Surrounding various dates on the calendar are opportunities to perform random acts of kindness. In some cultures these are mandates to be kind to others, look out for the widow and the orphan and those less fortunate. What sorts of things fulfill this mitzvah?

November reminds me of my days as a single mom with a very small income and no room for extras. With the added expense of heating a drafty old farmhouse, finding the money to splurge on festivities was challenging. Some meaningful kindnesses people did for me in those days still makes me smile.

A friend bought my daughter a movie that she’d wanted to see. A married couple bought me groceries. An older woman invited me out for coffee and conversation, and a single mom always brought her children over and a new bag of designer java. They played with my daughter and we’d chat in peace for an hour. The invitations to meals at the houses of old and new friends was the most coveted of all. There, I felt like I was part of something bigger, a type of heavenly family. The food never disappointed and the conversations were always interesting.

At our congregation this year, we’re being challenged to do a daily mitzvah for others. They don’t have to be expensive, in fact, many of them cost nothing but time. And you don’t have to wait if you’re observant and watch for opportunities.

So what does this mean for you?

Doing random acts of kindness can become a habit. That mom with small children needs to hear she’s doing a good job. Your local store clerk could use a few affirming words to let them know how appreciated he or she is. The widow will be surprised by the phone call with an offer to pray for her. A few simple ideas:

• holding the door for someone
• buying lunch for a veteran
• writing a note to someone who made a difference in your life
• bringing someone flowers just because
• taping a card to the door of a widow with a few treats in a bag

We are in a unique period of time. Each one of us probably knows at least one person, or even one family who isn’t doing as well as in previous years.

Maybe a neighbor experienced a downturn in health. You might know someone who lost a parent, spouse, a sibling, or child. How can you encourage them? You can provide a meal or set up a meal train. You might deliver a bag of groceries or send grocery cards for the local market.

This year with the tremendous number of job losses more people than ever may not know how they’ll provide for their family. Our neighborhood sponsors a food drive to collect canned goods. A stranger in a grocery once paid for all my items. It showed such compassion and was such an unexpected kindness, I’ll never forget it. You’ll be helping to restore hope in the human race and showing the love of The Almighty. Caring about others is one of the things that makes our country great. You’ll share in the rich tradition of  benevolence that our country has been known for, for generations. If you pay for the groceries of the person in line with you—don’t be surprised if they break into tears!

How about inviting that single person you know over for dinner, or to be a part of your holiday celebration. I was invited to the home of friends I hadn’t seen in years. It was a wonderful way to catch up on our lives, enjoy their company, and embed special memories. Setting the table let me feel a part of the family. Sharing meals with friends are precious memories that I’ll cherish for years.

The number one way to encourage yourself is by encouraging others. You not only make the world a better place for yourself, you make it better for them. One random act of kindness inspires many more random kindnesses.

Gestures of inclusion are deeply meaningful to the invited ones and sends the message that their presence is valuable and they’re worth spending time with. There’s a lot of truth in the more the merrier! It will make your celebration more meaningful to you, and they will always hold you in a special place in their heart for remembering them. Two women I knew used to invite HIV affected people to their home for elaborate Thanksgiving meals. Afterward, they packed leftovers to go with each person.

What is the best thing a stranger has ever done for you?