"1. Do It Now. Be kind. Smile. Consider the other person's feelings. Don't wait till later. Now is the time to be kind. 'Today is a gift, tomorrow is only a promise.' Be kind now.
"2. Start Small. Kindness doesn't have to be flamboyant, dramatic, time-consuming or expensive. The little kindnesses will do for now. 'We must be the changes we want to create in the world.'
— Mahatma Ghandi
"3. There Are No Prerequisites or Tests for Kindness. It is very possible to be kind even though bad things are happening elsewhere. We each make the world just that much kinder and safer for others when we choose to be kind today. Don't wait for the world's big problems to be solved before you take kind action.
"4. Get in the Habit of Kindness. When kindness is built into your life, it will not seem remarkable, nor will it be extra effort. It will just be the way you are. And everyone in your life will behave toward you based on that idea of who you are!
"5. Keep It Safe. Safe for you and safe for the recipient. Make sure no one gets embarrassed or put-upon because of your desire to do a kindness.
"6. Don't Seek Gratitude. Do kindness because it's the right thing, not because you'd like recognition. 'The highest kindness is that which is done anonymously.'
— Rabbi Moses Maimonides
"7. Enjoy Your Own Kindness. There's a joy and deep satisfaction in being kind and considerate of others. Let that feeling fill you, heal you, and help you find the energy and courage to go on.
"8. Look Around Your World for Kindness — You'll Find It. Page through the paper looking for kindnesses and cut out the articles you find for just one week. You'll be surprised at how many there are. Look for the kindnesses that others are doing. Tell them you appreciate them. Become 'fellow kindness revolutionaries.' Let your friends, colleagues and family know about the good that you see; it will help them see it too.
"9. Don't Compare Yourself to Anyone Else. Don't use a secret 'kindness meter' to always judge yourself. If someone else does a great kindness, don't compete with it — instead you can join it, learn from it, copy it gratefully, extend it.
"10. Allow Yourself to Be a Receiver Of Kindness. It's just not possible to be a giver all the time. It is an act of kindness to be the receiver of someone else's help. After all, they need someone to be kind to, don't they?
"11. Refraining Can Be a Great Act of Kindness: refrain from yelling; refrain from jumping to conclusions or judging people harshly; refrain from put-downs, sarcasm, negative characterization of others or gossip. Sometimes what you choose not to do is as important as what you choose to do!
"12. Do Your Job Today with Quiet Competence. Whatever it is you do, just simply do it well, to your fullest ability, with all your creativity and artistry and whatever joy you can muster. Think of what a kindness it will be to everyone you deal with. Don't complain, evade, mutter, sulk or goof off. Do your job and do it well. Consider how frustrating it is to you when you enter a business and the employees seem resentful, lackadaisical, uncaring or distant. Or how disappointing it can be when a member of your family does a chore with obvious disdain or constant whining."
