random acts of kindness essay examples

Essay Service Examples Life Kindness

Act of Kindness Essay

Introduction

Proper editing and formatting
Free revision, title page, and bibliography
Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Join our 150k of happy users

Get original paper written according to your instructions
Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for kindness topic ideas to write about? The concepts of kindness, generosity, and compassion are crucial nowadays.

🏆 Best Kindness Essay Examples

📌 top kindness topics to write about, 🥰 interesting kindness essay topics, 👍 controversial kindness topic ideas, 🙏 catchy kindness essay titles.

Being a debated subject in philosophy, psychology, and religion, kindness is definitely worth writing about. The topic of kindness is one of the key in the Bible. It has become especially important nowadays, in the era of intolerance and instability. In your kindness essay, you might want to focus on the importance of helping others. Another option is to consider the concept of kindness in philosophy, psychology, and religion. Whatever direction you will choose, this article will be helpful. It contains everything necessary to write an A+ paper on generosity & compassion! There are kindness essay examples, topics, and research titles.

Stories of Random Acts of Kindness Foundation I made a shopping list and after completing it, I went to one of the shelters to hand over the purchases to its representatives. In addition, it is important to understand that the reaction of […]
Critical Response “On Compassion” She is a lawyer, a sign that her level of literacy is quite higher and she able to learn and understand, even by seeing, the situation of other people.
Acts of Kindness and Happiness in Human Life The research at hand is aimed to prove that, to boost happiness through receiving positive emotions, a person should commit more actions that can be referred to as acts of kindness.
Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and Personal Acts of Kindness This exercise enabled me to reflect on my principles and think about the kind of impact I make in my day-to-day life.
Acts of Kindness in Society Initially, she wrote a report on this topic, in the preparation of which she visited the shelter and was upset to tears about how depressing the life of animals is.
“The Kindness of Strangers” by Ruben Martinez The USA may promote itself to be the “land of immigrants” with the Statue of Liberty as a shining reminder of what the rhetoric of residency means.
Does True Altruism Exist? Therefore, in their experiment, Cialdini and his colleagues sought to separate the feelings of sadness from those of empathy among the subjects in order to assess the reliability of the findings of the former experiments […]
Altruism and social behavior This shows altruism is not only beneficial to the recipients of the meritorious deeds but also to the doers of the deeds.
An Anonymous Act of Kindness When speaking about the relation of altruism to psychology, it is necessary to state that altruism is considered to be the issue of social psychology.
“Selfless Gene” by Olivia Judson and Reasons for Altruism Once people realize that the biology and social life of another race is the same, they tend to be more understanding and kind.
The Role of Compassion While Anne Fadiman’s this book seems to be primarily related to the impact of linguistic and cultural barriers on the experiences of immigrants, Amy Tan’s essay suggests that their difficulties can be explained primarily by […]
Happy People Become Happier through Kindness: A Counting Kindnesses Intervention
How Kindness Shapes One’s Destiny in Million Dollar Baby
How Patience Can Be Considered An Act Of Kindness
Important to Treat Patients with Kindness and Respect
Introspection in A Complicated Kindness and The Catcher in the Rye
Jacqueline Woodson’s Lovely Letter to Children About Kindness, Presence, and How Books Transform Us
Job’s Suffering Not Befitting His Kindness and Compassion
Larry and Friends: An Illustrated Ode to Immigration, Diversity, Otherness, and Kindness
Love, Kindness, and the Song of the Universe: The Night Jack Kerouac Kept a Young Woman from Taking Her Own Life
Marcus Aurelius on What His Father Taught Him About Humility, Honor, Kindness, and Integrity
Muslim Muslims And Muslim People With Kindness And Love Essay
People Can Still Show Kindness Despite all the Evil Out There Essay
Portrayal Of The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment On Kindness
Positive Interventions: Happiness Attained from Acts of Kindness and Gratitude
Revealing of the True Identity in Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews and Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
Revisiting Kindness and Confusion in Public Goods Experiments
Roland: A Charming Vintage Illustrated Ode to the Imagination and the Animating Power of Kindness
Secular Views on the Concept of Kindness
Self-Indulgence or Kindness as the Keys to Happiness and a Better Life
Self-Scrutiny Applied with Kindness: Epictetus’s Enduring Wisdom on Happiness and How Philosophy Helps Us Answer the Soul’s Cry
Shakespeare: Portia’s Kindness Out Shines
The Disabled With The Utmost Kindness And Compassion
The Effect Of Kindness During The Iranian Revolution
The Effect Of Random Acts Of Kindness, And Social Responsibility
The Essence of Life: Kindness
The Farmer and the Clown: A Warm Wordless Story about an Unlikely Friendship and How We Ennoble Each Other with Kindness
The Huge Impact of the Small Acts of Kindness in Mawi Asgedom’s Memoir of Beetles
The Importance of Kindness and Thankfulness in The Rihla Essay
The Importance of Showing Kindness Through Acts
The Importance of the Qualities of Shredders, Adaptability and Basic Human Kindness in Mark Twain’s Novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Injustice of Reality: Social Messages in Gilman’s “Wedded Bliss” and Plath’s “Kindness”
The Issue Of Identity Change In The Novels “Mister Pip” By Lloyd Jones And “A Complicated Kindness” By Miriam Toews
The Kindness of Strangers? An Investigation into the Interaction of Funder Motivations in Online Crowdfunding Campaigns
The Kindness of Strangers: The Usefulness of Electronic Weak Ties for Technical Advice
The Lion and the Mouse who Returned a Kindness
Themes of a Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
The Semblance of Selflessness: The Ingenuity of Kindness in As I Lay Dying
The Theme of Kindness in The Grapes of Wrath, a Novel by John Steinbeck
The Toil of Good and Evil: Multi-Faceted Kindness in The Book Thief
The Value Of Kindness In Bhakti According To Vyasa’s The Bhagavad Gita
Belief Questions
Tolerance Essay Ideas
Personal Ethics Titles
Happiness Research Ideas
Self-Concept Questions
Forgiveness Essay Ideas
Family Titles
Personal Values Ideas
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 28). 51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/

"51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples." IvyPanda , 28 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples'. 28 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/.

All Access Pass
PLR Articles
PLR Courses
PLR Social Media

Have you ever done something nice for someone else, ‘just because’. It wasn’t to repay them or because you had to—it was simply because you wanted to. Well then, you’ve done a random act of kindness. Read on to learn how to do more random acts of kindness in your life to boost your mood and improve the lives of others.

Before getting started, we thought you might be interested in our free well-being quiz .
And if you're a well-being entrepreneur, coach, or consultant, check out our free Wellness Business Growth eBook to get expert tips, tools, and resources to grow your wellness business fast.

What Are Random Acts of Kindness? (A Definition)

Grab our free ebook to learn how to grow your wellness business exponentially, the benefits of random acts of kindness.

Witnessing our parents engage in random acts of kindness likely makes it more likely that we will too. Monkey see monkey do, right?
If someone tells us that we’re kind, we might also be more likely to engage in random acts of kindness.
If we see someone else showing kindness, we are more likely to show kindness. Researchers suggest that kindness is even contagious (Baskerville et al., 2000).

Video: 99+ Random Acts of Kindness: List, Ideas, & Examples

Examples of Random Acts of Kindness

Giving compliments
Giving gifts
Saying kind words
Showing gratitude
Doing an act of service for someone else
Being respectful
Noticing good things that others do
Giving your time to someone else

All-Access Pass - Wellness PLR Content Collection

Random Acts of Kindness List

Compliment someone on one of their personality traits
Write a handwritten card to someone to say thanks
Text a friend to share your gratitude for something they did for you
Leave a positive review online of a restaurant you like
Tell a friend what you love about their children
Compliment a photo someone posts on social media
Let someone cut in front of you in line
Introduce two people who you think would get along
Pick up trash on the ground and put it in the garbage
Compliment someone on their clothing or hair
Use old grocery bags to pick up dog poop you see on your neighbor's lawn
Shovel snow off the sidewalk in your neighborhood
Offer to mow the lawn for an elderly neighbor
Give up your seat on the plane to let a couple sit together
Talk to someone at a party that doesn’t seem to know anyone
Invite someone new in your town to a social event and introduce them to everyone
Invite a friend that you haven’t seen in a while out to lunch
Offer to pick up a friend at the airport
Reach out to an old friend to let them know of an experience you had with them that you value
Spend time with the elderly at a local retirement home
Address your cashier, waiter, or other service people by their first names
Offer to bring someone else's grocery cart back to the store
Keep an extra pen in your purse to give people when they need one
Put a positive note in a library book
Attend events that support your friends’ passions (like an art show, musical performance, etc…)
Donate unused items to charity
Bring snacks to the local fire station
Keep packs of toothpaste or packs of socks in your bag to give to homeless people
Post an uplifting photo on a friend’s social media
Compliment someone on something they’ve done or accomplished
Tell a parent that they’re doing a great job raising their kids
Bring or send your mother flowers
Bring a friend a small gift next time you see them
Buy a warm meal to give to a homeless person
Share an article, event, or other information with someone who might be interested
Help to connect a friend seeking a job to someone who has a job to offer
Help a neighbor bring in their groceries
Make dinner for your friend group
Compliment a neighbor on how nice their yard looks
Bring in the trash bins for your neighbor after trash has been picked up
Send an email to a former teacher to let them know how they impacted your life
Leave a thank you note in your mailbox for your mail carrier
Give a flower to a stranger
Buy a gift card to give to a stranger
Ofter to be there for a friend when they are struggling with something
Give bottles of water to people working outside on a hot day
Buy a sandwich for the next person in the lunch line
Leave a sticky note with a positive note somewhere public, like at a bus stop
Bring brownies to your next neighborhood association meeting
Scrape the ice off the car windshield of the car next to yours
Leave a positive comment on someone else's social media post, #ProsocialPost
Put coins in someone’s parking meter that is about to run out
Slow down to let someone merge in front of you in traffic
Be on time (don’t waste others’ time)
Hold the door open for the person walking behind you
Make a double batch of dinner so that you can give a meal to someone in need
Give directions to someone who is lost
Give an extra big tip when eating out
Practice compassion when someone else is struggling
Be self-compassionate when you’re struggling with something
Share veggies you grow in your garden with friends, neighbors, and family
Become an organ donor
Volunteer at the local animal shelter
Bring dinner to a friend who's just had a baby
Build a “little free library” box in your yard with books for everyone to read

Video: How One Act Of Kindness a Day Can Change Your Life

Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness at Work

Donate a sick day to someone who’s dealing with a chronic illness
Tell your boss what you appreciate about him/her
Cover a coworker’s shift
Tell a joke to lighten the mood during a difficult task
Bring extra snacks to share with coworkers
Write a handwritten card to a coworker thanking them for their help on something
Invite the new guy at work out to lunch
Tell your boss about the great work that your coworkers are doing
Bring a coworker a cup of coffee
Leave a sticky note for a work colleague saying what you appreciate about them
Make cookies for everyone in your workplace
Mentor someone
Help others when they need help
Offer to lighten someone else's load by doing some of their work
Send an email to someone who helped you grow in your career
Be generous with your time and attention.

Well-Being PLR Article Packages - Grow Your Business Fast

Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness in Relationships

Help your partner bring in the groceries
Buy your partner something they’ve been wanting
Take care of the kids (or other responsibilities) so your partner can go out or relax
Do your romantic partner’s chores
Give your partner a random gift
Get a couples massage for the two of you
Tell your partner what you love about them
Spend a day noticing the small stuff you love about your partner and share what you noticed
Find a way to help your partner reach their biggest dreams (e.g., if she’s a painter, buy her some paints, or if he wants to become a lawyer, offer to introduce him to someone who can offer advice)
Make dinner (and dessert) for your partner

Random Acts of Kindness for Kids

Sharing crayons or other supplies with other kids
Giving someone a gift like a sticker, flower, or colorful eraser
Saying thanks to a fellow student for help with schoolwork
Bringing your teacher an apple as a gift
Getting a bandaid for another kid when they get a cut
Telling friends what you like about them
Offering to help mom or dad make dinner
Cleaning up your bedroom without being asked
Making a dandelion necklace for a friend
Bringing extra snacks in your lunchbox for kids who don’t have any

Random Acts of Kindness Day

random acts of kindness quotes.

“Kindness is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have -- RAKtivist
“ Be kind whenever possible. Pro tip—It is always possible” —sign in my town (originally, the 14th Dalai Lama
“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” -- Morgan Freeman
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -- Maya Angelou
“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” -- Abraham Joshua Heschel
“ You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Compassion isn’t about solutions. It’s about giving all the love that you’ve got.” —Cheryl Strayed
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” —Princess Diana

Random Acts of Kindness Videos

Video: random acts of kindness: random acts of flowers.

Video: Random Acts of Kindness - Faith In Humanity Restored

Products & Books Related to Random Acts of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Days of Good Deeds, Inspired Ideas and Acts of Goodness
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness: 101 Stories of Compassion and Paying It Forward
Act of Kindness Deck - Set of Thirty 2" x 3.5" Cards
Random Acts of Kindness Then & Now: The 20th Anniversary of a Simple Idea That Changes Lives
The Kindness Workbook: An Interactive Guide for Creating Compassion in Yourself and the World

Random Acts of Kindness Activity

Final thoughts on random acts of kindness, don't forget to grab our free ebook to learn how to grow your wellness business exponentially.

