| Have you ever experienced an unexpected kindness? | | | | local fire or police department, to thank them for the |
| To have a neighbor rake the leaves off of your | | | | hard work they do. |
| driveway as they are doing theirs. Or the highway | | | | Practice 5. When you have just gotten great customer |
| driver that slows down to let you pass lanes in front of | | | | service, make sure you get the individuals name. Upon |
| them. These small random acts of kindness are | | | | leaving ask to see the manager and tell him/her what |
| wonderful to give and receive. They also make us feel | | | | a fantastic job their employee is doing. |
| more connected to each other as a society. It | | | | Practice 6. Buy funny or sentimental cards; address, |
| reawakens you to the fact that people are all the | | | | stamp, and mail them to each individual living at home |
| same deep down and are quite good at heart. | | | | with you, especially any children. It feels so good to get |
| In this fast paced world it seems like people are | | | | personal mail, don't wait for a special occasion. |
| misinterpreting the amount of time it actually takes to | | | | Practice 7. If you are a pet owner, the next time you |
| perform a random act of kindness. Most acts of | | | | are at the grocery store buying pet food, pick up one |
| kindness are spur of the moment. The kind act occurs | | | | extra bag and donate it to your local animal shelter. |
| to you and you do it: it is really that simple. | | | | Practice 8. Take your faithful barber or beautician a |
| We can all make generous acts a way of life. Once | | | | sandwich and a drink to your next appointment. They |
| you realize just how good it feels to perform random | | | | often have a hard time getting away for meals. |
| acts of kindness, you will want to do them as often as | | | | Practice 9. Do you know a young newlywed couple? |
| you can. We've taken some of the guesswork out of | | | | Make a nice care package filled with gently used |
| what is possible by offering 10 Thoughtful Practices to | | | | household items you no longer use or want. This also |
| help get you on your way. | | | | works great for any young college students you might |
| By the time you move through our list of thoughtful | | | | know. |
| practices you will have come up with some of your | | | | Practice 10. One afternoon call your local shelter, |
| own. So bon appetit! | | | | mission, hospice, senior center or nursing home ask |
| Practice 1. Get a $5 or $10 gift card, add a little thank | | | | them if it would be okay if you just come by and sit |
| you note and leave it in your mailbox for your mail | | | | with someone who might need a friend to talk to for a |
| carrier. Boldly write for the mail carrier or for the postal | | | | little while. |
| worker on the envelope and don't forget to put the | | | | We create magical moments for both the giver and |
| flag up on the side of the mailbox. | | | | receiver of these generous acts of kindness. A divine |
| Practice 2. If you are a coupon clipper take all of your | | | | blending of energies takes place as people work |
| unwanted baby item coupons and deliver them to the | | | | together, supporting and encouraging each other in |
| nearest childcare facility or unwanted pet coupons and | | | | ways that are fulfilling and productive. |
| deliver them to the nearest animal shelter or vet office. | | | | Gandhi once said, "Whatever you do may seem |
| Practice 3. Gather up your, I just don't want to watch | | | | insignificant, but it is important that you do it." |
| them again DVD's and donate them to a senior center | | | | Remember this as you add your own thoughtful |
| or a nursing home. | | | | practices to your way of life. |
| Practice 4. Bake or buy cookies or muffins for your | | | | |