Seven ways YOU can DoThatOneThing!

Seven ways YOU can DoThatOneThing!

This month, Triumph Over Kid Cancer is recognizing three new high schools during our DoThatOneThing! Initiative. King High School in Kingsville, as well as West Oso and London High Schools in Corpus Christi, have all recently established DoThatOneThing! Councils on campus to promote kindness, generosity, accountability, and compassion amongst the student bodies.

These high school students embodying kindness and random empathy for others are an inspiration. We want to remind you that you don’t have to be a student at one of the aforementioned high schools to go out of your way to pay the kindness forward.

Here are seven small things every single one of us can do to improve someone else’s day or spread happiness and kindness.

  1. Visit patients in the hospital.
    Though it may be uncomfortable, visiting a sick friend or family member in hospital really could make a difference to their day to day – and ultimately their health. Uplifted spirits and positive emotions have been proven to help the recovery process. Whether you come bearing flowers, a gift, or just a funny joke, the company is sure to be appreciated.
  2. Buy a meal or item for the person behind you in the drive-through.
    One of the most pleasant surprises in the world is when you pull up to the drive-through window, only to be told that your meal has been covered by the car in front of you. The real genius of this gesture is that it encourages the next person to keep the trend going, creating a whole day of generosity.
  3. Insert coins to refill someone’s parking meter.
    You don’t have to be bad at 1st – grade math to miscalculate or even forget about pesky parking meters. If you have a bunch of extra change clattering around in a wallet or purse, you could turn that bulge into something beautiful. By filling a parking meter, you could save someone from a costly ticket. Although they won’t be there to thank you, they will definitely be thankful.
  4. Walk a neighbor’s dog.
    Dogs can be expensive and even time-consuming. But, don’t let these reasons stop you from bonding with man’s best friend. You can make someone’s day and score some quality time with an adorable pup by offering to walk the neighbor’s dog. Who knows? It could even spark a wonderful friendship.
  5. Befriend the new kid at school or the new employee at work.
    Everyone’s been there. It can be very daunting and even a bit scary to commute to a new place every day. One of the easiest ways to enjoy a smooth transition is to make friends with classmates or colleagues early on. Put yourself in the new guy/girl’s shoes and go make a friend. Talk with them about their interests, their past, and what brings them into town. It will make them feel welcome and turn an awkward first day into the beginning of a wonderful new year.
  6. Help an elderly person cross the street.
    There’s no big reason or hidden motivation behind this one. Sometimes it’s just nice to offer a helping hand. Or arm. It’s impossible to help an elderly person without a smile appearing on your face. Pay forward the kindness.
  7. Remember to always be mindful of those with disabilities.
    Whether they are in a wheelchair, on crutches, or struggle with other disabilities, it’s crucial to always be kind and considerate to those in different situations than our own. It’s often easy to overlook others when you are in a rush, but taking a moment to hold the door open or lend a helping hand can make a huge difference.

Regardless of how you express compassion, always remember to #DoThatOneThing! If everyone did just one of these things weekly, imagine how much brighter our world would be. It’s time to triumph!