100 Simple Ways to Be Kind

Now more than ever, the human race needs to really work on…and really be mindful of… what is needed to practice KINDNESS.

Kindness is not a new or novel word. But at a time when our planet seems to be in constant turmoil, I feel all of us need to go the extra mile in remembering the meaning and importance of this word while also being more mindful about what we can do to be KIND.

Every person we encounter in our daily routine is likely struggling with something. We are all fighting quiet battles and some of us deal with it better than others. These days, no one is exempt from the worry, heartache, and uncertainty of 2020. If this isn’t enough of a reason to be more patient and empathetic, think about how acts of kindness affect the youngest generation.

As adults, we have an obligation to be role models to all kids. What better way to set an example than to teach kindness to kids through our own actions and choices.

Now more than ever, we need to come together as a nation of beautifully diverse people.

Here are some simple ways to spread the habit of KINDNESS:

100 Simple Ways to Be Kind

1. Buy books about kindness and peace and gift them to others.
2. Talk in a warm tone.
3. Paint rocks with cool messages and place them where they will be found by neighbors and strangers.
4. Thank others for sharing their feelings with you.
5. Listen with the sole purpose of listening, not to respond.
6. Read more books about the lives of others to develop your own level of empathy.
7. Read books with stories about the lives of others to children.
8. Tell someone, “I wish there were more people like you in this world”.
9. Bring a cup of coffee or hot cocoa along for someone else.
10. Make sure to acknowledge someone’s kindness to you.
11. Let someone sleep in.
12. Listen and pay attention to what people are passionate about.
13. Bring drinks to a party.
14. Call someone and listen to them. No advice. No judgment. Just plan to listen.
15. Tell someone you “hear” them (even when you don’t agree).
16. Pass out hugs with permission.
17. Write a letter or a postcard and drop it in the mail just to say thanks.
18. Offer to babysit.
19. Visit a friend who has been ill.
20. Call and visit people during the six months to three years after they’ve lost a loved one.
21. Tell little kids they look “smart.”
22. Smile and make eye contact with others.
23. Pass out little pieces of wrapped chocolate.
24. Pay for the order behind you in the drive-through line.
25. Ask someone how they are doing and then stop to listen to their reply.
26. Look people in the eye and smile.
27. Bake a cake, muffins, cookies, or brownies and give them away.
28. Offer a bottle of water to others- especially if they are working outside.
29. Say I love you because… (and give a genuine unique reason).
30. Tell people how wonderful they are and that you are happy they are in your life.
31. Say that you are sorry when it is warranted.
32. Help out with a chore or errand.
33. Say that you are going to the grocery store and ask someone if they need anything.
34. Ask someone who is struggling, “How can I help?”
35. Show up.
36. Go to the Farmer’s Market and support local farmers.
37. Invite someone to the Farmer’s Market who you know does not get out much.
38. Say, “I’m glad I got to spend this time with you.”
39. Hold the door.
40. Send a greeting card.
41. Pick up trash even when it is not yours and throw it away.
42. Give compliments freely.
43. Say please and thank you.
44. Put your phone away for long periods of time while with others.
45. Sit with someone on their porch.
46. Invite someone to play Uno.
47. Hold someone’s hand.
48. Sit with someone while they cry.
49. Say, “I don’t know what to say, but I will sit here with you.”
50. Offer to go to therapy with someone who needs it.
51. Answer the phone when someone calls.
52. Put a love note in someone’s lunch box.
53. Tell people you are happy to hear from them.
54. Give someone your recipe.
55. Cheer for others.
56. Speak up for others to validate their experiences.
57. Send a care package to a stranger serving in the military.
58. Keep your word.
59. Wave thanks to fellow drivers when they are kind.
60. Pray for someone.
61. Give a new mom her own gift.
62. Invite someone over for ice cream.
63. Take someone to lunch and pay.
64. Make a conscious decision to use a kind voice.
65. Make a conscious decision not to argue.
66. Only make positive comments on social media posts.
67. Do not argue on social media. Not many minds are changed there.
68. Make positive social media posts that might make someone more likely to absorb your message.
69. Plan to have and exercise more patience.
70. Let people through while in traffic.
71. Do not be offended or react when someone else is not kind in traffic. We do not know what they are going through.
72. Clean out your closet and cabinets and donate things you no longer use or need.
73. Model being nice in front of your children. Actions speak louder than words.
74. Say, “I hear you” even if you don’t agree.
75. Offer someone your seat.
76. Laugh at someone’s joke.
77. Hold the door for someone.
78. Respect someone’s wishes.
79. Write compliments on sticky notes and leave them around the house or the office.
80. Frame a photo memory and give it to the people in the picture.
81. Grow and give away tomatoes.
82. Volunteer to help out at a party.
83. Tell people their idea sounds really cool.
84. Give someone in need a couple of dollars to grab a burger. Don’t worry about what they will do with it. Not your problem.
85. Don’t judge or assume. Acknowledge that you really don’t know.
86. Work extra hard on being less judgmental. Acknowledge that you do not have it all figured out.
87. Participate in neighborhood activities.
88. Teach your children how to meet people and make new friends.
89. Say, “I appreciate you!” to essential workers.
90. Leave a bigger tip than what is recommended.
91. Talk with someone else about the physical beauty of this world, our home.
92. Give someone a candle that smells really good and a box of matches.
93. Ask someone if they want to go for a short walk and then just listen as they walk and talk.
94. Thank others for their time.
95. Go to an event and plan to be in the warm quiet sunshine.
96. Make dinner for your neighbor.
97. Bring doughnuts.
98. Forgive someone.
99. Just do YOU. Embedding yourself in other people’s business is an unkind gesture-especially if your help or advice is unsolicited.
100. Support, don’t judge.

If you’d like even more free resources to help teach your kids and students the power of kindness, empathy and having a growth mindset, join the K Club!

The K Club is a free monthly membership where you get fun, printable activities delivered to your inbox every month. Together, you and your kids can explore tough topics in age appropriate ways while gaining the social emotional skills we all need to thrive.

Providing ways for kids to see and read about kindness, hope, and peace is another great way to teach them gentler ways of being.

My book This is The Earth is one of those vibrant books that is fun and beautiful wrapped up in an important message about how we are all ONE.

I would be honored for you to check out the book This is the Earth and use it to spread a little kindness in your corner of the world.

Kindness and peace are such an important part of the daily language for our kids. How to practice the Kindness Habit is an exceptional piece of wisdom we can pass on to the next generation.

ONE MORE THING

Happiness is something everyone is craving right now and what better way to put a smile on our faces than to think about the upcoming holiday season.

As the shopping season begins to ramp up, I asked that gift-givers remember two things:

1. Books are the gift that kids can open again and again…
2. …books are the perfect way for kids to see what is possible in life.

THAT is why I wrote my diverse Christmas picture book, In The Nick of Time–to show little brown boys everywhere that it IS possible to help Santa save Christmas just by being KIND.

Here’s a sneak peek:

I was lucky enough to share my story of why I created this picture book with USA Today as well!

If you want to get a jump start on holiday shopping, go here to quickly and easily purchase your copy of In The Nick of Time for that special reader in your life. In The Nick of Time is also available for purchase on Amazon.