It’s World Kindness Day – the 13th November. Now many of us spend time actively trying to be kinder in the world but today is a reminder to be extra kind. The great thing about kindness is that it costs nothing and you can do it anywhere and across all areas of your life.
We all have days where we don’t feel kind, where we judge others or we judge ourselves. That’s OK. I read somewhere that when we judge someone that our first thought is what we have been conditioned to think and that our second is who we really are. It is our second thought which defines us. So today, I want you to notice your first thoughts and then to notice your second thought and what you really think.
28 ideas for random acts of kindness
The second thing I would encourage you to do is to find a way to be kind to at least one other person today. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture or a large time commitment. To that end, I wanted to give you some ideas of kind acts that you could do.
At work
- If you notice a colleague coming in late, looking flustered, perhaps make them a cuppa whilst they take off their coat and set their computer up
- Smile at someone
- Invite someone to lunch who you normally wouldn’t sit with – or a walk/coffee
- Say thank you to someone who has helped you. It doesn’t have to be in front of anyone, you could email, write a little card or if you wish to, leave a small token of appreciation
- Recommend someone on LinkedIn or make an introduction for someone who might benefit
- Be constructive in your criticism
- Ask someone how they are and really listen
Out and about
- Pay for someone’s coffee in the queue
- Pick up some litter on your way to where you are going
- Volunteer to help out at a homeless shelter or on the PTA or anywhere else your skills would be valuable
- Give someone a compliment
- Leave an affirmation card in a library book
- Feed the birds
- Do something for someone without telling them
With your tribe
- Bake or cook something and share it with a friend
- Buy a small gift for your partner/child/friend – especially if one of their love languages is gifts
- Write a list of 20 things you love about someone and give it to them
- Offer to babysit for a friend
- Make your partner a cuppa without being asked
- Read your child’s favourite book
- Talk about something someone has done in front of them e.g. telling your partner how helpful your child has been
To yourself
- Go to bed a bit earlier tonight
- Eat food that nourishes you
- Treat yourself to a beauty/spa treatment
- Get outside
- Write a list of all your strengths and achievements
- Spend time alone/with people who inspire you – depending on how you refill your cup
- Celebrate a success
I would love to hear how you have been kind to yourself and/or others on World Kindness Day – drop me a comment and let me know