Binfet, J. T. (2015). Not-so Random Acts of Kindness: A Guide to Intentional Kindness in the Classroom . International Journal of Emotional Education, 7(2), 49-62.
Binfet, J. T., & Gaertner, A. (2015). Children’s conceptualizations of kindness at school . Canadian Children, 40(3), 27-40.
Baskerville, K., Johnson, K., Monk-Turner, E., Slone, Q., Standley, H., Stansbury, S., ... & Young, J. (2000). Reactions to random acts of kindness . The Social Science Journal, 37(2), 293-298.
Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., & Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor . Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320-329.
Passmore, J., & Oades, L. G. (2015). Positive psychology techniques: random acts of kindness and consistent acts of kindness and empathy . The Coaching Psychologist, 11(2), 90-92.
Happiness
Stress Management
Self-Confidence
Manifestation
All Articles...
All-Access Pass
PLR Content Packages
PLR Courses

Entertainment
Environment
Information Science and Technology
Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Life Kindness

A Random Act of Kindness: Experiencing the Goodness of Humanity

Table of contents, an unexpected encounter, the ripple effect, the lesson learned.

Fowler, S. B., & Dell, D. M. (2004). Acts of Kindness and Acts of Novelty Affect Life Satisfaction. The Journal of Social Psychology, 144 (5), 493-495.
Lyubomirsky, S., Tkach, C., & DiMatteo, M. R. (2006). What are the Differences Between Happiness and Self-esteem? Social Indicators Research, 78 (3), 363-404.
Post, S. G. (2005). Altruism, Happiness, and Health: It’s Good to Be Good. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 12 (2), 66-77.
Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive Psychology Progress: Empirical Validation of Interventions. American Psychologist, 60 (5), 410-421.
Spencer, J., & Pahl, S. (2006). Giving it Away: Exploring the Psychological Benefits of Charitable Giving for the Donor. Psychology and Health, 21 (3), 335-349.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

Self Awareness
Persistence
Thanksgiving
Risk Taking

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Essay on Random Act Of Kindness

Students are often asked to write an essay on Random Act Of Kindness in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Random Act Of Kindness

What is a random act of kindness.

A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person wishing to either help or cheer up an individual person or people. They may be done secretly or in person. They are small gestures that brighten someone’s day.

Why are Random Acts of Kindness Important?

Random acts of kindness are important because they remind us of the goodness in the world. They make us feel good and inspire others to do the same. It’s like a chain of positivity that spreads happiness.

Examples of Random Acts of Kindness

Examples can be as simple as holding the door open for someone, helping an elderly person cross the street, or sharing your lunch with a friend. These acts, though small, can make a big difference.

Benefits of Random Acts of Kindness

Doing random acts of kindness can make you feel happy and satisfied. It can also improve your relationships with others. Plus, it creates a positive environment where everyone feels loved and cared for.

Encouraging Random Acts of Kindness

250 words essay on random act of kindness.

A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person wishing to either help or cheer up an individual person or people. The phrase is ‘random’ because it refers to acts that are not planned in advance or have an expected reward.

These acts can be big or small, and they often come in many forms. For example, you might help an old lady cross the road, or you might share your lunch with a friend who forgot theirs. Sometimes, even a simple smile can make someone’s day better.

The Impact of Random Acts of Kindness

These small acts can make a big difference. They can make someone feel happy, loved, and important. Plus, they can inspire others to do the same. This is called the ‘ripple effect’. It’s like when you throw a stone in a pond. The ripples spread out and reach far.

Why We Should Practice Random Acts of Kindness

Practicing random acts of kindness can make our world a better place. It teaches us to be kind, caring, and understanding. It also makes us feel good about ourselves. Plus, it can make someone else’s day a little bit brighter.

In conclusion, a random act of kindness is a simple but powerful way to show kindness to others. It’s a small thing that can make a big difference. So, let’s all try to do one random act of kindness each day. It’s a small step that can lead to a big change.

500 Words Essay on Random Act Of Kindness

Random acts of kindness are important because they remind us of our shared humanity. They show us that even in our busy lives, we can still make a positive impact on others. They make our world a better place by creating a chain of good deeds. When we do something kind for someone, they might feel inspired to do the same for others. This way, the kindness spreads.

There are many ways to perform random acts of kindness. You can pay for the meal of the person behind you in a fast-food line. You can send a thank you note to your teacher or coach. You can help an elderly person cross the street. You can donate your old books to a local library. You can even simply smile at a stranger. These acts, no matter how small, can make someone’s day better.

Encouraging Random Acts of Kindness in Schools

Schools can play a big role in encouraging random acts of kindness. They can start a ‘kindness week’ where students are encouraged to do kind things for each other. They can also have a ‘kindness tree’ where students can write down their acts of kindness and hang them on the tree. This not only promotes kindness, but also creates a positive and supportive school environment.

In conclusion, random acts of kindness are small actions that can make a big difference in our world. They can help spread positivity, make people feel good, and create a sense of community. So, the next time you have the chance, do a random act of kindness. You never know how much it might mean to someone.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

102 Best Random Acts of Kindness Ideas

Giving flowers to someone else as a random act of kindness

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” This iconic quote feels more true now than ever.

The world could do with a little bit more kindness. And perhaps that kindness should begin with me and you.

Of course, we all see particular opportunities for kindness in our everyday lives: Someone drops something and we pick it up for them, the person in front of us in line is short a few dollars and you offer to cover the difference, someone asks for directions and you pull out the map on your phone to show them the way.

But also, sometimes, we want to create our own opportunities for kindness: Going beyond the opportunities that naturally present themselves by intentionally working to make someone’s day.

At Good Good Good, we’re all about celebrating good news — and then joining in and becoming good news. Intentionally going out into the world to make a difference is our jam.

We’ve curated a list of the best ideas for random acts of kindness — whether you're celebrating World Kindness Day or Random Acts of Kindness Day or just choosing to be kind.

Some ideas may serve as simple reminders (like “hold the door open for someone.”) — and others may be fresh new ideas (like “take time to leave a positive review for a local restaurant you love.”)

Some of our recommended random acts of kindness will help one person or family — and others will create systemic change that will leave positive ripple effects throughout your neighborhood, community , and world.

And of course, you’re not limited to the items in this list. As you’re reading through, you will no doubt have new ideas come to mind. Try something new and follow your intuition on how you want to create positive change in the world.

Be the kindness you wish to see in the world!

Explore random (and not-so-random) acts of kindness:

Sign up to donate blood. ‍
Hold a door open for someone. ‍
Donate $10 to a charity you believe in. ‍
Take time to leave a positive review for a local restaurant you love. ‍
Take a bystander intervention training. ‍
Write a thank you note to someone who has inspired you to make a positive difference. ‍
Donate household items to your local refugee support organization . ‍
Put a ‘Don’t Give Up’ sign in your yard. ‍
Find a Little Free Pantry or Free Fridge in your community and drop off some food. ‍
Give an extra generous tip. ‍
Pick up one piece of litter and throw it away. ‍
Create care packages for your houseless neighbors. ‍
Donate to a local mutual aid fund . ‍
Let someone go first in line. ‍
Give a teacher a thank you gift. ‍
Call a local homeless shelter to ask how you can best support them in the next month. ‍
Go on a litter walk to clean up your neighborhood. (And buy yourself a simple litter pickup kit so you can do it even more often!) ‍
Give out flowers to strangers on the street. ‍
Tell an author you loved reading their book. They’ll be easy to get in touch with via Twitter or Instagram, and it’ll make their day! ‍
Give a Goodnewspaper as a gift . ‍
Pay off a student’s lunch debt via GoFundMe or by calling a local school. ‍
Leave short poems or uplifting notes on people’s cars. ‍
Find a Little Free Library in your community and drop off some books. ‍
Sign up to become an organ donor. ‍
Offer to buy coffee for the person behind you in line. ‍
Sign a petition to help support garment workers . ‍
Pay off someone’s medical debts. (We recommend RIP Medical Debt !) ‍
Install ‘Tab for a Cause’ to make a difference every time you open a new browser tab. ‍
Choose to shop from underrepresented business owners. (Check out our guide to supporting Black-owned businesses .) ‍
Ride your bike or public transit to work or school. ‍
Give a compliment to a stranger. ‍
Cook a double portion of your next meal and offer it to a neighbor or a friend so they don’t have to cook. ‍
Join a peaceful protest to support human rights. ‍
Read the news, find a story that breaks your heart, and make a small donation to a nonprofit responding to that issue. ‍
Start a note in your Notes app with your friends’ favorite coffee orders so it’s easier for you to surprise them. ‍
Find an ethical and sustainable way to recycle your old shoes . ‍
Sign up as a volunteer at a local animal shelter. ‍
Choose to shop with a small business instead of a big box store or Amazon . ‍
Give up your seat on the bus or train so someone else can have a seat. ‍
Donate your unused frequent flyer miles to an organization that helps reunite refugee families. (We recommend Miles4Migrants.) ‍
Be like Mister Rogers and look for the helpers . (And become a helper, too.) ‍
Find a random GoFundMe to donate to. ‍
Recycle your old clothes via a Take Back Bag from For Days . ‍
Buy a compost bin to reduce food waste as an act of kindness to the earth. ‍
Participate in Meatless Monday once per week to reduce your carbon footprint and your impact on animals. ‍
Offer to return someone’s cart for them. ‍
Donate your hair. (Either for wigs or oil spill cleanup ) ‍
Find an extra coat in your closet and keep it in your car to give to a stranger. ‍
Plant a tree. ‍
Tell a friend you’d love to babysit for them for free. ‍
Run (or walk) in a charity 5k. ‍
Learn to say hello and thank you in different languages. ‍
Send a kind and encouraging text message to a friend. ‍
Shovel your neighbor’s snow or rake your neighbor’s leaves. ‍
Reduce food waste by picking up a meal from Too Good To Go . ‍
Introduce yourself to your neighbors. ‍
Volunteer as a poll worker . ‍
Research what can and can’t be recycled in your community so you can make sure you’re recycling correctly. ‍
Use social media for good . ‍
Be kind to yourself by finding a therapist . (You can’t pour from an empty bucket.) ‍
Donate an old cell phone, computer, or other electronics to a nonprofit that could use it. ‍
Buy lemonade from a kid’s lemonade stand. ‍
Volunteer remotely for a crisis line like Crisis Text Line or The Trevor Project. ‍
Forgive someone. ‍
Donate to make a difference for an ugly animal . (Not just cute ones!) ‍
Support local farmers by buying from a local farmers’ market, joining a CSA, using the Farmstand app, or even visiting a local farm. ‍
Buy and display a Pride flag to show your allyship. ‍
Make energy-efficient swaps at your home, so you can show kindness to Mother Earth. ‍
Donate to, support, or volunteer at national parks . ‍
Call your elected officials to advocate for your neighbors (not just yourself and people with a similar life experience to you). ‍
Reach out to an old teacher and tell them that you appreciate them. ‍
Buy ‘Empathy Cards’ for the next time you want to show care to someone going through a hard time. ‍
Call an old friend out of the blue. ‍
Buy a warm meal for someone in need. ‍
Attend or host heritage or pride events . ‍
Choose to buy eco-friendly products next time you go shopping. ‍
Give someone a gift card that you think you won’t get around to using. ‍
Switch your default search engine to Ecosia — and try out other do-good apps . ‍
Buy groceries for the person behind you. ‍
Lend out your favorite book. ‍
Buy socks that give back . ‍
Sign up for the bone marrow registry. ‍
Order some Goodnewspapers and leave them at coffee shops around town for strangers to find. ‍
Offer to let your neighbor borrow your lawnmower or other yard tools. ‍
Research an important issue in the news and commit to learning more about it (so you can become better informed and make a bigger difference for those affected). Try subscribing to newsletters or podcasts as an easy way to learn more over time. ‍
Volunteer with a refugee agency in your state to help a family learn to use public transit. ‍
Learn CPR. ‍
Adopt (and commit to caring for) a pet from a shelter. ‍
Consume the news thoughtfully , so you can be more intentional about getting more involved and making a difference. ‍
Share a positive quote online. ‍
Go out of your way to buy ethically-sourced coffee, as a way to show care for coffee farmers. ‍
Go out of your way to remind someone that everything will be okay . ‍
Set up a recurring monthly donation at your favorite nonprofit. It will help them plan ahead and make a bigger difference. ‍
Write a thank you note to someone who has helped your career. ‍
Practice introducing yourself with your pronouns. ‍
Commit to buying gifts that make a difference or consumable gifts for future birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. ‍
Find a small local nonprofit to volunteer with. ‍
Go out of your way to post good news on social media. ‍
Keep an extra umbrella in your car to give to someone caught in the rain. ‍
Forward someone a good news newsletter . ‍
Pick an awareness day to learn about and celebrate. ‍
Remember to practice self-care . (Here are some self-care ideas !)

You might also like: The best quotes about kindness

Delivering more good news monthly — Get the Goodnewspaper

Article Details

A person holding a sign that says "Climage is changing so should we #actnow"

The power to save the planet is inside us all — how to get past despair to powerful action on climate change

12 Ideas To Celebrate World Humanitarian Day

37 Ways To Make a Difference in the World

51 Ways To Cheer Yourself Up When Life Gets You Down

Want to stay up-to-date on positive news.

The best email in your inbox. Filled with the day’s best good news.

