From a grandchild secretly saving to pay off his grandparents' mortgage to a charity worker paying for a stranger's shopping, acts of kindness have become somewhat of a viral sensation. Among all the cyber spats and social media madness, these stories are providing a much needed antidote to the evil side of social media.
God calls us to be kind to others, and not just those within our communities. There's plenty of guidance on acting compassionately to one another in the Bible, as well as how these acts of kindness should manifest. Whether you want it to be known that you're responsible for a good deed so that it may encourage others to witness Christ's love for them or would rather remain anonymous (Matthew 6:3-4: "But when you do give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.), these ideas will help you incorporate kindness into your everyday.
8 overt acts of kindness
Leave compliments underneath people's posts on social media – Social media can be a breeding ground for negativity and insecurity. Break the mould by sending those you know, and those you don't, positive messages.
Cook dinner for your parent, partner or friend – If you're not a great cook, order in that person's favourite meal so that it gives them the night off.
Smile at a stranger – You never know what a stranger is going through and sometimes a simple smile can have a big impact.
Give up your seat to someone on pubic transport – This is an act that most will do for an elderly person or pregnant woman but widen your remit, offer your seat to someone with heavy bags, young children or to a commuter who looks tired (although, it's probably best to avoid saying that they do!).
Offer your place in a queue to someone with less shopping than you – This won't cost you a thing and it couldn't be easier to do.
Check on your elderly neighbours – Many elderly people suffer from loneliness and can go extended periods without talking to anyone. Knocking on your neighbour's door for a quick chat can make all the difference to their week.
Babysit free of charge – Childcare is one of the biggest expenses for parents. If you know someone with young children and you've got a free afternoon or evening, offer to look after their kids while they have a break or run some errands.
Bake for your colleagues – It's pretty much guaranteed that there's a sweet tooth in every office. A lot of the time there's more than one. If you can bake, bring in some cake or cookies for your team.
8 covert acts of kindness
Sign an online petition – Generating support for causes online can mean that important issues get the attention they need. You'll have to fill in your details to validate your signature but you have the option for your name to remain hidden from view online.
Pay for a stranger's meal in a restaurant – Eating out can be expensive and it's still seen as a treat by lots of people. Tell your waiter or waitress that you'd like to foot the bill for the meal or drinks of another table when you're settling your own.
Save for someone else – If you know someone who struggles to put money aside for themselves or their children, you can secretly save for them. Eventually you'll have to reveal this act when you give them the money but day-to-day you can keep this under wraps.
Leave a book on public transport – Public transport can be a real bore and vibe killer. Provide someone else with a pick-me-up by leaving a book you've read and enjoyed with a note on the seat.
Be compassionate to cold callers – They can call at the most inconvenient times, and 99 per cent of the time you're not interested in anything they have to say. But think about how many abusive responses they're likely subjected to before you fly off the handle.
Pick up some litter – The world would be a better place if there was less rubbish left lying around. Do your bit for others and the environment by picking up and properly disposing of some litter.
Leave inspiring words and uplifting Bible quotes on notes in bathrooms and on public transport – Sometimes a few words of wisdom are all that's needed to perk up someone's day. By leaving the notes in places where lots of people will come across them, you'll be able to widen the reach of your act.
Contact a radio show that you know a loved one listens to, request their favourite song and dedicate it to them anonymously – This act has the capacity to be really unexpected and extremely uplifting. Tune in to the station at the same time and imagine their reaction.
