Category: News

Kindness ideas by Katie Ranney Bring kindness into your household. It can sometimes be easier to do random acts of kindness for strangers or coworkers than it is to be kind to a family member. A long relational history and communication habits can make acts of kindness uncomfortable because they are not what you normally do for each other. However, small acts of kindness with family can shift ineffective patterns and breathe new, positive life into your relationship with surprising power.  Do the dishes, sweep the floor, take out the trash, or finish any chore that another family member usually does (or even better, hates doing). Even if they don’t say “thank you” or point out what you’ve done for them, rest assured that they noticed. Just like that you’ve added a positive interaction into your Gottman’s relationship ratio. (See day 2 for more information about Gottman). 

Kindness Ideas by Katie Ranney Pay it forward and show some kindness at the cafe. Buy the drink for the person next in line or reserve $5 to take a bit of the burden off someone’s wallet. An additional few dollars in someone’s pocket can make their heart feel lighter and it’s a simple thing for you to do spontaneously.

Kindness Ideas by Katie Ranney Many organizations are on the islands helping people move from houselessness to having and keeping a home. However, they need help, too. Whether by donating time, home supplies, or furniture, you can support someone’s first steps to rebuilding their lives. If you are on Oahu, one program you can support is Oahu Housing Now, a collaboration between Honolulu City and County, Partners in Care Oahu, @familypromiseofhawaii, Housing Solutions, Inc, and Alternative Structures International. More information here: https://www.partnersincareoahu.org/about-ohn What organizations can you reach out to nearby you?

Kindness Ideas by Katie Ranney Write in your journal the names of one to three people you have to interact with at work or at home, that you either: don’t know well or with whom you don’t feel you have good chemistry.  Write down at least one thing you like about them–maybe they are skilled at something, or perhaps they are always on time, or maybe they have good taste in shoes–and one thing you think you might have in common.  Set a date as a goal to have some kind of positive interaction with each person whose name you have listed. You might just go out of your way to pay them a compliment; you might just say hello and ask them how they are doing, or what they did over the weekend; or you might try to engage in a conversation about some commonality you think you share. Even bringing them a doughnut or banana bread and saying very little starts building a bridge.

Kindness ideas by Katie Ranney Is there someone that you haven’t talked to in a while? Have you noticed that someone in your life is “a bit off” but you haven’t had the time to find out why? Is that person more withdrawn or conversely more aggressive? Today is the day you check in with them! You can include a 5-10-minute exercise in the beginning of a work meeting where everyone shares. They can share what their “weather” is like in their head, a “rose” (a positive thing) and a “thorn” (a negative thing) that has happened to them recently, or a picture that represents how they are doing (though this exercise will need advance warning and bit of preparation). When the check-in is on the agenda, it won’t feel rushed or perfunctory. It will be part of the meeting. You can also reach out to someone one-on-one. Send a text just to check in. Call them up. You might be surprised who is just waiting for someone to ask!

Kindness ideas by Katie Ranney Beautify your space with visible plants and flowers. Plant something leafy or something that blooms in your front yard. Plant a sturdier plant in a pot and place it on your windowsill. Get your hands in some dirt and add color to your life and the lives of others. Being around plants and flowers has a proven positive effect on one’s happiness, memory retention, relational skills, concentration, energy, and sense of wellbeing*. Lift someone’s day and improve their lives by adding flowers and plants.  If planting outside, you can do some good for the ‘aina as well and choose native plants. Look up species that work for where you live or work by going to Native Plants Hawaii (http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/index/).   * See studies cited at https://ellisonchair.tamu.edu/health-and-well-being-benefits-of-plants/

Kindness ideas by Katie Ranney Write a letter to someone you think about. Mail is usually bills, advertisements, or requests for money. Add a little joy to someone’s life by sending a handwritten letter. It’s a surprise gift of kindness that can’t be defined by a price tag. It doesn’t have to be profound, but it should be personal. Make a connection through pen and paper.

Kindness ideas by Katie Ranney Encourage a friend to participate in the challenge, too. It’s been a week of acts of kindness, and they may have noticed you making the extra effort this month. Tell them about the kindness challenge and ask them to join you. Kindness is teachable: you can build your capacity for kindness like a muscle. Kindness is contagious: seeing you be kind inspires others to be kind. Your acts of kindness could improve the lives of dozens of people that you don’t even know. Also, it’s always fun to do a challenge with a friend.

Kindness ideas by Katie Ranney On your favorite social media, find a local or small business that you like or a person who is a source of inspiration for you. Follow them, like their posts, and find a way to support them, such as sending an encouraging direct message. Some people make a living on social media; others use it as a creative outlet. Either way, it will brighten their day to receive validation on work well done.

Kindness ideas by Katie Ranney Many local charitable organizations and nonprofits create wishlists, items or work to fulfill their most urgent need or newest project. Find a local organization and discover how you can help.  Try your best to stay small and look around you first. Maybe your local school is looking for some help or an organization based in the town you live in could use a hand. Some places you can start are @kukulucollab, YWCA Fernhurst, Hawaiian Humane Society, or @maimovementhawaii.