52x52: Support Free Stuff

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

Summer time in London whether as a tourist or Londoner, there is so much to see or do. And so much for free. Of course it doesn't mean those activities are free to facilitate and often we see 'Donate What You Can' signs to support such programmes, organizations or charities.

This week, drop a few coins in the box to support something you have enjoyed so that what you enjoyed can go on being enjoyed by others for free.

52x52: Considerate Commuting

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

There are some habits, traditions or laws of etiquette travelling about in a city which are not just about kindness or courtesy but about safety. Whether it is standing to the right on a London underground escalator or letting people off the train or bus before boarding, we have ways of doing things that help the organization of 8 million people in the close confines of a city. 

Driving on the right side of the road is a bigger scale law as is stopping at lights. All things which are there not just to prevent harm to others but to keep you safe too. This extends to cyclists and pedestrians too. Crossing at places other than designated crossings and cycling on pavements or against the lights are all split second decisions which could have disastrous consequences. 

So this week watch out for opportunities to be kind to fellow commuters, passengers, pedestrians, drivers and just people in general. Just because you have done what you do and survived, doesn't mean you haven't given someone the fright of their life. Be kind and be a considerate commuter.

52x52: Share Pokémon Go

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

Share your Pokémon skills. This week I showed someone how catch their first Pokémon with a Pokéball, someone else how to track a new Pokémon checking where they were according to their position in the Pokémon Nearby index and babysat two Pokémon trainers phones while they played a game of table tennis, calling them when any Pokémon arrived in the vicinity.

If you have no Pokémon skills to share or don't know what I am talking about, maybe the kindest thing you can do this week is to not make fun of those of us who are caught by the bug.

52x52: Don't Say It or Say Nothing

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

That old saying, 'If you have nothing good to say say nothing at all' certainly is an easy kindness. It just requires, saying nothing. Not speaking. Not saying those unkind words or negative comment. 

This week, don't say it or say nothing.

52x52: Say Hello

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

You may know your neighbours and the person who delivers your post and the police officer who walks round your area, but if you don't why not say 'Hello' and that will you started. 

Or you may be a 'Hi' person, or prefer 'Hiya'. Or like in the East End you might extend an 'Alright?' Whatever way you make contact with people doesn't matter, what is important is the connection of community. And there will always be people marginalized. On the edge or outside. 

That person who lives near you who always seems on their own. In the post office queue you notice they are sending parcels abroad to the only family they have. Or at the supermarket they always pick up meals for one. Maybe you see them at the cemetery visiting their lost loved ones. Or they are that person spending a lot of time in the library, or feeding the ducks in the park or nursing that cup of tea. What harm can it do to say 'Hello'? And what good could it do to acknowledge another person and their place in the world? It may be the only human contact they have. The least you can do is say 'Hello.'

52x52: Give the Gift of Music

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

Remember that time that you or someone in your family thought it would be a great idea to learn the trumpet or violin and now it is lying unused and unloved in some far off reach of your house gathering dust? Well you can donate it to a charity which would mean someone who wouldn't have the opportunity otherwise could get to play that trumpet or violin and who knows, could discover a gift they can share with the world.

All it takes in some circumstances is to pick up the phone and arrange a collection. Charities such as the Dorothy Croft Trust for Young Musicians help share much needed resources and support aspiring young musicians. Or maybe your local youth centre or school could do with it. So many children don't have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument because of financial barriers. Give the gift of music - its like a an endless gift voucher that keeps on giving.

52x52: Post Positive

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

Pressing 'Share' or 'Forward' or 'Repost' takes only a second. The repercussions can go on for much longer. What you chose to pass on says a lot about you. Your values are reflected in the choice and you are saying 'This is important!'. 

So many talented people are making creative positive messages using videos, pictures or the plain written word. They have put time and effort into the production of a tool to be used for good and all you have to do is use it.

Share, forward or repost for good. Post positive.

52x52: Vote Kindly

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

It doesn't take a minute and you don't even need your polling card, just your
details and it can make a difference to so many people.

Whenever there is a chance to vote whether it is an election or a referendum just use that pencil to mark your X and make your mark.

Vote. Vote for good. Vote kindly.

52x52: Say Yes, No and Maybe

52 random acts of kindness that each take under 52 seconds. One action each week, over a year takes less than an hour of your life.

I've spent years learning how to say 'No.'  

When people want help, I want to help them. So I say 'Yes.' What's wrong with that? Nothing, you feel like you are doing something worthwhile, being part of a community, helping people, being that person people can rely on. That is until you stop saying, 'No,' and realise that your personal life is suffering and everyone else is a priority. And through no fault of theirs, they have come to rely on you and don't learn skills to be less dependent and you have forgotten how to proritise needs.

So then you start saying 'No,' and if you're not careful you say it to everything. You start to say 'No' as your first reaction, to avoid falling into the same trap and give yourself time to think of where this need is in the hierarchy. Then you might say 'Yes,' but you have given off a negative vibe by starting with the 'No,' and the person has already moved on and asked someone else and then it appears you have no time for them and so on.

Whereas what you are trying to stop is a downward spiral into a never-ending work day where the hours are so taken up minute by minute that either you get sick, exhausted or just don't end up doing something that turns out to be really important or necessary because you either don't have the mind-space to recognise it, or the time or energy to do it.

So I have learned to say 'Yes' and 'No' only when I am sure and then lots of other ways of saying maybe like:

• I will check
• Let me look at my diary
• I'll check my schedule
• I'll see what's on the agenda
• I'll talk to X to see if there are plans
• I can find out 
• I will see if X might be able to do it

All of which buy time and help to make an informed decision and also have the bonus effect that the other person remembers that you have a life and a schedule and that sometimes, we can't help even if we want to.   

And most important of all,  when you sometimes say 'No' or 'Maybe' you ensure you have the time and energy to say 'Yes' when you need to.

So this week say 'Yes', 'No' and 'Maybe'.