Neighbors having sing-alongs from their balconies.

Crowds gathering every night in parking lots honking their car horns and cheering for medical personnel.

Strangers paying for the nurse’s groceries when she checks out at the grocery store.

In today’s world of social distancing, it is easy to feel isolated, alone, and fearful. But, when you look around, you can still see people finding new ways to connect and touching the lives of others. These connections, no matter how large or how small, don’t just have an impact on the person receiving these random acts of kindness; they open the hearts of those on the giving end as well.

Think of kindness like a boomerang. What you send out, comes back to you. You give and you receive the kindness back from the universe, sometimes tenfold. The simple act of doing something for someone else and expecting nothing in return transforms us as human beings. It makes us more compassionate, more empathetic, more…human.

And that simple act you gave to the stranger doesn’t end there. It begins to multiply and create a chain reaction. That person that received your kindness decides to pay it forward and reaches out the next time they see a stranger or a friend in need. Now, you’ve created this wave of love and kindness that elevates the collective positive energy. And we need that now more than ever.

So, on the days when you’re feeling lonely or sad, think about how you can help someone else. It’s a surefire way to raise your spirits.

Here are a few easy ways that you can reach out during this difficult time.

-Call or text a friend to check in on how they are doing.

-Have a virtual cup of tea with a family member you haven’t seen in a while.

-Give the delivery person an extra few dollars tip.

-Pay for the order of the person behind you in the drive-through line.

-Send a struggling friend an inspirational article you read.

-Donate to your local food bank.

-Pick up groceries for your elderly neighbor next time you’re out.

What you put out in the world always comes back to you. Practicing simple random acts of kindness helps you find your way in a world that seems to be upside down at the moment. Maybe that one act of kindness will not only change their life but yours as well.