45 Random Acts Of Kindness That Will Possibly Inspire You To Do Something Nice Today
We live in a world where the news scroll is mostly doom, the inbox is full of promotions, and even your coffee machine sometimes feels passive-aggressive. But once in a while, something gentle sneaks in: someone pays for the order behind you. A stranger returns your lost wallet. A neighbor shovels your sidewalk without asking.
Here at Grumpy Sharks, we believe kindness doesn’t have to be grand or expensive. Sometimes, it’s just holding the elevator or texting “got home safe?” at 2 a.m. These small, quiet actions ripple far beyond the moment—and they stick with you longer than you think.
That’s why we’ve rounded up 45 touching, funny, surprising, and real random acts of kindness that remind us the world isn’t as cold as it sometimes feels. Whether you’re having a rough day or just need a dose of restored faith in humanity, these stories will give your heart a little nudge in the right direction. So take a deep breath—and maybe pass this feeling forward.
#1. Members Of The Aurora Police Strategic Response Team Rappelled From The Rooftop Of Children’s Hospital Colorado, Dressed As Superheroes, To Surprise Patients
Source: RJ Sangosti
#2. This little heart on my hand is called a “cuddle button”. Since my wife died last year, my 4y/o daughter has hated being away from me. Her teacher draws this on both our hands when I drop her off at school and every time we press it, it sends a hug to the other. It helps her feel connected to me.
Source: slightly-simian
#3. Determination and inspiration
Source: joshg_yz250
#4. A birthday gift
My boyfriend and i were at Walmart recently, and he recounted a story to me from his childhood. He grew up incredibly poor, his mother being a single mom raising two kids on her own, his father abandoning them when he was very young. He and his mom would “window shop” at stores, just to pass the time and look at stuff they knew they couldn’t buy. When he was little, when pokemon was really big, Walmart had a Charizard lunch box.
He thought it was the coolest thing; Charizard was his favorite pokemon, and how often did you see things with just Charizard? The lunchbox wasn’t necessarily expensive, but with the threat of no power or running water, it might has well have been a billion dollars. His mom put the lunchbox on layaway and said he’d get it for his birthday, but my boyfriend knew that it wasn’t going to happen and it was definitely more of a gesture. It was so much more than a lunchbox.
He felt if he had this lunchbox at school, he’d feel normal, he’d feel like everyone else. – His birthday is in December, and after much eBay stalking I found the lunchbox he yearned for, 18 years ago. It was in amazing condition. This was the moment it really started to sink in. He cried for a LONG time. He finally got his lunchbox he could never have. – I love you so much baby. Happy birthday.
Source: stevienred
#5. So there’s this boy running around in a superman outfit, yelling “I just beat cancer”. feel good times ensue.
Source: cdean51
You’ve had one of those days. The bus was late, your phone was dying, and you spilled iced coffee on yourself during a meeting. But then, a stranger smiles at you. Or someone lets you go ahead in line. It doesn’t fix everything—but it feels like the universe whispering, “You’re still seen.”
These aren’t life-saving moments. They’re life-lightening. And we all crave them more than we admit. We, Grumpy Sharks, think these moments matter. They make us pause, reset, and—just for a second—trust each other again.
#6. I saw this man and his dog whilst I was crossing a bridge in Prague. It was -4c out and he used his only blanket to wrap up the dog. A true act of love.
Source: everyonelse
#7. When the Dutch police heard that it was on this 99 year old true crime fans bucket list to be arrested. They obliged!
Source: Reddit User
#8. Man devotes his life to adopting old dogs who can’t find forever homes
Source: dickfromaccounting
#9. Giving a helping hand
Source: bilbofraginz
#10. This Man Looks So Happy To Have A New Kitten
Source: Bodegacats_
A few years ago, I dropped my wallet in a parking lot. Total panic. I canceled cards, retraced steps, cursed softly at pigeons.
The next morning, I woke up to a knock on my door. A teenager holding my wallet, taped shut and wrapped in a grocery bag. “Sorry it got rained on,” he said. Then he left before I could offer anything.
He didn’t want thanks. He just did it. I’ve paid for three strangers’ coffee since. It’s not even about balance. It’s about passing along the reminder: people are capable of beautiful things.
