There is no greater feeling than the one that follows helping another person in need. Charity and service are just two of God's many tools that allow us to show a deep and pure love for others. When we serve God's children, we serve and become closer to God as well.

But why is serving others sometimes difficult? Is it because all of the hours in our days are consumed by careers, family life and other day-to-day tasks? Could it be that we believe service only counts if someone changes the world with an extensive humanitarian trip? Perhaps. But acts of service do not need to be extravagant. When someone has pure intentions to help others each day, those small acts qualify as service. If you have a desire to help others, but you do not have enough time at the moment for large projects, here is a list of small acts of kindness to share with others:

1. Pay for the person behind you at the drive-through

2. Bring a treat to share with your coworkers

3. Donate clothing you no longer need

4. Leave a generous tip for your server

5. Share a smile with everyone you see

6. Call friends and family to let them know you're thinking of them

7. Sign up for a charity walk or run

8. Donate blood

9. Plant flowers

10. Leave money inside a book at a bookstore

11. Bake cookies for your neighbor

12. Visit the elderly

13. Donate your hair

14. Let someone cut in front of you in line

15. Visit a nursing home

16. Become an organ donor

17. Send someone a hand-written letter in the mail

18. Donate money to a good cause

19. Be a kind and courteous driver

20. Blow bubbles out of your window during a traffic jam

21. Return shopping carts to their proper place

22. Wash someone's car for them

23. Babysit for someone who needs a break

24. Hand out flowers to strangers

25. Leave inspiring notes on strangers' cars

26. Leave change in a vending machine

27. Visit an animal shelter and walk a dog

28. When returning a Redbox DVD, leave a few dollars in the case

29. Leave a treat in the mailbox for the mail carrier

30. Donate books to a children's hospital

31. Bring a trash bag on a walk and pick up litter along the way

32. Hold the door open for someone

33. Leave coins for someone at a laundromat

34. Tape change to a parking meter

35. Leave kind messages with chalk on someone's driveway

36. Give someone a sincere compliment

37. Write an uplifting letter to a prison inmate

38. Leave inspirational messages around your town

39. Donate items to a homeless shelter

40. Foster an animal

41. Cook someone a meal

42. Send a care package to someone

43. Give out free balloons

44. Hand out compliment cards to strangers

There are so many simple ways to spread joy and serve those around you. Acts of kindness and love can have a domino effect and inspire others to help as well. Never underestimate the power of kindness; you may restore someone's faith in God and humanity with just a small, selfless act. Your own faith and relationship with God will be strengthened as well. Through such simple acts, you can make the world a better place.