5 Kindness Ideas for the Home

Spreading good karma around the world is beneficial for the giver as well as the receiver.  Doing good deeds is noble, admirable and sets a great example for people to set free the dormant goodness that resides all around us.  The world as a whole would be a better place if we were all just a little bit nicer and kinder to each other – strangers and loved ones alike.  It’s easy to forget that our homes, our families, our own lives, are included in that very big picture.  There are little things you can do today, and any day, to make someone at home’s day just a little brighter:

1. Do the dishes without being asked – really this can go for any household chore, but since I loathe doing the dishes and would rather watch paint dry, I figured it was a good place to start.  Essentially, be the one to take care of something when the other people at home don’t expect it.  If one person cooks and the other will do the dishes, take care of both from time to time.  Offer to throw in some of his/her laundry with yours, help tidy up the place when your loved one is expecting company.  Does anybody really like chores?
2. Bring home flowers – surprise someone else at home with something they really love and wouldn’t expect on an average day.  I suggest flowers because I support the act of giving flowers on random occasions and not commercial holidays.  This idea can be expanded to include bringing home a DVD that came out that day that you enjoyed in the theaters, grabbing a fresh loaf of bread to have with dinner that night, bring home someone’s favorite dessert.
3. Have a drink ready – Many people come home and want to wind down with a drink.  So get your loved one’s favorite beer, have a glass of wine poured, or if you can, set out some shirley temples for the kids (and don’t forget the maraschino cherry, that’s the best part) – point is, have a tasty beverage ready for your loved one, so they can take a sip and relax.
4. Put on their show – don’t wait for someone to ask if they can change the channel so they can watch Heroes.  Learn when these programs air, and be the first to make sure they don’t miss a second.  Offer to go into the other room, bust out the laptop and Tweet, Blog or Facebook or hell, go pick up a book you’ve been meaning to get back to.  It’s a pretty selfless act that shows you respect your loved ones and their preferences.
5. Leave little notes – it’s one of the easiest, simplest ways to show someone how important they are to you: a little handwritten message that says “I love you” or “Cash this in later for something sinful” or “Kick ass at school today”.  Hide them in places they might not expect but will easily find (in a cabinet, under a pillow, in their lunchbox, in a drawer, in the freezer, behind their toothbrush, under their keys, in their purse)  Personally I think the more crafty you are in choosing hiding spots, the more fun it can be for you and them.  Oh and be sure you leave the right notes for the right people – you wouldn’t want to offer your child the “sinful” invitation!

What are some of the little things you do at home to spread a little bit of kindness?

photo by garr1s0n