21 Awesome Inspirational Ideas For Spreading Positivity

Who is the most positive optimistic person that you know?  Is it you? I think it should be. I believe that everybody should have an agenda for spreading positivity everywhere they go.   Because when you’ve got a happy, optimistic outlook, you will get that in return.  On the other hand…

How do you feel when you greet someone with a smile, but when you ask them how they are, their reply is a big, long, laundry list of their aches, pains and woes?  If you’re like me, it makes you want to turn and walk away, right? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anybody to feel that way when they run into me. So let’s learn from that experience and set a great example.  

Why is spreading positivity important? 

If we go back to the example of greeting somebody who is negative, it can really set the tone for our mood for the day.  That negative tone can have a domino effect. Someone grumps at you. Then you, in turn, take that crankiness out on the next person.  And so on and so on. Don’t add fuel to that fire. You have the power to break that cycle.

I have a personal goal to bless the day of everyone that I run into throughout my week.  Now that’s not to say I actually do it. But that’s my aim. And to clarify that, when I say bless, I mean encourage, smile, or make a positive impression.  I never want to be the one who leaves someone with a negative experience.

Spreading positivity is important because we live in a world where every time you turn on the TV,  radio or internet, we’re inundated with negativity and hatefulness. I get that we all don’t have the same opinions.  But if you spread love and positivity, you have the power to influence others in a positive way as opposed to a negative one.  Doesn’t that make for a better world?

As Christian’s, it’s our job to share the love of Christ.  Barking negativity and hateful things because we disagree with someone isn’t sharing love.  It’s killing our witness. So let’s spread positivity and show others Christ through us.

How can I spread positivity?

There are so many ways to encourage and bless others.  I would start by spending time with positive people and treating others the way that you would want to be treated.  From there, here are 21 of my favorite ideas. I’m sure you can think of many more. Be sure to add them in the comments.

Smile and say hello

Have you ever been walking past someone and they purposefully look the other way?  Go out of your way to at least say hello. I don’t think people avoid eye contact to be mean.  They’re probably just shy. But a simple “hello” will break the ice. Then give them your best smile.

Small gestures 

Something as simple as holding the door for someone makes a world of difference. If someone needs help, help them.  Help someone get their coat on, carry someone’s groceries, pick something up that someone has dropped. It’s the little things.  Just do them, but also, be thankful for those done for you.

Share with others where your joy comes from

1 Peter 3:15 KJV tells us “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”  Always be ready to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Don’t take people for granted

Let them know you appreciate them and thank them for the things they do.  One of my pet peeves is people who don’t say thank you when I hold the door for them.  I don’t think I deserve a simple act like that and you don’t deserve it either. So show your gratitude.  

Be forgiving

Carrying the burden of unforgiveness is a huge weight on your shoulders.  It’s hard to be positive when you’re sad and angry. So let it go! I get it. Sometimes that’s a tall order.  But lean on the Lord and let Him help you. 1 John 1:9 KJV tells us “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.  I don’t know about you, but I need that forgiveness. How about you?Friends, we need more #positivity in this world and it all starts with you! Let's make a #PositiveImpact. How, you ask? You can start with these 21 Awesome Inspirational Ideas for Spreading Positivity. Share on X

Encouragement goes a long way

How do you encourage others?  Think about the things that you’re encouraged by.  Make a phone call to let someone know you’re thinking about them.  Leave a post-it note in your husband’s lunch box telling him you love and appreciate him.  Thank your pastor for a great message. Compliment someone on their outfit. Encouragement is great for spreading positivity. 

Related Post:  What does the Bible Say About Encouragement?

Don’t judge others 

A great way to spread positivity is to leave judgment out of the equation.  It’s not our job to judge. Jesus said it best!

Matthew 7:1-5 KJV “Judge not, that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

Simplify

When you come from a place of simplicity, you reduce your stress level.  I look at my to-do list and it stresses me out because there are so many tasks that I want to get done.  Although, in the whole scheme of things, I probably don’t need to worry myself over a big list. Most of those things are wants, when I should really focus on needs.  In that regard, I don’t really need anything. I’m truly blessed.

Be kind to yourself

It’s important to take care of your body.  It’s hard to spread positivity and kindness, when you’re not feeling well and your heart isn’t in the right place.  Plus we’ve all heard the airline rules to put your own oxygen mask on before you can care for those around you. So eat well, drink enough water, get enough exercise and most importantly, get your spiritual house in order.

Pay it forward

One of my favorite ways of spreading positivity is performing random acts of kindness.  Thank a service member for their service, put your cart back at the grocery story, buy coffee for the person behind you in line.  Bake cookies or a meal for someone who’s going through a tough time. Compliment someone on how well-behaved their kids are. The list goes on and on.  Hop over to my post called 105 of the Best Random Acts of Kindness and grab your free printable list.

Be thankful

I probably don’t have to tell you just how blessed we are.  We have so very much to be thankful for. We have our families, our health, our homes, our jobs and if we’ve accepted Jesus as our Savior, we have our salvation and eternal security.  And that is just a start. It’s always a great idea to keep a gratitude journal and list several things each day that you’re thankful for. Check out my 40 day gratitude challenge. Thankful people are happier and they spread more positivity.  So be sure to make daily gratitude a priority.

