Kindness is an act that the world can never get enough of: picking a flower for your friend on the way home, handing a child an umbrella as they stand in the rain, or just gifting a smile to someone who looks like they need it more than you – it all brings something special into the world.
As Oscar Wild wrote, ‘The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention’, and we know that’s true. But with our lives speeding up, human connection frequently feels like it’s taking a back seat.
How do we counteract this?
By using modern technology to bring us closer, not push us further apart!
Unlocking Your Cell Phone’s Potential
We use our phones every day to text about mundane things, such as:
“Meet you at 11am for coffee”
“Please remember to pick up milk”
I think it’s time we used this kind of connectivity to bring a little ray of sunshine into someone day, don’t you?
We All Know That One Person
I bet you know someone who is going through a hard time, and even though you want to give them the kind of close, emotional support they need, it’s just not realistic for you to be by their side 24/7.
Maybe a friend or family member is feeling a little down…and is in need of a well timed, genuine boost of love?
Or maybe you just want to make someone’s day even better than it already is? Make them all warm and gooey inside with just a few little well-chosen words when they really need it.
Texting is the perfect tool for doing all of those things.
In three words: texting is effective.
If you’re ready to take the digital revolution down the road of kindness, then start now – follow this guideline to modern day kindness, and make your kind intentions a reality.
The 7 Types Of Digital Kindness
Kindness is an everyday kind of act, but that doesn’t mean that all kindness is equal – different occasions call for different types of digital kindness.
1. The Supportive Kindness
This is for someone close who really needs a little boost to conquer a personal goal, smash objectives at work, or just be awesome at life in general. Try to be positive, confident, and give them the belief that they can do anything:
“I was thinking about you and your inner strength today – you’re the kind of person I aspire to be”
“I know it’s your big meeting today so I just wanted to remind you that if anyone can seal this deal, it’s you, and you’d better believe that!”
2. The Everyday Kindness
Why send a normal, bland text when you can send a text that makes someone smile? This kind of text is easy – just read through your message one itsy, bitsy personal touch:
“See you after work – can’t wait to give you a great big hug!”
“Did I leave my jacket at your house? I can’t remember anything when you’re around, your laughter is so infectious”
3. The Close Friend Kindness
When you’ve been friends with someone for a long time, it can be hard when things change: maybe one of you moved across town or even to a different city, or perhaps you started getting serious with your partners and have less time for each other. This doesn’t mean that you can’t still keep them close.
How?
Instead of only supporting each other in person, also support them via text.
It will replicate the old feeling of closeness, and make them feel warm inside every time they receive one of your thoughtful and slightly quirky texts.
“Good morning sunshine, ready for another day of being an absolute boss at work?”
“I miss my bestie! No one understands my compulsive need to binge-watch Silicon Valley after a good workout quite like you do!”
4. The Random Act Of Kindness
This is for someone who isn’t physically far away, but maybe you haven’t seen in a while because you’re drifting further apart. It doesn’t mean you don’t still want them in your life, just that it gets harder and harder to have them there with every passing month that you don’t see them.
Remind them that you still care, despite the lack of communication by sending them something sweet, right out of the blue:
“I woke up thinking about you this morning, it’s been too long. Hope you’re having an amazing time doing what you’re doing”
“Hey long lost friend! Just thought I’d send a little message letting you know that I’m thinking about you and I miss you ☺.”
5. The Much Needed Kindness
Have you ever had someone text you the perfect thing at the perfect time and it brightened up your whole day? Don’t you want to be that person for someone else?
Pick something you know they aren’t confident about, or they are feeling depressed about, and try to turn it around – it might just be exactly what they need:
“I forgot to say on Friday night, you looked BEAUTIFUL. Don’t ever change”
“So word on the street is that the next corporate hot-shot is the guy I’m texting right now, well done!”
6. The Little Ray Of Sunshine Kindness
You might have just said goodbye to a friend or partner, or just left your family home, but that doesn’t mean you said everything you needed to say – send them a little ray of sunshine as soon as you walk out the door, and keep the feeling of your kindness lingering for longer. This is the equivalent of a P.S in a handwritten letter.
“I missed you before I’d even shut the door! That’s just the kind of person you are ☺”
“No matter how far I go, you’re always with me. In my mind, and in my pocket!”
7. The Empathetic Kindness
Sometimes you have friends or family who are going through something tough, and all they want to know is that you are there, and you care. Let them know without being intrusive or adding on to their already large mountain of stress or worry, by sending them:
“I hope you know that I’m here for you, whenever you need me – just pick up the phone”
“I know you’re sick of hearing this, but I know how you feel. If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me”
Despite what people say, kindness is something that never goes out of fashion. So, go ahead and inject some into every text. While you’re at it, make a pledge to yourself to be a instigator of positive change!
