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Start Small with Not-So-Random Acts of Kindness

Small by Jh.44 CC BY on Flickr

In proof once again that pronoia is a thing, I stumbled upon Adam Rifkin's amazing post on the meaning of happiness. It's long, but awesome. You should read it.

His list of five-minute favors really spoke to me. In this time of societal upheaval and uncertainty, my initial instinct is to put my head in the sand and wait for someone else to fix it. But I know that won't work. Even so, I've never been an outspoken person. I stopped wanting to do anything with politics after I lost the election for Class Secretary in 6th grade. I've never been to a protest or called my senator. While it never even crossed my mind to jump on a plane to join the Women's Marches in DC and other places, I watched with mad respect for all the people there sharing their voices. But that's not me.

I have to remember that it's okay to start small. There are people around me who need an act of kindness, and those small acts help others feel included, welcome, and important. It shows that I see that person and I care. Here are a few things I'm doing to start small that take less than five minutes.

  • Write a recommendation on LinkedIn for someone who impressed you professionally. Not only is it nice to be told you did a good job, but it also makes that recommendation visible to a recruiter or a potential boss. As Adam mentions on his list as well, it must be sincere and specific, otherwise, it comes off as slimy.
  • Add a new voice to your social media feed. Find someone from a different cultural, economic or political background and add them to your RSS feed or follow them on social media. The more points of view you have around an idea, the better your opinions around that idea will be.
  • Say hello to a colleague you don't interact with much. Don't start with politics or ask if you can touch their hair. But ask how they are doing, and be okay if they don't want to go into details.
  • Write a thank you note to someone who did something nice for you, or who always has a positive attitude or has a trait you admire. Most of the time, people don't realize other people notice that kind of thing.
  • Smile more. Smile at the people who check you out at the store. Smile at people you pass in the halls. Smiling is contagious. And it helps people feel seen.
These aren't random acts of kindness because they are intentional, and for the most part directed at someone you know. But they are still important acts of kindness.
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