Good deeds are the heart of great political activism

Social Capital blog: People for Good aims to spur acts of kindness

• The Canadian “People for Good” effort has tried to encourage Canadians to do good deeds.  Here are some suggestions they make:
• Smile at a stranger – or wave at your fellow subway passenger
• Open and hold the door for someone
• Give up your seat on the subway, bus or streetcar
• Buy a coffee for your co-worker
• Surprise your colleagues with freshly baked brownies
• Cut grass or shovel snow for your neighbour
• Help a stranger change a tire on the road – or put in a coin in expiring parking meter for someone you don’t know
• Return a grocery cart after someone has used it or let a stranger ahead of you in a store line
• While  on Facebook, just pick up the phone and give your friend a call
• Simply say ‘‘Thank you’’ to someone who helped you – and really mean it
• Mow your neighbor’s lawn
• Instead of an email, send a handwritten note.
• Call your mother
• Bring home flowers.
• Make cookies for your neighbors
• Do a chore, even if it’s not your turn.
• Give up the remote
• Make breakfast for the household
• Go say hello to your neighbor.
• Tell someone you love them.
• Unload the dishwasher.
• Have dinner at the table with the whole family.
• Wake up in a good mood.
• Give someone first dibs on the morning paper.
• Clean out your closet and donate your old clothes.
• Say good morning to a stranger.
• Help someone cross the street.
• Offer to give someone directions
• Pick up a piece of litter.
• For more suggestions, visit here.
• See also Social Capital's list of 150 things you can do to build social capital.

In a way, this is the heart of political activism.  A great civilization starts with manners and good deeds to your neighbors.  Be a good citizen today!