I know this isn’t ground breaking information, but it never hurts to be reminded that doing a good deed will make you and others feel better. We are inundated with videos of bad behavior and seemingly more and more uncaring people in this world. Lawrence Kasdan, co-writer of several “Star Wars” films, “Raiders Of The Lost Ark”, and writer/director of “The Big Chill”, wrote “The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn’t fit, you make alterations.” Thomas Jefferson wrote “whenever you are to do a thing tho’ it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, & act accordingly.” We make the world, our world, a better place for us and others by doing very simple good deeds. According to a new survey from OnePoll on behalf of Walgreens, three quarters of us believe that if we do a good deed, the next person will pay it forward. What do we consider a good deed? The top answer is, an action that makes someone else feel good (64%) followed by something that benefits an individual, regardless if they personally know them or not (46%).
These are the top simple good deeds according to the survey.
Helping a colleague, friend or family member with a task (61%)
Donating to someone in need (59%)
Saying “good morning” to someone (53%)
Holding a door open for someone (53%)
Giving a compliment to someone (52%)
Paying for someone’s meal (46%)
Buying someone a coffee (43%)
Helping someone carry their groceries (42%)
— Doug O’Brien