How to Spread Kindness
Smile., Mind your manners., Encourage children., Be compassionate., Express gratitude., Give compliments., Refrain from negativity., Drive courteously., Be a kind shopper., Forgive people., Post something inspirational on social media.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Smile.
Look people in the eyes when you give them a grin.
This is such a simple way to spread kindness, and it’s free! Be generous with your smile and put feeling into it.
Smile at store clerks, waiters and baristas, mail carriers, and other people you come in contact with.
This easy gesture can brighten people’s day. -
Step 2: Mind your manners.
Good manners are the art of making people feel at ease.Treat others respectfully, as well or even better than you’d wish to be treated.
Aim to be cooperative and thoughtful.If you borrow things, don’t forget to give them back.Try to extend invitations to people who have previously invited you to an event.
Work on your interpersonal skills.
For example, think of the nonverbal communication you may be sending with your body language.
Interact with people using open and relaxed body language. , One of the best ways to spread kindness is by starting at home.
If you have children, instill in them the importance of being kind to all beings.
Read and tell them stories about kindness.
Teach them forgiveness and gratitude as well as respect for all others, regardless of race, gender, origin, culture or socio-economic status.Discuss your acts of kindness as a family at dinner., Be an active listener without judging.
Sometimes advice isn’t needed, and others just want to be heard.
In order to develop better compassion for others, you should practice self-compassion as well by soothing yourself when you need it.
When someone lets you down, remind yourself that people struggle silently for many reasons.
Don’t be quick to anger or hold a grudge.The other person may be going through something you don’t know about that caused them to be tardy for a meeting, be snappy, or otherwise offend you.Keep in mind that we all make mistakes; there could be any number of reasons for the person’s lack of acceptable behavior.
Tell yourself at the start of each day that you won’t judge anyone.Give people your full attention.
Don’t interrupt, act condescending, fiddle with your phone or be otherwise rude.
For example, you can practice self-compassion by breathing deeply and releasing the tension in your muscles.
Hold your hand over your heart.
Focus on your breathing and imagine that you’re using it to send warm compassion throughout your body.
Think of a positive self-affirmation, such as “Kindness is a strength.
You are kind and capable.” , Tip generously when you can.Tell your loved ones why you’re grateful for them.
Be appreciative and express your respect and admiration for others.Try telling someone in your life, “You inspire me to be a better person through your…” List specific things you appreciate about that person.
If you don’t feel comfortable saying it in person, tell them through a note or online message. , When you think something nice about someone else, don’t keep it to yourself – say it! You can also do this online by “liking” people’s posts and tweeting good words to people.For instance, like ten things on someone’s Facebook profile or Instagram feed.
Repeat the favor for others, for example, by making a habit of doing this every Sunday.
Try saying, “What a nice outfit!” , Be mindful of not only your words, but also your thoughts.
Thinking positively can help you approach the world with kindness.
Start a day at a time, trying not to speak negatively.
You may slip up, but stick with it until it becomes second nature for you to avoid negative words and deflect negative thoughts., Put safety first, and then consider being a polite driver.
Use your turn signals when you’re supposed to, and use your horn sparingly – only when you need to alert someone to your presence.
Keep distance between your car and the one in front of you.
Try not to block other people’s access while you’re sitting in traffic.
Don’t try to cut off a line of cars by using the breakdown lane or a turning lane to skip ahead in traffic.Avoid blocking driveways, intersections, entrances and exits while traffic is stalled.
Don’t block the passing lane for an unreasonable amount of time.
Road rage is illegal, dangerous, and spreads negative emotions like stress and anger.
The DMV suggests that if you find yourself having a strong emotional reaction, breathe deeply, pull over, put some calming music on, and remind yourself that you have complete control over your own intentions., Open and hold doors for people.
Use shopping carts courteously.
Always keep your cart to the side of the aisle so that people can get around you without having to wait for you to move.
Offer your help if you see someone with their hands full, for instance an elderly person with a lot of items to load in their vehicle.
