by Loralie Lynn

Created on: December 10, 2009

Random Acts of Kindness - How to Brighten Someone's Day

Brightening someone elses day and making them smile can make you feel good in the process. There are simple ways to brighten someone's day that tell them you are thinking of them, hope they're doing well, and just plain want to say 'hello'. Here are some simple ways to brighten someone's day that will make you feel good in return. Be careful though, these feelings of goodness can be contagious and make you want to do nice things over and over again.

Ask how someone is doing and listen to their response. One nice way to brighten someone's day is to ask them how they are and fully listen to them. Everyone likes to know that someone cares and wants to know about them. You may find that you catch someone on a day when they need a friend the most. You asking how they are doing could truly brighten their day. They'll be able to get out some frustrations when you take the time to listen. Plus, you'll feel good that you cheered someone up and gave them a shoulder to comfort them.

Send a cheerful 'hello' or 'thinking of you' card. Brighten someone's day by giving them a nice card. Telling someone you're thinking of them in words can truly make them happy. Just think of times when you had someone give you a small gift out of nowhere. Didn't it make you feel really good? Laying a card on a coworker's desk, mailing a card to a friend, or even giving and 'I love you' card to your man can make their day just a little brighter. And you, in return, will get good feelings of making someone's day.

Compliment someone on how they look today or something they've done well. If you like a friend's clothes, notice someone has lost weight, or can tell that a friend had their hair done...say something nice to them about it. Complimenting someone can really brighten their day and help them to stay positive throughout the day. Think of a time when you got a nice compliment. Did it increase your confidence? Telling someone something nice about themselves gives off good feelings and helps them to have a better day. When you brighten someone's day with a compliment, you'll feel great about yourself as well.

Tell a funny joke to brighten someone's day. This works especially well if you see that a friend is down. Making someone laugh can definitely brighten their day and put them in a great mood. Giving off feelings of laughter is also contagious. You'll find yourself, and anyone else listening, laughing as well. It's almost impossible not to smile when you hear others laughing. Telling a funny joke to someone can get them in a positive mind set and brighten their day for quite awhile. You will even find that you're automatically put in a good mood. Even if you aren't any good at telling jokes, be funny about it. Sometimes, messing up a good joke and being silly about it can brighten someone's day just as well as getting the joke right. You'll both find yourself laughing for awhile on that one.

Be kind and helpful to someone to brighten their day. Hold the door open when someone is behind you, offer to help carry groceries, or ask a coworker if you can help them at work. Think of kind tasks you can do to help others lighten their load and feel better. Helping others is a gratifying effort also. You can't help but feel good by brightening someone's day in helping them. Everyone needs some sort of help and if you pay attention, you'll find people who can use your help. Offer your hand to an elderly person who is struggling, help a child with homework, or help your boss who may have a lot to handle at work. Do anything you can to help someone else and this will truly brighten their day more than you realize.

Learn more about this author, Loralie Lynn.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.