Lately, I’ve been trying to cultivate a habit. A habit where my interaction with any human being, including strangers whom I may encounter, does something to uplift their day.
It could be looking the person in the eye and smiling as I walk pass or saying a kind word or two. Or chatting to the person who makes my coffee, enquiring about them and their day – listening to them.
It could be ‘letting someone in’, as I drive in peak hour traffic amongst others with the same agenda – to get to work on time should they face the wrath of their boss if they’re late. Or sending a text or email to a friend to say I’m thinking of them.
To me, these simple acts of kindness are an acknowledgement of someone’s existence; even if these acts take just a spilt second out of your day, they can make a person feel as if they’ve been truly seen or heard. We we all need to consistently feel this to feel – be – human.
But, I must be honest. Making someone’s day is not always top of mind. At times, I’m caught off guard, and react to someone’s rudeness or am in my own busy mind to acknowledge others. If I can just keep the word ‘kindness’ in my brain’s forefront, it might just help me to get there.
What helps is if I have also been kind to myself – that is, taking the time to get enough rest, eat good food, exercise and do the things that give me joy, such as reading a good book and having brunch with a dear friend. If I’m in a good ‘place’, only then I’ll have the brain space to be aware of making someone’s day.
What little acts to you do to make someone’s day? Or what does someone do for you that uplifts your mood?
Lesh Karan 
Ahh, Lesh, you have the right idea. It is so easy not to make “human” contact these days, everyone rushing about, lost in their own thoughts and worries. I always make a concerted effort to interact on some personal level with the people I have contact with and it is usually very gratifying. Who knows, a smile or a show of interest in another may be all they need to lift them from sadness or feeling lost, albeit if for a short time. People have their own story, we should remember that and look outwardly more often instead of concentrating on own “problems”.
Thanks Lesh, I love this post and will be taking it with me on my day to day interactions with others.
Hi Lesh,
I think the other thing is to just acknowledge people so they don’t feel invisible.
Keeping the word “Kindness” in your head is a good way, like you said.
Like you, I will always let in a car that needs to be in my lane in heavy traffic. It just takes a few seconds and really does help! I’m always so thankful when someone does that for me!
I also like to send blessings to anyone I pass by or engage with – when I remember! On this note, I’d like to say a big “thank you” to you, Lesh, for your wonderful recipes and thoughtful blog. I’ve never commented before, but your blog is really special. I’m a quiet subscriber who values your work.
Thank you Amrita, your kind words have certainly made my day. May you be blessed a thousand times in return for your kind deeds. L x
Acknowledging other’s existence is such a good way of putting it. Smiling at strangers on the street is something I do too. It’s so uncommon for strangers here in Switzerland to smile at each other, but I’ve noticed when given the chance they’ll smile which makes me feel good in return. Thank you Lesh for you always insightful and down to earth ideas.