A Six-Year-Old Kid’s Acts of Kindness to Inspire You

by Rhea Vitto Tabora

“How do we change the world? One act of random kindness at a time.”

Remember this dialogue from the movie Evan Almighty?

We have heard so much about some random acts of kindness. But what is it really that will inspire someone to practice it and spread the power of goodness like wildfire? How do we spark kindness and keep the light burning?

This article is special. My six-year-old son helped me with the ideas based on his personal experiences and as a genuine act of kindness, he even volunteered to write this article, typing one word at a time on my laptop! Although he asked me many times what happened to what he wrote because I corrected his spelling and edited his words.

These are the things he did over the past week, written in present tense as he would like to continuously practice them.

1. Make a handmade card with a personalized greeting. What gift can be better than something you create personally? It’s the effort that makes it more special.  
2. Donate school supplies to a nearby school with underprivileged children. We know how some poor children can barely afford a box of crayons or a good quality pencil. Make them happy with some brand new school supplies.
3. Give your dog a hug. Dogs feel lonely too. A tight hug when you come home will make them feel loved.
4. Send random messages to your relatives on Viber or WhatsApp. We have a Viber group in the family, and my little boy loves sending random messages to his grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
5. Be someone’s cheerleader. When someone accomplished something, be happy and cheer for him or her.
6. Laugh often. Treat yourself nicely. Laugh like a child, again.
7. Say “good morning.” This simple greeting can make a difference to someone who is having a bad start of the day. 
8. Say “thank you” often. Express your gratitude always.
9. Add one more piggy bank – the second one is for a good cause. My little boy got excited purchasing some crayons and pencils for their school’s charity drive. Now he would like to have another piggy bank to support his charity cause and give back to the community. How heartwarming is that for a small child to do?
10. Donate clothing. Your gently-used clothing can be somebody else’s source of comfort.
11. Help set the table for dinner. Make it a family affair. Bonding can start even before you sit around the table.
12. Do what is right. Even when no one is watching.
13. Pick up trash on the road. Some people just don’t care about Mother Earth. We need to be kind to the environment too.
14. Share what you have. Not just the extra, or the things that you don’t need anymore.
15. Before you go to bed, say a prayer for all your loved ones.
16. Let your parents know how much you love them. A hug, a message, a call will mean a lot.
17. Say “I’m sorry” when you did something wrong.
18. Say “I love you.” And mean it.

Imagine how one simple act of kindness can brighten someone’s day and make an impact to the world.

As adults, we can do better, can’t we? If a small kid can show some kindness to the world, we adults should be able to do much more.

Let’s be kind. It’s not difficult. Don’t underestimate the power of a genuine hello, a friendly smile, a caring touch.

Are you ready to put a smile on someone’s face today? 

How a Simple Thank You can Inspire Your Day

by Rhea Vitto Tabora

There is always something to be thankful for. In the past, we always argued if the glass was half empty or half full. I am now joining those individuals who are thankful for having a glass, and that there is something in it. Yes, life is indeed simple. People, and sometimes greed, are the ones who make it complicated.

My little boy and I spent a few minutes earlier today exchanging notes on things we are thankful for. That inspired me to expand my list. So here I am spending some minutes to say thank you to the many people and things that have touched my life and made my days either special or challenging.

1. Thank you for another breath of life. I opened my eyes this morning and thanked God I’m still alive. Healthy and kicking.

2. Thank you for the smile. Seeing your loved one’s smile first thing in the morning is enough to make your day. Be it from your partner, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or a friend. 

3. Thank you, my family. I’m deeply grateful for your love and for always holding my hand.

4. Thank you for the hug. There’s nothing else that gives me the kind of comfort than a warm embrace.

5. Thank you, friends. Thank you for the good times, the bad times, the ups and downs. Thank you for the jokes, the joys, and all the moments shared.   

6. Thank you for my shadow. It means I am still alive, out in the sunshine, enjoying the open air. It also means there is light helping us see things in the darkness of the night.

7. Thank you for the challenges. They made me stronger. They help me navigate through life with greater ease.

8. Thank you for the difficult times. They helped me grow and inspired me to move on.

9. Thank you for the silence and complete darkness. Those surreal moments when you hear nothing but the soft murmur of the air-con, with no lights to disturb your thoughts. No other moment can give you that kind of peace.

10. Thank you for the morning sunshine, the soft wind, the sand, and the beach. They provide the best combination to unwind.

11. Thank you, photographers. Thank you for capturing life’s beautiful moments into one awesome masterpiece. Thank you for capturing the sunrise, the rainbows, the sunset, the moonlight, and everything in between.  

12. Thank you for the books. Who doesn’t love them? I grew up in a house filled with them. I gifted myself with them. I spent so much time with them. I went to the malls for them. I can’t thank you enough for the knowledge, the inspiration, and the wisdom.  

13. Thank you for the word possible. It makes me conquer what is impossible.

14. Thank you for the adjectives. They help me in expressing my emotions better. They offer flattering words to describe people and circumstances. They add color to my writing. One adjective can make a lot of difference.    

15. Thank you for the flowers. How dull this earth will be without you?

16. Thank you, music for making me feel better. You and my headset are perfect partners in soothing my headache. I can’t thank you enough.

17. Thank you, bed for always carrying my weight and for absorbing all my fatigue when my body crush your crispness at night.

18. Thank you for the new opportunity. I always get this, and I am deeply grateful. It makes my journey more exciting.

19. Thank you, WiFi. Because of you, I can connect to the tech-savvy world. And yes, because of you, I am earning money.  

20. Thank you, social media. Because of you, I remain in touch with my old friends, meet new friends, and share my thoughts like this one. Because of you, I was able to make my dream to write a blog come true.

To you, thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for the big things. And the small things.

And thank you for reading this.

What about you? What are you thankful for?