About Good Good Good
Privacy Policy & Terms
Take Action
Subscriber Account
Affiliate Program

Join the Good News Community

Academic Writing / Essay Style / Online Writing Instruction / Teaching

Acts of Kindness: Narrative Writing

by Purdue Global Academic Success Center and Writing Center · Published December 13, 2013 · Updated December 9, 2013

Acts of Kindness

David Werner

December 1, 2013

Floyd, Lloyd, Elwood, Woodrow, and David are not historical figures, except in their native Ithaca, N.Y.; but David was my father the others my Uncles – all part of the generation who saved the world in WWII.

They were all just kids, some underage, when they volunteered for the Army Air Corp. and piloted everything from the B-17 and B-29 to the P-47 and P-51. They flew more than 25 missions a piece as pilots and co-pilots; which far exceeded the Air Corp. standards. The mortality rates of pilots jumped after just thirteen missions and it was almost a given that pilots flying more than 25 missions would not return.

In my book they were heroes and, as a kid, I remember hearing some of the stories. Being a kid I especially liked the ones about them “pissing in their pants” as anti-aircraft fire was going off all around them. It was funny to them too, since all five survived, but they never glamorized the war or thought of themselves as heroes. There was a job to be done and they did it.

After the war they did what that generation was expected to do. They came home, married, started families, and worked to support their families. Even in peacetime, there was a job to be done and they did it.

My father, as many of that generation, was not openly emotional or affectionate. He loved us and would do anything for his family, but in his own very quiet and humble way.

The only time I ever saw him break down was when my mother died. He loved her so much and was so paralyzed by grief he could not function. I was thirteen at the time, and the oldest, so it fell upon me make all of the funeral arrangements and to help in any way I could for the next month or so. This time, there was a job to be done so I did it.

My father was capable of many acts of sacrifice and kindness. Of course he never told me about them but I still hear stories about him today.

About a month ago I was standing in line at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. When it was my turn, I simply said “Pickup for Werner.”

This very old woman standing next to me turned and asked, “Are you Blanche’s boy?” I told her I was and she told me how close she had been to my parents and that my father was the greatest man who ever lived.

By now, the rest of the crowd in line edged a bit closer to eavesdrop.

She went on to tell stories about my mother and father and finally asked me how I felt about my grandmother.

My grandmother was somewhat of a strict and overbearing woman who could cause a great deal of misery if she wanted to.

Once this woman, Helen, was satisfied she was not going to offend me, she almost yelled out in the store, “That Ethel could be a bitch! Do you know your grandfather had to stop for a shot and a beer before he could go home and face her?”

After that there was no stopping her and she had certainly piqued my curiosity. I, and the entire audience in the store, learned that one of my Uncles had fathered a number of illegitimate children both in Europe and here after the war, I apparently had numerous first cousins I was never aware of, my grandfather had a long term affair supposedly because of my grandmother, and my family history was filled with more than a few black sheep.

Now everyone, including the pharmacist, was waiting to hear what was coming next.

Helen became quiet and more introspective. “You know,” she began, “Ethel (my mother’s mother) became very ill a few years after your mother died.”

I did remember she had a massive heart attack on the day my mother died and she was unable to attend the funeral.

“I think it was after you left for college, your father didn’t think he could care for her anymore so he was going to put her in a nursing home.”

This part I did not remember. My grandmother was never in a nursing home.

“I remember that day,” Helen continued, “The day she was going in. I helped your Dad get her into the car and saw them drive off. Do you know what your father did? He drove in through the gates of the nursing home. He drove right past the entrance, continued around the circle, and came right back home. He cared for Ethel for the rest of her life.”

Similar to many stories about my father, I had never heard this one before.

Growing up he would always tell us, “You are what you do, not what you say.” He defined himself by that. There was always a job to be done and he did it.

This is the beginning of a series of essays using the nine writing patterns of narrative , exemplification , compare/contrast , description , definition , process analysis , cause/effect , classification and division , and argumentation/persuasion .

Narrative, or narration , “wraps” the issue or thesis around a character or story. “Acts of Kindness” is an example. I could have written a well-researched essay about various and random acts of kindness; but which would have the desired emotional impact on an audience? The truth is, I don’t know but I do know the audience is the final authority in terms of our work.

The writing pattern of description uses words to stimulate the senses and have the reader paint a mental picture of the scene. Exemplification uses specific and detailed examples to clarify the thesis or argument. Process analysis shows the audience how things work or how to do something.

To explain similarities and differences, we use the writing pattern of compare and contrast . We spend most of our lives just trying to figure things out; and that’s when we use cause and effect analysis . Definition gives new meaning to something misunderstood or previously unappreciated. We use classification and division to group some things together and divide others into smaller categories. And finally, we use argumentation and persuasion to find common ground with an opponent.

This Effective Writing Podcast discusses the role of Audience and Purpose in writing.

For the writer, these are the tools in our toolkit. For the reader, again the final authority, we can better serve them. I ask my students at the beginning of each term to give us their definition of “ Effective Communication .” They say things such as, “To better express myself,” “two people talking,” or “arguing back-and-forth.”

The real definition of Effective Communication is simply the art of being understood .

It’s not the audience’s job to figure out what we’re trying to “say.” It’s our job to be understood. And when we write an essay or story such as “Acts of Kindness,” it is not our job to show reality. For most of us, the reality of our daily lives can be somewhat unpleasant. No, it’s the writer’s job to show an interpretation of reality. Let’s show the world what it can be like .

Can Random Acts of Kindness Increase Wellbeing? (+ 22 Ideas)

When you consider the times when you’ve practice random acts of kindness, what past practices come to mind?

I found myself thinking of this question as I wrote this blog because it’s a good question to ask, “ When did I give of myself without expecting anything in return? ”.

This piece has some really great resources and explanations of RAK’s and how to live it throughout your days.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains

What is a random act of kindness, a look at the psychology and science of kindness, can kindness impact our wellbeing, positive psychology and kindness, how unexpected acts of kindness can make a difference, the random acts of kindness foundation, putting theory into practice, lesson plans for teachers, 9 apps to help practice kindness, 4 books on the topic, 7 recommended youtube videos, a take-home message.

A Random Act of Kindness is giving your best self to others without requests or promise of return on investment. It’s simply doing something nice for someone else, without them asking and without you doing it for anything in return.

Kindness is interesting, in that unlike an emotion such as happiness , or a feeling and action like gratitude, kindness is mostly a behavior or action.

Through years of experience, we each have been trained in our thoughts and perspectives of what kindness is, what it means, what the intention behind someone’s kindness is, so that it is often lost what the kind act is.

People are more likely (and it may be something in our genetic code that we’ve learned over the years) to give more to those with whom they have a closer relationship with than those that are of an acquaintance level (Burnstein, Crandall, & Kitayama, 1994; Cialdini, Brown, Lewis, Luce, & Neuberg, 1997).

People with certain job titles and duties or even roles in their social environment at home like helping professionals or parents may be expected to offer acts of kindness (Bryan, 2009; Davey & Eggebeen, 1998).

Gift-giving seems to induce expectation of reciprocity, or in other words, a social exchange and equity in a relationship are valued with gifts (Gouldner, 1960; Uehara, 1995; Clark & Mills, 1979; Thibaut & Kely, 1959; Walster, Berscheid, & Walster, 1973).

Download 3 Free Positive Psychology Exercises (PDF)

Enhance wellbeing with these free, science-based exercises that draw on the latest insights from positive psychology.

Download 3 Free Positive Psychology Tools Pack (PDF)

By filling out your name and email address below.

First, let’s define each of these terms. Kindness means being nice or offering the best of yourself to someone whether it be a minute, second, or longer.

Wellbeing is a bit trickier to define but in the simplest terms, it means “ the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy ” (Google Dictionary). If we look at the research side of things, the CDC has a definition of wellbeing that is all-inclusive (CDC, n.d.).

In the most general sense, wellbeing is a positive outcome that is a determinant for people throughout all societies of how their lives are going (Frey & Stutzer, 2002; Andrews & Withey, 1976; Diener, 2000; Ryff & Keyes, 1995; Diener, Suh & Oishi, 1997; Veenhoven, 2008).

At a minimum, the fundamentals for wellbeing are adequate living conditions (e.g., housing, employment) (Frey & Stutzer, 2002; Andrews & Withey, 1976; Diener, 2000; Ryff & Keyes, 1995; Diener, Suh & Oishi, 1997; Veenhoven, 2008).

As the term “wellbeing” is used across disciplines, there is no consensus on the definition of wellbeing. At a minimum, there is an agreement across disciplines that wellbeing includes

the presence of positive emotions and moods (e.g., contentment, happiness);
the absence of negative emotions (e.g., depression, anxiety);
satisfaction with life;
fulfillment and,
positive functioning.

(Frey & Stutzer, 2002; Andrews & Withey, 1976; Diener, 2000; Ryff & Keyes, 1995; Diener, Suh, Oishi, 1997; Veenhoven, 2008)

14 Proven Benefits

The wonderful part of random acts of kindness is that there are not only benefits to the receiver but also to the giver. When we break down the benefits, we need to first look at the emotions that are associated with random acts of kindness. An important note is that emotional responses are based on whether they are normative or non-normative distinction (Exline, Lisan, & Lisan, 2012).

Recipients of kindness can feel loved.
Recipients and givers of kindness can experience a sense of awe when they think about profound acts of love or virtue.
Whether you are recipient or giver or merely just a witness you can feel the benefits of an increase in oxytocin. Oxytocin is commonly called the “love hormone” and this helps to lower blood pressure, improve overall heart health, increase self-esteem and optimism.
Kindness can increase the feeling of strength and energy due to helping others.
Kindness can also make one feel calmer.
Less depressed.
Increased feelings of self-worth.
For those that volunteer their time or money for charitable causes, they often have fewer aches and pains.
Kindness is most similar to a medical anti-depressant. Kindness pushes your body to produce serotonin, which is commonly known as the “feel-good” chemical that provides healing and calming feelings.
Kindness decreases pain, by generating endorphins (the brain’s natural painkiller).
Stress, it has been shown that people that are more kind have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population.
Anxiety, the University of British Columbia did a study on a group of highly anxious individuals in which they performed at least 6 acts of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant increase in positive moods, relationship satisfaction and a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals.
Depression is reduced, mortality is delayed, and wellbeing and good fortune are improved when we give of ourselves.
Lowering blood pressure from giving acts of kindness, creates emotional warmth, which releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure, and therefore, oxytocin is known as a “cardioprotective” hormone. It protects the heart by lowering blood pressure.

Sources: Cassidy & Shaver, 2008; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007; Keltner & Haidt, 2003; The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, n.d; Stephen Post, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Research and Studies

Research is just at the precipice of trying to understand the positive effects that random acts of kindness can give.

I have highlighted two studies I have found while researching this topic. Hopefully, this will give you more insight into the current understanding of kindness as an intervention and the multiple modalities it can be used in.

Reflecting on acts of kindness toward the self: Emotions, generosity, and the role of social norms (Exline, Lisan, & Lisan, 2012)

Researchers, Exline, Morck Lisan, and Lisan, looked at how reflecting on acts of kindness toward the self could affect emotions, generosity, and the role of social norms. For example, they asked, “ How do people respond, in terms of emotion and behavior, when prompted to recall an act of kindness from another person? ”

By carrying out two studies, these researchers were able to gather responses based on whether kindness was seen as normative – meaning based on past experience, and what behavior does that act of kindness fall in line. Their results showed that normative kindnesses were linked with more positiv e emotion and less negati ve emotion than non-normative kindnesses.

On the whole, these findings suggest that recalling normative kindnesses will increase mood or generosity.

Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: Potential for psychological interventions (Hofmann, Grossman & Hinton, 2011)

Contemporary psychology is researching more and more on the impact that mindful ness meditation can have on a person. In this study, Hoffman, Grossman, and Hinton look at loving-kindness and compassion meditations to see how impactful they would be as an intervention.

There is evidence to show that using LKM and CM have an associated effect of an increase in positive affect and a decrease in negative affect.

In neuroendocrine studies, preliminary results are showing that CM may decrease stress-induced subjective suffering and immune response. “Neuroimaging studies insinuate that LKM and CM may improve activation of brain areas that are involved in emotional processing and empathy” (Hofmann et al. 2011).

Interesting Statistics

The research and science on common outcomes, behaviors, emotions in positive psychology are increasing by the year. In 2010, the Harvard Business School conducted a survey on happiness in 136 countries. Through this study , they found evidence that people who were generous financially, like with charitable donations, were the happiest overall.

Christine Carter’s “ Raising Happiness: In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents ,” has found that giving of yourself to others can help protect your heart, literally. Giving can decrease your risk of heart disease.

In addition, it has been found that for people who are 55 years or older and volunteer, have their risk for dying early cut in half.

So, they have a “ 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status, and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church ” (Carter, 2011).

An example of how, just by thinking, our body will react physically to these impulses is by the idea of moving our right arm. When you physically do so, new connections are created in a part of the brain called the motor cortex. Now, just thinking about moving your right arm, and imagining moving it over and over again can actually make the muscles in this same arm stronger.

Because of thoughts about the arm, cellular changes can happen. This reinforces the belief that no matter what one is thinking about, chemical reactions occur in the brain and can, therefore, lead to structural changes. We can create millions of new connections in our brains just by thinking compassionate thoughts.

