Ten Random Acts of Kindness that You Can Do Every Day

If you're like me, you long to be a truly good person. I fall short in many areas, but it doesn't stop me from trying again every day. Yet, it's not just the big things that are needed. By doing small things every day, you can truly brighten someone's day, which will likely inspire them to help someone else's day. Kindness ricochets. Here are ten small things that you can do on a daily basis that may just have a bigger impact than you think.

1) Give up your seat on the bus or subway, if you take public transportation. Do this, even when it's not for the disabled, pregnant or elderly. Randomly giving up your seat for a stranger can really help them to feel better; you never know if they're really tired or secretly had really hoped to be able to sit down for their commute. For a bit of instant karma, consider this: You burn more calories standing than sitting, so you'll also be doing yourself a little favor.

2) Pay someone a genuine compliment. You don't want to do this every day to the same person or many times in succession at the same location. That will come off as less than genuine, even if you mean every one of them. However, at times during the day when you truly notice something worth complimenting, don't hold back your praise. Express it when you can. Most of us are insecure inside, and a compliment is underrated in its power to life the spirit.

3) Write a thank you note. In an age when gratitude is more often expressed in a text message, sending old-fashioned thank you notes is a wise idea. People love to have their hard efforts truly appreciated, and it may mean a lot to someone to know that you took notice of their own kindness. It even often encourages them to do more kindness for others.

4) Spend your lunch break or an hour after work at a local animal shelter, depending on its policies. Often, volunteers are allowed to take the animals--who would otherwise be confined to a cage--on walks. Contribute in whatever way works for you, whether feeding them or playing with them.

5) Hold the elevator door open if you see someone going toward it, even at a fair distance. This is a kind gesture, and it will inevitably be met with gratitude.

6) Emphasize the credit that your co-workers deserve for a project, instead of calling attention to your own contribution. Let's face it, we all want to be acknowledged for the hard work that we do for our companies, organizations or ourselves. By letting your boss know about the great accomplishments of those around you, you will help them to feel praised, acknowledged and appreciated. Don't worry; your own work won't go unnoticed.

7) Eat a vegetarian meal. By foregoing meat in a day or a meal, you are doing your part to cut down on animal suffering and exploitation...as well as the harmful effects that the meat and factory farming industry is having on the planet. There are lots of choices, despite what some may initial fear. You know, even Burger King has a veggie burger now.

8) Give a small, yet very specific gift for no reason or occasion. You don't have to go for broke. In fact, to be kind to yourself, you need to watch your own finances. Yet, by giving a small token to someone that is specific to their interests and what will make him smile, you can really make someone's day. Give a candy bar to a friend who has a coveted favorite kind, a small pack of player cards to a collector or a song from iTunes that's a rare track of a favorite artist.

9) Tell a joke. This is a challenging one for me, as, try as I might, I am not naturally funny. However, spreading the joy of laughter is an immeasurable gift. Make at least one person laugh every day, as long as it's not at someone else's expense. Humor that's mockery is never really funny.

10) Thank God for your blessings and your body. Use your body however you can to be active in the day. Being active is a kindness to yourself. If you like dancing, dance almost daily. Try ice skating or roller skating. Play sports. Enjoy the body that you are blessed with.