If you see someone else vying for the same parking space, let them have it.
Planning a little extra time can make it less stressful when you have to search for a parking spot or wait in store lines.If you are walking towards a store and see someone looking for a shopping cart corral, offer to walk the cart back into the store.
You can use the cart yourself and they don’t have to find a cart return.
If you want to use your phone, try text messaging instead of talking so that you don’t bother others around you.
If you encounter rudeness, match it with kindness and patience.Use pleasantries like “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome.” Don’t get angry with salesclerks if an advertised product is out of stock.
If you need to discuss it with an employee, ask for a manager, and present your problem clearly and calmly.
Don’t forget to exercise caution.
If you’re in an isolated area like a parking lot empty of people, or if something feels off, don’t approach a stranger even if they’re crying for help.
Go to a populated area and relay that the person needs help if they appear to be injured., You can give kindness an edge over negativity by refusing to hold onto anger and resentment.
Forgiveness is something you should do for your own well-being, and you can lead others by example through living a more positive life.
You can tell the other person that you’ve forgiven them, or just say the words “I forgive you” aloud to yourself along with the reasons why you’re forgiving that person.
You may be surprised at how freeing it feels!Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you’re excusing their actions or that you’re forgetting the incident ever happened.
It doesn’t make you a pushover; it means you’re exercising control over keeping negativity out of your life.
If someone is indebted to you, consider forgiving their debt, if possible.
If someone witnesses you letting a grievance go and expresses surprise about it, try saying, “I’ve decided to be a forgiver.
You wouldn’t believe how much more peaceful my life has become because of it!” , You never know when someone may need a pick-me-up and your simple gesture can reach them.
Choose an uplifting quote or verse.You can put it directly on your timeline on a site like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Or, if you notice someone who seems down, send them the post directly along with an inspirational message.Try saying something encouraging and nonjudgmental, like “I saw this verse and thought of you and your strength in dealing with difficulty.” -
Step 3: Encourage children.
-
Step 4: Be compassionate.
-
Step 5: Express gratitude.
-
Step 6: Give compliments.
-
Step 7: Refrain from negativity.
-
Step 8: Drive courteously.
-
Step 9: Be a kind shopper.
-
Step 10: Forgive people.
-
Step 11: Post something inspirational on social media.
Detailed Guide
Look people in the eyes when you give them a grin.
This is such a simple way to spread kindness, and it’s free! Be generous with your smile and put feeling into it.
Smile at store clerks, waiters and baristas, mail carriers, and other people you come in contact with.
This easy gesture can brighten people’s day.
Good manners are the art of making people feel at ease.Treat others respectfully, as well or even better than you’d wish to be treated.
Aim to be cooperative and thoughtful.If you borrow things, don’t forget to give them back.Try to extend invitations to people who have previously invited you to an event.
Work on your interpersonal skills.
For example, think of the nonverbal communication you may be sending with your body language.
Interact with people using open and relaxed body language. , One of the best ways to spread kindness is by starting at home.
If you have children, instill in them the importance of being kind to all beings.
Read and tell them stories about kindness.
Teach them forgiveness and gratitude as well as respect for all others, regardless of race, gender, origin, culture or socio-economic status.Discuss your acts of kindness as a family at dinner., Be an active listener without judging.
Sometimes advice isn’t needed, and others just want to be heard.
In order to develop better compassion for others, you should practice self-compassion as well by soothing yourself when you need it.
When someone lets you down, remind yourself that people struggle silently for many reasons.
Don’t be quick to anger or hold a grudge.The other person may be going through something you don’t know about that caused them to be tardy for a meeting, be snappy, or otherwise offend you.Keep in mind that we all make mistakes; there could be any number of reasons for the person’s lack of acceptable behavior.
Tell yourself at the start of each day that you won’t judge anyone.Give people your full attention.
Don’t interrupt, act condescending, fiddle with your phone or be otherwise rude.
For example, you can practice self-compassion by breathing deeply and releasing the tension in your muscles.
Hold your hand over your heart.
