101 Amazingly Simple Ways To Spread Kindness

Why is kindness important and how do you spread kindness?  The answer to these two questions should be simple.  Yet we are living in a world today where we talk about spreading kindness all the time.  But do we actually do it?

I believe the first step is to love others the way that Jesus loves us.  He wants us to prove our Christian love.  Be evident and treat others the way that we want to be treated.  But when we turn on our radio or TV and watch the news, all we hear about is hatred and hurtfulness.  So it’s time for us to step up and lead the way.

Why is it important to spread kindness?

Kindness matters because it’s a contagious act.  One simple act of spreading kindness, not only makes you feel all warm and tingly inside.  But it lifts the spirits of the recipient.  Most of the time, it makes you want to pay that act of kindness forward to someone else.  

Can you imagine how love would grow if every person on the planet performed just one simple act of kindness every day?  There would be so many more happy faces and hearts in the world.  

Finding true happiness starts with joy in the Lord, Jesus Christ.  That joy creates a servant’s heart in us that focuses on loving and serving others.  So, why is spreading kindness important?  One small act of kindness could be just what someone needs to help them turn their lives to the Lord.  Think about the power behind that statement.  I’m going to give you a great list of random acts of kindness examples in a minute.  But first I wanted to answer the question, why is kindness important?

Genuine kindness is more than being nice. Be sure to show loving kindness to others who don’t even love you back.  Spreading kindness can be easy.  But the best moments happen when you stretch beyond what’s comfortable and you dig down deep.  

A good example of this is giving money to somebody who is really in need, even though it means that you won’t get to buy that luxury you waited months for.  It will only hurt for a little bit.  But think of what you’ve done and the difference you’ve made.  It’s worth it every time.

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Related Post:  Why is Kindness Important? 

What inspires you to be kind?

Personally, I show kindness because I want to serve my Lord.  Jesus said to love God above all else, and then to love our neighbors as ourselves.  But I’m also inspired when I see the smile on someone’s face, after I’ve done something nice for them and I’ve treated them with kindness.

Mark 9:41 KJV “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.”

Matthew 22:37-39 KJV “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Sometimes all it takes is one simple act of kindness to change someone’s day, or even their life.  One act of spreading kindness to show them you care could create a sense of belonging in a broken heart.  It could create more optimism and happiness.  And one simple random act of kindness can influence a small child and be the impetus they need for showing more love in their life.

“Kind people are the best kind of people.” Author unknown

How do you spread kindness?

This list of random acts of kindness examples is just the beginning of an endless list of ideas when it comes to spreading kindness.  Most are free, some involve money.  The goal is simply to plant seeds of generosity when it comes to serving your fellow human being.

Where do you start?  You have so many options.  You could start at the top and work through the list.  You could read through the list so that you have the ideas that you need when opportunities present themselves.  You could also print off an idea list to post on your fridge.  You’ll find a link to do that below.  Whichever you choose, most importantly, just start to spread kindness every chance you get.

Where are good places to spread kindness?  Truly, anywhere there are people.  Obviously hanging out in public places during social distancing isn’t a good idea, but eventually it will be.  But generally, the airport, the grocery store, shopping center or any busy areas that put you in contact with people.  However now, during social distancing, the internet is a great way to connect and spread kindness.  Especially, since we are living in the age of cyber bullying, make a positive difference.  This is another reason why kindness is important.  Just be kind!

 

What are some random acts of kindness examples?

Smile at someone, because you can

Accept someone’s apology 

Let someone special know how much you appreciate them

Donate food to your local food pantry 

Give out compliments like candy

Donate clothing to a local charity

Clean up after yourself without being asked

Hold the door open for a stranger

Do a favor without asking anything in return

Share your favorite book

Don’t interrupt someone when they’re talking

Show generosity every chance you get

Let someone cut in line in front of you at the store 

Pay for the person behind you in the drive through

Show your friend how happy you are to see her

Bring their favorite coffee or tea when you visit a friend

Pay for the person behind you in the toll booth

Send a “Thinking of You” card, just because 

Leave a generous tip for the waiter while eating out

Help someone who appears to be struggling

Share a recipe with someone who you know will appreciate it

Buy your co-worker a cup of coffee

Let your partner control the remote

Give away hugs, generously

Carry a $5 gift card with you and give it to someone who goes beyond the call of duty

