My 40 Random Acts of Kindness

I found this pin the other day and it really spoke to me!

The Rebel Foodie put together a list of 52 Random Acts of Kindness and helped me imagine what a difference I could make.  I’ve already started on my list, but I feel compelled to share and bring you along with me on this journey.

I spent some time on the web and gathered up some ideas and combined it with items from The Rebel Foodies list and created my own list: 40 Random Acts of Kindness.  I have a birthday coming up, and felt this was a great way to Pay It Forward and help me celebrate the time I’ve spent on Earth.  My goal is to complete these items before I turn 40; which is closer than I think!

I visited the Random Acts of Kindness foundation website and found some great ideas, as such, my list is actually longer than 40 items.  In the end, I wanted to make sure I left myself open to opportunities that presented themselves.  Also, because I realized that a lot of the items on the list are things I do regularly, I needed to stretch my boundaries and give myself acts of kindness that would help me grow as a person.

I am super excited about this new chapter and Mr. T doesn’t know it yet, but he is too!

I’ve created a new page for my 40 Random Acts of Kindness and I encourage you to check it out – and come back and check out what I’ve crossed off and remind me to get busy if you notice I’ve been slacking!

For your reading pleasure, I’ve also included it here!  Thank you, as always, for being part of my journey and letting me share my life with you!

(Update! I told Mr. T about this the other day “hey, here is what I’m doing and I’d like you to be part of it – we have to finish before my BD.”  He asked what was on the list and I read most of it to him… Let me tell you – T has taken off!!  He immediately picked up his phone and called half a dozen friends “I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking about you.  Nope, that’s it.  Okay, bye!”  And every where we go, he is picking up trash!  I’m just so proud of my kid right now!  I have to get busy or he’s going to put me to shame!)

1. Hold the door open for someone
2. Teach a child something you wish you knew at that age
3. Tip a waitress more than you normally would
4. Spend some time with a senior citizen
5. Smile at a stranger
6. Compliment a stranger
7. Put a quarter in a meter that is about ready to expire
8. Leave the mail person a thank you card
9. Donate unwanted items to a homeless shelter
10. Donate your unwanted suits to a place that caters to single moms re-entering the work force or older workers re-entering the work force.
11. Smile at the Walmart greeter
12. Help someone learn something new
13. Bake someone a cake
14. Carry someone’s bags to the car at the grocery store
15. Walk or run for charity
16. Thank a soldier
17. Let someone go in front of you in line
18. Say “thank you” to the cashier
19. Share inspirational quotes
20. Donate books to a school or library
21. Give your box tops to a school ( found on General Mills products)
22. Help someone for free
23. Bring flowers to a co-worker, friend, or someone that may be having a hard time.
24. Tell your family you love them.
25. Donate coupons that have expired to a military family (they are honored at the military commissary)
26. Buy that young mother a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and a jar of peanut butter.
27. Praise a parent for their child
28. Praise your boss
29. Instead of asking for gifts ask your friends to do random acts of kindness on your birthday.
30. Donate stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, stickers, and little toys to the police station to hand out to sick, abused, or scared kids.
31. Give someone a hug
32. Help someone whose car is broken down
33. Send a sunshine box to someone that is sick (put in Kleenex, their favorite cough drops, magazines, and anything that might cheer them up. Don’t forget the get well card )
34. Hand out pennies at a wishing well or fountain. You never know whose wish you may help come true.
35. Surprise someone with a cup cake, muffin, cookie, etc.
36. Pre-stamp some thank you notes and hand them out, letting the recipient know to send it to someone they appreciate
37. Hide notes in library books for someone else to find.
38. Make or buy hats for kids that are suffering from cancer and donate them.
39. Be a friend who listens
40. Stick your change in the Ronald McDonald box at McDonald’s
41. Make care packages and take them to a homeless shelter.
42. Leave your newspaper for someone
43. Donate blood
44. Donate school supplies to a school or preschool
45. Call a friend and let them know you are thinking about them
46. Donate a $1 (when asked in line at grocery/convenience store “would you like to donate” say yes)
47. Thank the police or fire department (drop off a case of water)
48. Return a shopping cart for someone and save them the trip
49. Take new parents a date night kit. (Movie rental, popcorn, 2 liter of soda, and candy.)
50. Collect canned food for a food bank
51. Hand out Valentine cards with lollipops on Valentine’s Day.
52. Write a letter to someone who made a difference in your life.
53. Pick up trash.
54. Plant a tree
55. Pat someone on the back
56. Take little care packages to a Cancer center. Fill them with a travel size hand lotion, chapstick, and purse size package of antibacterial wipes. They will be much appreciated!