We live in a high-speed, low-interaction world where quantity trumps quality an unfortunate majority of the time. Sometimes it's good to practice efficiency and productivity, as it gives us a sense of accomplishment. On the other hand, I've found that a sense of purpose is oftentimes more satisfying, especially when you can say to yourself: "Ya know, I just made someone's day." It's definitely selfish in a way, because it feels good to do good, but nowadays we're hard-pressed to find win-win situations so here are just a few easy ways you can help yourself by helping others.
1. Compliment someone
Frequently the most effective kindness is in a kind word, so next time you have something nice to say, don't hold back! We're all so self-conscious and stuck in our own little bubble sometimes that we miss opportunities to pass on our positive thoughts. But guess what: compliments aren't weird. It feels good to get positive feedback, and it's so stupidly easy to project that emotion back unto others.
2. Carry Someone's Groceries
Next time you're leaving Costco or Publix or Trader Joe's and you see a soccer mom who's clearly stocking up for tournament weekend, help her out. Who knows it could even help to offset the impending sense of doom she may or may not be experiencing about the teen years ahead to have a friendly young millennial being so shamelessly helpful and well-mannered.
3. Pay It Forward
Leave 10 dollars at a random gas station pump, fill up an expired meter (it's less than they'll have to pay for the parking ticket anyhow so those quarters technically have the weight of 25 to 100 theoretical dollars behind them), buy the next person's mocha frappe, pay for the car behind you in a drive through and hope that it's not soccer mom with the team...
4. Smile At People
It's wicked easy and has a tremendous effect, even more so than most of us anticipate because we frequently forget to factor in shock value. Wouldn't you be pleasantly surprised? So is everyone else, and that's kind of exactly why you should go ahead and do it. Even when someone's looking positively miserable or pissed off, the appropriate smile, be it sympathetic or apologetic, can work wonders. Plus, no one ever made it onto a Crest commercial walking around with a straight face.
5. Greet Strangers
A continuation of number 4, say hello to people you don't know--it's honestly how I entertain myself 50 percent of the time I'm in public. People are so interesting, and you never have anything to lose from a little high five or a friendly acknowledgement of a random person's existence. Furthermore, anyone who trivializes small talk clearly doesn't see it for the catalyst it really is. Small talk has a very powerful force behind it in the unknown and varying value of potential.
Being nice is nice, who would've thought? You never know who you'll meet when you least expect, so it's always better to stay positive and proactive, rather than shun an interaction, in order to stay ahead with your social skills.
So yes, it's nice to be nice, but it has endless benefits including your slightly satiated sense of altruism. Do good, feel good--it's a motto to live by, so I dare you to try it.
