Practice 3: Do at least 1-2 things for someone else today they did not expect. I am not talking about the laundry you do, the meals you plan, the job you do at work. I am talking about unexpected acts of kindness, that are a surprise. If you practice 1-2 acts of kindness every day, you will get back more return on your kindness than you gave. Compliment someone! Pay for their Starbucks in the drive-through, send a card to a friend letting them know how much you value them, leave a lipstick message on your bathroom mirror for your love or on your kid’s bathroom mirror. Treat a friend or co-worker to coffee, lunch or dinner. Send someone a gift online, run an errand for someone, volunteer for something.
One of my friends, went to her friend’s home to vacuum for her (they are very good friends and have keys to each other’s homes). My friend was so excited to sneak in and vacuum for her friend, knowing her friend was getting house guests and was short on time. While my friend was vacuuming away she was having so many fun thoughts about how surprised and grateful her friend would be. After her friend, returned home she waited for her response. Nothing. One hour later nothing. Two hours later, nothing. Finally, my friend texted her and said, “I vacuumed for you, I wanted to surprise you!” And, her friend said,’Oh my gosh, I got home late, didn’t turn on any lights and went to bed, I am so sorry I didn’t notice!” While disappointed, my friend said, “I had so much fun planning this and doing this to surprise her, it was really all the reward I needed, it was so much fun and got me out of my funk!”
Try it! Practice it and the sheer joy of “surprise giving, ” will make your day as well as the person who gets to receive your kindness!
