Photo by *D a r i n k a*
Sometimes all it takes is a small gesture to turn someone’s day around.
Three years ago, I worked as an intern in my town’s public library. I spent many mornings there typing up educational programs at the head librarian’s computer, surrounded by just bookcases. The job was a lonely one because the library hours were sparse. One day, a man walked into the library and handed me a cup of cappuccino.
“Just thought you’d enjoy something warm,” he said with a smile, and disappeared through the door.
That one extremely simple act has stuck with me over the past few years as being one of the most genuine expressions of kindness.
So why not do something nice for a person at random? If you need advice on how to make someone happy, the following are some favourite ideas from Thank Goodness It’s Monday, including contributions from the comments.
1. Smile at a stranger
2. Put a quarter in someone’s expired meter
3. Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru
4. Buy flowers at your grocery store and give them to the cashier on the way out
5. Call your parents to apologize for when you were a brat (especially if you have kids)
6. Recreate one of your first dates with your significant other
7. Put a post-it note on the bathroom mirror for your significant other, just to say I love you
8. For kids, eat ice cream for dinner
9. Smile as you’re holding the door open for themselves
10. Tell your boss that they’re doing a good job
Photo by iLoveButter
11. Tell your boss your co-worker is doing a good job
12. At the office, brew a fresh pot of coffee
13. Give flowers to the receptionist
14. Take a friend out for supper for no reason
15. Let the other driver take the parking spot you’re competing for
16. Give your friend chocolates, for no reason
17. Let your child pick what’s for dinner, and have them help you prepare it
18. Write a letter to a teacher who has influenced you
19. Buy someone a present, but don’t tell them who it’s from
20. Mow your neighbour’s lawn or shovel their driveway in the winter
21. Tell somebody in customer service that they’re doing a great job
22. Carry someone elses groceries to their car
23. Leave goodies in your mailbox for the mailman
24. Buy lunch for a homeless personally
25. Teach your kid the Chicken Dance
Community Connection
Feel like being generous? Share how you’ve made someone’s day. Also, check out the Passports With a Cause project, or consider giving some real meaningful gifts this holiday season.
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27 Comments... join the discussion!
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Seriously! The simplicity of these acts struck me the most. I’ve gotten into the habit of picking a random homeless person once or twice a month and handing them $10. Not much, but still.
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Candice!
I absolutely LOVE it
I often do many of the things listed here. Not only does it make someone else’s day but it also makes YOUR day May I add some of my favorite things too?
-Stop in front of a cafe window and stick a post-it with “You are beautiful” to the person sitting inside.
-Give a hug or sit next to a homeless and have a chat with them (no they are not disgusting).
-Offer a short massage to a friend.
-Offer a smile to the grumpy people in the metro.Share some LOVE!
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Awesome, thank you! I love the cafe idea.
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Great suggestions, Candice – thanks for this post
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Anytime, now go forth and pay it forward!
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26. Treat your Couchsurfers to dinner, and vice versa.
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Definitely a good one, thanks!
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Hey, Candice, these are great. Here’s another one – when you see an elderly person, a disabled person or someone who just looks lonely and seems like they must have a harder life than you, smile, say hi, talk to them for a minute or more. That can make their whole week.
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Thanks, Sabina! The elderly are definitely worth mentioning. A smile goes a long way.
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Excellent ideas!
I love the idea of treating a friend to dinner for no reason. A friend of mine taught me that early on when she treated me to a sno cone for no reason! I was confused, surprised, thankful and then refreshed.
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I tend to feel guilty when people buy me things like that, because I know most people don’t have money to waste. But the key is to pay it forward I think, everybody wins!
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Love the list, thanks!
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Thanks!
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What does it say about me that I’d be very reluctant to drink a cappuccino given to me by a stranger?
I love the list, though, Candice.
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Hah! Totally didn’t even think of that, Kate. Would have been a great opportunity for some crime…young girl sits in library, alone.
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I love these!
It’s so important to remember to place the focus outward, on other people. Thanks for the list of suggestions on how to do it.
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Great list!
Whenever possible I like to pay for someone’s groceries; the look on their face after they accept it and walk away is worth every penny!↵ -
I freaking love the grocery idea…if someone paid for mine in a line-up, I’d be happy for a year.
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This is awesome! the only comment i have is to be careful when tabbing someones meter. Tolerance with this differs state to state, meter nazi to meter nazi. Also, if you have any old blankets or sleeping bags that you think are garbage, fold them and give them the homeless. Not only will they appreciate it, you may just save their life.
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Much better than doling out change, I think!
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If you read a great article in your local newspaper (or wherever), email the reporter and thank them for it. I did this recently and the reporter wrote back and said I “made her day”.
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YES! Fantastic.
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Candice! Great post!
Once when driving across the Bay Bridge in Oakland CA, someone payed my toll for me (4-5 dollar value). It had such an impact on my day it was ridiculous! To do something like that for someone is $5 well spent.↵ -
I’m totally loving these comments, I wish I could add them to the list. Insane how easy it is to plaster a smile to someone’s face, eh?
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I do the same, although instead of $10 cash I buy them their choice of dinner from one of the takeout restaurants near my school (KFC, Subway, a little thai place, etc…) that way I know the money went where it should
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Hey, I loved the list… only one thing… It is a little hard to pay for the person behind in the drive thru because you have no idea on how much will they order or what will it be… I would suggest that instead you could pay it for the person behind on a toll highway!
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