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of rowdy little people has been in the line up with us. The mom is ready to strangle the whole lot of them. The kids are bouncing up and down, crying, whining and definitely not having a very good day. It's almost enough to send us over the edge! But instead of just standing their glowering at them and acting annoyed, it takes just a smile, and a little laughter to break up the tension of their day. A very simple gift of kindness. It doesn't take much for us to give this type of gift to another. Just a moment of our time, a few minutes of our day, to make another persons life so much easier.

There are a million small creative ways to give. We just have to do it! A lottery ticket popped into the hands of a street person can be hope. Donating used toys, books or magazines to a local senior center, social service office, or homeless shelter can become hours of entertainment for those who visit there. Donating these same toys, books or magazines to a Goodwill store rather than discarding them in the trash can mean that meals or shelter can be provided for those who need them most. Such small ways of giving that can mean just so much to another person.

A food hamper given to a single mother that you know is struggling to make ends meet can dramatically reduce the amount of stress that she is forced to endure. Certificates to a local movie theater, upcoming event, swimming pool or bowling alley, given to this same mom can mean that her kids have entertainment, they get to enjoy a few of the things that other kids just take for granted.

Animal shelters and humane societies are often short of hands just to pet, brush or walk the animals that are under their care. A little love and a whole lot of caring for an abused animal can turn an angry and resentful creature into a happy playful friend again. Volunteering an hour a week doesn't take a lot of time out of our lives and it can make such a very large difference in theirs. A few bags of puppy or kitty treats donated to these same shelters can be the difference between these same pets just existing their lives or being really able to truly enjoy and look forward to each new day. These simple pleasures that so many people just take for granted can mean so much to those who don't receive them.

The gift of kindness, it exists inside each of us, take a minute in time to share it with someone who needs it.!

Learn more about this author, Ladymermaid.
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