15 Kind Actions That Will Help Spread Love and Joy in the World

Power of positivity
March 25, 2021

Love makes people feel like you care about them. Showing love to others doesn’t take a lot of time or money. Sometimes the smallest things mean the most. If you want to spread a little love around the world, why not start with these ideas?

Can helping others help you?

Researchers say that volunteering leads to better mental health. Studies demonstrate that people who volunteer have a healthier lifestyle. Other study says that when you give to others, you will have lower levels of stress. It’s amazing how thoughtfulness and kindness come back. Perhaps the old Bible verse that says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) is correct. It is a blessing in more ways than one to give to other people. Here are some ways that you can pass the love on to your local community, family, or friends.

1 – Volunteer at a local school, church, or food bank

Local causes abound in most areas. There are important needs around you if you seek them. Getting a personal recommendation is often a great way to find a good cause. Ask your children’s teachers, the school secretary, grocery store, or your local librarian about places to donate. Most communities have local organizations that need and welcome donations, including:

• Girl Scout Organization
• Boy Scout Organizations
• Local police or sheriff’s organization
• Fire organizations your community
• Local schools
• Animal shelters
• Homeless shelter
• Women’s shelters
• Local food bank

These places need money, but they often need other things too, like:

• Books
• Clothing
• Hair
• Toys
• Furniture
• Time
• Food or meals
• Toiletries
• Gift cards

It may take a while to figure out where you want to spread the love in your local community, but it will be worth the long-term search.

3 – Casualties from animal shelters

Animal shelters they always need help. You can volunteer your time to help clean the cages or hold the pets to keep them socialized. Animal shelters generally need items for the animals at the shelter or for new pet owners who adopt them. You can leave things like

• Clean towels
• New toys (never used)
• Leashes and collars
• Flea and tick treatments
• Pee pads
• Baby bottles to feed young animals
• New beds
• Food
• Cages for birds or rodents
• New sandbags for the bottom of the cages
• Grooming supplies
• Treats for dogs and cats
• Furniture
• Office supplies

When you leave something to an animal, it is just a small way to spread love to the world around you.

4 – Help your elderly neighbor

You may have an older neighbor who could use a little help from time to time. Keep your eyes open for their daily needs, like putting away their trash cans, delivering their mail, or bringing them cookies. Older adults can feel lonely, especially if their family is not local. Why don’t you stop by for a weekly chat? You don’t need to stay long, just give them a little time and attention. It will mean a lot to them and it will make you feel better for doing it.

5 – Pay for a stranger’s coffee

Have you ever had a stranger pay for your coffee? It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s always a pleasant surprise. You could be the first to spark love at your local coffee shop, inspiring those around you to Pay forward tor someone else. This is easier to do when you are in a drive-through, as you can tell the cashier privately that you want to pay for the person behind you. Drink the money and then go your way. This is just a simple way to make someone smile.

6 – donate blood

According to the American Red Cross, Every day in the United States, they need about 36,000 units of red blood cells, 10,000 units of plasma, and 7,000 units of platelets. Donated blood is used for a variety of things, such as cancer, bone marrow and organ transplants, blood disorders, and orthopedic surgeries. Look online for a local blood drive in your community. When you donate blood, you could be saving someone’s life. What could be a better way to spread love in the world?

7 – Mow your neighbor’s lawn

Take a look around your neighborhood. There is probably someone in need. Perhaps there is a family with a sick child or an elderly neighbor just out of the hospital, or a single mother who cares for her children and works full time. During the summer, gardens generally need to be cut at least once a week. After mowing your yard, go and mow your neighbor’s yard. You get extra exercise and your neighbor enjoys a beautiful garden along with the feeling that someone cares about him.

8 – Help at the soup kitchen

Statistics Show that each night, more than 1 million Americans are homeless. Of this number, it is estimated that 35% of this number live on the streets and 65% live in shelters. Soup kitchens help feed the homeless, destitute or living in poverty. These facilities are always looking for volunteers to serve food. Of course, most soup kitchens serve more than just soup. They serve full meals, lunches and snacks for the homeless. Look online for soup kitchens in your area.

9 – Bring flowers to your child’s school nurse.

The forgotten heroes of schools are those who serve behind the scenes. For example, a school nurse takes a temperature, hands out plasters, and calls parents when a child is not feeling well. They are the ones to comfort a kindergartener who fell on the playground or reassure the sixth grader that he can go back to class. They are often forgotten on thank you days, so why not surprise your child’s school nurse with a little bouquet to brighten his day?

10 – Buy cookies from the children who sell them

Many scouting organizations sell candy, popcorn, or cookies. Local troop children sell these items at grocery stores to earn badges and help their troops. The money raised from these sales goes to a particular project to support the local community or a local troop. These are worthy causes. It is a simple way to spread a little love in your world.

11 – Offer to babysit a family member

Parents always need a break. If you have a sibling with young children, show them your love by offering yourself the baby for their children one night a week. Or take your kids on a Saturday trip to the zoo and dine all day. It is a great way to build a better relationship with your nieces and nephews and to serve your brother in a practical way.

12 – Mentor someone

Volunteering as a mentor to a child or adult is a wonderful opportunity to help someone else. From teaching English to someone to reading to offering help with finances, people always need it. Your skills can help them get started in life.

13 – Plant flowers in your parents’ garden

Spring flowers cheer everyone up. Planting flowers for someone, maybe your parents, will make them smile.

14 – Help a friend

Do you have a friend in need? If so, you can step in to help them. Whether it’s helping them paint their living room, babysitting, or offering to run to the grocery store for them, your help will mean a lot and make them feel like you care.

15 – Go on a mission

Get out of your comfort zone and go on a mission abroad. Many churches hold summer drives in third world countries, usually to teach children, carry out construction projects, or establish a school. Church outreaches are usually well organized, as they are held annually. Plus, they only last a week or two, so you can take advantage of vacation time. Medical organizations do other outreach missions, so you may want to volunteer if you have a background in dentistry or physical therapy. Once you find a mission that you like, you can end up making it an annual event.

Final Thoughts on Finding Easy Ways to Spread Joy and Love in Today’s World