Do Good Every Day And Be Mindful Of It

We live in an often frightening, angry, heartbreaking world. A quick scroll through the news can confirm that. We also live in a miraculous, beautiful, hopeful world. It all depends on what you decide to look for. What is your focus? Are you looking for light?

It is easy to find negative things. You don't even have to look for them. They are shoved in our faces daily by the news, social media, and the general interactions of people. Sometimes I just want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head. But that won't help anything.

We have to look for the positive. I am going to tell you right now that if you are looking for the positive online, you will probably have to sift through a lot of negative things to find it. And even when you do find it, I would advise you to stay away from the comments sections of any news story or article, because there is always someone willing to spew negativity there. So where do we look?

In a world where information is at the tips of our fingertips, and so much of that information is negative, what can we do?

The best way to find the positive is to BE the positive. Do good, and be mindful of it. To be mindful of something is to be conscious or aware of it. Do good, and do it on purpose. Pay attention to what you are doing, what you are saying, how you are acting, what you are sharing. Live your life with purpose, and focus. Focus on doing good.

Too much of the time, we think of doing good as these big things. Big things are great, but they aren't everything. There are people in the world that do some of those big things, or are generous with their finances, but they might not be the nicest people in their everyday lives. If you can do big things, then feel free. I think the little things are more important. If you are stuck for ideas on how to do good, I will share a few here. 

Be kind to someone.

Smile at a stranger.

Smile at a friend.

Smile at someone you don't like.

Hold the door for the next person.

Be a generous driver (let someone merge, enter traffic, etc)

Compliment someone, and mean it. 

If you have a kind thought, express it.

If you have a negative thought, suppress it.

Tell someone you love them instead of keeping it to yourself.

Give someone a hug, a handshake, a fist bump or a high five.

Take a meal to someone.

Write a note or a card and tell someone how you feel about them.

Say thank you.

Plant a flower, a seed, a tree, or an idea.

Help someone in need.

Don't just tell someone to let you know if they need anything. Do something. Even something small.

Listen to someone else. Sometimes that is all they need.

Dance in public, or just in your kitchen. 

Choose to withhold judgment.

Swallow a cutting remark, or choose not to post a negative comment. Sometimes doing good is choosing to not do something bad.

Think about your choices and how they might influence those who witness them. If they will bring someone down, then try to find another way.

Forgive someone.

Let go of a grudge.

Buy someone dessert.

Bake cookies, then share them.
Pray for someone you love.

Better yet, pray for someone you don't like. Keep praying for them.

Soften your heart.
Pick up some litter.

Do something kind, and do it anonymously.

Weed a neighbor's flower bed or garden. 

When you have a negative thought about someone else, choose to look for three positive things about them instead.
Don't raise your voice in anger. Practice calm reactions.

Be generous in praising others.

Put your shopping cart away. 

Put somebody else's shopping cart away.
Volunteer.

Donate.
Gather your friends and/or family and do service together.

When you do come across uplifting things online. Share them, and when you find negative things, consider not sharing them. How would social media change if we stopped sharing the negative things and focused instead on the positive?

There are so many small and simple ways that we can go about doing good. When we choose good, and we do it thoughtfully, and deliberately, we will naturally feel more positive, and so will those around us. Go ahead and try it. I dare you.