How often do you show kindness to others?
Comparatively, how often are you kind to yourself?
In answering these questions, consider the definition of kindness: “the quality of being friendly, generous, considerate.”
When thinking about my journey of kindness starting from a young age, I tried my best to honor the adage of, “treat others as you would like to be treated.” For me, this looked like calling friends and family to see how they were doing. I tried to be a listening ear or offer my help when needed. I remembered birthdays, investing time to pick out and send birthday cards.
However, I learned that my actions did not always translate to being entreated with the same consideration. My birthday would come and go, sometimes with barely an acknowledgment {although I have an uncle who’s called me every year on my birthday since I can remember]. Or when I needed a listening ear, I was left to figure things out on my own. I realized over time that I needed to start investing in relationships where I was equally a priority.
Therefore, my first real lesson in kindness was to invest in being kind to those who were kind to me. I started focusing on relationships that poured into me and made me a priority. As a result, I found myself able to show generosity and consideration to others with no expectation of something in return. My ability to enter relationships where we are filling each other’s tanks allows me to expand my giving nature.
Now as a mom, I think of what lessons I want to pass along about kindness. I know it’s important to show my children that kindness is for them and not always about the other person. However, I don’t want to leave my children with the impression that they should be kind at the expense of themselves. More importantly, I want to pass along the lesson of being generous to themselves.
Therefore, when thinking about how to acknowledge the day and week of Random Acts of Kindness, here are ways to show kindness to others such as your kids, their teachers, your spouse or partner, and ways to also show kindness to yourself.
Random acts of kindness for kids
- Write a positive note for their teacher or kids in their classroom to show the importance of kind words.
- Call a family member(s) and say “I love you” to simply lift their day with three simple words.
Random acts of kindness for others
- Pay for the person’s coffee/meal behind you in a drive-thru to start a trend that hopefully brightens someone’s day.
- Send flowers to a friend or family member going through a tough time.
- Pay a compliment to someone you walk by or a cashier so they can be seen and acknowledged as they go about their day.
Random acts of kindness for your spouse, partner, or friend
- Give an unexpected compliment to set a good mood between the two of you for the day
- Give a longer hug or kiss to show affection and care
- Buy their favorite food item to show generosity and consideration
- Send flowers to brighten their day
- Apologize for a past wrong or misdeed to rectify a wound and bring healing to your relationship.
Random acts of kindness for yourself
Look in the mirror and give yourself a compliment to see the good that is always there
Buy yourself flowers to brighten your day and bring a smile to your face
Get a massage / pedicure / manicure to show care for your body
Take yourself to breakfast / lunch / dinner to treat yourself with something you enjoy
Wear your favorite outfit and feel good and comfortable
Write down something you are grateful for to focus on the good in your life
Take a nap to rest and revive your body and mind
Forgive yourself for a mistake or misdeed to heal a wound and remember no one is perfect
While it’s important to give to others and show kindness and care for others, don’t put yourself last on the kindness list. Need more kindness ideas that can be applied to others and yourself, check out these 2021-22 school year calendar of kindness from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.
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