7 Ways to Show Kindness
Wednesday November 13 is International Day of Kindness.
Here are some large and small ways you can show kindness and make a difference.
Would you donate a kidney to help a friend?
I know someone who did. It was a life-threatening situation, and no one in the family was able to help. But he was a match.
He knew the risks, the side effects, and the extensive recovery that would be involved.
But he did it – and saved his friend’s life.
Now that’s kindness.
But you don’t have to save someone’s life to show kindness.
In fact, it’s the everyday ordinary acts of kindness that we need more of – the kind that will brighten someone’s day or even just bring them a moment of joy.
It’s the simple things that do it for me.
All I want is a latte
On a recent rainy Saturday, I dropped my daughter off at gymnastics class, and then walked to a nearby coffee shop with my three-year-old son.
It was completely miserable outside – dark, dreary, and the rain was pouring.
My son and I were each holding umbrellas. As we approached the shelter of the coffee shop, a huge gust of wind ripped the umbrella out of my son’s hands. It rose in the air á la Mary Poppins and started flying away in the opposite direction.
A look of sheer terror came over his face – and we both started to run after the umbrella.
“Oh no!” he shouted, as his little legs peddled quickly.
Not dressed for cardio
I, wearing boots not made for walking, did my best 50 yard dash, yelling ‘I’ll get it!’ as visions of a driver’s ed video I watched at age 15 came into my mind (you know the one, the kids kick a ball in the road and then one kid runs after it while the cars are racing down the road….).
The umbrella landed on the sidewalk five yards in front of me. I was nearly there – just a few more lunges and I’d have it.
Then the wind blew again...taking the umbrella further ahead of us.
We both keep running, like Gordie and Chris trying to outrun the train in ‘Stand By Me’ as I yelled: ‘DON’T GO IN THE ROAD! I’LL GET IT!’
The umbrella started to rise again, the wind pulling it south toward the busy road.
I’m sure a 3 year-old boy and his mom, both drenched at this point – and still running – was an entertaining sight to behold...
Fortunately, someone did notice.
A bus driver coming in our direction saw us. He slowed down, blocking the wind and slowing the umbrella’s flight. He stopped the bus – and the umbrella bumped into the road, just in front of him.
I smiled at him, and told my son to stay on the sidewalk (or did I say footpath? Doesn’t matter – he understood) while I walked into the road to rescue the umbrella.
I gave the bus driver my most appreciative smile and ‘THANK YOU’ along with a wave. My little boy beamed as I returned his umbrella – safely (though I did close it first).
When we walked into the coffee shop, my son told the staff how the bus driver stopped and helped us. Then he told his sister when we picked her up. And then the taxi driver later. And his dad. And our neighbours who we saw that afternoon. And the kids at a birthday party the next day. Each time, he was animated, happily recounting the story of the bus driver who rescued his umbrella.
I wish I could let that bus driver know the impact of his simple act of kindness.
And that’s my point – sometimes we have no idea how much our kindness affects others, or the ripple effect it can have.
World Kindness Day is November 13, and I encourage you to do something to show kindness. I’ve already given you two ideas: save a life (literally), or save an umbrella.
Here are five more:
Take a friend out for coffee or lunch (Don’t forget to put away your phones!).
Write a letter of gratitude to let someone and let them know what they mean to you.
Smile at people.
Give a warm and friendly hello to people you encounter today – the bus driver, the barista at the coffee shop, the security guards at your office, the person at the grocery store (you get the idea).
Call your mother (or father, sister, brother, or a friend who you haven’t spoken to in a while) and ask how they are.
If none of these appeal, check out this list for more inspiration.
Beth Collier's parents raised her to be kind – and corrected her grammar until she got it right. Now she uses the lessons they taught her to help people improve their communication (and sometimes their grammar) through 1:1 coaching and workshops. She believes the most successful leaders know the value of strong communication skills – and kindness.
If you want to become a stronger writer, speaker or leader, contact Beth at beth@beth-collier.com.
You can find out more about her services at www.beth-collier.com