There is no doubt that working to make a difference through acts of kindness can benefit others. Acts of kindness can take many forms, from a simple smile to a neighbor to organizing a local charity event. That’s easy math for sure: one person making an effort + multiple people receiving the benefits of that effort = countless people who are now in a better situation. Studies have shown that even small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to engage in similar behaviors, thus multiplying the positive impact on the community.
While most people are initially motivated to help others through acts of kindness for selfless reasons, there are undeniable benefits that come from the effort. Engaging in acts of kindness can boost your mood, improve your self-esteem, and even enhance your physical health. Research indicates that those who regularly participate in kind acts often experience lower levels of stress and a greater sense of overall well-being.
Helping others through acts of kindness makes you feel happier and helps you live a fulfilling life. There are some who believe our purpose on Earth is to serve in a way that expands the Kingdom – or the universe depending on your perspective. Whether or not that is true, it feels wonderful to know that your actions caused something good to happen in the world. For instance, volunteering at a local shelter not only provides support to those in need but also fosters a sense of community and belonging. To know that, because of your effort, someone somewhere is now better off. Congratulations! Your impact can truly change lives.
There are many types of motivation. Wanting positive reinforcement, avoiding negative consequences, our intrinsic motivation, and other forces work together to motivate us to act. The psychology behind altruism suggests that helping others can fulfill a deeper need within ourselves. No matter our reason for taking action, the benefits can be rewarding and more impactful than you may realize. Acts of kindness can foster a sense of interconnectedness and help combat feelings of isolation in our increasingly digital world.
The truth is, you can make an impact doing everyday things that are already on your schedule. Simply look around you and see how you can improve current situations.
Small things, like helping an elderly neighbor or babysitting for a friend with small kids can make a big difference for them. Even simpler, smiling and being kind to the person who waits on you or rings up your purchase. Let someone out in traffic, return a grocery cart, help lift groceries into the car, etc.
How to Gift Acts of Kindness
The key is to pay attention to your surroundings. What do you see? Ask yourself these questions:
Is there a need that I can fill in this moment? Whether it’s being kind to someone who looks down or offering to reach an item for an elderly person on a high shelf in the store, you can do something that will make a difference. Making simple conversation and acknowledging someone while you are out doing errands is not adding to your workload, it is enhancing it.
Is there someone who I can encourage today? We all spend time waiting. Waiting in line. Waiting in the reception area. Waiting at the DMV. Use this time to make a difference. Send a picture of your new grandchild to a friend from your smartphone. Let someone know you are thinking of them and give them a call from your hands-free device in your car while you commute. Use your downtime to make an impact while you wait. Perhaps a small gift might help? We have our Soap with Soap Dish that makes a perfect little sussie for a special person.
Is there a need near me? Do you live in a neighborhood? Do you know your neighbors? Pay attention to the needs of those right next to you. Take the trash cans to or from the curb for your neighbor. Offer to walk their dog or make them dinner once per week to give them a break. Offer to fix something you see broken, or make a small effort to improve their personal space.
How can I be kind to the people I see? You don’t need to go out of your way to find people to be kind to. Just be kind to those who cross your path naturally. Give up the open parking space to someone else. Let someone go before you in the checkout line. Pay for the car behind you in the drive-thru. Smile or give a compliment as you pass someone by. Focus on the people in front of you and make an impact effortlessly.
Making an impact is as simple as doing the everyday things you are already out doing. Pay attention to your surroundings and you will find unlimited ways to make an impact.
Here’s how making a difference benefits you:
Benefits from Acts of Kindness
- Creating a legacy- Making a difference can oftentimes lead to an impact that creates a legacy in your name. People come to remember who you are and what you did in the name of the greater good. Pouring into something bigger than yourself or something you create that stems from you can make an impact on generations down the line.
- Giving back- Sometimes your way of making a difference comes from giving back when you have received. There is wonderful healing and satisfaction that comes from paying forward what you have received in your lifetime.
- Restoring your faith- When we have lost something precious, it feels good to regain our faith in God, humanity, or our community. Being able to make a difference can help you recover from that sense of loss or abandonment.
- Easing depression- When we are suffering greatly, we can refresh our energy by shifting our focus somewhere other than ourselves, and use impactful activity to surface from the depths of depression.
- Memorializing someone you love- Being able to perceive a message or a meaning in the lives of those we love and have lost is especially gratifying. Helping their legacy and memory live on is a wonderful benefit.
- Creating opportunities- Sometimes your efforts blossom to create an opportunity for you and for others to gain employment or resources that would not have been available without your contribution.
Choosing to make a difference is a win-win for everyone involved. Those who receive support from others are blessed, just as those who take the risk or step out and make a difference in their lives. Whether it’s through acts of kindness big or small, every effort counts. Be assured that your efforts to serve others will come to result in great personal benefit. Studies have shown that communities with high levels of volunteerism see decreases in crime and increases in overall happiness. The call to action is clear: get involved, make a difference, and embrace the benefits that come with it!
In conclusion, the power of kindness is immense. Each act, regardless of its size, holds the potential to create significant change. As we continue to engage in acts of kindness, we not only uplift others but also enrich our own lives. Therefore, let us strive to be a source of positivity and inspiration in our communities, paving the way for a legacy of kindness that endures for generations to come.
