April Fools' Day once was really fun at the Democrat-Gazette (and elsewhere). My mentor and friend (and other mom) Mary Hargrove and I were notorious for newsroom pranks on the day. More than a few batches of plastic bugs were deployed (sorry, Danny, RIP), desk drawers turned upside-down, and fake letters sent (such as the one to a soccer-hating editor asking him to serve as the leader of the Arkansas Soccer Dads).

Now, though, the idea just seems off somehow. Not that the pranks we did were mean-spirited (they were mostly pretty tame, but still funny). Still, at a time when some people take so much joy in causing others pain (too many Internet trolls to count), April Fools' Day just adds fuel to the fire.

That's why I like what Jama Oliver posted on Threads the other day: "[H]ear me out ... since everything is kind of trash right now, what if we did an April Kindness Day? Instead of playing pranks we do little 'gotchas' by surprising people with treats? Sweet text messages? Hand written notes? Like 'haha! I bought you some Nerds Gummy Clusters because I know you love em! Booyah!'"

So, yeah, maybe put away the plastic bugs, whoopie cushions, and phone messages that lead to the reptile house at the zoo, and this year take a page from the late Jennings Osborne and his random acts of kindness. Do something for someone that doesn't benefit you; you don't even have to put your name to it.

If you have the financial wherewithal to do so, pay for someone's groceries at the store, pay off a light bill or medical bill, or fund a scholarship. But you don't need money to be kind: A smile, a kind word, and a helping hand are appreciated as well.

The argument is often made, such as in climate action, that if everyone doesn't participate in something, small steps will achieve nothing. I call bull on that.

As I wrote in 2014, "If the light bulb in the refrigerator dies, we change it so that we can figure out where in the recesses of the fridge those chicken breasts we bought the day before disappeared. We don't unplug it and say it's useless to even try to replace the bulb, nor do we head to the appliance warehouse for a new refrigerator, because we're not made of money. We change the freakin' bulb!"

Little things mean a lot more than many people give them credit for. One small step forward is still progress, so it's not something to balk at. One voice may be joined by another, and another, and another until the sound is deafening, and that can impel change. It's the reason some movements might seem a joke at first (and the same arguments against them crop up each year; creativity dies here), but grow year by year until they reach the point that more people support the movements than disparage them. Abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, outlawing segregation--all those efforts started small, but eventually yielded more rights for the disenfranchised.

And little acts--intentional, unselfish--can change the day of someone who's been kicked in the teeth lately by life. Artists are losing clients because of AI slop, so why not support an artist on social media and, even if you can't buy their work right now, maybe you can share it more widely and get them a few more fans, some of whom might be able to buy their work? (I'm a fan of the Threadless e-commerce site, which is committed to supporting its artists and charities. While I might not be able to afford a painting of some independent artist's work, I can often find it in some affordable form there, which makes me happy and puts money in the artist's pocket.)

There are plenty of other ideas for small acts of kindness: Donate a book to the nearest little library. Visit a nursing home and just listen to the stories of the residents. Organize a community clean-up. Be kind to those who serve us in retail and restaurants. Leave sticky notes with encouraging words in places like public bathrooms or bus stops. Smile at a stranger. Compliment the clothes someone is wearing. The list goes on and on.

And the best thing: It really costs nothing to be kind.

At times, it's hard to find hope in this world. That's why kindness is so important. It may just be the thing that keeps someone who might be suicidal here a day longer, and then puts them on a better path. It might be the one thing good a person having their worst day can pin their hopes for the future on. It could be the link that finally propels someone to a better life.

But, sure, thinking only of yourself and those who think like you is fine. No one really needs to be a good person to get along in life.

Still, I'd much rather be kind. I called animal control to pick up an injured stray cat in my neighborhood last week; though he often begged for food at my door, he wasn't mine, and I couldn't afford to pay for vet services for the sweet boy. I know I did the best thing I could for him at that moment. I miss having him around here, but with any luck, once he's recovered, they'll find him a good home.

Hopefully a home with kind people who know the little things matter.

Assistant Editor Brenda Looper is editor of the Voices page. Email her at blooper@adgnewsroom.com. Read her blog at blooper0223.com.

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