#11. This is Sholé Raoufi. For over 10 years, she devoted her life and savings to running a sanctuary in Iran for homeless and disabled cats. Unfortunately, 2 days ago, the sanctuary burned down in a fire, killing Sholé and more than 200 cats. I just thought she deserves a mention.
Source: FluxSeeds
#12. This is Caleb. Caleb has a degree in zoology and asks his customers what their favorite animal is. He gives them facts while completing their orders!
Source: gangbangkang
#13. This is what humanity is all about
Source: pap_77
#14. Ballerina Aesha Ash is wandering around inner city Rochester in a tutu to change stereotypes about women of color and inspire young kids
Source: dickfromaccounting
#15. This police officer stopped traffic, in the rain, to save this wet and limping little dog. Faith in humanity…. Restored.
Source: MissEmKay
According to a 2015 study from UCLA and the University of North Carolina, performing or witnessing acts of kindness can trigger the production of oxytocin—the “love hormone”—which in turn lowers blood pressure and reduces inflammation.
Even better? The effect works whether you’re the giver, receiver, or just observer. Meaning: reading this article is already doing something good for you. (You’re welcome.)
#16. A mariachi musician let my hard of hearing son put his head on the guitarron so he could hear it. He was amazed!
Source: prettydorky
#17. People waiting in line to foster dogs and cats after the animal shelter in Austin flooded. Faith restored in humanity.
Source: TyneeLips
#18. This guy was outside of Walmart tonight
Source: sbook28
#19. All of the Netherlands was silent for 2 minutes today to remember victims of war. This dominoes delivery boy stopped in the middle of the streets
Source: teymon
#20. Wife is a kindergarten teacher. A couple of the teachers started a “comfort closet” at her school for needy kids to get hygiene supplies and clothes. All donation based.
Source: Terevok
Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in self-compassion research, explains that acts of kindness activate our mammalian caregiving system—a hardwired response that evolved to help humans survive through cooperation.
When we experience kindness, our bodies shift from a threat-based state to a safety-based one. We breathe slower. We feel more grounded. And we become more open to connection.
That’s why small gestures—like holding the door or offering a compliment—feel disproportionately meaningful. They tell the nervous system: you’re safe now.
#21. My dad devoted over three years to the planning, fundraising, and construction of a school for impoverished kids in West Africa. This month it finally opened its doors. Here he is being greeted by some of the new students.
Source: chimpman252
#22. The true spirit of Christmas
Source: pdmcmahon
#23. My dad is a college professor. When one of his student’s babysitter didn’t show, she had to take her 4 month old daughter to class. She started to get fussy, so he did what any good dad would do. They spent almost the entire class like this!
Source: owls_everywhere
#24. 94 Year Old Keith Davison, Lonely After Losing His Wife Of 66 Years, Built A Pool For The Neighborhood Kids
Source: KARE11
#25. This Man Said He Was 10 When The Atomic Bomb Hit Hiroshima. He Had So Little Food That Him And The People Around Him Ate Small Birds To Survive. Now He Feeds Sparrows Every Day To Show Them His Thanks
Source: xinxanovich.superuser
In sociology, kindness is often considered a form of pro-social signaling—it tells others that we’re trustworthy, cooperative, and emotionally intelligent.
Modern culture celebrates grand gestures (like proposals in flash mobs), but it’s the micro-kindnesses—like returning someone’s dropped glove or helping a lost tourist—that actually shape how safe and supported a society feels.
From Japan’s lost-and-found stations to the “suspended coffee” movement in Italy, cultures that normalize daily kindness often report higher happiness and lower social anxiety. Kindness isn’t a trend. It’s a quiet revolution.
#26. This amazing gentleman every Valentine’s Day will bring all the widows from the nursing/retirement home and treat them to lunch and gifts and a rose for each. Done this for last 5 years at our restaurant. He is simply an amazing guy.
Source: Sinalot7775
#27. Australian Paramedics Fulfill Dying Patients Wish To See Beach
Source: Danielle Kellan
#28. A Kenyan lady found her childhood friend on the streets suffering from drug addiction and took him to rehabilitation.
