus a woman was sitting nearby

shaking a cup and asking for money.

I watched as one person after another walked hastily by or ignored her pleas.

Even though I could hear my friend’s voice in my head warning me not to

trust him, my heart told me something else.

I followed my heart, reached into my wallet, pulled out some money, walked

over to the woman and put it into her cup and gave her a smile.

This simple act of kindness lifted my spirit and made me feel good!

Have you had similar feelings and experiences in your own life?

Now imagine living a kind life on a daily basis!

 

“Did you know that good thoughts

and deeds can boost your

own happiness and

sense of self worth?“

 

A lot of times, we tend to think that being happy means getting, having, and doing

things for ourselves.

But a recent study by Stanford University psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky–and

generations of moral fables and other literature–point to quite the opposite.

Doing acts of kindness can really boost your sense of happiness and self-worth.

When you make a point of going out of your way to help someone, it gives you a

sense of control–here’s something good you can choose to do–and satisfaction.

You’re doing something that really matters when you help someone out.

You’re making a difference.

Acts of kindness also tend to elicit appreciation, which makes you, the giver, feel

especially good inside.

 

“Kind acts give you a

sense of purpose, and

can help to assuage anger

and grief over personal loss.”

 

Here are a few ways you can create kindness in your own life:

* Visit a relative.

Maybe your grandparent or parent is in assisted living or a nursing home.

Or maybe your relative lives at home and you just haven’t visited for awhile.

Invite your relative over for a meal, or go visit him or her.

* Offer to run errands.

Many people are just unable to do some of the everyday things that most of us

take for granted.

See if you can go to the grocery store for an ill neighbor, or for a busy mom.

* Do some yard work for someone.

If you notice weeds and brush taking over someone’s yard, go ask if you can help.

If you can’t do the work yourself, get others to help you.

* Offer to babysit.

Give a busy couple or parent a break by offering to watch their children for awhile.

* Write notes, cards, or letters to acquaintances.

Try to do this when it’s not a holiday – a note that someone receives “just because” means a lot.

In this day of electronic communication, a nice card or note in the mail can be a real gift.

*Pay someone’s expired meter

If you spend regular time in the city, keep coins on hand and look for expired or about-to-expire

parking meters.

Buy the car owner a little extra time and help him or her avoid a ticket.

There are so many ways to show kindness.

Here are a few more kind ideas to inspire you, but of course you will create your own:

*Listen–really listen–to someone who needs to talk.

*Visit elderly or sick and shut-in neighbors–run errands for them and bring them cheer.

*Offer to pay for the person behind you at a drive-through restaurant.

*Let someone go in front of you on line.

*Write a Thank You note.

*Be kind to someone you don’t really like.

*Give someone a lift in your car.

*Donate used books to a friend who likes to read.

*Read aloud to someone who has poor sight.

*Give a donation to someone who needs it.

*Feed someone who is hungry or provide a list of free food services in the community.

*Write a poem for someone.

*Make an “appreciation list” and give it to that person.

*Plant pretty flowers for someone .

*Mend the clothing of someone in need.

*Make a new friend today.

*Pick flowers for someone.

*Praise someone who is performing on the street and lend them a helping hand.

*Shovel snow or sweep the yard for a neighbor.

*Give a pretty prom dress to a young lady who can’t afford one.

*Invite a lonesome person out for a walk, a chat or a cup of tea.

*Donate or share toys, clothing, furnishings and other things that no longer need so

others can benefit.

*Always remember to be kind to yourself.

Inspiring Quotes About Kindness

 

“In life you can never be too kind or too fair;

everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load.

When you go through your day expressing

kindness and courtesy to all you meet,

you leave behind a feeling of warmth and

good cheer, and you help alleviate the

burdens everyone is struggling with.”
—Brian Tracy

 

“The willingness to accept responsibility

for one’s own life is the source

from which self-respect springs.”
—Joan Didion

 

 

“If the world seems cold to you,

kindle fires to warm it.”
—Lucy Larcom

 

“Your greatness is measured by your kindness;

your education and intellect by your modesty;

your ignorance is betrayed by your suspicions

and prejudices, and your real caliber is measured

by the consideration and tolerance

you have for others.”
—William J.H. Boetcker

 

“I have this theory that if one person can 

go out of their way to show compassion,

then it will start a chain reaction of the same.

People will never know how far a

little kindness can go.”
—Rachel Joy Scott

 

 

“The words of kindness are more

healing to a drooping heart

than balm or honey.”
—Sarah Fielding

 

“There is overwhelming evidence

that the higher the level of self-esteem,

the more likely one will be to treat

others with respect, kindness,

and generosity.”
—Nathaniel Branden

 

Another bit of advice is to vary your acts of kindness so that you don’t get into a rut.

It will no longer be as satisfying for you or the people you help if you are just going

through the motions.

As Mahatma Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

 

Does being kind to others make you happy?

How have you made someone happy today?

Share your thoughts and comments with us.

 

“Shared at Kind & Healthy Fridays”