Do you want ideas on how to feel good and help others at the same time? Here are 101 ways to give your spirit a lift, while helping others in the process.
1. Smile!
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2. Laugh!
3. Contribute money towards the person’s bill behind you.
4. Contribute toll money to the car behind you.
5. Give away something from your closet today.
6. Give away something from your closet for a week!
7. Say “thank you” with genuine gratitude.
8. Remember to ask with “please.”
9. Listen on purpose: look people in the eye and be silent.
10. Read a book to a child.
11. Walk or run for a cause you’re passionate about.
12. Write a letter of thank you when you see exceptional service.
13. In heavy traffic on the road, let someone in front of you.
14. Call someone you haven’t spoken to in awhile.
15. Write a real letter or note and mail it (the old fashioned way)!
16. Send a “thank you” card to your local fire department.
17. Send a “thank you” card to your local police department.
18. Be peaceful throughout your day.
19. Cook something and bring it to work.
20. Cook or bake your favorite dish and give it to your neighbor.
21. After a snowstorm, shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk or even your entire block!
22. After finishing a good book, give it away to a random stranger.
23. Give your extra television at home to a homeless shelter.
24. Say something nice to your boss.
25. Bring flowers to your work.
26. Visit a hospital and offer to volunteer.
27. Visit a public library and volunteer to help someone learn to read.
28. Sing!
29. Offer your services for free for a day.
30. Tell your children you love them.
31. Tell your parents you love them.
32. Tell anyone who is important to you that you love them!
33. Write a love letter for your “significant other” and mail it.
34. Bring your recycled cans and bottles to a recycling center and give them to someone in line.
35. Open the door for someone.
36. When a coworker is sick, call to find out if they need anything.
37. The next time you buy a refreshment, take the extra change and give it as a tip to the person
serving you, no matter how big or small.
38. When stranded at the airport, buy a book for someone.
39. When stranded at an airport, buy some water for a cranky child.
40. Forgive someone.
41. Write a letter of “thanks” to your Congressional representative, even if you don’t agree with his or her politics.
42. Make a commitment to say nothing but nice things to people for an entire day.
43. If people are gossiping about someone, find something nice to say about that person instead.
44. Go to a nursing home and spend some time visiting with the people there.
45. Read to an elderly person who can no longer do so for him or herself.
46. Start your day by giving thanks for another day!
47. Buy some ice cream and take it to your local daycare or pre-school.
48. Look up a teacher who made a difference in your life and thank him or her.
49. Become a Big Brother/Big Sister to someone.
50. If you know another language, give some lessons to someone who wants to learn that language.
51. Volunteer in your local school.
52. Write a poem to someone who is important to you and give it to them.
53. Identify a material possession that you have two of and give one away to someone who has none.
54. Give a ride to someone who doesn’t own a car.
55. Give up your seat to another on a crowded bus or train!
56. Give money to the beggars on the street, without worry as to how they will spend it.
57. Organize a free car wash in your neighborhood and any donations given can be passed onto a charity.
58. Help bag the groceries of the person behind you in line at the supermarket.
59. Make an anonymous contribution toward a cause you believe in.
60. Pay for a child in need to go to summer camp.
61. Buy some movie passes and give them to local teenagers.
62. Give away your frequent flyer miles to someone who needs it.
63. Help a friend or family move with no expectations.
64. Ask an elderly person what life was like when they were young.
65. Ask a young child what love means.
66. Listen to teenagers.
67. Become involved in whatever religious organization you belong to.
68. Start your own non-profit organization.
69. Plant trees.
70. Grow your own herb garden and make herbal vinegars and oils as presents.
71. Plant flowers and share them.
72. Save an animal from your local animal shelter.
73. Build a sand castle on the beach.
74. Welcome a new neighbor to your neighborhood.
75. Create a “healing” basket for a friend who is feeling down. Include bath or toiletry items, a good book, candles, lotions, a comedy movie, or any other ideas you have that will make the person feel better.
76. Watch only comedy on television and in film.
77. Buy a gift card and give it out randomly.
78. Organize the kids at your school to collect extra change for a cause.
79. Give back to whoever helped you (your community, church, school, etc.).
80. Write a letter of gratitude to your local newspaper’s editorial section, expressing your appreciation for the community you live in.
81. Take a child to the zoo.
82. Write a letter to a member of our troops.
83. This year, buy all your birthday presents and holiday gifts at a local Goodwill Store (or) similar organization that provides jobs for the less fortunate.
84. Treat others on your birthday.
85. Volunteer to help someone with their 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
86. Donate your vacation or sick time to someone at your place of employment who needs it more than you do.
87. Send anonymous cash to someone you know who needs it.
88. Nominate someone for a makeover show.
89. Take the time to write to the boss of the person who gives you exceptional service. Make sure the boss knows how much you value their employee.
90. Organize a children’s crayon art drawing drive for display at local nursing homes and in assisted living facilities.
91. Smile whenever you talk on the phone. Even though the other party cannot see you, they will feel you!
92. Rake the leaves in someone else’s yard.
93. Spend at least five minutes of your day, everyday, in silence.
94. When someone shares their dream with you, make it a point to give them only
words of encouragement.
95. Always look for at least one positive element in the most negative of situations, no matter how bad it seems or feels.
96. Get involved with a prison ministry.
97. Buy a children’s magazine subscription for your local children’s hospital.
98. When someone you know turns fifty years old, buy them their first year’s membership to AARP!
99. Pick up litter you see on the ground and place it in the appropriate waste or recycling receptacle.
100. Build a relationship with someone less fortunate than you.
101. Be loving to all you meet!
101 Ways To Uplift Your Spirit And Of Those Around You
Barbara A. Clark has been a professional in higher education for over 25 years. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Iowa and completed all course requirements for a Ph.D in International Comparative Education before several life-changing events interrupted her studies. It was during the interruption that Barbara discovered her passion for service to the world through love and intention. She is passionate about her new journey as “The Spirited Strider,” serving the world in love, one step at a time.