There are countless ways to show kindness to others. Whether it’s small acts of kindness that you do every day or grand gestures that make a big impact on the world around you, any act of kindness counts! What matters is that you show kindness in ways you are comfortable doing, so it becomes second nature. The point of doing random acts of kindness (RAOK) is to show others compassion and encouragement. Your acts of kindness should be performed out of your desire to make the world a better place and a heart that genuinely cares about people. It should never be done for show or just to check a task off of your list of good deeds. However, acts of kindness do not always have to be an act. Your kind words can also make a big difference in others’ lives.
Verbal Words Of Encouragement
Talking is our main form of communication. When you speak to someone in a kind manner, your face shows emotion. The tone of your voice gets softer. Women, in particular, are often natural communicators. When you use your voice to deliver words of encouragement, it means a lot to the recipient. Tell someone they are doing a good job. Compliment someone. Call a loved one or friend to tell them you are thinking of them, especially if they are going through a hard time. For children, an excellent way to show spoken words of encouragement is to talk to another child who is often left out or bullied. You never know how your kind words might help someone through a bad time.
Written Words Of Encouragement
Some people are better at expressing themselves in written form than verbal. When you write a note to someone, you have time to think about the message you want to convey. When you place yourself in a vulnerable position to share your emotions with someone, writing the words can take away some of the awkwardness you might feel if you say the words in person. If you are introverted or have social anxiety, written words of encouragement can be a way to express kindness in a way that you are comfortable with. Some great examples would be to email a coworker to thank them for helping you (and send a copy to their supervisor for bonus acts of kindness!). Send a card to someone in the mail to let them know you are thinking of them. Put a small note in your child’s lunch box to give some encouragement to them while at school. Submit a review of a colleague on their LinkedIn profile. Leave an encouraging comment on blogs that you enjoy reading as well as your favorite social media accounts.
Kindness Through Artistic Expression
Did you know that you can show kindness in creative artistic expression? Think about a child drawing a picture and giving it to their mom or their teacher. If you are artistic, creating a beautiful piece of art and gifting it to someone is another level of kindness that means a lot to the recipient. Volunteer to paint a mural in your neighborhood or teach an art class at your local community center. If your artistic expression is with music, there are so many ways you can show kindness as well. You could play your favorite instrument at your local nursing home. Volunteer to sing or play music as a way to comfort someone who is ill. Have you ever walked down the street and heard a street performer playing music that put a smile on your face and made you want to dance? They showed kindness by sharing their gift with you, and it made you happy!
Kindness Through Touch And Body Language
Your body language can say a lot to someone about how you feel about them. Offering a smile to a stranger is one of the simplest ways to show kindness. Give a nod of approval when someone is speaking to let them know you listen and agree or approve of their message. If someone is having a bad day, sometimes a hug will melt away their frustration. A pat on the back is a way to let someone know they are doing a great job. Another way to show kindness is to simply sit with someone and be there for them when there are no words that can bring comfort.
These are just a few examples of how your expressions of kindness, in their various forms, can make a big difference in someone’s life. So don’t be afraid to express yourself! Show some kindness to others every day!