The kindness you show now might not be noticed for years. It still counts the day you do it.

Acts of decency do not come with a receipt, and some are never acknowledged at all. That absence does not reduce what happened. The person was less alone that day whether or not they ever mention it, and years later they may remember it when you have forgotten. Doing it for the acknowledgement turns it into a transaction and makes you bitter besides.

Do one kind thing this week that nobody will see. Clear up after an event, cover for someone quietly, send the message you will get no answer to. Then let it go rather than waiting for it to come back.