Random Acts of Kindness

Any religious tradition--Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and all their varieties--honor giving during this holiday season.  There are tremendous needs in this world we live in--and, let's be honest, it makes us feel good to do nice things for others!

                                    Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them,
                                                 not the merits of who receives them.
                                                                                              ―Carlos Ruiz Zafon  

I am as challenged as anyone to find ways to give--it's most fun when the recipient doesn't know where these surprises come from--so I researched some ideas.  I hope they help and some might even become a habit.

1.  Make up bags for the homeless--My daughter Jennifer blogged about this:  A gallon size sealed plastic bag filled with gum, toothbrush, washcloth, breath mints, 2 or 3 dollars, energy bars, juice, comb, soap, trail mix, granola bars, crackers, band aids, mouthwash, hand wipes, warm socks--any or all of the above.  Also Leftover yarn--combine and make scarves to put in the bags! 

                           It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.
                                                                                    ― Mother Teresa

2.  Buy children's clothes--sale items!  Donate them to DHS for foster kids.

                         We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
                                                                                ― Winston Churchill

3.  Holiday party--with an "admission charge" of 2 cans of food. 

4.  Cookies--delicious and freezable for an elderly (or not!) neighbor.

5.  Buy a bag of good groceries – high-quality coffee, whole-grain pasta, a box of decadent cookies or other treats you'd normally buy for yourself – and donate it to your local food bank or shelter.

                                                        Give, but give until it hurts.
                                                                             ― Mother Teresa 


6.  Take your well-behaved dog (ask permission first!)--for a nursing home visit.
 
7.  Hold the door--for the person behind you. 

8.  Make soup--for a friend or neighbor.

9.  Drop a basket of goodies--anonymously at the home of someone. 
 
10.  Make out a check to charity--matching the amount you spend on family gifts.

                        Giving of any kind... taking an action... begins the process of change, 
                       and moves us to remember that we are part of a much greater universe. 
                                                                                                 ― Mbali Creazzo 

11.  Take your neighbor's trash to the curb--and return it after pick-up.

12.  Let the person behind you--go in front of you in the check out line.

                            A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.
                                                                                               ― Steve Maraboli

13. Donate blood

14.  Pay for the person behind you--at the drive thru.

                                                           For it is in giving that we receive.
                                                                               ―St. Francis of Assisi
 
 15.  Have a clear-out--and donate really nice items to charity.

16.  Offer to babysit--so parents can shop for the kids, without their kids.

17.  Contact a friend or family member--via snail mail, email, Facebook, Skipe, or text to tell him or her how much you value them.

                             You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
                                                                                     ― Any Carmichael 

18.  Offer to dog walk--particularly for someone who finds it difficult to get out in winter weather.

19.  Dedicate one day to smiling at everyone you meet--they'll either smile back or run thinking you're crazy...

                         As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.
                                                                                        ― Mary Anne Radmacher 
  
20.   Offer to wrap gifts--this is a challenge for me because I HATE wrapping and depend upon Jennifer for that--even her own gifts!

                                     You give but little when you give of your possessions. 
                                        It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. 
                                                                                   ― Kahlil Gibran  

21.   Give larger tips--remember that restaurant workers often live on minimum wage--which we all know isn't possible--and they have gifts to buy during the holiday season!

22.   Invite friends over for a marathon Christmas movie night--serve refreshments; charge $10 per couple/family and give it to charity!

23.  Don't forget to get a child's name from the mall Christmas trees--it's a fun excuse to buy more kids' toys!

24.  Pick up the check--for someone eating alone in a restaurant.

"Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?" He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."     
                                                                                                      ---Matthew 25:44-45

AND P.S.:  

25.  Choose 5 of the above--follow through and then reward yourself with a massage or a pedicure!  Remember, it's really OK to do something good for yourself!!