Related Post:  6 Great Stories of the Power of Gratitude 

Be present for others

When you’re spending time with others, be there.  That means, put the phone away when you’re with your spouse and kids.  Don’t be scrolling through Facebook or reading your emails when your spouse is telling you about their day.  Focus and listen when they talk. When I’m talking to someone who I know really isn’t into the conversation, I feel discouraged.  It’s hard to spread love and positivity without being engaged. It’s such a simple and respectful thing, yet in this age of cell phone addiction, being present is falling by the wayside.

Do things that you know will inspire others

How do you inspire others?  Be the example they need. Be trustworthy, encourage others, be kind, motivating, edify others in word and deed.  Be forgiving, admit your flaws and be the first to help someone in need. Offer to pray for them. Act like Christ would like you to act.  Jesus tells us that we need to be the salt and the light, so by following Him, we can be a great inspiration.

Motivate others

Really listen to them when they talk.  Ask questions that show them you’re truly interested in them.  Encourage people in their goals and follow up the next time you see them.  Support them by offering to help. I get motivated by watching the success and progress of others.  Be a great example.

Compliment others

Pick something that you like about someone and genuinely compliment them.  Then tell them why you like that feature. It could be their laugh, their ambition or their willingness to help others.  Spreading positivity is a goal that everyone should strive for. Are you curious about how to do that? Check out these 21 awesome tips to get you started. #spreadpositivity #actsofkindness Share on X

Edify 

Ephesians 4:29 KJV says “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”  In a world where people are constantly bringing each other down, lift them up. Truly, if you don’t have something nice to say, just don’t say anything. I absolutely disagree with the mindset that harmful criticism is helpful, yet some people continue to do it.  

Smile

How often, when you smile at someone, do they scowl at you?  Never, right? That’s because, when someone smiles at you, you smile back.  That’s just what you do. You never know what’s happening in someone’s life.  But when you smile, you could lift their spirits and be just the encouragement that they need at that moment.  So smile, as often as you can.

Share inspiring stories or funny, clean jokes

Social media is a great place to do that.  Share those memes that make you laugh. In fact, last week my sister-in-law sent this text out.  I don’t know where this came from but it’s cute…and clean.  By the way, repeating unclean or inappropriate jokes only brings harm to others and it ruins your Christian testimony.

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners.  At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.  Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote Revelation 3:20 on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed at the next worship service, he found that his card had been returned.  Added to it was this cryptic message, Genesis 3:10. Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke out in gales of laughter.  Revelation 3:20 begins “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Genesis 3:10 reads “I heard your voice in the garden, but I was afraid for I was naked”.

Then the text read, “Remember when the funniest jokes were clean ones?  They still are…pass it on”. Spreading positivity is as simple as making someone laugh.

Bring positive thoughts to a negative person or conversation

We have all had conversations with people who complain or carry on with a negative demeanor.  When that happens, I like to interject something positive to the conversation. I like to point out a silver lining to a dark cloud or ask, where is the blessing in that problem you had?  For instance, I know that you had this bad experience, Sally Sue, but what a blessing that you found the solution to your problem. If they just continue to complain or you can’t change the subject…well, look at the time, I’ve got to go!

When someone asks, “how are you?”  Don’t tell them how bad you are

It’s polite to ask about how you’re doing.  But if you start rambling off all of your problems, you’ll lose your audience.  I usually reply, “I’m doing great” or one of my favorite replies, “I’m doing better than I deserve”.  Keep it light and remember our goal is spreading positivity.

Think before you act or reply

It’s common to react negatively to a hurtful or rude comment.  But it’s important to respond instead of react. There’s actually quite a big difference between the two.  When you react, you give a quick, knee-jerk, aggressive reply. You don’t want to create an argument, right?  On the other hand, a response is a more thought-out, calm and non-threatening reply. This keeps the conversation on an even keel and shows the other person that you’re easy to get along with.

There you have it, 21 awesome inspirational ideas for spreading positivity.  As you can see, these are light, easy to do ideas. I don’t recommend the Pollyanna method which is an over the top, excessively cheerful and optimistic person.  But there is a happy medium that you should aim for.

When you find yourself down and discouraged and in a negative mood, remember all you have to do is change the channel.  We all have a choice in how we act and in our level of happiness and positivity. So just like when you find yourself watching a TV show that you don’t like, change the channel.  Well you can do that with your mood too. It’s all about choice. 

Above all, be positive and set the example to be optimistic.  Make the decision that you want to be someone that others want to spend time with.  If you need more help with that, be sure to request the free Inspiration Overload ebook.  You can do that below. One of my prayers is that the Lord help me to be the kind of person that He wants me to be.  I don’t believe that involves negativity and pessimism.  

We should all strive to be like Christ.  Love everyone and treat others the way that you would want to be treated.  What are your goals for treating others? Which of these ideas resonated with you?  Leave your replies in the comments below. Then let’s all go spread some love and positivity today!