Focus on your breathing and imagine that you’re using it to send warm compassion throughout your body.
Think of a positive self-affirmation, such as “Kindness is a strength.
You are kind and capable.” , Tip generously when you can.Tell your loved ones why you’re grateful for them.
Be appreciative and express your respect and admiration for others.Try telling someone in your life, “You inspire me to be a better person through your…” List specific things you appreciate about that person.
If you don’t feel comfortable saying it in person, tell them through a note or online message. , When you think something nice about someone else, don’t keep it to yourself – say it! You can also do this online by “liking” people’s posts and tweeting good words to people.For instance, like ten things on someone’s Facebook profile or Instagram feed.
Repeat the favor for others, for example, by making a habit of doing this every Sunday.
Try saying, “What a nice outfit!” , Be mindful of not only your words, but also your thoughts.
Thinking positively can help you approach the world with kindness.
Start a day at a time, trying not to speak negatively.
You may slip up, but stick with it until it becomes second nature for you to avoid negative words and deflect negative thoughts., Put safety first, and then consider being a polite driver.
Use your turn signals when you’re supposed to, and use your horn sparingly – only when you need to alert someone to your presence.
Keep distance between your car and the one in front of you.
Try not to block other people’s access while you’re sitting in traffic.
Don’t try to cut off a line of cars by using the breakdown lane or a turning lane to skip ahead in traffic.Avoid blocking driveways, intersections, entrances and exits while traffic is stalled.
Don’t block the passing lane for an unreasonable amount of time.
Road rage is illegal, dangerous, and spreads negative emotions like stress and anger.
The DMV suggests that if you find yourself having a strong emotional reaction, breathe deeply, pull over, put some calming music on, and remind yourself that you have complete control over your own intentions., Open and hold doors for people.
Use shopping carts courteously.
Always keep your cart to the side of the aisle so that people can get around you without having to wait for you to move.
Offer your help if you see someone with their hands full, for instance an elderly person with a lot of items to load in their vehicle.
If you see someone else vying for the same parking space, let them have it.
Planning a little extra time can make it less stressful when you have to search for a parking spot or wait in store lines.If you are walking towards a store and see someone looking for a shopping cart corral, offer to walk the cart back into the store.
You can use the cart yourself and they don’t have to find a cart return.
If you want to use your phone, try text messaging instead of talking so that you don’t bother others around you.
If you encounter rudeness, match it with kindness and patience.Use pleasantries like “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome.” Don’t get angry with salesclerks if an advertised product is out of stock.
If you need to discuss it with an employee, ask for a manager, and present your problem clearly and calmly.
Don’t forget to exercise caution.
If you’re in an isolated area like a parking lot empty of people, or if something feels off, don’t approach a stranger even if they’re crying for help.
Go to a populated area and relay that the person needs help if they appear to be injured., You can give kindness an edge over negativity by refusing to hold onto anger and resentment.
Forgiveness is something you should do for your own well-being, and you can lead others by example through living a more positive life.
You can tell the other person that you’ve forgiven them, or just say the words “I forgive you” aloud to yourself along with the reasons why you’re forgiving that person.
You may be surprised at how freeing it feels!Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you’re excusing their actions or that you’re forgetting the incident ever happened.
It doesn’t make you a pushover; it means you’re exercising control over keeping negativity out of your life.
If someone is indebted to you, consider forgiving their debt, if possible.
If someone witnesses you letting a grievance go and expresses surprise about it, try saying, “I’ve decided to be a forgiver.
You wouldn’t believe how much more peaceful my life has become because of it!” , You never know when someone may need a pick-me-up and your simple gesture can reach them.
Choose an uplifting quote or verse.You can put it directly on your timeline on a site like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Or, if you notice someone who seems down, send them the post directly along with an inspirational message.Try saying something encouraging and nonjudgmental, like “I saw this verse and thought of you and your strength in dealing with difficulty.”
About the Author
Angela Jackson
Writer and educator with a focus on practical cooking knowledge.
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