Kindness should rule

Everybody gets busy during this time. We have so many things to attend to, to buy, to prepare. In the midst of it all we tend to forget that the one single most important reason why Christmas comes along, is to remind us to be kind and good to each other. Include this in your ‘to do list' and make sure you do one nice thing a day. If you can't keep it up throughout the year, do it at least for the month of December.

Become the mascot for kindness and spread the word around. Make a check list and pass it to friends on email. And at the end of the season compare notes and see who has been voted as the ‘most kind person this Xmas. Remember being kind costs nothing much but in terms of payback it is unbeatable!

According to Wikipedia a random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities. An oft-cited example of a random act of kindness is, when paying the toll at a toll booth on a highway, to pay the toll for the vehicle behind you as well.

Here's a list of kind gestures that you can have on your list, to tick off with pride:

1. Offer your mother your help to prepare the Christmas lunch. Learn a new recipe and help her! Let kindness begin at home this Xmas.

2. Carry a pack of tissues and save somebody in tears the embarrassment of having to look for some! Who knows you may land up having a new friend?

3. Did you ever see anyone waiting desperately under the mistletoe? The least you can do is peck the checks as a surprise. It sure is an act of kindness.

4. Spend a couple of days with lonely relatives.

5. Offer your baby or pet-sitting services to neighbours and relatives.

6. Spend some time with orphans. Read them a couple of Christmas stories or organise a craft workshop for them.

7. Take your dog out for an extra walk

8. Collect some used toys from relatives and friends, disguise yourself as Santa Claus, and on Christmas day go around surprising kids in the street with gifts.

9. Help a child memorise the sermon for Christmas Eve.

10. Join a meditation or yoga class and be kind to yourself.

11. Drive your elderly neighbour around whilst she does her Christmas shopping, and on the way listen to her childhood Christmas stories.

12. Feed stray animals

Remember, kindness is not just for Christmas but it is a good excuse for those who want to try it out for the first time.