You’ve probably heard someone say that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. It’s a pretty cliché saying but I think it’s good to keep in mind. What it means to me is that it’s easier to be kind than to be mean. I firmly believe that life is more enjoyable if you are nice to those you meet.
We remember the nice things people have done for us. Like the girl who complimented your outfit in line at Starbucks, or that man who lent you $2 for the train when you didn’t have any change. It’s just little things but they have the power to make your day. It also makes you feel better when you see someone smile because of something you did for them.
Random acts of kindness have become trendy in the last few years. It’s a trend that I hope stays in style for a while. Random acts of kindness are exactly what the name implies. They are little, nice things you do for people for no reason and without expecting anything in return.
It can be as small as paying for the coffee of the person behind you in line or as big as setting up a tab at Tim Horton’s to give free coffee to the homeless.
No matter the act, someone will appreciate it. What’s great about random acts of kindness are that they often cause a domino effect. Once you’ve received one of these acts you want to pay it forward and do something nice for someone else. The chain continues so that it’s a lot more than just a couple of people who benefit from the good deeds.
Another way to spread happiness is to give compliments. I feel instantly happier if someone randomly tells me that they like my outfit or something like that.
Four simple words like “You look nice today!” or “Your hair looks fantastic!” can make all the difference in someone’s day.
People get a boost of self-confidence when they are told something nice and a boost of self-confidence is always a good thing.
Some people take it even further. This year a high school student in Washington posted anonymous compliments on his classmates Instagram posts for a whole year. He complimented them on their personalities or their confidence or their humour. Imagine how uplifting it would be to receive a note personally to you about all these things someone has noticed and admired about you. It is definitely going above and beyond to make people feel good about themselves.
So for every person who has randomly complimented you on something you do, compliment someone else on something you admire about them.
Make a mental note the next time you receive a random act of kindness so that you can pay it forward later.
You can make someone’s day just by being nice. I know people have made my day by doing the smallest things. It s beneficial for you and everyone around you if you do nice things for others plus it takes less effort than being mean.
