Ways to be Kind

  Top Five Ways to be Kind

In this, the fifth anniversary of Kindness Week, here are the five top ways to demonstrate your kindness and to contribute to building a more caring, compassionate community in Ottawa:

1.     Give

Share your good fortune by donating to a charity, but remember that many charities need more than money.  Donate blood. Sign the organ donation section of your driver’s license. Give your loyalty points to a charity.  Donate your clothing, house-wares or furniture. Bring your gently used toys to shelters for abused women and their children.  Or bring the toiletries you collect from hotel stays to local shelters for the poor or homeless.

Visit the Kind Ottawa Facebook page to see the wish lists of charities from across Ottawa.

2.     Volunteer

Volunteer your time, energy and talents to help a worthy cause. The kind people at Sonya Kinkade Design, here in Ottawa, for example, volunteered their design expertise and connections with other businesses, to refurbish the common areas of the Good Companions Centre in 2011.  This year, they’re making over the homework club facilities of Foster Farm House.

Visit the Kind Ottawa Facebook page to see the volunteer opportunities now available here in Ottawa or get in touch with Volunteer Ottawa to register as a potential volunteer for future opportunities.

3.     Say thanks

Take the time to say thanks to the people who help you every day – from the bus drivers who take you to and from work, to the coffee shop and restaurant staff who serve you, to the police officers and security guards who strive to keep you safe and free from harm.

And the next time someone opens the door for you, helps you carry your bags, or does anything extra special for you, express your appreciation.

4.     Celebrate kindness

There are countless people in our community who are kind everyday:  Nurses, doctors, hospital workers, home health providers and the relatives and neighbours who care for others at home or close to home.  Acknowledge their kindness.  Tell them you value their generosity and caring.  They deserve the recognition.

5.     Pay it Forward

The next time someone is kind to you, make a conscious effort to pay that kindness forward by being kind to another person.  That way, you multiply the impact of kindness.  You feel good, you help another to person feel good and you make a positive difference in the daily life of our community.

Ottawa businesses are helping to “Pay it Forward” this year.

This year, for the first time, local businesses are offering their customers discounts throughout the year through the “Choose to be Kind” Affinity Program, sponsored by Ottawakiosk.com.  These customers will have special “Choose to be Kind” wristbands, which will act as reminders to be kind throughout 2012. If your business would like to sign up to become a “Friend of Kind Ottawa” through this special program, please click here for more details.