I saw on Facebook that an old friend was going through a hard time, and mailed her a card with some Gift of Happiness message cards inside. It was unexpected, and totally made her day.

When I give money to people on the street, I also give them a card that says “You are loved” or “You belong.” I think sometimes just being seen is more valuable than money.

I like leaving message cards in public places -- a You are beautiful card on a restroom mirror, or a Thank you for being you in a library book -- with good intentions for whoever might see them.

I gave a You are appreciated card to one of the employee’s at Trader Joe’s, who had gone above and beyond helping me find something. Later, she tracked me down and gave me a free pie!

Below are five ways to use Kindness Cards to build and strengthen your personal relationships with friends, neighbors, and community members.

Express Your Gratitude
More valuable than making your own private gratitude list is actually sharing your gratitude with the person.

• Hand out cards of appreciation in real time to people who make you smile: The performer who makes you laugh. Someone you witness doing a good deed. The service provider who goes above and beyond.

• Write a letter to someone who’s made a positive difference in your life, and enclose a card: Your favorite teacher. Your parent. Your sibling. Your friend. Tell them how something specific they did impacted you.

Offer Comfort
When people we care about are hurting, it’s natural to want to do something to help. Connection Cards help put words to your good intentions.

• Include a card with a greeting card or gift as an articulation of what you most want for them as they go through this hard time.

• Leave a card behind after a visit as a reminder of your love, and a way to “extend” your presence even after you’re gone.

Encourage Their Greatness
In times of change or uncertainty, we can all use reminders of our strength and resilience.

• Send a card to someone who is facing a challenge or reaching for a big goal. Visualize them acting with courage and thriving as a result.

• When people you live with are stressed out, leave cards for them to find around the house (bathroom mirror, bedside table, dinner plate), or to discover when they’re away (lunchbox, computer bag, suitcase).

Celebrate Their Awesomeness

• Add a card to a birthday or graduation card or gift to honor the milestone.

• Give, send, or hide a card for someone to find, just for fun. Because you like them, and because you can.

Help Them Give the Gift of Happiness
Once you know how good it feels to give these cards away, you’ll want other people to experience that, too.

• When they express gratitude or appreciation for something, give them a card to give to the person who made a difference for them.

• When they express concern for a friend or family member, give them a card of comfort to share.

• When they share exciting news about someone they care about, offer them a card to reinforce the celebration.