February 15th is Random Acts of Kindness Day, and we’re getting a head start in my house, making small gifts for loved ones and planning how we want to be kind to strangers. A firm believer that kindness is the strongest quality you can impart to your children, I try to make sure they understand that kindness doesn’t require anything in return. Kindness is something you give rather than sell—so there’s no payment, no expected reciprocal, and no need for the other person to show you how much they appreciate your gesture (though I’m careful to teach them that expressing gratitude is also a form of kindness.) The date is a little arbitrary–the whole idea of a random act is that it can come at any time. But it’s nice to have a time, sort of a placeholder to keep the sentiment in your mind.
One of the biggest roadblocks to someone performing a random act of kindness is that we often think it has to cost money. We’ve all seen the stories of celebrities paying off layaways at Christmas time. But there are so many other things you can do that only require a thought or maybe a little time.
Here are 15 random acts of kindness, many of which cost nothing more than a little effort.
1. Use a sharpie marker or paint to write positive messages on rocks and leave them in a local park or at the beach.
3. Pay for the person behind you in line at the local coffee shop—or give the drive through attendant extra money to pay for the next car.
4. Send a thank you note to your child’s teachers. Teachers often spend their own money on school supplies and crafts for the children, so if you can afford it, a basket of supplies also goes a long way; but if it isn’t in your budget, most teachers place great value on a simple thank you.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free
5. Ask to speak to the manager at your local retail store and tell them about a wonderful employee—some employees receive recognition from their company for service that goes above and beyond.
6. Do someone else’s chore for the day. This one is great for older children.
7. Offer to babysit a friend’s children for the day—this is a grand act of kindness that will gain you much adoration and probably a few hugs.
8. Volunteer at the local food pantry. They can always use help sorting goods and separating foods.
9. Drop off a basket of bagels and spreads to your child’s school for the staff. Be sure to call ahead to make certain there are no severe allergies or school policies against outside foods.
10. Spend an afternoon with an older friend or relative. Just because.
11. Bring a bag to the beach and spend a day picking up litter.
We are proud of our SOCIAL INTEREST GROUPS—WEEKLY PHONE CALLS to discuss, gain insights, build communities— and help solve some of the most difficult challenges the world has today. Calls are for Members Only (although you can join the first call for free). Not yet a member of The Good Men Project? Join below!
All levels get to view The Good Men Project site AD-FREE. The $50 Platinum Level is an ALL-ACCESS PASS—join as many groups and classes as you want for the entire year. The $25 Gold Level gives you access to any ONE Social Interest Group and ONE Class–and other benefits listed below the form. Or…for $12, join as a Bronze Member and support our mission, and have a great ad-free viewing experience.
Register New Account
Please note: If you are already a writer/contributor at The Good Men Project, log in here before registering. (Request new password if needed).
◊♦◊
ANNUAL PLATINUM membership ($50 per year) includes:
1. AN ALL ACCESS PASS — Join ANY and ALL of our weekly calls, Social Interest Groups, classes, workshops and private Facebook groups. We have at least one group phone call or online class every day of the week.
2. See the website with no ads when logged in!
3. MEMBER commenting badge.
*** ANNUAL GOLD membership ($25 per year) includes all the benefits above — but only ONE Weekly Social Interest Group and ONE class.
*** ANNUAL BRONZE membership ($12 per year) is great if you are not ready to join the full conversation but want to support our mission anyway. You’ll still get a BRONZE commenting badge, and you can pop into any of our weekly Friday Calls with the Publisher when you have time. This is for people who believe—like we do—that this conversation about men and changing roles and goodness in the 21st century is one of the most important conversations you can have today.
♦◊♦
We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.
S.M. Roffey is a writer, mother, former early educator, comic book lover, and volunteer cosplayer who lives in the Northeast with her genderqueer spouse and 3 LGBTQ kids. By day she is a virtual assistant to #RevPit’s Jeni Chappelle, and at night she writes adult fiction fantasy. She has studied Anthropology and Early Education, and her personal essays have been featured on The Good Men Project, Shethority, Huffington Post and BlogHer. She is currently writing a novel and blogging about books and writing at www.smroffey.com.
