Random acts of kindness, because a lot of the time, we tend to think that being happy means getting, having, and doing things for ourselves, and it is all about you. But a 2005 study by Stanford University psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, along with generations of moral fables and other literature, point to quite the opposite thought. Remember the old saying, ‘it’s better to give than receive’? Doing these random acts can really boost your sense of happiness and self-worth. So it boils down to this, it is ‘NOT ALL ABOUT YOU!’, or at least it wasn’t meant to be.

When you make a point of going out of your way to help someone, it gives you a sense of control, as in here’s something good you can choose to do, and it gives you a sense of satisfaction. You’re doing something that really matters when you help someone out. You’re making a positive difference.

Kindness also tend to elicit appreciation, which makes you, the giver, feel especially good inside. Kind acts give you a sense of purpose, and can help to assuage anger and grief over personal loss.

Here are some random ways you can create kindness in your own life.

- Visit a relative. Maybe your grandparent or parent is in assisted living or a nursing home. Or maybe your relative lives at home and you just haven’t visited for awhile. Invite your relative over for a meal, or go visit him or her.

- Offer to run errands. Many people are just unable to do some of the everyday things that most of us take for granted. See if you can go to the grocery store for an ill neighbor, or for a busy mom.

- Do some random yard work for someone. If you notice weeds and brush taking over someone’s yard, go ask if you can help. If you can’t do the work yourself, get others to help you.

- Offer to babysit. Give a busy couple, parent, or relative a break by offering to watch their children for awhile.

- Write notes, cards, or letters to acquaintances. Try to do these acts when it’s not a holiday – a note that someone receives “just because” means a lot. In this day of electronic communication, a nice card or note in the mail can be a real gift.

- If you spend regular time in the city, keep coins on hand and look for expired or about-to-expire parking meters. Buy the car owner a little extra time and help him or her avoid a ticket.

- Offer to pay for the person behind you at a drive-through restaurant.

- Compliment the poor worker behind the counter helping you, they have a rough job, and a little kindness and a compliment would surely make their day a little brighter!

- Vary your acts of kindness so that you don’t get into a rut. It will no longer be as satisfying for you or the people you help if you are just going through the motions. Your random actions truly need to be offered willingly, and not as if it were a chore or a job for it to be of benefit to yourself too.

We hope that Random Acts of Kindness – How Good Thoughts and Deeds Can Boost Your Own Happiness has helped you to achieve true, well deserved happiness!