Perhaps you have heard of the “butterfly effect”. It basically says that a small influence in a larger complex system can have significant effect elsewhere. This is how I view small acts of kindness on a daily basis.

I have a repertoire of small kind acts that I regularly practice.  I find it helps me enjoy life more and if I may be so bold as to speak on behalf of others it appears that other people also derive enjoyment from them.

Some of the kind acts I practice are the following. I always say hello to people and ask them how is their day going in a genuine way. This is so for the places I buy coffee, the person at the checkout in the grocery store or other people I meet casually in my day-to-day living. People usually smile and often say “thanks for asking”. When I see someone looking for change for the parking meter I often offer them everything I have in my pocket as I would for my brother. Today a meter could cost $6 for an hour in downtown Vancouver and I do not let the person pay me. I ask them to please do the same for another. It is a small way for us to connect and remember we have so many similar things in our lives. I always look in front or behind me when I am entering a building. I hold the door for people and smile when I do it. Again, it is just a pleasant way to be and there is an added benefit of slowing down in an otherwise busy day.

I am sure many of you have your own practices and small acts of kindness and I would love to hear about them and add them into my own repertoire so please take a moment leave a comment so I and others can practice some of yours as well.