Make Someone Else's Day

Some years ago, I published an article entitled, 10 Ways to Make Someone Else's Day and it was a very big hit. Considering that so many people live their lives solely to fulfil their purpose and theirs alone, it was surprising that people responded positively to this post which showed how to do things for other people. 

As something fitting for the new year, I figure I'd give this article a dust off and share it here with you. If you've made resolutions to live a richer, more meaningful life, you'll enjoy these 10 tips to make someone else's day. 

Make someone else's day

image from my build confidence blog

If you know that a friend is due home after a long time away, leave milk, bread, juice, some cakes and a paper or magazine at his/her home.

Write a thank you note to your child’s teacher for no apparent reason. It will make her/his day, and it would also reap benefits for your child.

On the spur of the moment, throw your neighbours’ papers unto their porch no matter if you think they deserve it or not. You could also wheel in their bin after the bin men have been if you know they’ll be at work all day.

Buy a ticket to a movie and send it to someone who’s been working very hard lately.

Send a funny card to your partner’s office and write a loving message inside. It will put a smile on their face and remind them that you still love them, and that you still enjoy fun in your relationship just as you did in the beginning. You could also include a picture of you two taken on your honeymoon or first holiday.

If a friend/colleague/partner has had a hard day, offer to role-play the events which led up to the bad day with a funny twist. This will go a long way to help them get over it.

Leave an extra tip for the person behind the coffee/flower/petrol/food store/restaurant/ counter where you visit today, and compliment them on a good job. I’m sure that yours would be the only one they receive that day. Not only would it make their day, it would put a smile on their face and help them to see that that they’re appreciated after all.

Instead of selling off unwanted presents on e-bay, fill up a box of stuff that you and/or your kids don’t want, take it into work/college/school/church and invite colleagues to help themselves. Getting something for free always cheer people up.

Once in a while, get a hot drink for the beggar/homeless/busker you pass in the street on your way to work in the mornings. Ask him his name and on your pay day, get him a sandwich as well. It will cost you next to nothing but to him, it would mean the world. If he has a dog, leave it a treat as well.

If you’re visiting someone who has a child, offer to read the child a story or do a puzzle together. This means a lot to a parent. If you have a friend who’s a single parent, offer to have the child, or one of the children over to your place for dinner and games. This gives the parent a welcome break, and means more than you could imagine.

What have you done lately, or what have you purposed to do to make someone else's day? I made a decision to do (at least) one random act of kindness each week and try to do it to someone who can't return it to me. It's amazing what you see when you're looking for it.