Whether you’re holding the door for the CEO or jumping your neighbor’s dead battery kindness matters.

Most individuals practice kindness in the form of “good manners,” but genuine kindness is so much more than behaving in a polite and respectful way. Real kindness comes from a place within and honing your kindness muscle can help draw others in simply by doing what comes naturally.

Practicing random acts of kindness has become a popular thing to do. Gestures such as paying for the person coffee in the line behind you, bringing lunch to a bogged-down coworker, or doing something to lift the spirits of another are practiced by a lot of thoughtful people these days. And did you know that all of these expressions of a generosity of spirit are just as beneficial to the giver as to those on whom they are gifted?

Kindness: Feel Good Therapy

Think about the last time you practiced a random act of kindness and how that act made you feel. Whether the individual who was on the receiving end of your thoughtful expression was aware of you or not, you felt pretty good. Your genuine thoughtfulness came from a natural place, and the more you practice your innate kindness, the more fulfilled you will begin to feel. It makes the world a better place, and its power is exponential.

What is ‘An Act of Kindness’?

So what constitutes an act of kindness? Loosely defined, an act of kindness is a spontaneous gesture of goodwill toward another human being, an animal, or our planet. A state of compassion that generates kind words and generous deeds that are deep within all of us. Children are innately kind souls, who practice goodness of the heart naturally.

Wherever your kindness and generosity begins, it does involve an intentional approach to get started. Here are a few suggestions to help you in sharing random acts of kindness with those individuals who come across your path.

Be continually engaged in a kind spirit, and you’ll be amazed by the ways in which you grow, personally, professionally, in your relationships and your spiritual life.

7 Simple Ways to Show Kindness to Others

●   Smile and Say Hello-It’s not necessary to engage in conversation unless you both want to, but offering a heartfelt ‘hello’ and ‘have a nice day’ is a powerful action. Even the grumpiest among us appreciate a good wish when it’s from the heart.

●   Offer Genuine Praise-Whether you’re thanking the guy at the deli counter for slicing your turkey or showing your appreciation to your server by leaving a note along with your tip. People respond positively to praise. Suddenly the deli guy goes the extra mile for the next customer, and the server you tipped smiles radiantly at the next diner in her section. Words of appreciation and praise are infectious.

●   Take a Meal to A Friend in Need-It might be the neighbor who just brought home a new baby or a friend who lost a dear family member, but providing a meal for a friend in need is one of the kindest ways to say you care. It’s not necessary to possess the culinary skills of Julia Childs. There are many great options for take-out meals that can please everyone’s tastes.

●   Kind Commuter-Road rage is an epidemic these days. Everyone is in such a hurry, but the fact is tailgating, rude gestures, and aggressive behavior on the roadway isn’t going to help you get to where you’re going any quicker. Your anger merely perpetuates an already stressful situation. Instead,

, resist the urge to honk and simply be kind. You might create a trend that catches on.

●   Take the Time to Visit the Elderly in Your Community-Again, in our fast-moving, self-involved way of life all too often the more fragile individuals are overlooked, and the opportunity for a relationship is lost. Stop in at your local senior center and find out how you can get involved. Can you drop off some snacks, books, or board games? Talk to the director of a nearby nursing home and find out about volunteering. You’ll be sure to make wonderful new friends and gain a different perspective on life.

●   Anonymous Acts-Go to your favorite big box store and purchase socks in bulk then take them to a homeless shelter. Very often budget extended stay hotels will house families who are down on their luck. Offer to pay for a portion of a family’s stay. Drop off gently used coats, kids clothes, or snow boots at a family shelter. Pay for the person behind you in line for the toll, fast food, or a morning donut. You don’t need the recognition. Those warm feelings of knowing you did something for someone else without expecting anything in return are enough.

Practicing kindness isn’t always second nature for a lot of people. As we get caught up in our day-to-day making a living and meeting deadlines, raising a family and fulfilling obligations, it’s easy to forget to pause and be kind. Think of these tips as ‘kindness for beginners,’ a primer to get you in touch with your generous inner soul.

Tying It All Together

It’s been said that you can never be too rich or too thin, but perhaps we should change our way of thinking to “you can never be too kind”. What kind of world would we have if every day everyone practiced random acts of kindness, small gestures of generosity and goodness toward others?

You can be the change, make the difference in someone’s day, or maybe even change a life for the better. There are lots of different ways to brighten someone else’s day: buy coffee for the person in line behind you, put some change in someone else’s parking meter, send a thinking of you card, or come up with your own fun and creative ideas. Acts of kindness require little effort, are inexpensive, and can have an immediate positive impact on someone else. Get creative and think of new ways to make someone smile.

If you’re fortunate enough to be the recipient of such an act, make sure you pay it forward and then think to yourself “what a wonderful world.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tim Crowley, Ph.D.

Motivational Keynote Speaker, Leadership, and Resilience Expert

Dr. Tim Crowley is a well-known speaker with a passion for growing agile leaders, teams, and organizations that produce extraordinary results. For more than 25 years his services have touched the lives of leaders in some of the most recognizable companies in the world. Including AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ernst & Young, Hallmark, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Marriot, Microsoft, Nestle-Purina, along with numerous organizations, universities, state and federal agencies.

When not speaking, leading workshops, and blogging he looks for inspiration through mountain biking, volunteering, and spending time with his family and friends. Invite Tim to speak at your next event. You can learn more about Tim and how his services can help you and your team at drtimcrowley.com. Connect with Tim on LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.