Kindness: The Summer Edition 2.0

We talked about giving gifts of kindness last winter around the holidays, but kindness can and should be a year-round thing.  Not only do people need kindness all the time, the rewards always come back to us. So, here goes Kindness 2.0:

• Is someone in your neighborhood older, maybe ill, maybe injured, and can't mow his or her lawn? You can do it, using their mower or yours. This will lift his/her spirits plus make that yard look nice amongst the others.

• Do you have a bounty of vegetables from your garden? Sometimes we plant more than we could possibly use. Share with your neighbors.
• If you put up preserves or make jam or other goodies with your produce, give some to another person.
• When it's swelteringly hot, leave bowls of water out for animals, not only for the wild things but for dogs who might stop by as they go for walks. Note: Some dogs do not like ice cubes, some do.

• Take some time to water the flowers and plants outside. Pull off dead blooms, too.
• Remember to water the trees, too.
• Feed the birds: Here are simple bird feeders to make:

Here is a recipe to make your own bird food: https://www.savvyhomemade.com/making-homemade-bird-food/

• Food shelves operate year-round. Often, people donate around the fall/winter holidays but never again. You could make a donation a monthly thing. Some grocery stores have a bin for donations all the time. When there's an opportunity to simply leave a bag for the mail carrier to pick up, do it. 
• When you donate, don't forget kids having birthdays: Birthday cake mix, frosting, and candles may not seem essential, but a birthday cake means so much when you are a child.  
• Some police and fire stations appreciate donations of stuffed animals or little cars that they can give to frightened kids: if the police come to a house for a domestic violence incident, or people have a house fire, it's pretty stressful for the little ones. Ask at your local station about it. 

• Try to be more patient when you see (or hear) a crabby child. The parent is probably stressed out as it is, so having others judge and become exasperated doesn't help. If you've been there, a smile and a "hang in there" can be so supportive.  
• You can donate new or gently used bikes to kids in need here  http://fb4k.org/home/  

• Do you know how to fish? Lots of kids have never been fishing. You can teach a kid (or an adult) how, and have fun doing it. You might put this on your calendar for next May, the Kids Fishing Clinic at the Coon Rapids Dam park:  https://www.exploreminnesota.com/events/26474/kids-fishing-clinic  (explore all the other adventures available as well)
• Leave some change in a vending machine so the next person doesn't have to pay. 
• Help someone bag their groceries, or help get it into their car.
• Pick flowers from your garden and give them to random people.

• Write a thank you note to someone, not necessarily for a gift someone bought and gave you, but because this person means something to you. It doesn't have to be long or flowery. Send it in the mail or drop it off in person, or leave it tucked in the door.
• Donate some books to the nearest Little Free Library.  

• Go for a walk, or visit a park, lake, river, or creek, and clean up some garbage left by others.
• Is your hair long enough to donate to Locks of Love? They need 10" to make a wig for a child who's lost hair due to cancer treatment or alopecia: https://locksoflove.org/
• Everybody likes cookies and donuts. Make or buy some and give them out, somewhere random or in a business or care home.
• Participate in the annual Neighborhood Night Out, this year on August 6. Meet neighbors, enjoy great food you share, see if there are concerns you can all work on. It is kind to be friendly.

Kindness: Not a Last Minute Gift

A gift doesn't have to be something you actually buy in a store.


Can you remember a time someone did something kind for you? Does it seem like people are less kind recently? Have you wondered what you can do?


Small acts of everyday kindness can impact people more than you realize. Here are some:

• Opening the door for someone. If they're laden with packages, or if they have small kids, or they aren't as mobile as you-using a walker or crutches, for instance, it can be a big help. You can hit the automatic door opener for them, but it's even more personal when you actually take a few seconds to hold that door.
• Giving up your seat on a bus or in a waiting room. Someone obviously exhausted or stressed, or someone older than you, will be thankful for it.
• Know a stressed parent? Offer to watch his or her kids for a few hours.

• Offer some help before a person has to ask: 'Do you need a tissue? Want some water? Can I help? I can do that for you.'
• You might notice someone is having a bad day: Offer a joke, maybe a piece of candy. Suggest a mini break together-'Let's go get a cup of bad coffee,' or 'Let's walk around the building for a few minutes.' Help lighten things up a little.
• When it has snowed and you go out to your car, brush off your car, and then brush off the one next to you. How great would it be to come out and find you don't have to do that in the cold weather??
• Or if you have an extra scraper, give it to someone else who doesn't have one. Once you've seen someone trying to scrape ice off their car with an ATM card or their bare hands, you'll see what I mean.
• Shoveling your driveway or sidewalk? Do your neighbor's, too. They'll appreciate it.
• Also in cold weather: If you have extra gloves or scarves, give them to people who have none.

• Give someone a compliment:

---"You always have the most interesting stories."
---"You have the best sense of humor."
---"Love those shoes!"
---"You are always so thoughtful."
---"What a great job you did on that."
---"You handled that perfectly."
---"That really helped me out, thanks!"

• Say "Good Morning" and offer a smile to someone you don't know--or someone you do.
• Write an actual note to someone (yes, on paper). It can be simple and short or longer and heartfelt. Just a quick 'How are you?' or 'I saw this joke and thought of you."
• Or send a postcard. In the mail. I still find it amazing that you can send someone a postcard for 35 cents, and a letter for only 50 cents.

                                                                 This is a really old postcard, but you get the idea...

• Share a book you enjoyed with someone.
• Does the person behind you in line have 3 things and you have a cart full? Let them go first.
• Give someone a flower for no particular reason. Or a piece of candy. Or a beautiful, perfect, apple.
• Say "Thank You" to someone who may not hear it often enough.
• Leave a sticky note on someone's desk or door with an encouraging observation: "You Rock!" "You Got This!" "Today will be Awesome!"

• Pick up a piece of trash and chuck it in the trash can.
• If the person in front of you at the checkout is short by a few cents, cover it for him or her. 
• You may notice someone who seems lost. Stop and take a few seconds to give them directions.
• Follow up with someone who's had a loss in their life. Initially, people will be supportive, but a few weeks after it happened, those people tend to forget. Simply looking into someone's eyes and asking 'How are you doing today?' can be very thoughtful to someone struggling.
• Never underestimate the power of a much-needed hug.
• Sit with a friend and listen, or just be.

• Bring some food to a fire station or police department, or a hospital nurses' station. They work hard 24/7 to help us stay safe (and alive).
• Old (clean) towels and blankets can be donated to an animal shelter. Food, socks, shampoo, soap, can go to a food shelf. Warm clothing will be appreciated at a shelter.
• You can donate a cell phone you don't want to women's shelters (be sure it will still hold a charge, and include the charger). Persons in danger can always use any cell phone to call 911. Look online for places that can use phones.
• You can donate rice by simply participating in a Q and A here: http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1432

You see, kindness makes us feel better, too. What a great irony - a gift that gives back to us---and we can be kind all year.


Remember to be kind to yourself, as well. Try these:  https://www.buzzfeed.com/agh/acts-of-self-care-that-cost-little-to-nothing