Years ago, I remember getting my paycheck one Friday. Feeling relieved that it was payday, I opened the envelope just to confirm that my monthly salary was correct. To my surprise, the amount was $350 MORE than what I normally earned.   I didn’t want to, but knowing it was the right thing to do, I went my supervisor to let her know my check was wrong and that a new one should probably be cut.  She said, “nope, that’s what the boss wanted to do…. He just wanted to bless you this month!”  I was shocked, excited and almost in tears. That was the kindest thing I experienced in a long time. The boss didn’t have to do that. He extended kindness toward me- for no reason at all- just because he wanted to! That kind of generosity and kindness is contagious ya’ll!

You can step out of your comfort zone and spread some sunshine to those around you too! It’s EASY! Most people don’t go around voicing their needs. Don’t be fooled, everybody has a need. Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated. And, if you respond to that tugging at your heart, and do something awesome and random that is kind, you could be meeting someone’s need without even realizing it!

Here are some practical and heartfelt ways that you can spread your own sunshine. Random acts of kindness are often times done spontaneously and simply because you just want to do something nice for someone else. You do these acts with no expectation.  You give to give, not because you want something in return.  Doing for others does not mean you are required to go to extremes (unless you want to).  A simple gesture of kindness can change the course of someone’s day or week, month… or perhaps someone’s year!  Really- that’s incredible!

Be Spontaneous!

• Take coffee to someone (or a drink you know they love!)
• Bake a batch of cookies for a friend. Wrap ’em up in tissue paper and tie a bow around it! Perfecto!
• Mow the neighbors lawn!
• Write someone a nice card with encouraging words! (Sometimes a word of encouragement or praise is exactly what someone needed to hear!)
• Give someone a ride- even if it’s out of your way!
• Take dinner to a family in need! Call ahead to plan it- this was they can look forward to a night off from cooking! Ask about food allergies too! This is a HUGE blessing for working parents!
• If a Veteran is in the line behind you at Starbucks, buy his or her drink! Then, say “thank you for serving and protecting our Nation!”(When I have done this, I break down in tears every time and never finish my thank you, but they understand and respond with, it’s okay, thank you ma’am.”) Please show your appreciation and gratitude to these people.
• On a non-holiday day, Send a treat to your kids’ teacher just because!
• When you’re in the drive-through at the burger or taco drive-thru, pay for the person behind you!! EASY and helpful blessing!
• Buy a tiny bundle of flowers or a little succulent and put them in festive (but cleaned out) food can. (I choose colorful cans like El Pato salsa or Rotel cans!) simple, easy and thoughtful!
• Leave a candy bar on the desk of a coworker with a note that says “Have a sweet day!”
• Babysit a friends’ kids (for free!) so they can go have a date night!
• Take a couple dozen donuts to the office to share!
• Give someone a bag or basket of sunshine! Here’s an idea http://thehardyproject.com/sunshine/spread-a-little-sunshine/

Be Generous!

• If you can afford it, give a single mom a chunk of change! Your generosity can make a huge difference in her month!
• If you can afford it, pay someone’s mortgage one month!
• If you can afford it, give omeone a crisp $100 bill, for no reason at all… just because.
• The next time you are out to dinner, if you can afford it, secretly and discretely pay for the dinner of a family in the restaurant! We did this one time when we saw a family of four out for Mexican food… Mom and Dad were having margaritas and laughing with their two young children. One of the daughters was about 8 years old and totally bald- obviously fighting cancer or Leukemia. This could have been the one night that the child felt good enough to get out…. So as a family, they were able to go out to eat, focus on each other, share yummy food and laugh together!  The entire family is affected by disease- not just the one who has it.  After we (secretly) paid their bill, we left. As we drove away, I watched the parents…. What heartbreak they must face. It felt good inside knowing we got to do something nice for them!