I am starting today, January 1 2014, with a post regarding Random Acts of Kindness. Why? Because I’ve had a few slung my way this past week and it just feels like the right thing to talk about…I’ve also experienced the alternative.
Who doesn’t like a few thoughtful friends, acquaintances, or complete strangers in their life?
I want to encourage you to spend the next week practicing the following steps:
1. Tell someone at work about a random act of kindness you experienced and ask them about one they experienced.
2. Give another driver your parking spot, grocery cart, place in line…etc.
3. Put out bird seed for the winter birds..it’s cold and they’re probably scrounging to survive.
4. Call up everyone you know and wish them a Happy New Year…or send them a quick note via your favorite social media.
5. Put flowers or a plant in a place that’s normally stark and depressing. Spice it up with color.
6. When someone is trying to change lanes or merge in front of you, let them in…don’t do the fake “I don’t see you” thing.
7. When someone at work is stressing over a big project, a problem, or anything at all–take them a coffee or a snack with a nice note attached. Drop it on their desk when they’re not there and surprise them.
8. Give the UPS, Fedex, or Mail guy a gift…maybe some cookies or chocolates…or a starbucks card.
9. Go to a movie, buy a box of candy and take one piece then pass it down the row. Tell the next person to take one and pass it on too. See what happens. Popcorn might work too…
10. Think back on someone that made an impact on your life with their random act of kindness and send them a note of thanks. It’s a great way to start the year off right.
Lastly, when you have a choice between snapping at the obnoxious person that just dumped on you…or responding with empathy or kindness…choose kindness. I know, that’s a toughie…even for me. Two days ago, I had an old acquaintance that has plagued me with mean reviews of books and snarky words because my books are a little too explicit for her send me a very mean note. I have thought for days on how to respond and now have chosen not to. What would be an appropriate act of kindness? I’m having trouble coming up with one.
Love these ideas! I experienced my own act of kindness just yesterday when someone at the post office offered to pay a fee for me. It was such a small thing yet so unexpectedly kind that it brightened my entire day. I think we often forget the impact we can have in ways big and small when we choose to let down our guard and embrace a stranger.
Thanks for commenting! I soooo agree with you.
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Honest reviews will only make you a better author; thank your “snarky” acquaintance for her honesty. However, I am wondering what makes her continue to buy, read and review your books if she does not like them. Must be “something” tantalizing for her in your writings. 😉 Keep doing what you love to do Shelley, there are obviously people out there enjoying your reads! Have a wonderful and exciting New Year!
Choosing to read and review something else would be the nicer thing to do (for that person). For me? Will just leave it alone. Honest reviews normally aren’t snarky…at least not when people realize that their words can either support or hurt the person that wrote the book. In this case, it’s not just reviews…I’m getting hate mail which is a little discouraging.
But I’ll concentrate on reviews only: I think people often think their opinion more important than the mark they leave on the receiver of their words. Most authors actually do see the reviews and if it’s written well, a review can help sell the book…in the case of poor reviews that insult the writer…they can often hurt sales tremendously by turning off a reader that was considering the purchase. When an author has hundreds to thousands, it doesn’t matter..but when there are only a few, it is significant. I don’t believe in intentionally hurting a person’s chances to make a success at their chosen passion.
In fact, I normally go out of my way to do the opposite. Maybe I’ll get lucky someday and this person will do the same.
Great post! Since Newtown I’ve been thinking on this a lot (and blogging on it a few times) and trying harder (and not succeeding as much as I’d like) to be kinder and to respond to rudeness with kindness. It is hard. But I think as long as we TRY – every single day – to do better and be better, then we are succeeding in making the world a better place. Thank you!
Terri, sorry this is delayed…I’ve been a little out of sync lately. You’re right! If we try daily to spread a little of the kindness, perhaps we rub off a little and leave a good path.