18 Unconventional Ways To Be Kind To Your Fellow Human
It's World Kindness Day, which means it's--you guessed it--time to be kind to your fellow human! Don't know how? No problem! Do some of these, and you will have filled your quota for the year ;)
1. Take a second and remember that neither the world nor Saturn revolves around you (difficult!).
2. Give that guy who cut you off the benefit of the doubt. He might have no business being behind a wheel, but he's there now and may very well be terrified.
Especially if he's a cat.
3. Hold the door open for someone in the "courtesy zone."
4. Accost a wide-eyed tourist who looks more lost than a kitten in a couch cushion and politely point them in the right direction.
5. When you get a reaaallly bad gift, wear it anyway, even if the lack of thought couldn't be more obvious.
6. Cut along the dotted line...
7. Spare a dollar for someone begging on the street. You're not "teaching him a lesson" by not giving hand outs. It's a dollar. He'll be half way to a latte.
8. Teach a friend (or a stranger? eh??) how to do something you're good at. We often get used to the things we have a knack for; this will rejuvenate your appreciation for it, and show someone else how fun it can be.
Side note: This is Sean Connery teaching his co-star, Ursula Andress, how to do a handstand for the first Bond movie Dr. No (1962).
9. When things get a little too tense, pull out the bubble wrap and let your stressed out friend have at it. Easy, short-term fix. Works every time.
10. Ask what your co-worker's favorite kind of cake is at least a month in advance of his/her birthday, rather than ten minutes before noon the day of.
11. If you're having friends over, create a playlist on your iPod (or whatever) specifically for the occasion. In making people feel special, dedicated playlists are the best you can do without proposing marriage or naming your kids after them. Not kidding.
12. Expand how you consider giving compliments. #Ohsnap.
13. Randomly offer to do some chores for your parents. If you were once a teenager, then you probably avoided doing them like hell. Be a good kid and rake some leaves. Then jump in them, and rake them again, you spaz.
14. Engage in a conversation with a stranger while waiting in line/in an elevator. Does anyone ever think that the awkwardness comes from the silence? If the awkwardness persists, don't worry. You tried and therefore no one is allowed to criticize you.
15. Make extra effort to tell the good people in your life that you appreciate them. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one, and since most of us simply want to leave some kind of mark, let a loved one know that he/she has for at least one person (you).
16. Ask a stranger where he got those shoes/shirt/swaggy headband. Don't be shy; essentially, you're giving him a compliment and possibly getting a shopping tip in return.
17. Breathe while you hug. We don't realize it, but people tend to seize up a little when we go in for a hug, even with close friends. Keep breathing and it will last a little longer and feel more genuine.
18. Surprise a friend with a snack! We all know that you and your palsy-walsies could remake Battle Royale in making sure the other person doesn't pay for anything, but if you surprise them, they can't insist you put your wallet away. HA.
Happy Kindness Day, you simply sweet son-of-a gun, you.
