To add more kindness, to add more love to the world? — If we are asking for the world to be kind, we must first ask what are we doing to add more kindness to the world. If we are asking for the world to be more loving, we must first ask what we are doing to add more love to the world. We are the vessels for the things we seek. — Joél Leon Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today? Website | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook

A ripple of kindness story — Blessed are they who can give without remembering and take without forgetting — Elizabeth Bibesco 17 February was Random Acts of Kindness Day. You’re probably thinking — we should be practising RAKs every day, and you’d be absolutely right. Imagine being kind to someone with no expectations whatsoever and finding…

And a Special Act of Kindness Activity You Will Love — Back in 2013, when I visited my spiritual hometown — the place where I grew up, I met two of my classmates. Fortunately, they lived a minute away from where I was staying and we got to spend wonderful hours together. I met them after 35 years — yes, you…

Will you also join me? — Read the Tamil version here. My grandmother always said that we should give without expectations. When I was young, I did not really understand what she meant. Only when I was older and had seen a little more of life did I get what she said. It is true that…

Enjoy the great feeling — Think about something you are good at. Could be writing. Teaching. Playing a sport. Organizing. Planning. Cooking. Music. Technology. Whatever it is, help someone. You might even find a career idea in it as you donate your skills or talent to someone. Yes, helping as an editor on Medium counts…

Watch them glow! — Most of us have the habit of taking our family members’ and friends’ talents for granted. Next time you are in a family/friends gathering, how about praising someone’s talent or unique quality? “She cooks/writes/paints so well!” “Her voice is beautiful” “She’s always so kind and cheerful” “She helped me (fill in the blank) and it made all the difference” “I don’t know what I’d do without (name)’s (fill in the blank)”

Kindness does not have to cost a thing — Please read to an elderly person with failing eyesight. You have no idea what it means to them. Just a few minutes will do. And it will cost you nothing, except a little effort and some of your time. …

You, as much as anyone, deserve your love and kindness — As you reflect on the year gone by and look at the New Year with hope, make time to focus on some self-care and do something kind for yourself. It can be something as simple as a cup of coffee/wine that you sit down and savor (without looking at your phone), listen to music, perhaps soak in a long bath, get a massage, or just sit quietly, breathing. You choose what makes you happy. ❤ 💐

Enjoy the puppy or kitty love! — Most animal shelters struggle to manage their day-to-day expenses. Today, why not show them kindness by donating food? Oh, feel free to donate cash, blankets, toys, and bedding as well. When you are there, ask them what they need. Donate what you can. Thank you ❤ Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today? Help me support underprivileged children via Ko-Fi. Thank you so much!

An easy way to cultivate the habit of giving — Find a box or a jar. You can keep it at your workplace or at home — I like to do both. Collect small change in it — coins. At the end of each month, just donate it. And oh, feel free to put in more ❤ Thank you! I also keep a big box in which I collect things I may no longer use or would like to give away. Each time I step out, I grab something from it and give it away.

The kind of story we need — because everyone, including you and me — can be Santa Claus — Today, instead of the daily kindness reminder, I want to share this beautiful story of kindness with you. Truth is, anyone can be Santa Claus. Oh, I dare you not to cry when you finish reading ❤ Enjoy! I hope it warms your heart as much as it did mine! …

After all, ’tis the season — It is heartbreaking how many families cannot celebrate Christmas or the holiday season simply because they cannot afford it. Worse still, when they have kids. Donate toys or clothes — even gently used ones will do — to a family in need today. They’ll be grateful for the gift of kindness. In my area, there is always some construction going on. I usually take something with me each time I step out to give away. Some snacks, blankets, clothes, toys. These people have kids who amuse themselves while their parents work.

Enjoy the appreciation — Years ago, when my mom was alive, I enjoyed surprising her by taking care of something she usually did. It could be kneading the dough for Rotis, making sure her favorite milk utensil was washed and ready, cooking her favorite dish, tidying her closet, making her favorite ginger tea, mending something for her, or getting her a pair of new house slippers or some flowers, a book by her favorite author. The list is endless. Why — my mom was so happy when I wiped her spectacles for her!

It is time to say you’re sorry — Often, we do or say something to someone we regret later. It could be a family member or a friend. Sometimes we do it simply because we take their love for granted. But that does not mean they don’t deserve an apology. Today, apologize sincerely to a family member you’ve hurt by saying something you did not mean. ❤ You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see your bond grow stronger.

Brighten their day — We all have people we feel close to. How often do we tell them what they mean to us? It is time to say your I-love-yous and more importantly, why someone is special to you. Highlight their amazingness, and tell them. If you feel like making a card for them with the words, even better. Each time they look at it, they’ll feel happy. Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?

You’ll be surprised how it lifts your spirits — Sure, it is wonderful to make a gratitude list. Even better is to think of all the kind things others have done for you — whether it is from someone you know or a stranger. Perhaps someone gave up their seat on the bus for you; Or helped you carry…

There are far too many people who need our help — This could be as simple as donating your extras to your local welfare homes. In my country, at one of the orphanages I support, it only costs $70 to support a child’s education for an entire year. Can you imagine? Yes, every little counts. And you don’t always have to make a monetary contribution. Volunteering your time counts, too. ❤ How can you support a cause or campaign you care about today?

Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see — It can be as easy as giving a homeless person a hot meal. Spending a little time with a lonely neighbor. Letting a stranger go in front of you in line. A snack for your mailman. A word of appreciation for the elevator operator or the guy who drives the garbage truck. Helping someone with their bags at the grocery store. The classic: helping an elderly person cross the street. Donating something to a shelter.

Brighten someone’s day — It is amazing what a difference we can make by choosing our words carefully when we speak. I am not saying you should not be spontaneous, but do consider being kind with your words. …

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you — There really is no point in holding on to past grudges, hurts, and toxic relationships. Why give them space in your mind or your heart? Forgiveness can set you free. Forget about the coulda, shoulda, and woulda. Focus on what is. Accept it. Forgive, whether it is yourself or someone else, and move on. Because you deserve to be at peace.