Share your umbrella

Volunteer for a worthy cause

Help someone who has a flat tire

Listen before speaking

Support a smaller, local business instead of a big box store

Babysit for a friend’s kids

If someone is negative, put a positive spin on the conversation

Make cookies for your mail carrier

Say please and thank you

Find opportunities to give compliments

Put your phone down and listen 

Write a letter to someone who inspires you and tell them why

Offer to take a photo of a couple or family

Forgive always

Serve at a homeless shelter

Give an unexpected gift to a friend

Text or call someone and let them know you’re thinking about them

Take a meal to a sick friend

Thank a service member and their family

Offer tissues to someone who looks like they need some

Don’t shoot the messenger

Be a courteous driver

Invite someone to dinner

Buy lemonade from the neighbor kid

Return your shopping cart

Some more examples of kindness

Offer to return someone else’s shopping cart

Be patient

Compliment a worker

Buy someone’s dinner

Visit a nursing home

Offer to pick something up for someone while you’re out doing errands

Put a surprise note in your spouse’s or child’s lunchbox

Thank someone who has made a difference

Send a card to a lonely senior citizen

When you see something good, share it

Donate Christmas gifts to an orphanage

Give someone the benefit of the doubt

Check in with someone who is going through a tough time

 

Pass out positive notes in books, on cars, give to the cashier

Don’t ignore a homeless person.  Buy him food, give him a blanket or socks

Become an organ donor

Bring food or snacks to work

Pick up litter

Apologize 

Recycle

Send a care package to a student or service member

Sponsor a child

Share kind, positive quotes that inspire you

Put extra coins in the parking meter before you leave

Volunteer or donate at the Humane Society

Pick up litter along your street

Rake or shovel snow for a neighborBuy $5 gift cards and give them to someone who is kind

Spread some encouragement online

Give up your seat to an elderly person or pregnant woma 

Send coloring books to children in the hospital

Feed the birds at the park

Buy groceries for someone who is struggling

Give a homeless person your doggy bag

Donate to a local blood drive

Give flowers for no reason

Share a positive blog post

Give away your parking spot

Compliment a stranger

Hold the elevator open

Be polite when driving

Call your grandparents or parents and thank them for everything they’ve done for you

When someone shows you a kindness, pay it forward

Help someone with their groceries

Give money to someone who could use it, like a young family or a student

Plant a tree 

Make a bird feeder, then feed the birdies

Offer to walk your neighbor’s dog

Read to a child

Practice self kindness

Let someone else get seated before you in a busy restaurant

Above all else…Never reject a gift of kindness.   Don’t steal the blessing away.

Related Post:  105 of the Best Random Acts of Kindness 

 

How does kindness make a difference?

First of all, does spreading kindness really make a difference?  I would recommend that you remember the last act of kindness someone shared with you.  How did it make you feel?  What difference did it make on your mood or your day?  Did it inspire you to pay it forward and spread kindness to someone else? 

The last time you spread kindness to another person, what kind of reaction did you get?  Those reactions and how you feel, help you to understand just how much making a difference  spreading kindness makes.

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” Barbara de Angelis

Great quotes about spreading kindness? 

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” Princess Diana

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” William Arthur Ward

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” Barbara de Angelis

“Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” Albert Schweitzer

“The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” Henry James

“One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession.” Sophocles

What are some benefits of spreading kindness?  

In a previous post, 9 Quick and Easy Benefits of Kindness, you’ll find that some of those wonderful benefits include an opportunity to help others.  Kindness is contagious and makes you feel good.  The habit of learning to spread kindness is a great example for your kids.  The joy you feel is great for your physical and your mental health.  And when you are kind to strangers, it’s an opportunity to make friends.  So what are you waiting for?  Get out there and show some love to everyone.

What has been your favorite experience while spreading kindness?  What are your favorite random acts of kindness examples?  I was blessed to experience some amazing acts of kindness when I went through my illness and amputations.  You owe it to yourself to click that link and read all about it.  So please share your experiences in the comments below.

***All Scriptures come from the King James Version of the Holy Bible