New Year's Wish

My New Year’s wish is simple.  I would love to see more peace in the world, more random acts of kindness for the people around you and would like to bring manners back in style.  When was the last time someone took the time to say “please” or “thank you” to you?  How did it make you feel?  I bet you just stopped and thought “how nice was that”?  If you paid that forward, just think how happy that would make others feel.  We need to make our world a gentler place.  All the emphasis on racing ahead, getting something first and reaching the pinnacle have made us all insensitive to other people’s needs.  Let’s slow down and enjoy each other.  Here are some ways to start……….

Let Someone Go in Front of You

Nearly every day we encounter a situation where we are required to wait in line. Whether it is at home, school, work or in town, go ahead and let someone in front of you. Waiting in line can often be a frustrating and tedious situation that causes people to become irritable and impatient. Most people experience this while driving. Allowing another driver go in front of you when they need to change lanes or make a turn, can really make a big difference. Being patient and letting someone in, puts ease to the situation and is simply a considerate gesture.  Horn honkers – please use it only when necessary and not because you are in a hurry!

Be generous with compliments

You’ve probably experienced what it feels like when someone says something nice to you or compliments you. Even a very simple compliment can brighten your day, and make you feel better about yourself. Make it a habit to pay people compliments. When something strikes you about someone else, such as a nice outfit or a beautiful smile, recognize it with a sincere compliment. That someone might be a classmate, coworker or a complete stranger.  Go out of your way to compliment five people every day. Maybe it’s a friend who looks sad, or the stranger on your bus you’ve wanted to introduce yourself to, or anyone else you talk to during the day. Try to make it a habit you can put to action in your daily life.

Send a Note of Appreciation

Take a few minutes out of your day today to write a note of appreciation to someone you haven't thanked in a while. You can send it to your spouse, significant other, sibling, parent, child, best friend, coach, teacher—anyone who you feel needs a bit of a pick me up. You can even make a list for your loved one highlighting all of the different reasons you appreciate him or her. Once you’ve brainstormed your thoughts, write them neatly in card you’ve chosen, or just send an email. No matter how you decide to share a note of appreciation, be sure to do it today.  Too often in life we take the people we love for granted. This is a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to have these people in our lives!

Shovel Snow for a Neighbor

It’s easy to get into the habit of not paying attention to those around you, especially if they are strangers. Starting with your neighbors, make an effort to pay more attention to others and try to anticipate their needs. Do something simple, like shoveling show for your next-door-neighbor while you’re out shoveling your own walk. If you can’t do it every time it snows, aim to do it as often as you can. That could be once a year. No matter how often, it still counts as an act of kindness.

For more Random Acts of Kindness, visit the Foundation’s website:  
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/