On Sunday, the priest who said the mass I attended reminded us to be kind. He quoted the song; “We are the World” that was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and sung by 37 artists in 1985 to raise money for the famine in Africa. Take a minute to listen to this important song from our history.

Most of us were taught to be kind to one another when we are very young. I don’t know about you, but I am very worried about the state of our country. It seems to me that things are spinning out of control. We have people in cages in detention centers, children separated from their parents because they came to the US to seek asylum and a system that does not know how to reunite them. Who would have thought this would be happening in 2019? Yet it is. The rhetoric from our political leaders in hateful and is fueling unrest in our communities. How do we stop it to get to a better place?

I don’t have the answers, but for me, I am going to work at being kinder. I can only change what I do. I came across these 26 tips that can help us be kinder. Take a minute to read these tips to see what you can do to make the world a little kinder.  Thanks!

1. Smile and make someone’s day a little sweeter.
2. Look for ways you can promote peace.
3. Just listen.
4. Offer a hug or embrace.
5. Invite someone new into your friend circle.
6. Send out a kind email or card.
7. Give someone a genuine compliment.
8. Help clean up, without being asked, help someone out in a practical way.
9. Hold open the door for the person behind you.
10. Encourage a friend or family member when they are uncertain or
 unmotivated.
11. Make peace with someone that has hurt you or you have hurt
12. Strike up a conversation with a stranger.
13. Let someone into your lane while driving.
14. Pay for the person behind you in line.
15. Give your time to a friend or someone who needs it.
16. Say Thank You and Please every day without fail.
17. Meditate on loving-kindness: “May you be happy, healthy, peaceful, and free from suffering, and may my actions in some way contribute to the happiness, health, peace, and freedom for all.
18. Say “I love you” a little more often to your family and friends.
19. Pause before you speak, and choose words with positive intention.
20. Help someone get some rest (watch their kids, run an errand, bring them dinner or whatever you think would help them.
21. Pick up trash you see even if it’s not yours.
22. Remove complaints and foul language for one week.
23. Gift something meaningful to someone: loan a book, bring flowers, drop off cookies.
24. Give up your seat to someone who looks tired.
25. Listen to the song I shared at the beginning of this post: We are the World. Turn it up and sing it as you start your day!

Have a good week and don’t forget to be kind to one another!