Acts of kindness

One of my favorite things to do is give to or help others. Sometimes random people and usually those close to me. As the years go on and I build more resources I'm able to do this more and more. It is one of the best feelings ever. I often end up going on little sprees of these "Acts Of Kindness". The most common things I do is send random gifts to people when I see something that reminds me of them, pay a bill, or make something happen for someone (track down tickets to events, link them with an internship, find information on a goal etc.). I know friends do some of these things on the regular but I mean still do these things even when not asked, when you seem not to have time, are mad at each other or aren't even friends.  Over the years I have volunteered for YMCA, Soup kitchens, big brothers big sisters, donate blood, donate clothes......  I fell like these acts throughout the year are more meaningful then doing things on set days (for birthdays, Christmas...). You should show people they are important and cared about (including random people) throughout the year not just on designated days.

My favorite is to do things for those I know anonymously. I don't want them to feel like they owe me anything in return and it allows for me to do it with no strings attached. I usually do this with bigger items people might fight me on. It is often something that is important to them but they may not be able to do without a little help. Some of the more extreme anonymous "Acts of Kindness" I have done are paid tuition, paid a sports fee for an athlete, paid a phone bill,  and landed someone a job (I hope none of these people realize I am talking about them). I only hope they one day will all be able to pay it forward in some way and help someone else in need.

If you are reading this I challenge you to try to selflessly participate in Acts of Kindness. The only hard part is that sometimes the opportunity doesn't always come at the best time and requires a little sacrifice of something for yourself. Like giving up a favor you may need later, not buying that new cell phone or dipping into your savings.