Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Bag of Donuts

Yesterday, I went out and saw a street vendor selling potato donuts. I had bought 8 donuts for the boys at home. Before I left the place, I saw this little boy sleeping on the sidewalk, with his mom sitting next to him. She appeared to be sleeping as well, with her head resting on her knees. Their clothes were tattered and dirty.

As I walked to my car just a few meters away, I couldn't ignore the tightness in my chest, as the thought of what that boy was going through came into my mind. So I went back and gave the woman the bag of donuts. She thanked me and placed the bag next to her and went back to sleep.

I left the place and hoped that maybe when that little boy wakes up, he will smile when he sees a bag of sugar covered donuts, all for him.

2461 Reads

Do Unto Others...

This morning, a mother and her son were seated next to me on the bus. I could tell that she was stressed as it was, and her son was a bit frazzled along with her. As they went to sit down, the contents of his backpack fell all over the bus floor.

Without words, I bent down and helped them pick them all up. I could tell that she needed a little breath of fresh air this morning, and the genuine smile and thank you was infectious!

1267 Reads

A Mother's Sacrifice

My mom only had one eye. I hated her... she was such an embarrassment. My mom ran a small shop at a flea market. She collected little weeds and such to sell... anything for the money we needed she was such an embarrassment. There was this one day during elementary school. I remember that it was field day, and my mom came. I was so embarrassed. How could she do this to me? I threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school..."Your mom only has one eye?!" and they taunted me. I wished that my mom would just disappear from this world so I said to my mom, "Mom, why don't you have the other eye?! You're only going to make me a laughingstock. Why don't you just die?" My mom did not respond. I guess I felt a little bad, but at the same time, it ... Read Full Story >>

11.1K Reads

21 Day Challenge: A Different Dinner Date

There is a crew of street children I'm friends with, and they hang out [read: routinely beg] right outside the McDonald's across my school. I pass them all the time, but I've never given them food or money, just company. Today, on a whim, I withdrew more money than usual with my scholar's cash card [I just got transportation allowance from the school this September]. Incidentally, the crew was complete when I passed by McDonald's. I wasn't even thinking of Day 1's Challenge, but there you go. God works in mysterious ways!  The kids were indeed surprised and delighted to know that I was actually treating them to a legitimate meal this time. They enjoyed being able to step inside the restaurant [when the security guard would come close, I made it clear that they were with me] and order for themselves. I bought each of them 1-piece Chicken Mcdo, a regular ... Read Full Story >>

2616 Reads

A Tribute to My Mother

I've been thinking today (with it being mothers day) that it should be a sad day for me. But it isn't. Not at all. Today I haven't felt sad that my mother is no longer with me, instead I've felt so incredibly grateful and blessed that she once was.

With you or not with you, here or somewhere else, your mother is always your mother and everything she has ever given you will always be carried in your heart. She never leaves you. Her impact on your life is imprinted into your very being and you carry it with you and little bits of her wherever you go.

It reminds me of a quote by Joel Osteen I love ... "The best legacy is not what we leave FOR people but what we leave IN people" And my mother, she left a lot in me.

6907 Reads

My Special Needs Class.

I work with the mentally challenged and have a class of 60 students that range in age from 18 to 70. Each one has taken the pledge of 21 days of Kindness. I wanted to teach them that an act of kindness goes a long way: To give a little, that they would receive a lot back.

We are on day 2, and so far out of the 60 students at least 15 of them have done a some kind of random act of kindness. I love the look on their faces when they realize how they have brightened someone else's day. They are making a huge difference, and we are loving every bit of it.

1039 Reads

What Time Cannot Erase

Today, I reached out to three amazing women I am blessed to know in my life. I let them each know how even though life moves us away from each other some times, we still always live on in each others' hearts.

I told them about all the things I love about them, what their special gifts are, how they touched my life, and that I'll always treasure them, near or far.

Beautiful words are just such a gift... expressing gratitude, love, connection - what could be better! I hope they each in turn do the same with friendships of their own that may need rekindling.  I'm so grateful and blessed they crossed my path in life.

3140 Reads

Never Quit

Day 2- Today I wrote a letter to a childhood friend after a long long time. He has been going through a very tough time and I reminded him of this poem which he used to share with me when we were kids:

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will
when the road your trudging seems all up the hill
when the funds are low and the debts are high
when you want to smile but you have to sigh
stick to the fight when you are hardest hit
it's when things go wrong when you should never quit."

1423 Reads

Day One

Day One: I had my sister, who is in college, over for dinner and surprised her with a cupcake from our favorite shop.

Little did I know, but she had planned to surprise me with one too. She knew I had a rough day. I have such an amazing family!
 

1170 Reads
  • Posted by nikki_semperfi
  • May 8, 2014
  • Add Comment
  • Share Story

10 Simple Inspirational Ways of Thinking About Life

10 Simple, Inspirational Ways of Thinking About Life The poet William Blake once wrote that “If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is– infinite.” Our outlook determines our worldview – and when we choose to view and think about life positively, we discover possibilities we previously might have missed. It only takes a small reminder to open our eyes to the wonder of each day on our planet – and with that thought in mind, here are ten simple reminders to live with happiness and peace during all seasons of life. 1. The best things in life aren’t things. The best things are the people, the places, and the memories we encounter on our journey. 2. Our actions might be the only inspiration for someone today. One small gesture of kindness can create a world of difference for another person. 3. A ship is safe in harbor… but that’s ... Read Full Story >>

4471 Reads

Little Victories

I left a bunch of change in the vending machine at my son's school. 
Thinking of all the times that my son wanted me to buy him something and was disappointed because I had no change, I smiled imagining someone else in my shoes, discovering the change and getting surprised.

