Today’s giving: Brought in a pack of ping pong balls for the office table.

A kind word is wonderful, but it doesn’t hit the ball.

If you’re in line at the supermarket and there’s a mother struggling with her toddler trying to put groceries on the conveyor belt, giving her a kind word is nice. But offering to help her put the groceries on the belt is so much more helpful. Even if she says ‘No thanks,’ you at least have a conversation starter.

If you see your neighbor carrying in groceries and your hands are free, offer to help. Even if he says ‘No thanks,’ you at least have a conversation starter.

An offer to help is as good as a kind word.

You might even get an opportunity to hit the ball.