The structure of our brains can be formed by our emotions. All your inspirations, motivations, loves, fears, hopes and dreams, and even your typical body language are wired into your brain in the form of connections between cells. These connections become so extensive over time that they even wire into 3-D networks, or circuits, as they are often called.

Acts of kindness, then, find their way into the chemistry and structure of our brain. If kindness becomes a habit, we can significantly alter the wiring of our brain. In fact, as we will examine later the brain is already wired for kindness. But we are always adding to and changing that wiring.

Throughout life, as we learn new things, grow, change our minds and even change our habits, new networks of new brain connections are laid down and old networks unravel.

This neuroplasticity occurs right up until the very last seconds of our lives. One of the benefits of it is that it actually allows the brain to get over injury and disease, as healthy brain cells compensate for damaged ones by sprouting new connections to take over some of their communications or pass the information through the brain by a slightly different route. (Hamilton, 2010).

Your brain is wired in the form of connections between cells where over time all of your feelings, emotions, and body language is wired extensively into these circuits. Therefore we can change the wiring of our brain through simple acts of kindness becoming a habit in our everyday lives.

Our brains seem to be initially set up for kindness, but we alter and change that wiring by learning, growing, and modifying our minds and habits over time. As this happens, new connections are made and the ones that were already there can be reformed. This actually allows for healthy brain cells to overcome the damaged ones by passing information throughout the brain in different ways when we are injured or fallen ill.

Numerous studies have indicated that people tend to be kinder and more compassionate toward others than themselves.

Yet random acts of kindness should also include being kind and compassionate toward yourself.

Practicing warmth and understanding toward ourselves, rather than self-criticism, can significantly enhance our resilience and overall wellbeing (Neff & McGehee, 2010).

If you are motivated to develop self-compassion, follow these four steps. During this exercise, imagine a hypothetical scenario or reflect on a situation from your life. Pay close attention to the tone of your inner voice in each scenario, and write down your responses to these self-reflection questions.

With continued practice in showing compassion to yourself, it will gradually become more natural and ingrained in your behavior. So, the next time things don’t go as planned in your life, try treating yourself as you would treat a good friend and observe the positive outcomes that may arise.

Unexpected Acts of Kindness can make ALL of the difference to everyone around. Included in kindness is not only compassion but acknowledgment.

At the root of every issue and every emotion is the need for acknowledgment, and it is what makes being human and living so beautiful.

We each are able to acknowledge one another in the simplest of ways that we are human, we are in need, and we are in awe of all that there is to appreciate amongst us.

The Random Acts of Kindness foundation offers ideas, inspiration, posters, videos, quotes, calendars, printables all centered on random acts of kindness. It is headed by its president, Gary Dixon; Vice President – Brooke Jones; Rachel Stubby is the Director of Digital Strategy; and Karina Delaney is the Director of Strategic Partnerships.

RAK foundation’s goal is to make kindness a standard in all aspects of life.

When is Random Acts of Kindness Day?

Random Acts of Kindness day is February 17.

Do 20 Random Acts of Kindness to celebrate.

Check out our lists below for inspiration.

As you’re reading the science behind kindness and living a positive life, make sure to think of your own daily routine. In your day to day, whom do you see or interact with? Spouse? Family? Friends? Co-workers? Or fellow bus or train riders?

Make the effort to reach out and show kindness to them as you have read throughout the article and/or will finish reading you can see there are emotional, physical and neurological benefits to kindness for anyone who puts this into practice.

5 Examples of Random Acts of Kindness

Here are six great examples of Random Acts of Kindness. It’s so interesting to see how each of them are so different.

Ikea in Catania, Italy is letting stray dogs sleep on its rugs this winter.
250 people form a human chain to help their local bookshop, October Books in Southampton, move its stock 150 meters to the new shop.
Eli Goldstone, took to Twitter after seeing a book that greatly appealed to her. She asked her followers sincerely but not seriously if they could help track the book for her. A fellow Twitter user saw her post and offered to send the book to her.
A group of girls was taking classic bathroom “selfies” on their night out at a casino in Canada when a woman noticed and offered to take their pictures for them. The lady said that she remembered when she and her friends used to go out, and how much fun it was. The girls offered for her to come with them .
A woman and her family were dining out at a Chinese restaurant in late 2016. The woman had recently lost her hair due to chemotherapy treatment. A fellow diner paid for her and her family’s dinner and wrote a note to explain: The note says, “I lost my wife to cancer 5 years ago. I know how tough it can be going through this. Your meal is on me. Merry Christmas .”

6 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas

Check out this quick list of 6 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas I pulled together after searching the Internet for some of the most meaningful ones that you can do easily throughout your week.

When in line to get your morning coffee, pay for the person behind you.
Whoever you interact with today, if it’s 3-50, compliment the first two people.
Pick up your phone and open your text-messaging app – send a positive text to 4 people.
Donate items in your home that you haven’t used in the past year.
Leave some spare quarters at the laundromat for someone to find.
When at the store, leave any extra not-used coupons next to the products for someone to find that could really use them.

6 Ideas Specifically for Strangers

Check out this list of 5 ideas for random acts of kindness

When parking your car, take out a piece of paper and pen. Leave a note to a fellow car (driver ☺) to let them know that they did an amazing job at parking.
Smile genuinely at 5 strangers throughout your day.
Take some flowers or sweet treats to a nurse’s station at a nearby hospital.
Give up your seat so someone else can sit on the train or bus.
Hold the door open for someone.
Make a goodie bag of treats, canned food, and warm gloves, socks or a hat and give it to a homeless person.

RAK at Work: 5 Ideas for Employees and Co-Workers

Send an out-of-the-blue gratitude email to a co-worker and let them know how grateful you are for them.
When on a team call, do a heartfelt shout-out to one of your co-workers that did an awesome job on a project
Get your workplace in on the action, and organize a fundraiser or charity drive.
Help others connect by using your personal network and share with a co-worker.
Let your boss know that you appreciate them and the way they _______ (you fill in the blank).

Random Acts of Kindness to Practice with Kids

There are many ways to teach kids how to be kind and how to do it randomly. A great way of learning about kindness and the benefits for both the recipient and the giver is to practice it.

Here are ten ways that kids can practice random acts of kindness as stated from “100 Acts of Kindness for Kids” from the Cups and Crayons website.

Leave change in the vending machine, for someone to use when they are hungry.
Sit with a new kid at school.
Introduce the new kid at school to your friends.
At the end of the school day, tell your teacher thank you for a great day of learning.
When you get home from school, tell your parents or guardian how much you missed them.

6 Ideas for High School Students to ‘Pay it Forward’

Write a thank-you note to the cafeteria staff.
Sit with a classmate that is not sitting with anyone at lunchtime.
Offer to tutor a fellow classmate on a subject that you excel at.
Tell a teacher how much you appreciate them and their style of teaching.
Tell your parents thank you.
Genuinely compliment 1 person every day.

World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource

The Positive Psychology Toolkit© is a groundbreaking practitioner resource containing over 500 science-based exercises , activities, interventions, questionnaires, and assessments created by experts using the latest positive psychology research.

Updated monthly. 100% Science-based.

“The best positive psychology resource out there!” — Emiliya Zhivotovskaya , Flourishing Center CEO

Check out these awesome lesson plans for teachers. Included are great ways to integrate random acts of kindness into their student’s learning.

First, check out the Random Acts of Kindness official website to see all the great lesson plans they have for kindergarten to 8th grade. Each of the lessons teaches kids Social Emotional (SEL) skills.

Next check out Edutopia’s website , by Rebecca Alber. This is a great place to find classroom activities and resources for developing a vital character trait.

To get you started, scroll down a little bit to see the Kick-Start Kindness Activities. It provides students with prompts to share kindness to friends and family, and writing prompts, as well as how to do shout-outs, appreciation boxes, temperature checks, the buddy-system, and community circle.

RAK Activities and Worksheets

I’ve collated some RAK activities and worksheets that you can share with your children or students.

This Worksheet Place has some fun Acts of Kindness worksheets , ideally used for First to Third Graders. There’s even a fun worksheet where the student can create a Kindness Poem.

Teachers Pay Teachers is a really fun site to find resources made by fellow teachers for other teachers. There is an option to digitally download free content. You can download worksheets, games, RAK calendars, and RAK challenges.

Other Resources and Printables (PDF)

Here are some other resources to have fun with while learning and being kind:

The Doing Good Together site has some awesome resources . Some of the resources are Feelings flashcards and games, ways to include kindness into your family routine, and how to advocate for animals.

The Random Acts of Kindness website has some cool posters for your classroom, calendars, coloring pages, bookmarks, and even an award certificate for the student that shows kindness.

Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar

So many children have fun with this Kindness Advent Calendar , print it out and use when it’s Advent.

Check out these 12 apps recommended helping you practice kindness (Theifels, 2016; Goodnet.org, 2014).

1. Toca Pet Doctor

Students take care of pets that are ailing from different diagnoses. They could be suffering from physical or emotional pain, and each needs help with tasks. Some of the tasks include feeding, or overcoming sadness. Ages 2-6.

You can get the app here .

2. The Great Kindness Challenge: School Edition

Provides the kids with ideas for random acts of kindness like smile at 25 people, or pick up 10 pieces of trash. The students can do them together or individually, and set goals as they go. Ages 4-18.

Available at iTunes .

3. Avokiddo Emotions

This app has a variety of animals with a wide range of personalities. Kids can play dress up, feed the animals and share toys. The animals “react appropriately” to the choices that the child makes in the game, teaching kids how to recognize facial expressions. Ages 5 and under.

4. Four Little Corners

Four Little Corners is an interactive storybook app that teaches lessons on tolerance, equality, and compassion by integrating geometry. Ages 5 and under.

5. Peek-a-Zoo

Peek-a-Zoo is a multilingual app that is based on the peek-a-boo game. It teaches the child about faces and facial expressions. Ages 5 and under.

6. Wee You-Things

Wee You-Things shares interesting stories on diversity, empathy, and confidence. It shows how it’s great to be unique, and “you”. Ages 5 and under.

Available here at iTunes .

7. DPS from the Social Express

DPS from the Social Express is for elementary-aged kids and helps kids identify and label emotions. DPS stands for My Digital Problem Solver. Ages 6+.

8. Middle School Confidential 1 and 2

This app teaches healthy ways to handle issues unique to middle school. As you open the app you can see that 6 characters are with you to navigate throughout different social situations. There are quizzes, resources, and tips from other kids. Ages 8-14.

Apps for Adults

1. pay it forward.

Is from the official app of the Global Pay it Forward movement that was designed to make the world a better place to live (5 Apps that will increase our kindness quotient).

1. The Little Book of Kindness: Everyday actions to change your life and the world around you – Bernadette Russell

Prompted by the seeming hopelessness of the world around her, Bernadette Russell undertook a pledge to be kind to a stranger every day for a year. The experience left her wanting to inspire others.

The Little Book of Kindness is packed with fun ideas, practical tips and interactive exercises that encourage you to ‘be kind’ in every area of life – online, to strangers, to the environment, in your community, to yourself – and change the world, one act of kindness at a time.

Available from Amazon .

2. The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity – Sally Kohn

Her viral TED Talk on the need to practice emotional—rather than political—correctness sparked a new way of considering how often we amplify our differences and diminish our connections.

Available from Amazon .

3. Each Kindness (Jane Addams Award Book (Awards)) – Jacqueline Woodson

Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually, Maya stops coming to school.

When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya.

4. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness: 101 Stories of Compassion and Paying it Forward – Amy Newark

From random acts of kindness to doing what’s right, this book shows how positive attitudes and good deeds can change the world.

This book shines a bright light on the widespread goodwill in our world as everyday heroes demonstrate acts of kindness, compassion, and commitment to others.

The stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness will uplift you, inspire you, and brighten your day.

When one person sets in motion an act of kindness that is passed along to others.

Orly Wahba takes us through a personal journey of changing the world through the power of kindness.

Acts of Kindness that have made the world a better place.

A guided relaxation meditation using loving-kindness.

How you treat others is ultimately who you are. Motivation for being kind.

The scientifically-proven benefits of being kind to others.

Mark Kelly encourages us to complete one act of kindness each day to change lives.

No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.

Amelia Earhart

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

Audrey Hepburn

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.

Dennis Prager

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.

John Ruskin

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

William Arthur Ward

A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

Saint Basil

Here are the values that I stand for: honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values.

Ellen DeGeneres

My religion is simple. My religion is kindness.

Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

Scott Adams

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

Samuel Johnson

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Whether one believes in religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion.

In Asian languages, the word for ‘mind’ and the word for ‘heart’ are same. So, if you’re not hearing mindfulness in some deep way as heartfulness, you’re not really understanding it. Compassion and kindness towards oneself are intrinsically woven into it. You could think of mindfulness as wise and affectionate attention.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

17 Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises for Practitioners

Expand your arsenal and impact with these 17 Positive Psychology Exercises [PDF] , scientifically designed to promote human flourishing, meaning, and wellbeing.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

I hope that you got some great ideas and actionable items that you can integrate into your life. This article was a true refresher in what it means to be human sharing our lives with one another – even if we don’t know each other.

If you are a teacher, I hope you were able to capture all the wonderful resources we provided to show your students.

