40 Acts of Kindness
I turn 40 on June 6.
My wife Ashleigh turned 40 in January, but she couldn’t celebrate it because she had COVID.
What are we giving each other for this milestone birthday? A MORTGAGE! Seriously, we close on our house the week before my birthday, so we are literally giving each other a mortgage as our 40th birthday present.
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I’ve always been searching for my purpose or to add value to my life. I normally don’t celebrate my birthday (long story), but Ashleigh and the kids love celebrating it so I reluctantly relinquish my sullen state for birthday bliss.
Because this year is the BIG 4-0, I wanted to do something special - or at the very least, something that wasn't about me. I made a list of 40 things I’d like to do for others. What do I want in return? Nothing.
Beginning Wednesday, April 27 (which is 40 days before my birthday), I - along with my family - will be doing random acts of kindness leading up to my 40th birthday. The list isn’t anything earth-shattering or things that haven’t been done before, but this list is filled with acts that I want my kids to understand can make our world a little better…or a little less bitter.
I may share some of this list on social media, but it won’t be about me. It’s about doing something good for someone else and expecting nothing in return. Kindness isn’t transactional.
I hope you join our family and do some of these things for people in your community or create your own list! Or if you have a kindness suggestion, please send them to me!
40 ACTS OF KINDNESS (in alphabetical order, not numerical order)
Be kind to myself.
Bring in sweet treats to your job.
Build a "Little Free Library" in our new neighborhood
Carry a $5 gift card with you and give it to someone randomly.
Complement the first three people we see.
Donate Blood with Ashleigh
Donate old towels & blankets to an animal shelter.
Donate some old books to the little library.
Drop off clothes at a local charity.
Drop off razors for a local charity.
Help someone’s cause on GoFundMe that I do not know.
Hide a Love Note for Ashleigh
Hold the door open for a stranger.
I will buy someone (random) lunch if I have the opportunity to.
Leave a box of goodies in your mailbox for your mail carrier.
Leave a gas gift card at the pump.
Leave a server a big tip.
Leave a big tip for the barista.
Leave letters of encouragement on people’s cars or around the office.
Leave positive reviews online
Leave quarters at the laundromat
Let someone merge in front of me in traffic.
Pay for a stranger’s library fees.
Pet a dog.
Pick up litter I see.
Plant a tree at the new house.
Purchase extra dog food & toys and bring them to an animal shelter.
Raise money for a non-profit
Sack lunches or hygiene bags for the homeless.
Send a letter to a good friend instead of a text
Send a Random Thank You Email to Someone You Admire
Send a Thank You Card to an Essential Worker
Send coloring books to sick kids in the hospital
Send or take some flowers to a care/rest home for the elderly
Send some nice comments on social media.
Spread positivity – for a whole day, refrain from saying anything negative.
Surprise a neighbor with baked cookies.
Take a picture of the kids with the “I Love You” sign and send it to loved ones.
Take the time to listen to someone.
Thank a teacher with a gift.
