The little things that cost us nothing to do often matter more than we ever know.

Have you ever had a stranger do something that brightened your day? It might have been a small but thoughtful gesture the other person quickly forgot but you remembered.

It doesn’t take much to boost someone’s spirits, to make them smile, to give them something good to pass along, even if it’s someone you don’t know and are likely to never see again. 

Think about how much better the world would be if we were intentional about making a positive difference in the lives of others, especially strangers or those with whom we have only casual contact. 

Try one or more of these ten things and see what happens.

  1. When you’re thinking something nice, say it out loud.
  2. Hold the door or elevator, even if you have to wait a minute.
  3. Offer to get something off a high shelf for a short person or assist someone in a wheelchair or who is otherwise physically limited.
  4. Let someone with just a few items go ahead of you in the checkout line.
  5. Praise a child.
  6. Pay a stranger a compliment (pretty dress, beautiful hair, cool car).
  7. Say please and thank you. 
  8. Apologize immediately if you’re at fault–if you accidentally bump into someone or cut them off or do something else wrong.
  9. Smile and speak when passing people in public.
  10. Read someone’s t-shirt and say something positive about it.

Are these things small? Yes.

Will they matter? Maybe.

Would anyone notice if you didn’t do them? Probably not.

But if you do them, and if they matter, and if the people you impact decide to pass it along, you’ve made an incalculable difference in the world.

Why not try it?

Want to add to the list or share an experience? Please leave a comment. 

 

Related: Ten Things That Will Make You Feel Better

Jacquelyn Lynn
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