Sprinkling Kindness
A couple of days ago, I drove by an elementary school with a sign that read, “Kindness is free. Sprinkle that stuff everywhere.”
It moved me because of the slightly entertaining wording but also because I know how easy it is to do and how powerful it is to both the person giving and receiving the kindness.
Sprinkle that stuff everywhere is a great reframe on the idea of random acts of kindness. It really takes no effort at all to say a kind word to another person.
I have several clients who have mentioned to me on more than one occasion that there really is no one in their lives that gives them any. positive feedback.
Many of us take kind words for granted because we hear them so often, but this really isn’t the case for a lot of people!
Easy ways to sprinkle kindness can include, but are certainly not limited to the following:
Notice something you like about someone and tell them.
Let someone pull out in front of you while driving.
Send a text (or an actual card) to a person you haven’t spoken to in awhile and let them know you miss them and are thinking about them.
Make some extra food and share it with a neighbor or friend who doesn’t like to cook.
Smile authentically as you pass by someone.
Donate your time or money to a charity.
Listen to someone with all of your attention.
Let someone know that you appreciate something they’ve done for you.
There are no right or wrong ways to be kind to others and the possibilities are limitless.
One of the most amazing aspects of kindness is that it’s a win-win. When you are kind to someone else, you both inevitably feel good.
So why wouldn’t we want to sprinkle that stuff everywhere?
Action Steps:
Look for simple ways to express kindness towards others today.
Notice how you feel when others are appreciative of you small acts.
Repeat steps one and two!