If you are just a searcher for ways to be inspired, there are some incredibly helpful tips, resources (apps, books) that can further you on your journey of being kind.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

Andrews, F. M. & Withey S. B. (1976). Social indicators of well-being . New York: Plenum Press; 63–106.
Bryan, W. V. (2009). The professional helper: The fundamentals of being a helping professional . Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas, Publisher.
Burnstein, E., Crandall, C., & Kitayama, S. (1994). Some neo-Darwinian decision rules for altruism: Weighing cues for inclusive fitness as a function of the biological importance of the decision. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67 (5), 773–789.
Carter, C. (2011). Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for more joyful kids and happier parents . New York: Ballantine Books.
Cassidy, J., & Shaver, P. R. (Eds.). (2008). Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (2nd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
CDC Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC, n.d.) Well-Being Concepts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hrqol/wellbeing.htm.
Cialdini, R. B., Brown, S.L., Lewis, B. P., Luce, C., & Neuberg, S. L. (1997). Reinterpreting the empathy-altruism relationship: When one into one equals oneness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73 , 481–494.
Clark, M. S., & Mills, J. (1979). Interpersonal attraction in exchange and communal relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37 , 12–24.
Davey, A., & Eggebeen, D. J. (1998). Patterns of intergenerational exchange and mental health. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 53B , 86–95.
Diener, E., Suh, E., & Oishi, S. (1997). Recent findings on subjective well-being. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology ; 24:25–41.
Diener, E. (2000). Subjective wellbeing: the science of happiness and a proposal for a national index. American Psychologist; 55(1):34–43.
Exline, J. J., Lisan, A. M., & Lisan, E. R. (2012). Reflecting on acts of kindness toward the self: Emotions, generosity, and the role of social norms. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 7 (1), 45-56.
Frey, B. S. & Stutzer, A. (2002). Happiness and economics . Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.
Goodnet.org. (2014). 5 Apps that will increase our kindness quotient. Retrieved 3 March 2019, from https://www.goodnet.org/articles/5-apps-that-will-increase-your-kindness-quotient-list.
Gouldner, A. W. (1960). The norm of reciprocity: A preliminary statement. American Sociological Review, 25 , 161–178.
Hamilton, D. R. (2010). Why Kindness Is Good For You . Hay House.
Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion,17 , 297-314.
Kindness Quotes. Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/kindness
Marks, N. F., & Song, J. (2009). Compassionate motivation and compassionate acts across the adult life course: Evidence from US national studies. In B. Fehr, S. Sprecher, & L.G. Underwood (Eds.), The science of compassionate love: Theory, research, and applications (pp. 121–158). Malden, MA: Wiley.
Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change . New York, NY: Guilford.
Neff, K. D., & McGehee, P. (2010). Self-compassion and psychological resilience among adolescents and young adults. Self and Identity, 9(3) , 225-240.
Ryff C. D., & Keyes C. L. M. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology ; 69(4):719–727.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (n.d.) https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/the-science-of-kindness.
Theifels, J. (2016). 10 Great Apps to Promote Kindness in the Classroom. Getting Smart. Retrieved 3 March 2019 from: https://www.gettingsmart.com/2016/12/best-apps-promote-kindness-classroom/
Thibaut, J. W., & Kelley, H. H. (1959). The social psychology of groups. New York, NY: Wiley.
Veenhoven R. (2008). Sociological theories of subjective well-being. In: Eid, M., & Larsen, R. J. (2008). The science of subjective well-being . New York: Guilford Press; 44–61.
Walster, E., Berscheid, E., & Walster, G. W. (1973). New directions in equity research. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 25, 151–176.

Share this article:

Article feedback

What our readers think.

This article helped me a lot! It changed my mind about a few people!

I love this, its sweet, and more people should be this kind because a lot of people are very bad and rude, we need to be more kind to others

Guys just less your depression. its simple <3

This is great

Dear friends, Thanks a lot to make me reading this article in full. 1. What’s the based of kindness ? 2. What’s the power to take action of kindness? Thanks.

Hi Suryadarma,

Thank you for your questions. I’m not sure I understand your second question — could you please phrase this differently? But regarding the first, which I assume is about drivers of kindness 🙂 there are a few theories about why we are motivated to be kind. The Wikipedia page on ‘Helping Behaviors’ actually offers a pretty good summary of these. Among the theories there are perspectives based in evolutionary perspectives, boosting our own egos, and social exchange. It’s an interesting read!

– Nicole | Community Manager

It is a great article for studying.

Hello, I finally had a chance to read this article in full, and especially liked the the suggested acts of kindness for your readers. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I became part of a team that realised that kindness was going to be part of the recovery process and decided to build a web application. We are building Seekindness.org as a social engagement to encourage and recognise random acts of kindness on regular (daily) basis. Not being medical people, we don’t understand the “stages of kindness” that an individual goes through to regularly recognise kindness. My thoughts that some RAK’s are very small, and yet provide the same benefits as larger, more publically recognisable ones. If you have the inclination, I would appreciate your views on that question. Thanks.

Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Understanding Empathy vs. Sympathy: What’s the Difference?

Empathy and sympathy go to the core of what it means to be human. We are a social and highly cooperative animal that depends on [...]

What Is Compassion Fatigue? 24 Causes & Symptoms Explained

Are you in a caring profession? If so, do you ever feel preoccupied with the suffering of the people you work with? In a helping [...]

Empathy 101: 3+ Examples and Psychology Definitions

Have you ever experienced someone else’s emotions as your own? Has a book, film, or photograph ever driven you to tears? Or have you ever [...]

Download 3 Free Self-Compassion Tools Pack (PDF)

3 Self-Compassion Tools (PDF)

The USA Patriot Act: Key Points Words: 2156

The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues

Introduction, works cited.

In today’s world, not many people understand what kindness actually means and what benefits may be observed. For example, a man is confident of his kindness when he holds a door in an elevator or gives a seat to a pregnant woman or the elderly. However, it is necessary not to confuse kindness with ordinary decency. The value of kindness is usually disregarded, and individuals forget about compassion, selflessness, and happiness that are associated with the chosen concept. This presentation focuses on the action known as a “random act of kindness,” when people are ready to offer their help to the whole world, regardless of the existing social, financial, or ethical inequalities. During the pandemic era, such attitudes are highly appreciated because a person alone cannot resist the COVID challenges alone, but society, as a whole, is able to survive, demonstrating kind and supporting behaviors. Random acts of kindness have their unique backgrounds and solid outcomes, and it is high time to find new reasons for sharing positive emotions and helping each other.

A number of activities are frequently promoted as a part of this holiday, including sharing the line in a store, donating to shelters, or sending encouraging texts.
Many organizations find it interesting to participate in sharing their services or products for free and demonstrate their care for the population.
People find it normal to help each other if they have close relationships, and random acts of kindness expand similar actions at an acquaintance level (Stoerkel).
Promoting acts of kindness during COVID-19 has already become popular and is revealed through sharing essential product, visiting friends distantly, or celebrating the joys of life (McDermott)
Those who receive kindness feel loved and forget about current problems or unpleasant situations, at least for some moment.
For example, it is possible to appreciate the work of some customer service manager and leave positive feedback, which may result in financial benefit for an employee (Random Acts of Kindness Foundation).
Kindness is closely connected to increased self-esteem and optimism, which reduces the risks of depression, anxiety, or another mental disorder (Stoerkel).
Some community services are limited due to social isolation, and if individuals start meeting their needs distantly, they can avoid multiple problems.
It could happen that one person lacks something, and another person has extra, and kindness is what makes people share and gain control of shortages.
Instead of buying another pair of shoes or watching a phone, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation suggests buying a coffee to a stranger in line and observing positive emotions and unbelievable rewarding.
Unfortunately, today, it is not common for teachers to hear “Thank you” from students, and these acts of kindness remind people that the best feelings can be provoked by simple actions (Stoerkel).

Millions of modern people are preoccupied with a variety of complex goals, difficult plans, and high expectations. Relying mostly on their technologies and the already established standards, society has forgotten about simple but essential values and qualities like kindness, support, and mutual help. Random Acts of Kindness is an idea that aims at the restoration of old traditions and human factors that were in demand in former times. However, it is not enough to expect kindness from someone, but it is better to become the authors of kind thoughts and actions. It is always easy for people to wait for something good from others, neglecting the possibility of real contributions to social development and community perfection. Random acts of kindness are created by people and for people, and this type of cooperation is probably the last chance not to lose humanity in a constantly changing world.

McDermott, Marie Tae. “Helping One Another During the Pandemic.” The New York Times , 2020.

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. “50 Kindness Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness Day.” Random Acts of Kindness , 2017.

Stoerkel, Erika. “Can Random Acts of Kindness Increase Well-Being? (Incl. 22 Ideas).” Positive Psychology , 2020.

Cite this paper

Chicago (N-B)
Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2022, April 3). The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues. https://studycorgi.com/the-random-acts-of-kindness-key-issues/

"The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues." StudyCorgi , 3 Apr. 2022, studycorgi.com/the-random-acts-of-kindness-key-issues/.

StudyCorgi . (2022) 'The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues'. 3 April.

1. StudyCorgi . "The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues." April 3, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-random-acts-of-kindness-key-issues/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues." April 3, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-random-acts-of-kindness-key-issues/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues." April 3, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-random-acts-of-kindness-key-issues/.

This paper, “The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: November 15, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

Essay on Kindness

500 words essay on kindness.

The world we live in today has been through a lot of things from world wars to epidemics, but one thing which remained constant throughout was resilience and kindness. Moreover, it was the spirit to fight back and help out each other. Kindness must be an essential and universal quality to make the world a better place. Through an essay on kindness, we will go through it in detail.

Importance of Kindness

Kindness towards nature, animals and other people has the ability to transform the world and make it a beautiful place for living. But, it is also important to remember that kindness towards you is also essential for personal growth.

Kindness is basically being polite, compassionate and thoughtful. Every religion and faith teaches its followers to be kind. Most importantly, kindness must not limit to humans but also to every living creature.

Even nature has its own way of showing kindness. For instance, the trees grow fruits for us and provide us with shade. One must not see kindness as a core value but as a fundamental behavioural element. When you are kind to your loved ones, you create a stable base.

As people are becoming more self-centred today, we must learn kindness. We must try to integrate it into ourselves. You might not know how a small act of kindness can bring about a change in someone’s life. So, be kind always.

Kindness Always Wins

There is no doubt that kindness always wins and it has been proven time and again by people. Sid is a greedy man who does not share his wealth with anyone, not even his family members.

He also does not pay his workers well. One day, he loses his bag of gold coins and loses his temper. Everyone helps him out to search for it but no one finds it. Finally, his worker’s little son finds the bag.

Upon checking the bag, he sees all the coins are there. But, his greed makes him play a trick on the poor worker. He claims that there were more coins in the bag and the worker stole them.

The issue goes to the court and the judge confirms from Sid whether his bag had more coins to which he agrees. So, the judge rules out that as Sid’s bag had more coins , the bag which the worker’s son found is not his.

Therefore, the bag gets handed to the worker as no one else claims it. Consequently, you see how the worker’s son act of kindness won and paid him well. On the other hand, how Sid’s greediness resulted in his loss only.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Kindness

It is essential for all of us to understand the value of kindness. Always remember, it does not cost anything to be kind. It may be a little compliment or it can be a grand gesture, no matter how big or small, kindness always matters. Therefore, try your best to be kind to everyone around you.

FAQ of Essay on Kindness

Question 1: Why is it important to be kind?

Answer 1: It is important to be kind because it makes one feel good about oneself. When you do things for other people and help them with anything, it makes you feel warm and that you have accomplished something. Moreover, you also get respect in return.

Question 2: Why is kindness so powerful?

Answer 2: Kindness has a lot of benefits which includes increased happiness and a healthy heart . It slows down the ageing process and also enhances relationships and connections, which will indirectly boost your health.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Travelling Essay
Picnic Essay
Our Country Essay
My Parents Essay
Essay on Favourite Personality
Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
Essay on Knowledge is Power
Essay on Gurpurab
Essay on My Favourite Season
Essay on Types of Sports

Download the App

Random Acts of Kindness

How it works

As a team, we were asked to write a paper on altruism. Or to be more specific, a random act of kindness. The story chosen to write about is a story about a six year old boy by the name of “Dylan” who thought to bring an extra lunch for another boy who was thought to not have lunch money to buy his own. In this paper, the definition of altruism will be examined as well as act itself being explored.

Psychological Altruism refers to the behavior that benefits others with no regard to the giver. This undertaken is given for sole motive of benefiting others. Altruistic behavior is a constant choice a person makes every day. Such as, giving money to someone that is begging for money, looks homeless, or hungry on the street, or by simply helping an elderly or handicapped person cross the street. Putting another before putting yourself first and acting in an unselfishly. “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness (King Jr., M.L. (2014)”.

The article in which the team has chosen was about a boy, Dylan, who asked his mother to pack another school lunch along with his own. The reason for bringing the two lunches to school was because another boy only eats fruit cup for lunch, which made Dylan think he does not have any lunch money.

When taking a closer look at the article, it is very clear that Dylan is exhibiting social responsibility. Social responsibility suggests it is an ethical framework that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. Social responsibility is something that every individual person must perform in order to maintain a balance between the economy and the ecosystems. The responsibility of balancing the two can be passive, by avoiding engaging in socially harmful acts, or active, by performing activities that directly advance social goals. Social responsibilities are intergenerational since the actions of one generation have consequences on those following. Thus, showing Dylan did not do the deed for something in exchange nor was he looking for something for his actions.

