Random Acts of Kindness
As you may have noticed, I’m often inspired by Frost Bank’s culture of optimism. They continue to inspire me to give back, year-round. Last holiday season, I was inspired to ‘Frost it Forward’ in my community by doing something kind for a stranger. Throughout Frost Bank’s 150 years in business, they’ve focused on the message of spreading kindness and sharing that spark of optimism in all aspects. The generosity has spread beyond their home town of San Antonio into a culture the country can take into the future. There are lots of ways you can Frost It Forward as well. this and I’m sharing just 10 random acts of kindness you can try year-round.
If you can think of more ideas, please share them with me in the comments, or let me know on Twitter or Instagram. I’d love to hear how you’re spreading kindness too! Let’s work together to make this year special for everyone around us, no matter who they are.
#1 Create a Snack Display for the Delivery Driver
Anyone else heavy on the Amazon Subscribe ‘n Save? Arrange some non-perishable snacks such as small bags of chips, nuts or bottles of water in a basket. Print or make a sign that tells the delivery person to help themselves to a free snack. When your delivery person comes by to drop off your packages, you’ll brighten their day.
#2 Hand a Frost it Forward $10 Gift Card to a Greeter
I decided to “Frost it Forward” by surprising a Walmart greeter with a Frost It Forward VISA gift card from Frost Bank. You could even give a card to your cheerful Chik-Fil-A worker.
#3 Pay for the Person’s Coffee Behind Me
This is a really fun way to start a chain of kindness. Just pay for the coffee behind you in line. There have been reports of this lasting all day. When a person in front of me has done this random act of kindness, I think about it all day. Who knows how huge the ripple effect could be.
#4 Donate New Hats and Gloves to A Local Shelter
Living in Texas means that some of my cold-weather accessories go underutilized. Go ahead and donate some new or used warm hats and gloves. There are plenty of shelters that would be grateful for them.
#5 Adopt an Angel Family
You can find Angel Trees in lots of local libraries, banks, and other local businesses. Families in need will put the age and Christmas wish list of their children on Angels and hang them on the tree. Your donation could make a child have a happy Christmas morning.
#6 Leave Hidden Dollar Bills With a Kindness Card
Like leaving motivational comments for new moms in a lactation room or taping dollar bills to random places like a box of cereal at the grocery store or on a parking meter. Leave a note behind to motivate them and ask them to pay it forward next.
#7 Donate Money to the Food Bank
Donate more than just food to your food bank. Often the food bank becomes overrun with too many types of certain foods and doesn’t have enough of another. Your cash donation allows them to purchase the exact food they need to help local families.
#8 Shovel Snow for a Neighbor Before They Wake Up
For all of my friends up north, this is for you. Imagine their surprise, waking up to a completely shoveled driveway! It’s a wonderful way to let them know you care. This can be extremely helpful for those neighbors that can’t do it themselves.
#9 Pay Off Someone’s Layaway
You can go to your local Wal-Mart and ask to pay off someone’s layaway. You never know, it could make such a huge difference that a family could afford to give their children a new bed, birthday gift or anything else they always wanted but never could.
#10 Fill an Almost Expired Parking Meter
As you walk past an expiring parking meter, drop a few quarters in. It’s a really small act, but it can buy someone a bit more time. You never know what is going on in that person’s life or what they’re doing, but you could be helping them out a lot more than you realize.
The Benefits of Being Kind
Not only will this kindness make a huge difference in someone else’s life, but it will improve your health and financial wellness too. I could go on and on about the key benefits to spreading kindness, but here are just a few:
In fact, studies show that people who engage in acts of kindness feel stronger and more energetic afterward. It is proven to reduce blood pressure and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, along with lowering stress (by reducing cortisol levels).
Another study showed that managers who practiced kind acts for their employees were more effective leaders. Spreading kindness makes us all together happier; being optimistic and kind triggers chemicals such as endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine that help us to feel good.
Do it because it’s right. But as you are spreading kindness, also remember that it’s good for you too. I hope you find some amazing new random acts of kindness this year!
Check out Frost Bank Frost It Forward campaign here and more about Opt For Optimism here
