"Random Acts of Kindness"

People helping people... there's a great idea! And as the Christmas season is now upon us, what better time to put our talents and energy to good use? Random acts of kindness, those little things we do for others, are miracles in the eyes of their recipients. They can turn a bad day into a good day, a time of 'need' into a time of 'have', a time of worry into a time of relief, make a sad day a little happier. A random act of kindness will be one of the best things you can ever do. Trust me on this one.

I am just going to freely suggest many 'acts of kindness' that you can perform, making someone's life a little brighter, their day a little cheerier. If you've done this before, and I know most of you have (yeah you!), you have expierenced that 'deep down' joy that comes with giving of yourself. There's nothing quite like it!

So here we go...
Shovel a neighbor's driveway or sidewalk... offer to walk a sick friend's dog... double up on your Christmas baking and deliver sweets to a shelter or seniors home... volunteer to read holiday stories at a daycare or your local library... offer your time at a soup kitchen... volunteer to deliver Christmas baskets for a local charity... adopt a family in need and provide stockings, or the makings for a holiday dinner... drop some change into every Salvation Army glass ball you walk by... smile, and wish people you come across 'the best of the season'... write a personal note in your Christmas cards, it means so much... wrap a few homebaked goodies in cellophane, tie with a festive ribbon, add a candy cane, and give out to the paper boy or delivery man who comes to your door...  use festive ribbon to tie a little bell to a piece of fresh greenery (gather wee branches from your backyard evergreens, or ask your local florist for discard bits from seasonal bouquet making), and attach to your co-workers computers or desks... offer to watch a friend's home, and water their plants, if they are away over Christmas... invite a senior out for an evening drive about the city, to see 'the lights of Christmas' ... buy hot chocolate for the people in the car behind you, when at your favorite drive-through... drive with care and courtesy through busy mall parking lots... when lunching with family or friends while out Christmas shopping, buy an extra piece of pizza, or an extra cup of coffee, and share it with the gentleman on the corner... dress in your festive best, be it beautiful or silly, visit your local hospital, and bring smiles to those who are missing the fun at home... help out with the preparations for your child's school Christmas production... invite someone who is alone, to share Christmas dinner with you and your family... share your craft talents with children at a boys and girls club, making homemade ornaments that will be cherished for years to come... carry little wrapped candy canes in your coat pocket, to give out with handshakes and cheery nods as you go about your day... let someone with a full shopping cart, go ahead of you in line, bestowing them with your biggest smile as you say 'it's the season of giving!'....

These are but a few of the wonderful things we can do for others. The list is endless, and you will have many great ideas of your own. Just promise me this... find the time to make your ideas into reality, brightening the lives of others, sharing the true spirit of Christmas. It will surely be a season of  joy and love, if we can be a "people helping people, through random acts of kindness".



Keep on keeping on... bArB :)