Source: Ocean219
#29. This janitor at my friend’s school is a huge Red Hot Chili Peppers fan. Since the prices were extremely high and he was devastated about not going, all of the students came together and bought him the tickets.
Source: Reddit User
#30. Toby at the county shelter 2 years ago and is now king of our house
Source: azureen
We, Grumpy Sharks, turned to Dr. Jamil Zaki, a neuroscientist at Stanford and author of The War for Kindness. His research shows that kindness is contagious—even seeing someone do something nice makes you more likely to act generously yourself.
“Empathy and compassion are skills. They can be practiced, taught, and—most importantly—spread.” That’s the power of a kind moment. It doesn’t just feel good. It rewires the emotional culture around us.
#31. Our son and his big sister ringing in his official adoption and the end of his time in foster care.
Source: WizardofDoitland
#32. An elderly man sitting outside of his car door spoon feeding his wife ice cream
Source: StuffyUnicorn
#33. This is amazing.
Source: Lilnymphet
#34. Partizan Belgrade goalkeeper comforts his teammate after he is barraged by racist chants for 90 minutes
Source: Reddit User
#35. This happened today in Istanbul
Source: cagedragehere
You don’t need to donate a kidney or start a nonprofit. Maybe it’s as simple as texting someone “I’m proud of you.” Or writing a silly note and hiding it in your roommate’s lunch. Or tipping the barista an extra $2 and saying, “No reason. Just thanks.”
Kindness doesn’t need a reason. That’s what makes it magic. And you don’t need to be perfect to give it—you just need to be present. So pick one idea from this list and try it today. Maybe they’ll pay it forward. Maybe not. But you? You’ll sleep better.
#36. A 22 year old guy from Harlem befriended an 81 year old woman who he met playing Words with Friends over the past year. Last week he traveled to Florida and met her in person for the first time.
Source: gangbangkang
#37. Everyone deserves to have an amazing teacher like this
Source: brob8792
#38. After a month in the hospital, Grandpa finally got moved into a room where he could see out the window…I wanted this to be the first thing he saw when woke up.
Source: turtlemander
#39. Therapeutic dogs waiting with great anticipation to see their respective children.
Source: OctopussSevenTwo
#40. Syrian Refugee Hands Out Food To Homeless In Germany To “Give Something Back”
Source: Tabea Bü
#41. An elderly man in my neighborhood had a heart attack while shoveling his driveway. Paramedics took him to the hospital, then returned to finish shoveling his driveway for him.
Source: Optimoprimo
#42. So fresh and clean in DC, thanks to a city worker
Yesterday this pile of blankets was all over the ground filthy, partially wet and frozen having been slept In the night before. I saw a city worker putting the stuff into what looked like a trash can. Then this morning I walk by the same spot and see the blankets had been washed and folded. Made me smile
Source: GreenWigz
#43. Friendship finds a way
Where there is a will there is a way. Calebs buddy Ike missed him very much, I went to the kids room earlier today and played with Ike for a bit, he asked how Caleb was doing and so did Caleb’s other friend Casey. We said out goodbyes and I headed back to Caleb’s room. Ike rolled over in his wheelchair and knocked on the door and wanted to come say hello.
Caleb is on double doors and is unable to leave the room so I grabbed some rubber gloves and a controller and gave it to Ike outside the glass, now they are having a blast playing Call of Duty. Love seeing these guys smiling and just being kids.: )
Source: grownupboy
#44. Locals cover Street dogs with blankets during the Snowstorm in Istanbul
Source: Politico_juan
#45. My dogs favorite toy is Santa, so we brought her to see him
Source: jjmontaldo
Kindness doesn’t always look like fireworks. Sometimes, it’s a stranger giving directions. A neighbor leaving flowers. A friend sending a meme that hits at just the right moment.
In a world full of noise, these 45 small acts prove that compassion still cuts through. It softens the edges. And most importantly, it spreads.
At Grumpy Sharks, we believe laughter is healing—but so is hope. So if this list made you smile, we hope it also nudges you to hold the door, say thank you, or check in on someone you love.
You never know when a tiny gesture will become someone’s turning point. Now go be someone’s reason to smile today.
