I'm a big believer in the small gesture. Cards and letters, an email, a phone call, flowers, a surprise visit, a prayer... there are so many simple ways to lift someone's spirits. I always tell people that the best way to forget one's problems is to forget self for a moment and think of others. Try it. Practice some random acts of kindness today!

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Here are a few suggestions:

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Donate A Pint of Blood
Visit someone who is home-bound or sick in the hospital
Read a story to a child
Phone a friend (don't complain - keep the conversation upbeat)
Volunteer to help weed the public park flower garden
Offer your mail carrier a refreshing drink
Buy an extra cup of coffee at the coffee shop and give it away to someone
Skip a meal - Give your sack lunch to a homeless person
Offer to paint your sister's toenails
Shovel your neighbor's snow covered walkway
Offer a prayer for someone in needPay the bridge toll for the person behind you on the road Express kindness to those who are healing -Leave a stuffed animal for a child in a hospital

Become a prisoner's penpal

Bake cookies for someone

Leave chocolates on the desk of your co-worker

Volunteer

Write a note of appreciation to someone

Run a race to help fund research for a disease

Listen to a friend who is going through a tough time

Write a letter to an old teacher or pastor who influenced your life

Clean out your closet and take excess clothes to a local nonprofit organization

Give away something that you really like and cherish

Place extra money in a vending machine and tape a smile card next to it

Plant a tree in someone's memory

Pay for the person behind you at a drive-thru

Pick up the tab of a random table at a restaurant

Be generous with hugs, kisses and pats on the back

Make someone laugh

Sponsor a child or elderly person from a third world country

Give someone a sincere compliment

Practice kindness at every opportunity you get...

Make Today Count! Forget your personal agendas for a few minutes and do something that will bring a smile to someone else. You'll end up smiling as well!