We all enjoy a little free kindness in our lives, don’t we? You know, the kind of little things that you haven’t asked for, that come unexpectedly, and just make your day?
We all deserve a free smile, or to have a random door held open when your arms are full, or even better, when they aren’t.
But in order to receive such kindness, there has to be kind people out there, ready to brighten your life.
Why not try to be that person?
Because you don’t have time on your hands? Because you don’t have savings that would allow you to give stuff around? But it only takes a couple of minutes, and a little creativity to turn a stranger’s meh-day around.
Here are a couple of simple gestures I tried in the past, that require very little time, won’t cost you a dime, and could make a big difference in another person’s day…
In Montréal, after 6 PM, an evening Metro pass is actually cheaper than buying two regular tickets. You can use it until the subway closes for the night. So, when I have some shopping to do, I try to wait until that time to buy the evening pass, even if I just go a couple of stations away, and come back within an hour. And when I am about to walk home, I just stop by the stand where people buy single tickets, and offer my pass to someone in line.
Last spring, I spent a lot of time at the hospital with Dad. When you use a hospital parking lot, unless you have very little time to spend with your hospitalized loved one, you often have to buy the 24 hour pass. But who spends 24 hours at the hospital, no matter how much you care for someone, right? So, when we left the parking lot after our visit, and there was a car at the incoming gate, I’d get out of our car, and offer the free parking to that person.
When attending Montréal’s World Film Festival, I had to buy tickets and I noticed that the ten tickets package deal was the same price as seven regular tickets, which was all I needed. I bought the ten tickets bundle, and before one of the movies, I stayed near the ticket stand, and offered the three extra tickets to strangers walking into the theater.
I am not writing this to make myself look good.
I didn’t spend a single dollar, other than what I needed to pay for myself anyway, in all three of these examples. And altogether, I doubt I waited more than a minute or two each time, to pass the piece of paper forward.
I am sure that you can think of similar little gestures in your daily life, that wouldn’t cost you at all, and could benefit another.
All you need is to think about it. And do it.
These people won’t remember me, or ever pay back the favor. But maybe, just maybe… Someday they’ll get a chance to pay it forward, and will act kindly for no reason other than just being nice to some other stranger. And that’s cool.
Because someday, that stranger might be you. And you might need that little kindness to brighten your day!
If you have other ideas of free, easy gestures, please leave them in the comments!
Cyranny's Cove 
Wonderful and generous ideas. I will try them. Thanks
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Thank you, Sadje 🙂 That’s great, and I hope you’ll enjoy spreading a little more kindness around you too!
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Thanks 🙏
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So true and so generous C. I love it! You’re right, it takes very little to pass it on and spread that kindness. Here’s to a kinder world. xx
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Thank you, Miriam! I agree… And sometimes, something as little as a smile may come at a time when it is most needed, without us knowing 🙂
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Yes, that’s absolutely right 😊
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I love this. It is like paying for the person ahead of you in the Tim Horton’s take out line.
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I thought about that one too, Anne! I think that’s an awesome idea 🙂 Talk about putting a little sunshine in a stranger’s day… Thank you for bringing it up
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I don’t punch people who annoy me. That is my generous gesture each and every day :-p
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LOL And I can only imagine how difficult that is… 😉 You make the world a better place, your own way!!
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I try otherwise a lot more people would be walking round with bruises 😉
Although violence is never the answer, unless you have annoyed me
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Repressing your anger fits to spare strangers from spending time at the hospital… You are so considerate! No wonder I love you so much 🙂
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I am saving the NHS one annoying person at the time. I should be Prime Minister.
Love you too ❤
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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I know it might sound corny, but if I see someone in the supermarket (Elderly, usually) If I see hem having touble reaching for something, or other’s making a big deal to move a little quicker. I tend to take full charge of the situation. I help the person in need, then I politely make the jerks feel terribly uncomfortable by making it known of their disrespect and how they ought to be treating others.
I have been know for getting rounds of applause for this action. LOL! (Which is rather uncomfortable for me, since I’m an introvert).
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It’s not corny at all, if you ask me 🙂 That’s a great to do, and the world needs more Beckies!! Thank you for sharing this… And keep helping people who need it when you can 🙂 *big hugs*
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Thanks, Catherine. 😊
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Awesome ideas! Love your heart and it is so true, the littlest deed can mean so much! ❤
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Thank you, Joy 🙂 They say the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings can generate a storm… The same way, let’s hope that a little random kindness will go a long way!! xx
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😍💜
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All of this is good stuff, and you are right any small gesture of kindness can change someones day
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