Altruism is a powerful form of coping; like a coping mechanism, altruism helps you deal with issues in a way that projects your problems on to others. In a way, you persuade others that your problems are their problems and you want to make them happy which in turn, makes you happy. This is exactly what Dylan did. Dylan persuaded his mother to pack him n extra lunch; in effect he wanted the extra lunch for a child in school who could not afford it. By persuading his mom to pack two lunches, he felt a sense of joy because he was able to bring happiness to someone else. In the fact that Dylan could not persuade his mom to make two lunches, he would have experienced guilt, consequently, his mom would have felt guilt once she found out why Dylan wanted two lunches.

Random acts of kindness are a thing that are not seen too much anymore. Altruism is the selfless concern for the well-being of others. In the article chosen, a little boy asked his mother to pack him two lunches every day for school. When his mother asked why he needed them, he shared that the other was for another little boy. This little boy only had a fruit cup for lunch every day. Acts like this are beautiful and heartwarming. The fact that it came from a child just makes it that much better. I think we need a little more kindness in the world. “Personality develops because of cultural and community influences, especially through language, which is both a social product of the community as well as a means of encouraging particular social thought in the individual (McLeod, S. 1971)”.

References:

King Jr., M. L. (2014). Walk in the light of altruism. Retrieved from https://www.huffington post.com
Perceptions and definitions of social responsibility http://inni.pacinst.org/inni/corporate_social_responsibility/standards_defi p.1
McLeod, S. (1971). Journal of applied social psychology, European Journal of Social Psychology, Retrieved from https://simply psychology
Website: http:www.cbsnews.com/pictures/stories-fro-2016-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity/6/

Cite this page

Random Acts of Kindness. (2019, Aug 16). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/random-acts-of-kindness/

"Random Acts of Kindness." PapersOwl.com , 16 Aug 2019, https://papersowl.com/examples/random-acts-of-kindness/

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Random Acts of Kindness . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/random-acts-of-kindness/ [Accessed: 31 Aug. 2024]

"Random Acts of Kindness." PapersOwl.com, Aug 16, 2019. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/random-acts-of-kindness/

"Random Acts of Kindness," PapersOwl.com , 16-Aug-2019. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/random-acts-of-kindness/. [Accessed: 31-Aug-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Random Acts of Kindness . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/random-acts-of-kindness/ [Accessed: 31-Aug-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Relationships

How to Practice Random Acts of Kindness

Ideas for random acts of kindness to boost your well-being..

Updated December 31, 2023 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

Why Relationships Matter
Take our Relationship Satisfaction Test
Find a therapist to strengthen relationships

Have you ever done something nice for someone else "just because"? It wasn’t to repay them or because you had to—it was simply because you wanted to. Well, then, you’ve done a random act of kindness! Read on to learn how to do more random acts of kindness in your life to boost your mood and improve the lives of others.

Kindness is one of the most valued character strengths in Western society (Binfet, 2015). We like kind people, so being kind can help us be liked.

Beyond that, being kind has been shown to boost not only others’ well-being but also our own well-being. For example, if we spend more money on others we are generally happier, and if we volunteer to help others, we are generally healthier (Curry et al., 2018).

Given that kindness helps us build healthy relationships with others—others who may be able to protect and support us—evolutionary psychologists believe that kindness makes us happy because it helps us survive and thrive. This may be especially true when we help family, friends, community members, and spouses (Curry et al., 2018).

Random acts of kindness are acts performed by a person wishing to either help or positively affect another person (Passmore & Oades, 2015). Sometimes random acts of kindness are defined as kind acts that one does only for someone they don’t know (Baskerville et al., 2000), but this doesn’t seem to be the magic ingredient (Curry et al., 2018).

Who Practices Random Acts of Kindness?

Researchers suggest that some people are more likely to practice random acts of kindness than others. Here are some of the things that might lead us to be kind:

Witnessing our parents engage in random acts of kindness likely makes it more likely that we will too. Monkey see monkey do, right?
If someone tells us that we’re kind, we might also be more likely to engage in random acts of kindness.
Kindness is contagious—so if we see someone else showing kindness, we are more likely to show kindness (Baskerville et al., 2000).

Examples of Random Acts of Kindness

Many of us want to try random acts of kindness but were just not sure how. What exactly is a random act of kindness anyway? To get you a sense of what we’re talking about, here are a few examples:

Giving compliments
Giving gifts
Saying kind words
Showing gratitude
Doing an act of service for someone else
Being respectful
Noticing good things that others do
Giving your time to someone else

Can Kids Practice Random Acts of Kindness?

There has been a recent push to teach children how to engage in prosocial acts like random acts of kindness (Binfet, 2015). Given how we learn everything easier when we’re young, it makes sense to encourage kids to engage in random acts of kindness. But what does kindness mean when it comes to children?

Kids are not totally unlike adults. According to researchers, kids’ perspective of kindness is that it is “an act of emotional or physical support that helps build or maintain relationships with others” (Binfet & Gaertner, 2015, pp. 36-37). Given this definition, what might be some random acts of kindness for kids? Here are some ideas.

Sharing crayons or other supplies with other kids
Giving someone a gift like a sticker, flower, or colorful eraser
Saying thanks to a fellow student for help with schoolwork
Telling friends what you like about them
Offering to help mom or dad make dinner
Bringing extra snacks in your lunchbox for kids who don’t have any

Kindness is a fantastic tool to use to grow your well-being. It’s not only good for you but has a positive impact on others. Hopefully, you discovered some ways to practice random acts of kindness so that you can more easily implement this tool in your real life.

Adapted from an article on random acts of kindness published by The Berkeley Well-Being Institute.

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

Find a Therapist
Find a Treatment Center
Find a Psychiatrist
Find a Support Group
Find Online Therapy
United States
Brooklyn, NY
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, DC
Asperger's
Bipolar Disorder
Chronic Pain
Eating Disorders
Passive Aggression
Personality
Goal Setting
Positive Psychology
Stopping Smoking
Low Sexual Desire
Child Development
Self Tests NEW
Therapy Center
Diagnosis Dictionary
Types of Therapy

Sticking up for yourself is no easy task. But there are concrete skills you can use to hone your assertiveness and advocate for yourself.

Emotional Intelligence
Gaslighting
Affective Forecasting
Neuroscience

Wholeness Haven

Living in Wholeness: Mind, Body and Spirit

26 Acts of Kindness Examples To Uplift & Inspire

It’s often said, “When people know better, they do better.” When we learn what a random act of kindness is and actually make a practice of them for others – we literally change one life at a time. These 26 acts of kindness examples will inspire, encourage and celebrate you for choosing to make a difference in another’s life!

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

Quick Navigation

So… What Is A Random Act of Kindness, exactly?

…. they’re my favorite thing in the whole world! ( no, really !) But I’ll get serious and explain this a little bit better.

A random act of kindness is any spontaneous act of helpfulness, thoughtfulness, charity, love or care given without expecting anything in return. If you can think of a way to be kind and/or thoughtful, it is eligible to be a random act of kindness!

Random acts of kindness can be done for strangers and friends or family alike. Anyone and everyone can experience change in their lives from the impact of giving and receiving these beautiful, selfless acts of care & compassion .

So, where did the ‘official’ idea behind random acts of kindness come from then? It is believed somewhere around 1982, Anne Herbert , a writer from Ohio & California, wrote on a restaurant place mat, “ practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty .”

I’d venture to bet that random acts of kindness have been happening on planet Earth since the beginning of time. Though it didn’t have a phrase coined for it, there were still soft-hearted people seeking to change their world one act of love at a time.

What’s even better is that you and I can carry on this beautiful tradition for many more generations. We can choose to do good for someone else each and every day!

Never Underestimate the Power of Kindness

Y’all, people are hurting…everywhere!

Some are just getting or living with medical diagnoses that change their life and their loved ones lives forever.

Parents are suffering with their children that are making terrible decisions.

Others have just learned that they are being ‘let go’ from their jobs and have no clue how they will support themselves or their families. God forbid they are already working 2 and 3 jobs trying to make ends meet and still can’t! Imagine the pure exhaustion they experience every single day.

Maybe someone’s marriage or relationship is falling apart and they feel totally helpless to change the situation.

We have homeless and hungry people all over the globe. Most of us can’t stand to be hungry more than an hour! Or when we lose our heating or air conditioning … look out! It’s easy to forget that so many people have neither of those luxuries. Tweet

The elderly and disabled individuals who have no one to count on. Just getting across the street is a BIG deal for them. One that is fraught with danger. How many places don’t even have handicap accessibility?

How many races and ethnicities are treated with contempt, hate and malice simply because of the color of their skin? (sigh) God help us all, people!

When you extend your heart to another hurting human being through a random act of kindness, you offer hope. Perhaps hope they had once lost.

Your ‘simple’, selfless act of kindness could be what makes someone choose life over death. You could turn their seemingly hopeless situation into one of possibility. Your act of kindness could single-handedly restore their faith in humanity. Tweet

I’ll be completely honest with you. Random acts of kindness are the most joyous and fulfilling acts you will ever do. My entire day or week has been made by making someone else’s day. Yours can be the same.

Considering these above scenarios alone, how many people could you extend an act of kindness to?

Kindness is contagious. So is rudeness. Which will you pick?

Need Inspiration? These 26 Heartwarming Acts of Kindness Might Help!

In no particular order , here are 26 easy to do acts of kindness ideas that might inspire you to find ways to bless those around you too.

# 1 – Take the time to listen to someone who needs a compassionate ear. Instead of rushing about your day, notice when someone is upset. Ask them sincerely, “Are you ok?” and wait for the answer. You might be just who they need! Simply be present. Just listen.

#2 – Go out of your way to be polite and grateful for anyone who is in service to you. Say thank you for what you do! I appreciate you! Whether that’s the person picking up the trash, making your coffee, driving the taxi or working for you doing various tasks. Expressing your gratitude for them goes a really long way when it’s heartfelt.

#3 – Offer to pray for someone who is feeling down and discouraged. Prayer is power!

#4 – Help an elderly or disabled person with their daily tasks: walking, crossing the street, getting groceries, etc.

#5 – Love someone? Leave a heartfelt note letting them know you care, appreciate them and respect them. You are guaranteed to make more than their day!

Relationships are like bank accounts. You get out of them only what you put in! When you withdraw too much without depositing, you’re in trouble! #wisdom #relationships Tweet

#6 – Take food, clothing, hygiene necessities or blankets to a homeless person. You never know what they’ve been through!

# 7 – Fix a problem for someone else. Bill need to be paid? Parents need a date away from the kids? Charity needing donations to complete a project? Nothing is too small or big to consider.

#8 – Send thank you cards to our military men and women. Or sweet & funny cards to hospitalized kids .

#9 – Have a really great experience with someone in customer service? Contact their supervisor and acknowledge their exceptional work!

#10 – Everyone around you gossiping? Crash their party by sticking up for the one they’re gossiping about. It could have been you they were talking about, ya know! Empathy goes a long, long ways….

#11 – Treat a friend or loved one out to a quick lunch or a nice dinner just to catch up and say “I’m thinking of you and I value our relationship.” Maybe even consider making lunch or dinner yourself for them; especially if they have specific dietary needs.

#12 – Bake cookies or other yummies for your local fire department, teachers and police officers. Let them know you appreciate all their dedication to you and your family!

#13 – Visit your local nursing home and spend some time with the residents. Many of these precious people have absolutely no one coming to visit them. The joy you will bring to their lives can’t be expressed with words!

#14 – Donate gently used and like new items to the local shelters in your area. Reach out to these shelters especially around the holidays to see what needs they have. You could give these kids a Christmas they’ve never had! Christmas for Kids is a good example.

#15 – Offer patience. You never know what kind of battle someone is facing. They may be suffering from severe depression, chronic invisible pain, problems at home, anything at all. Often, the most angry people among us are the ones who are hurting the most.

#16 – Know a friend trying to get a business up & running? Help spread the word! Purchase something from them and help them realize their dream is worth achieving!

#17 – Get off the phone! So many people now spend their whole lives looking down at their smartphones. Put it away. Be physically AND emotionally present with those you care about. You might be surprised how much better you feel.

#18 – Be the friend to the ‘underdog.’ Take time to see the value in someone when everyone else thinks they’re ‘not worth it.’ Get to know them. You just might find your new best friend!

#19 – See an animal in need? Take them in if possible. If not, provide them with food, water or shelter. Tell others about it and try to find its forever home.

#20 – Know of a family in dire need? Offer to pay their grocery bill, light bill or other expense. It could mean they have the chance to stay in their home! See if you can find ways to help get them back on their feet.

#21 – SMILE! Mother Teresa said it best: ” We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” A genuine smile straight from the heart can turn someone’s day from dark to light. I’ve witnessed this myself over and over again.

#22 – Consider sending flowers just because you can. Any time I have received flowers as a surprise, it has really touched my heart! Sending flowers is a powerful way to communicate friendship and affection.

#23 – We all like to save money, right?? I do! If you know of a great coupon or current deal, share it with people!

#24 – Give someone you love a hug! They are extremely healing and increase the bond between two people.

#25 – Hold the door for someone. And please , be sure to help in any way needed if this person has a disability.

