7 Ways to Make Someone Else’s Day Better

Have you found that giving is often better than receiving? I know I have. When we have truly made a difference in someone else’s life, it gives our life a greater sense of purpose and meaning.

Emily Dickinson said it best in one of her poems, “Not in Vain”.

Not in Vain

If I can stop one heart from breaking I shall not live in vain If I can ease one life From aching, Fr cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Into his nest again, I shall not live in vain.

~ Emily Dickinson

It’s amazing how little it takes to brighten someone’s day. A smile, a hug, or a simple card in the mail can make all the difference in the world.

Here are just a few things that you can do to make someone’s day a bit better.

Give Genuine Compliments

Everybody needs to feel special and compliments do just that. Think about the last time you got a compliment. Didn’t it feel good?

Just think, you could be passing out these good feelings all day long to others. A compliment is a free way to instantly make someone else’s day better.

They also help you to look for the best in people. It’s easy to find fault with others, but it takes a special person to look for the positive side in everyone.

Make it a habit to give out at least 5 heartfelt compliments a day. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it makes in you as well as those around you.

Look for those who might not receive compliments very often: a teacher, a church member, the grocery bagger, the salesperson, or the mailman.

Write someone a card

With today’s technology of email, instant messaging, and SMS, it’s rare that we receive actual handwritten cards in the mail.

However, these personalized notes can really brighten someone’s day. Take some time out of your day to write a note to a friend or family member. Show them that you really care.

While email can come and a go, a person rarely forgets receiving a special card in the mail.

Give your friends some relief by watching their children for an hour.

Parents can become highly stressed and overworked when the kids are rampaging the house, babies screaming at all hours of the night, and wanting their parent’s attention at every moment.

Help give them a break by watching their kids for an afternoon.

They won’t soon forget your kindness.

Smile

A smile is the best compliment you can give without words.

Not to mention, it’s more contagious than the common cold. Try it out for yourself. The next time you see someone that seems to be a little down, flash a sincere smile and a cheerful “hello”. I’ll bet anything you’ll get a smile in return.

Hold the Door

This is a little thing that can make a big difference. This simple gesture can really brighten up someone’s day. “Oh my gosh! Someone in the world actually cares.” Politeness these days is such a rare quality. Start focusing on the little things you can do and watch how it makes a big difference.

Spend a bit of Quality Time

Who do you know that isn’t busy these days? It seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Our busy schedules can often cause us to forget to spend some quality time with family and friends, to sit down together at the dinner table, or have a family picnic out at the lake.

Take some time today to reanalyze your priorities. We only get one chance to enjoy the truly important things in life. Let’s not waste it being stuck in the office.

Visit Someone in the Nursing Home

If you really want to make someone’s day, visit someone in the nursing home. You wouldn’t believe how many people in the nursing home rarely receive visitors. Make a point to visit someone for at least an hour a week and you will have changed at least one life.

You may be one of the few bright faces they see in a day.

Quick Update: I wanted to tell you a quick story that has happened to me since applying these little tips to my own life.

Today when I went to church, I decided to test out some of these theories. I held the door open for an older lady and gave her a big smile. You wouldn’t believe what happened. I got one of the most heart-warming smiles in return. I truly thought she was going to come up in hug me. I think it startled her a little bit that someone would take the time to think of her. Let me tell you, it made my day

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