Challenge of the week:

Perform a random act of kindness

In our fast-paced culture, kindness can be in short supply. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of an unexpected act of kindness, you know just how powerful it can be. It can turn someone’s whole day around, and in some cases can be the difference between despair and hope. Even life and death.

There’s no limit to what a random act of kindness can be, but if you’re looking for a few ideas, here’s a place to start:

* Share a genuine compliment with a stranger

* Leave an encouraging note on someone’s windshield

* Tape a few dollars to a vending machine with a note that says “treat’s on me!”

* Write a heartfelt hand-written letter to a friend or family member “just because”

* Cover the cost of someone behind you in a drive-thru

* Keep care packages in your car to share with someone who is unhoused

* Leave a positive, thoughtful review for a small business

* Tip generously, regardless of service – you never know what someone is going through

Have more ideas? Drop them in the comments below. Or, share a personal story if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a random act of kindness.