Acts of Kindness in Times of Crisis

In times of crisis, people feel a strong desire to feel cared for and loved.  We need to honor that desire and act on those thoughts to do good.  I've been asked what are good acts of kindness to do in a time of crisis.  Sometimes, it is not clear how we can help those in the immediate crisis.  If you are waiting to hear what to do or are not sure, then do something within your own community.

Acts of Kindness in Times of Crisis do not need to be HUGE in effort to have a meaningful impact on the person needing some extra kindness.  In times of crisis, when we are all feeling at odds and fearful with what is happening around us, it is those simple efforts to show love and care that will make the difference to someone else.

How do we show love and care?

Here are my thoughts:

• Be extra kind to those around you.  Your family, your friends, and people you pass by in the course of your day.  You never know how close a tragedy or disaster is affecting someone else.
• Smile.
• Say Hello.
• Talk less and listen more.  Most people will give a hint of what is bothering them.  Listen for those hints and act on those thoughts to help.
• Be aware of what is going on around you and seek out ways to help others.
• See out opportunities to complete an act of kindness.

If you want to put additional effort into it:

• Send someone a nice text just because.
• Take someone out to lunch or bring them lunch.
• Write a note and mail it or hand deliver it with a balloon, treat, or flower.

Want to do even more?
Thank the fire fighters and police officers in your community.
Make busy books for your local hospital.
Donate blood at the American Red Cross.
Pay for the person behind you in line at lunch.

There are many examples of how to reach out to others.  If you need some inspiration, check out the Pinterest Board on Serving Ideas and Random Acts of Kindness

How Kids Can Help in Times of Disaster