If someone keeps popping into your mind and you just feel in your heart that you need to reach out, then you probably should.

Our gut often knows things before we do. Your friend or loved one may need a little boost to lift their spirits. We have some simple ideas to make a person's day a little brighter.

A Good Old-Fashioned Note

Sure, texting is quick, and sending an email is easier than finding a stamp, but imagine the surprise of receiving a handwritten note in your mailbox? Gone are the days of waiting for a letter from someone. Patience is a virtue, and it is something we have lost.

Remember when you were a child and would send cards or letters to a pen pal or friend, just for fun? Those penned words were greatly appreciated because they were anxiously awaited.

Letter writing has become a lost art, and a little resurgence could be fun. Grab a blank note, find an envelope and a stamp, and brighten someone's day with this simple and kind gesture. They may even reply with a written note back to you!

Consider a Handmade Gift

There has probably been a time in your life when you received a thoughtful handmade gift. There really is something special about knowing that someone cares enough to take time out of their busy schedule to create something just for you. Imagine the joy you would feel being the giver this time, gifting a handmade gift and making someone you care for feel special and loved.

The wonderful bonus of creating handmade gifts is finding joy in their creation. You may discover a new hobby or a way to relax as you enjoy the art of creating handmade treasures! Let your creative juices flow, and give it a try. You might be craftier than you think!

Pick Up the Phone

Pick up the phone, but skip the text. In today's world, we are sometimes taken aback by an actual phone call made for the sole purpose of chatting. Texting has become the communication method of choice, but it will never replace the sound of a friendly voice.

Do you remember the last time you called someone just to say hi or to tell them you are thinking of them? Not everything in life needs to be scheduled. Making a surprise call is an easy but very thoughtful option when considering how to brighten someone else's day. If you are used to only texting, talking on the phone may feel awkward at first, but you won't regret the gratitude you hear in your friend's voice.

Considering how to brighten someone else's day is all about letting others know we care and are thinking of them. In doing so, we not only brighten someone else's day but also our own. It's hard not to feel our own burdens lift as we lift each other up.

Stressful jobs, busy lives, and unpleasant surprises in life can be viewed as opportunities to make the world a better place, one note, gift, or phone call at a time. Don't let the stresses and sometimes cruelness of this world win. We all have the cure. Kindness is contagious. Pass it on.