#26 – Going to a hotel? Leave a note in the nightstand that reminds someone how valuable and special they are. Not planning to visit a hotel any time soon? Leave encouraging, positive and uplifting notes around town at random! It is guaranteed to make someone’s day!

These 26 Acts of Kindness Take Little Time But Make A Big Difference

My personal favorite is paying for the person’s meal or coffee behind me in line. What if that person you pay for is wondering how they were going to keep feeding their family? No matter what we’re going through, someone always has it worse than us.

The radio station I listen to most often, Spirit FM , has a program called, “ Drive Thru Difference .” It encourages people to do just that – pay for the meal of the vehicle behind them. It creates a train of gratitude , reaching far beyond that day. Such an act of kindness is not easily forgotten!

Who knows, this might turn into a blog series. There are endless ways for which we can take a moment of our lives and forever change someone else’s.

I have often said – we may not remember what we did for someone several years ago. Yet for the one who received your kindness, they might remember it for a lifetime.

My best advice? Give to someone else what you wish you had. You just might be surprised how what you sow comes back to you multiplied. When you sow love, compassion, joy, and kindness – you will reap that and more! (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Do you have a personal favorite out of these 26 acts of kindness listed? What is your favorite way to show empathy for your fellow humans? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you also for sharing this article on social media. All of us together doing the right thing can change the world – one heart at a time. Join me, will you?

If you’d love to do more, please visit the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation . Their mission is one to stand behind. 💕

Kindest Regards,

48 Comments

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Hey there friend! (Sorry to have been out of touch. It’s been a rough go here lately. I hope you are well?)

I adore that Scripture. It is one of my very favorites. So much truth packed in a few words. ❤

I’ve been good! Hope things get better for you!

Aww this is such a lovely, heart-warming post! I’d agree, I think these ‘random acts of kindness’ have been going on since the dawn of time but didn’t have the label attached. Goodness and compassion are to be shared, and the world would be such a brighter place with a little more kindness going around. “When you extend your heart to another hurting human being through a random act of kindness, you offer hope” – that is such a beautiful way to put it. I love the range of things you’ve suggested as examples, there’s something for everyone, big and small, lots of doable things that can make a big difference. Even things like no.15 offering patience, and no.14 donating to shelters (or charity shops). Such an incredible post, Holly. It just shows what a warm heart you have, you’re a beautiful soul ♥ Caz xxxx

I love what you said, “Goodness and compassion are to be shared, and the world would would be such a brighter place with a little more kindness going around.” Amen Caz, I totally agree with you! ❤

We really do assume too much. I know, I’m guilty too. I think at different points, we all are. Thinking we know why someone’s behavior is a certain way when in reality, we haven’t a clue!

I am grateful you felt the list was expansive. What you wrote about there being something for everyone is exactly what I was shooting for. 😉

Your comments always mean so much to me Caz. Thank you for the encouragement and extremely kind words. You are a beautiful soul yourself! ♥

An amazing post dear. We are filled with so much blessings that it won’t hurt to share with others. Knowing about all the misfortunes in this world you might just be the one to save someone. Thanks for this beautiful reminder.

Aw Bridget! That was so kind of you to say! Indeed, but for the grace of God go I…. it’s a true saying. It could easily be us and we would need someone. Why not be the one for someone else if we have the ability? Many blessings to you! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! ♥

These are all such wonderful ideas! I love the cards for kids. I think I’m going to do that with my daughter. It would be a great way to do something for someone else at Christmas. We could make it a tradition! Whenever I’m in the grocery store I always try to compliment someone or at least smile and say hello. It means so much to me to see their faces light up and a smile on their lips. They could have been having the worst day, but just that small gesture could really change their outlook.

Aww! I love that idea of you and your daughter making a tradition out of making cards for other kids. That is very sweet. With your creative talents, those kids would definitely be getting a big treat 🙂

I love your idea too about being in the grocery store and complimenting or smiling at someone. Isn’t it amazing how big of a change you can see in someone’s countenance? How could we possibly not walk away with more joy in our hearts by seeing the effect our kindness has had? You said it perfectly – that small gesture could be everything to that one person, forever changing how they feel about themselves. That’s a really big deal! 😉 God bless you for being such a light in this world my friend. You’re awesome! ❤

This is such a sweet post Holly. I have several favorites too, like number #10, don’t know how many times this has happened in my life with one family member and number #12 is a good one. I have been giving out cookies to neighbors for years but this year along with the neighbors I thought it would be nice to give some to the firefighters in our area as well. Thank you for the coupon (#23) and especially for spreading kindness out there. We do need more of that.

You are just so precious! Your heart is filled with goodness. It really is! 💕

I think #10 is a big one. If more people stood up for the ‘underdogs’ in this world, I believe we would see our cultural ‘norms’ shift for the better. There is so much bullying going on. (sigh) And I love that you have been giving out cookies. What a sweetheart you are. Those gestures mean more than we will ever know. 🤗

You’ve warmed my heart. Thank you for being you and for spreading kindness everywhere you go.

I added you in one of my grateful tags (Sundays post coming up) and also this post will be coming up in my favorites for the month of November, which I still need to write up. Been a bit busy lately. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I have missed you! It has been chaos here as well. I am hopelessly behind on absolutely everything. I’m so sorry!

I truly cherish your friendship and am grateful to have met you. Thank you so much with my whole heart for all you’ve done to mention me on your blog. You are so precious! 🤗

Happy Thanksgiving dear friend to you and your family as well. I’m thankful to have met you and look forward to getting to know you better!

Sincerely, Holly 💕

My response to this post is in line. Not as in ‘in line reply’ to an email. In line as in : this is in line with everything I believe in, strive daily to achieve, and have the desire to do so much more of! Holly! I LOVE this post. So well written and very beautifully put. The world needs more people doing things like this – but for now, even if there are but a handful of individuals, it will still make a difference. 🙂 Where I am from, the opportunities are endless. There are more people hurting around here than anything else. It’s heartbreaking. 🙁 So I’ll keep doing my part, and I may not change the world but I can change a life…and that’s a victory in itself 😉 Thank you for this great blog post!

You just absolutely made my day! Thank you for such a thoughtful reply to my post! 🤗

I love what you said – even if we don’t have too many people on the ‘kindness train,’ those of us who are – can still make a difference! I am grateful you too believe that life is only worth living if we care for others as well. It breaks my heart just to hear of what you describe – so many people being in need where you are. It’s so easy to get lost emotionally in the overwhelming need around us and knowing we can’t save/help everyone.

I adore your heart and what you stand for. THANK YOU for seeing what actually matters in this world. We need you and I promise you – your life matters more than you will ever know on this side of Heaven. You are most certainly victorious and I believe greater things are yet to come for you 💕

And this reply made me cry. They’re more than just kind words – you have touched the depths of my soul with what you have said. I really needed to see this message this morning – THANK YOU! 🙂 My passion is people – and I’ve been shown many a time that that is my purpose too. I’m still ‘feeling my way around’ with this knowledge – but He has a plan 😉 I’m not being dishonest when I say that I really DO believe that my day has been wasted if I can’t touch at least one life in a positive way. Small steps 😉 Much love to you, and an abundance of the best kind of blessings on you today too x

Such a very beautiful post! #3 and #15 stood out to me in particular as things I’m definitely trying to practice more. Prayer and patience. So many folks are broken and hurting in this world. Prayer truly is powerful and sometimes folks just need a patient and listening ear… and someone who will stand next to them and love them even if it seems they are acting mean or “ugly”. Their anger may stem from a deep wound that needs healing. Anyway, stepping down from my soapbox now 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

Aww! Thank you so much for this thoughtful reply! 🤗

I don’t think you were on your soapbox at all 🙂 I completely agree with you! People really are hurting indeed and we never know what kind of battle they’re facing in life. We never know their story or what they’ve been through until we really take the time to find out – through being patient! I know, it is easier said than done sometimes. But if we try and ask Holy Spirit to help us, that’s what counts. Over time, it becomes much easier to automatically see the reason behind the behavior.

I enjoyed your comment so much. Thank you for sharing your heart & thoughts with me ♥

This are key ways. Love this most “give that which you wish you had”. This works for me a lot. Like when I am feeling sad and led to pray or reach out to people. I in turn get healed of the pain or ache I feel and relive flows in.

I am so sorry that I’m just now seeing this beautiful reply! Thank you! I agree wholeheartedly with you. God really does work that way – we really do reap what we sow. What we make happen for others, He makes sure to make happen for us. It’s a beautiful blessing!

All my love to you. Thanks again! 🤗

Smiles. There is no problem. 😊

So sorry from my end too for the late reply. 🙈

Yes. I can’t agree more. 💯 Totally and it comes in ripple effect.

Aww aww. 😊 Love you too ma’am. ❤ You are welcome. 🤗

[…] Do a random act of kindness […]

You are so kind Michelle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! 🤗

This is beautiful Holly!

Thank you so much! Your kind words have touched my heart! 🤗

This reminds me of a commercial that I saw on tv where they had people show random act of kindness to someone. Seeing others giving kindness just makes your heart warm and comfort.

So nice to hear from you! I agree – kindness does warm our hearts like nothing else can. We literally have the ability to radically change a life, all by what we speak and do. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! ♥

[…] and ‘status’ in life don’t impress me one bit. Have a beautiful heart and treat people with kindness? You are someone I can […]

Holly, I loved this post! Such inspiration. I have always been #18, and have raised my children this way as well. I am very blessed to have three loving and caring human beings that care and respect the underdog!

Christina, I am so proud of you for being a great Mama! Raising your kids to love and care for others is a blessing not seen often enough in this world. You are awesome!

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your thoughtful reply, for sharing this post and for being you! Keep on being beautiful you! 💕

Thank you Holly! Your words are so encouraging. I love your posts! ❤️

[…] We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. […]

Beautifully written! You are so right, kindness can go so far and we never know how much of an impact we can make on others 💖

Amen to that my friend, amen! 💕 Thank you so much for your beautiful reply!

[…] We have to be honest with ourselves and examine our own behavioral patterns. What toxic thinking are we passing on? Are we showing unconditional love, acceptance and kindness for ALL peoples? […]

“Kindness is contagious. So is rudeness. Which will you pick?” What a great way to put this idea out there! Thanks for another great post. Joan In Pursuit of Happiness https://kindness-compassion-and-coaching.com Twitter: @kindcompascoach

Amen! Isn’t that an incredible thought? Thank you for being here, my friend! I value you more than you know! ♥️

Those “I-love-and-appreciate-you” notes are a real treasure. I have several of them on my kitchen windowsill. They’ve been there for years.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. They are pure gold to be treasured. It really is the ‘simple’ moments in life that mean so much, isn’t it? It warms my heart to hear you have these special notes to recall how loved you are! ♥️ It sure is wonderful to hear from you!

Your “like” button doesn’t seem to be working for me, so I’ll just say ” 😉 “

So sorry about that. There’s some kind of technical issue that has been going on for months now. Not sure what’s wrong but I sure do hope it gets fixed in the near future.

Here’s a song that has been a recent favorite of mine, on the same subject. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/dOBaLrItEyc

I always enjoyed the lyrics from that song too! Great minds think alike. We can never underestimate the hearts of compassion and encouragement the Lord has given us. One word, one smile, one kind gesture can change the trajectory of someone’s life. We have far more power through the love of Christ than we realize! ♥ Thank you for sharing, my friend!

Dear Holly, What a lovely post. It’s exactly what the world needs right now. Random acts of kindness – nothing else can replace it. I love the way you write and express yourself. I hope that lots of people get inspired by your post. Thank you so much for all your love and caring. Stay safe!

Aw! You are so sweet my friend, thank you! You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers! ♥️ I wholeheartedly agree with you – acts of kindness spread love in a world that is desperately in need of that very thing!

Your kind remarks about my writing have made my day, genuinely. I’m such a tough critic of myself and hearing what you said makes me smile! Thank you with my whole heart! 🤗 Sending my love to you and yours, today and always!

[…] we focus on grows. The next chance you get, offer a random act of kindness and see how different you […]

[…] always have to be money, either. It could also be your time. I encourage you; do what you can to be a blessing to others. Not only will you feel happier and healthier, but you’ll also find that your own […]

[…] 26 Acts of Kindness Examples To Uplift & Inspire […]

I Love Hearing From You! Cancel reply

Hi, I'm Holly! Lover of my husband, the Lord, nature and animals (especially cats!) I'm an INFJ (MBTI) which means I love deeply and care about the well-being of those around me and in this world.

I hope to hear from you at one of my sites. God bless! ♥

The Unexpected Power of Random Acts of Kindness

New research shows small gestures matter even more than we may think.

Credit... Shuhua Xiong

Supported by

By Catherine Pearson

Sept. 2, 2022

In late August, Erin Alexander, 57, sat in the parking lot of a Target store in Fairfield, Calif., and wept. Her sister-in-law had recently died, and Ms. Alexander was having a hard day.

A barista working at the Starbucks inside the Target was too. The espresso machine had broken down and she was clearly stressed. Ms. Alexander — who’d stopped crying and gone inside for some caffeine — smiled, ordered an iced green tea, and told her to hang in there. After picking up her order, she noticed a message on the cup: “Erin,” the barista had scrawled next to a heart, “your soul is golden.”

“I’m not sure I even necessarily know what ‘your soul is golden’ means,” said Ms. Alexander, who laughed and cried while recalling the incident.

