In a world where people are constantly beating other people down and causing more frowns than smiles, I wanted to take some time this week to make a list of 10 things anyone can do to make someone else's day, that takes no time at all. Recently I've been thinking that I know I spend more time dwelling on the bad things in my life rather than trying to cheer someone else up. I've remembered that when I am having a bad day someone else is always having a worse day. So take this time as I write what I believe are 10 easy things we can do to improve each other's day, why don't you think of 10 different things you can do, and we can spread kindness instead of hate.

I believe that God calls us to be the salt and the light of the world, it's time we stop tearing each other down, and building each other up. There are so many problems in the world, but we can choose to love, instead of dwell on the bad things happening around us, and when we start focusing on positive things, the bad things will slowly start to disappear. So I believe that we are to be the encouragement of this broken world and encouragement to the brokenness inside each and every one of us. I also believe, that only God can put the light in me. So I want to write out this list, to speak out his light, and his truth, and to give examples on what I want to do to start spreading kindness, and I want to inspire you on what you can do to start the revolution of kindness this world desperately needs.

1. Smile

I feel like when I am walking anywhere hardly anyone has a friendly face. Everyone is so focused on what we have to do next and what issues of tomorrow there will be. So starting today, I want to be the one to show a smile and to have a kind face. And guess what? Smiling is absolutely free, you don't need one cent to smile at someone headed your way, and who knows maybe that smile from you could turn their whole day around?

2. Write a letter

There's nothing like getting a hand-written letter in the mail from someone you care about. I love writing letters, knowing that someone took the time out of their crazy day to send a letter to you is something so heart-warming. So go to the store and pick up some envelopes, stationary, and some stamps. and write a letter. It's not that expensive, and it will make you feel good writing it, and will also make your friend or family member feel good when they get something other than a bill in the mail!

3. Make a phone call

In a world where everyone would most rather send a text rather than calling, it's something that can make someone's day. I love it when people call me over texting me. Knowing that they actually want to hear my voice rather than just seeing a name pop up on a phone. So this week, call your grandparents, call your aunts and uncles, and call your parents, call your friends, even if it's just a twenty-minute phone call it will make their week to know that they're missed and thought of.

4. Open a door

Sometimes our hands are just really full, and someone opening a door can mean the world. Once, I was walking into the Humanities building on campus carrying a lot of stuff and struggling, and some kind old soul opened the door for me. It made my whole day. So even if you're busy, open the door, it might even lead to a friendship, you never know what small acts of kindness can do. And opening a door is absolutely free!

5. Carry someone's groceries

Sometimes we see older people struggling with carrying groceries to their car. Stop a minute, and ask them if you can help them place those heavy bags into their car. I did this once, and I could've sworn it made this lady's whole entire day. It's free to do, and it makes someone's life just a little bit brighter to know that there are still young people that respect their elders.

6. Pay it forward

One time I was trying to buy my gas, and my debit card wasn't reading, and this older lady gave me a twenty out of the kindness of her heart so I could go home. It doesn't have to be buying someone anything, but anytime you see someone struggling to make it, just lend a hand, it could be giving someone a hug, or just giving them five bucks to help paying for gas .Whatever it is, just do something to pay it forward, there are times when we need help, so it's important to help others too.

7. Laugh

It may not seem like much, but just hearing someone laugh can make me laugh. So if you're having a bad day try to make someone laugh, try to do something to make them smile. I love it when I'm having a bad day and someone tells me something funny. It brightens the mood and can flip anyone's day around just to hear something positive.

8. Not being too serious

I feel like now with the time of election and so many world problems happening, that a lot of people including me can take the little things very seriously. It's taken me some time to learn to not be so serious. It can really change someone's day, instead of getting mad at something small, think if it will really still make you mad in a couple of hours.

9. Play an upbeat song

At work, I try to play a lot of happy songs. Nowadays, I feel like there are so many sad songs, and songs degrading people for being different. So wherever you are try to play a happy positive song, it could influence someone's mood more than you think. Music has a way of making our days better or worse depending on what we listen to.

10. Talk face to face

I feel like with all the technology we have now it's easy to get lost in it. However, I find it so nice when I can just sit in a restaurant without our phones and talk face to face. In college, I had a group of friends who told me to leave my phone in the car while we went to eat, and I really got to know them better because of it. While you're out with your friends, be there with them, try not to always be glued to our phones. It will be a challenge but I believe we can do it!

So as you read this list, I hope it inspires you to start spreading acts of kindness and to the hands and feet of Jesus. I want to start showing the world that God is love, and I believe we can do that by spreading joy and just shining our light. To stop dwelling on every bad thing that comes our way and reminding ourselves that there are still good people in the world. It's time to make that change and to be the kindness the world dares to say that is gone! Be kindness this week!