Logan Voss
The law of entropy states that a closed system gradually and inevitably moves towards disorder or even chaos. Some days, you may feel like you’re in the center of this chaos with no easy hope for change. Because you know this feeling, you also know how one kind act from someone else can turn your day around. Consider how to brighten someone else’s day by doing these things.
Acknowledge a Struggle
So many people just want others to know and understand their struggles. It’s easy to feel invisible when life’s going wrong and to further isolate yourself. Open your eyes as you run errands, spend time with friends and family, and talk to coworkers. Bide your time, and you’ll intersect with someone who needs you to hear them, acknowledge how hard their situation is, and offer encouragement. Enacting these steps in order ensures you don’t try to encourage someone in a seemingly ineffective way.
Tip Generously
Next, take advantage of opportunities to tip more than you need to. There are more opportunities to brighten someone else’s day through tipping than you may realize. Barbers and hairstylists, wait staff, hotel employees, food delivery people, housekeepers, and many, many more workers typically receive tips.
Use this convention to surprise people you cross paths with. If they do an exceptional job, don’t hesitate to leave them more than the 15 or 20 percent you ordinarily would. After all, there’s great power in showing your appreciation. The real surprise comes when they least expect it, though. If you can sense that they feel overwhelmed (maybe you see them drop a tray of dishes or service a cranky couple near you) bring a smile to their face by tipping more than they expected.
Make Them a Meal
If you’re familiar with the concept of being hangry, you understand how food can make someone’s day better. If a family member or friend tells you about an unfortunate day at work, hatch a plan to make a really nice meal for them. Not only will this be a delicious occasion for them to relax, but this gesture saves them from spending the time to make something themselves.