But the warmth of that small and unexpected gesture, from a stranger who had no inkling of what she was going through, moved her deeply.

“Of course, I was still really sad,” Ms. Alexander said. “But that little thing made the rest of my day.”

New findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology in August, corroborate just how powerful experiences like Ms. Alexander’s can be. Researchers found that people who perform a random act of kindness tend to underestimate how much the recipient will appreciate it. And they believe that miscalculation could hold many of us back from doing nice things for others more often.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

Want all of The Times? Subscribe .

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Kindness — The Positive Impacts of the Acts of Kindness

The Positive Impacts of The Acts of Kindness

Categories: Kindness

About this sample

Words: 447 |

Published: Oct 22, 2018

Words: 447 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 564 words

4 pages / 1763 words

6 pages / 2744 words

3 pages / 1583 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

The Positive Impacts of The Acts of Kindness Essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Kindness

Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that has been the subject of countless literary works, philosophical discussions, and scientific studies. While love is often associated with passion, romance, and affection, it is also [...]

At the heart of human interaction lies a fundamental truth: the impact of kindness and generosity transcends individual actions, shaping relationships, communities, and societies. This essay delves into the profound significance [...]

In conclusion, kindness has been a transformative force in my life. It has shaped my values, influenced my interactions with others, and broadened my perspective on the world. The experiences I have had, both as a recipient and [...]

Thoughtful acts are small, yet powerful gestures that can have a profound impact on individuals and society as a whole. Whether it's a simple act of kindness, a generous donation, or a selfless gesture, thoughtful acts have the [...]

There are some random acts that we do in our everyday life, which don’t benefit us directly, but we do them for others. To make the ones around us happy, which in returns makes us happy. Those random acts may include giving a [...]

Keywords: Langston Hughes,Woman,act of kindness Storyteller Aesop once quipped, “Any act of kindness, no matter how small, is never wasted.” This truth is illuminated in Langston Hughes’ short story, “Thank You Ma’am,” [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Psychology Paper - Acts of Kindness

Save to my list

Remove from my list

The Three Acts of Kindness

Psychology Paper - Acts of Kindness. (2016, Oct 11). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/psychology-paper-acts-of-kindness-essay

"Psychology Paper - Acts of Kindness." StudyMoose , 11 Oct 2016, https://studymoose.com/psychology-paper-acts-of-kindness-essay

StudyMoose. (2016). Psychology Paper - Acts of Kindness . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/psychology-paper-acts-of-kindness-essay [Accessed: 31 Aug. 2024]

"Psychology Paper - Acts of Kindness." StudyMoose, Oct 11, 2016. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://studymoose.com/psychology-paper-acts-of-kindness-essay

"Psychology Paper - Acts of Kindness," StudyMoose , 11-Oct-2016. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/psychology-paper-acts-of-kindness-essay. [Accessed: 31-Aug-2024]

StudyMoose. (2016). Psychology Paper - Acts of Kindness . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/psychology-paper-acts-of-kindness-essay [Accessed: 31-Aug-2024]

The Science of Kindness - Random Acts of Kindness Pages: 2 (435 words)
Kindness begets Kindness: A Tale of Hans and Gretel Brinker in 1840s Holland Pages: 2 (459 words)
Acts of Kindness Small or Big Can Change the Attitude of Mankind Pages: 2 (554 words)
Acts of Kindness and my Personal Experience Pages: 3 (848 words)
Miriam Toews' Novel A Complicated Kindness Pages: 8 (2230 words)
Kindness, Loyalty, and Obedience and the Themes Presence in Vietnamese Literature Pages: 5 (1388 words)
Analysis of the Identity Change Issue in the Novels Mister Pip and A Complicated Kindness Pages: 6 (1709 words)
Pay It Forward: How Your One Act of Kindness Could Change The Whole World Pages: 2 (319 words)
Exploring Timeless Themes of Kindness and Transformation in 'Cinderella' Pages: 3 (637 words)
Matilda's Compassion: A Tale of Courage and Kindness Pages: 2 (403 words)

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

COMMENTS

Random Act Of Kindness: [Essay Example], 527 words
Random acts of kindness have long been celebrated and encouraged as a way to promote empathy, compassion, and a sense of community. These small acts, often performed without expectation of reward or recognition, have the power to uplift not only the recipient but also the giver. In this essay, we will explore the concept of random acts of ...
Act of Kindness Essay
The truth is that a simple act of kindness can give us many rewards socially and mentally due to the positive impact on us as well as the people that surround us. Subsequently, we become happier because of our acts. In addition, kindness can inspire other people to do the same for others which will later return to us as a form of self ...
51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples
The topic of kindness is one of the key in the Bible. It has become especially important nowadays, in the era of intolerance and instability. In your kindness essay, you might want to focus on the importance of helping others. Another option is to consider the concept of kindness in philosophy, psychology, and religion.
≡Essays on Kindness: Top 10 Examples by GradesFixer
Importance of Kindness in Our World. Essay grade: Poor. 2 pages / 839 words. Kindness is a quality which comprises many things like warmth, smile, giving, concern, empathy etc.it is what makes human beings humane. At dark times, kindness is like a light shown for you and that light makes the bleaker things brighter.
Kindness Essays: Samples & Topics
A Random Act of Kindness: Experiencing the Goodness of Humanity. In a world that can sometimes feel cold and distant, even the smallest acts of kindness have the power to warm our hearts and restore our faith in humanity. One such act that left a lasting impression on me was a random act of kindness...
Random Acts of Kindness: List of 99+ Ideas & Examples
Ideas for random acts of kindness for kids. Sharing crayons or other supplies with other kids. Giving someone a gift like a sticker, flower, or colorful eraser. Saying thanks to a fellow student for help with schoolwork. Bringing your teacher an apple as a gift. Getting a bandaid for another kid when they get a cut.
Acts of Kindness: Importance of Being Kind
These acts of kindness are not only about being polite, but also encompass supporting others, aiding in boosting their self-confidence, being present during times of need, offering emotional support, and providing encouragement and motivation. When one consistently engages in acts of kindness, it becomes effortless to utter positive words and ...
Essay on Act of Kindness
Students are often asked to write an essay on Act of Kindness in their schools and colleges. And if you're also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic. ... Examples of Kindness. Simple acts like giving a smile to a stranger, helping an elderly cross the road, or sharing your lunch with a ...
A Random Act of Kindness: Experiencing the Goodness of Humanity
One such act that left a lasting impression on me was a random act of kindness I experienced a few years ago. In this short essay, I will recount this heartwarming incident and reflect on the profound impact it had on both the giver and the receiver.
Essay on Random Act Of Kindness
Examples of Random Acts of Kindness. Examples can be as simple as holding the door open for someone, helping an elderly person cross the street, or sharing your lunch with a friend. These acts, though small, can make a big difference. Benefits of Random Acts of Kindness. Doing random acts of kindness can make you feel happy and satisfied.
102 Best Random Acts of Kindness Ideas
Explore random (and not-so-random) acts of kindness: Sign up to donate blood. Hold a door open for someone. Take time to leave a positive review for a local restaurant you love. Take a bystander intervention training. Write a thank you note to someone who has inspired you to make a positive difference.
Acts of Kindness: Narrative Writing
"Acts of Kindness" is an example. I could have written a well-researched essay about various and random acts of kindness; but which would have the desired emotional impact on an audience? The truth is, I don't know but I do know the audience is the final authority in terms of our work.
Can Random Acts of Kindness Increase Wellbeing? (+ 22 Ideas)
Oxytocin is commonly called the "love hormone" and this helps to lower blood pressure, improve overall heart health, increase self-esteem and optimism. Kindness can increase the feeling of strength and energy due to helping others. Kindness can also make one feel calmer. Less depressed.
The Random Acts of Kindness: Key Issues
Random Acts of Kindness is an idea that aims at the restoration of old traditions and human factors that were in demand in former times. However, it is not enough to expect kindness from someone, but it is better to become the authors of kind thoughts and actions. It is always easy for people to wait for something good from others, neglecting ...
Essay On Kindness in English for Students
500 Words Essay On Kindness. The world we live in today has been through a lot of things from world wars to epidemics, but one thing which remained constant throughout was resilience and kindness. Moreover, it was the spirit to fight back and help out each other. Kindness must be an essential and universal quality to make the world a better place.
Random Acts of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness. As a team, we were asked to write a paper on altruism. Or to be more specific, a random act of kindness. The story chosen to write about is a story about a six year old boy by the name of "Dylan" who thought to bring an extra lunch for another boy who was thought to not have lunch money to buy his own.
How to Practice Random Acts of Kindness
To get you a sense of what we're talking about, here are a few examples: Giving compliments. Giving gifts. Saying kind words. Showing gratitude. Doing an act of service for someone else. Being ...
26 Acts of Kindness Examples To Uplift & Inspire
Mother Teresa said it best: " We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.". A genuine smile straight from the heart can turn someone's day from dark to light. I've witnessed this myself over and over again. #22 - Consider sending flowers just because you can.
Random Acts of Kindness: How They Benefit the Human Kind and How
Random acts of kindness do not have to be expensive gestures. These acts can include offering to help an elderly person across the street, paying for someone's food order, or giving someone a compliment on their hair.
The Unexpected Power of Random Acts of Kindness
992. By Catherine Pearson. Sept. 2, 2022. Leer en español. In late August, Erin Alexander, 57, sat in the parking lot of a Target store in Fairfield, Calif., and wept. Her sister-in-law had ...
Act Of Kindness Essay
Random Acts Of Kindness Speech Examples Topic: random acts of kindness Specific purpose statement: To motivate my audience to use random acts of kindness. Central idea: Random acts of kindness can brighten someone's day, save lives and change the world. The Attention Step
The Positive Impacts of The Acts of Kindness
Little acts of kindness will lead to a more positive spirit and environment. Kindness is the logical choice, but it should be the original choice. It does not cost money. Being kind earns one's trust, love, and respect. One should be nice first because one can still choose to be mean later.
Psychology Paper
Essay, Pages 5 (1057 words) Views. 7647. "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. " (Leo F. Buscaglia) A simple act of kindness can ease one's fears, touch one's heart, and rekindle ...

Act of Kindness Essay

Introduction

Cite this paper

Related articles

Most popular essays

Join our 150k of happy users

51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples

🏆 Best Kindness Essay Examples

What Are Random Acts of Kindness? (A Definition)

Video: 99+ Random Acts of Kindness: List, Ideas, & Examples

Examples of Random Acts of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness List

Video: How One Act Of Kindness a Day Can Change Your Life

Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness at Work

Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness in Relationships

Random Acts of Kindness for Kids

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Random Acts of Kindness Videos

Video: Random Acts of Kindness - Faith In Humanity Restored

More Articles Related to Random Acts of Kindness​

Products & Books Related to Random Acts of Kindness​

Random Acts of Kindness Activity ​

A Random Act of Kindness: Experiencing the Goodness of Humanity

Cite this Essay

Related Essays

Essay on Random Act Of Kindness

100 Words Essay on Random Act Of Kindness

Why are Random Acts of Kindness Important?

Examples of Random Acts of Kindness

Benefits of Random Acts of Kindness

Encouraging Random Acts of Kindness

The Impact of Random Acts of Kindness

Why We Should Practice Random Acts of Kindness

500 Words Essay on Random Act Of Kindness

Encouraging Random Acts of Kindness in Schools

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

102 Best Random Acts of Kindness Ideas

Explore random (and not-so-random) acts of kindness:

Article Details

The power to save the planet is inside us all — how to get past despair to powerful action on climate change

12 Ideas To Celebrate World Humanitarian Day

37 Ways To Make a Difference in the World

51 Ways To Cheer Yourself Up When Life Gets You Down

Join the Good News Community

Acts of Kindness: Narrative Writing

Share this:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Can Random Acts of Kindness Increase Wellbeing? (+ 22 Ideas)

This Article Contains

Download 3 Free Positive Psychology Exercises (PDF)

Download 3 Free Positive Psychology Tools Pack (PDF)

14 Proven Benefits

Research and Studies

Reflecting on acts of kindness toward the self: Emotions, generosity, and the role of social norms (Exline, Lisan, & Lisan, 2012)

Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: Potential for psychological interventions (Hofmann, Grossman & Hinton, 2011)

Interesting Statistics

When is Random Acts of Kindness Day?

5 Examples of Random Acts of Kindness

6 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas

6 Ideas Specifically for Strangers

RAK at Work: 5 Ideas for Employees and Co-Workers

Random Acts of Kindness to Practice with Kids

6 Ideas for High School Students to ‘Pay it Forward’

World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource

RAK Activities and Worksheets

Other Resources and Printables (PDF)

Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar

1. Toca Pet Doctor

2. The Great Kindness Challenge: School Edition

3. Avokiddo Emotions

4. Four Little Corners

5. Peek-a-Zoo

6. Wee You-Things

7. DPS from the Social Express

8. Middle School Confidential 1 and 2

Apps for Adults

1. The Little Book of Kindness: Everyday actions to change your life and the world around you – Bernadette Russell

2. The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity – Sally Kohn

3. Each Kindness (Jane Addams Award Book (Awards)) – Jacqueline Woodson

4. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness: 101 Stories of Compassion and Paying it Forward – Amy Newark

More Articles Related to Random Acts of Kindness

Products & Books Related to Random Acts of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness Activity