By Ann Weaver.
How often have you wanted to do something nice for someone, only to have no ideas? Or maybe you have ideas, but you always use the same ones and you’d like to come up with a new way to surprise someone.
That’s why I have come up with a list of “just because” ways to be thoughtful and considerate towards others, categorized to make it easier for you. I hope you enjoy and that you can use them soon to bless someone!
Pen and Paper:
· Put a little note in your dad’s lunch for work. (Or whoever in your family goes to work/leaves the house.)
· Write a thank-you note to someone.
· Send a kind, encouraging note to someone you know who may be struggling.
· Write a little note to a child in your church. It’ll make them feel so special and they’ll love the extra attention from a “big girl!”
· Put a short, cheerful note in a public place for whoever might find it.
Food/drink:
· Make a family member’s favorite meal or treat.
· Bring a hot drink (tea, hot cocoa, coffee) to someone who seems chilly, or to a person who may be working hard as a nice pick-me-up.
· Bring a cold drink (lemonade, iced tea, water) to someone working hard outside or seems to be a little hot.
· Invite someone over and cook their favorite food for them.
· Cook something for someone who may have a health concern. People who have food restrictions may feel out of place or rarely have meals or snacks made for them that they can safely eat. Just make sure ALL your ingredients are the way they need them to be! (Gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.) And don’t hesitate to ask them to make sure you get it right. It will mean so much to them to know that you’re going the extra mile!
Time:
· Volunteer to help out at a church function.
· Make something (like a blanket, outfit, hat, etc.) for the babies that you know.
· Visit a nursing home and meet/pray for people there. Sometimes all they need is a smile and cheerful conversation to make up for some of the loneliness they may feel.
· Assist someone in finding something that is lost.
· Help someone by getting/picking up something that is too high/low/heavy for them.
· Teach someone a skill such as baking, sewing, etc. It can be so much fun, and it’s great quality time!
· Do a sibling’s chore.
· Use a talent you have to help out/give something.
· Babysit a child so that his/her parents can go out together/do a chore they need to do.
Money:
· Listen for things that people need and buy/lend those things to them.
· Pay for the people behind you at a fast food restaurant.
· Buy a little treat for a small child you know.
· Buy something for someone that you know for sure they will use and that will make their life easier. (But be careful! Some people don’t mind an extra bit of labor and don’t want clutter. Be mindful of that!)
Watching Out for Others:
· Anticipate a habitual need and have it ready. (Example: Your dad always puts on his slippers when he gets home from work, so have them ready in the living room.)
· Include people in a conversation when you can tell they may feel left out.
· Remember special dates, such as birthdays or anniversaries of milestones. (This is a BIG one for me. I love it when people remember my special dates. Even more than that, I love to see when others get excited when you remember theirs!)
· Learn your family and friend’s “love languages” and show love for them in those ways. (Hint: What makes them feel loved? How do they typically show love to others? I must say from experience that sometimes the way that someone shows love may not be how they feel the most loved. I am like this. Quality time that people spend with me is very important and special to me, yet I really enjoy giving things to people. However, though I don’t mind gifts, that is not the way I feel the most loved. For more information on love languages please look it up. It is very interesting!)
· Let someone at the store go in front of you in line.
· Open doors for others.
· Give sincere compliments.
Miscellaneous:
· Smile at others.
· Donate your things.
· Carry needed things in your purse in case others need them. (I do this- a little overboard! This can include tissues, glasses’ wipes, a pen, gum, and who knows what else!)
I hope these are helpful as we all seek to grow in thoughtfulness towards others! I know I can learn from some of them. Also, I’d love to get some new ideas as well, so please share any suggestions you have in the comments below! I look forward to reading them!
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