Tired of New Year's Resolutions? Try This Instead . . .

   

     As another year grinds to a halt, many of us feel obligated to honor the new year with the tradition of setting New Year's Resolutions for ourselves. Maybe they are the same tired ones that somehow get forgotten by January 15th of each year.  For a fresh spin, why not make 2016 (at least a portion of it) about thinking of others instead of simply vowing to lose that same fifteen pounds? More specifically, how about doing random acts of kindness for others? Listed below are some ideas to consider:

1. Smile at strangers on the street. 
2. Let someone into your lane (without a hand gesture or honk).
3. Talk to that shy person sitting at the party. 
4. Let the person in the store with just a few items go ahead of you.
5. Leave sticky notes with "Hi, have a nice day" (or something similar) on random public restroom mirrors.
6. Give someone a sincere compliment.
7. Hold the elevator for someone.
8. Drop off pet food/supplies at the animal shelter. (Blankets and towels you no longer need are helpful too.)
9. Make that $1 donation at the check out when asked. (You know they hate asking.)
10. Have a clean-up party at the local park/lake.
11. Slip a dollar into a book and put it back on the shelf at the bookstore. (Make it a five if you're feeling generous.)
12. Put your phone away during dinner with your spouse or friend.
13. Donate that stack of read magazines to your local library or hospital.
14. Help that mom with the stroller open the door. (Bonus points if the child is screaming.)
15. Give up the closest parking space to the driver that's racing you for it. (Tough one, I know.)
16. Be the one that brings the doughnuts to the office.
17. Wrangle that loose buggy in the parking lot and put it in the designated area.
18. Give an umbrella/rain coat to a homeless person.
19. Donate blood.
20. Plant a tree.

     Happy New Year!  May 2016 be the best one yet!