It was a really hot day here yesterday, so I bought some bottles of cold water and handed them out to the two construction workers near my house, who tirelessly stand there everyday, directing traffic.

I also gave some cold water to the person bagging groceries in my neighborhood grocery store, always with a big smile and kind words for my kids.

The smiles on all their faces as they gracefully received the water made me feel really grateful for the Kindness Challenge that is giving me this amazing opportunity - thank you :)

797 Reads
  • Posted by shirinsubhani
  • May 7, 2014
  • Add Comment
  • Share Story

Smile Card Stash

Day 1: As I was leaving my Day 1 "assignment" of giving a SMILE card and cupcakes to a grocery employee, I saw a homeless man pushing his shopping cart in the parking lot. I pulled over and parked and asked if he could use some help. He smiled and said he thought he was managing ok.

I asked him if he was homeless and he said that yes, he was. I said well, then I think you could use a little help and gave him a SMILE card and $20.

I keep several cards and bills in small envelopes so I can hand them out and it's a bit anonymous because they usually put the envelope in their pocket, only to discover the gift at another time. It always feels so good to give them away. I receive the money from unexpected sources (bonus at work, rebate from credit card points, refunds, etc) and turn them into SMILE card gifts.

1527 Reads

A Gift Card For A Guy On The Street

Last week someone gave me a $20 Au Bon Pain gift card. Today I passed it on to a man who sells "Spare Change News" on a busy street corner near my workplace. I introduced myself and explained that I don't buy "Spare Change News" because I don't read it. He responded by saying that I always rush by him and that he thought I didn't like him.

Delighted by the gift card, he says he doesn't need that much. Joking, I pointed out that I can't cut it (pantomiming scissors) to reduce its value. I said, "It's for all the issues of "Spare Change News" that I don't buy." I promised to say hello from now on when I see him!

1243 Reads

A Smile Goes A Long Way!

It costs nothing to share a smile and help someone in need. Today I woke up grumpy and on the wrong side of the bed (obviously).

I knew that doing something special for someone would snap me out of this mood. I work with a bunch of college students and today, I met a really nice student. She was returning after the death of her father. He lived to see his daughter attend college! I decided to go one step further and show her where she needed to go for her ID and parking pass.

Instead of telling her, I walked with her. I am rehabilitating from a full knee replacement.  I really feel that walking with her not only helped her learn her way around college, but helped me in my rehabilitation process. We both smiled, glad that we had made a new friend. Something so simple as a smile goes a long way.
 

2990 Reads

An Old Friend

Today I logged on to my Facebook account and searched for an old elementary school friend named Mike.

After just 5 minutes I was able to find him. It turns out that he has been going through a rough patch in life. He struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts.

Mike and I ended up chatting for over an hour!  We reminisced about the good old days and about what the future may have in store for him!

At the end of the conversation he told me he hasn't  smiled that much in two months! I am so glad I chose to look him up!!!!

3510 Reads

Update

I would like to get to know my neighbors better and so I had an idea to organize a "Get Acquainted" Meet-and-Greet block party: I was able to pull it together and we had a great time!

I had name tags and a sign-in sheet with contact information. I was able to hire a wonderful "BBQ King" from church who cooked the best hamburgers and hot dogs ever. Everyone contributed by bringing delicious additions to the meal.  And what's even better, everyone wants to do it again next year. One lady even suggested we try to get together around the Holidays as well. Now I know 24 of my neighbors by name and it feels terrific!

1034 Reads

A Change In Attitude

I was about to continue an argument with my sister on email, but sent her something I read on KindSpring, instead:

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye."

She answered: We may argue but I love you very much.

779 Reads

A Shining Star

Recently, I had minor surgery done.  When I woke, post-op, a young nurse was caring for me.  She was bringing me a drink, checking my blood pressure, and generally being very gentle and kind.

We started to talk and she explained she was a trainee nurse, but that she continually struggled wit her confidence and self esteem. She also had a weight issue after comfort eating due to being severely bullied as a child.

She tended to my needs quietly and compassionately. After leaving the hospital, I decided to send her a card of appreciation.  Inside I enclosed a little silver star on a chain that was gifted to me when I achieved good results in my counseling training. I explained this in the card and wrote, "This is being passed to you for your starring role in being a caring and compassionate nurse".

3536 Reads

Gift of Harmony

I conduct a small funeral choir and today we sang at a funeral for a local guy who was homeless. The members of the choir waived their usual fee and came to sing for what was a beautiful celebration. We all felt part of something bigger, and it was lovely.

1103 Reads

Old Friends

I spent all day sending messages and calling friends that I haven't contacted in long time. I have to say that this made me really happy and I hope my friends were glad too. It was really nice to hear what everybody has been up to and refresh old memories.

I think we will meet each other more often now.

844 Reads




Submit your own
story of Kindness

Search by keyword

Tags

Subscribe to the Kindness Newsletter

143K subscribers

About Us

KindSpring is a place to practice small acts of kindness. For over a decade the KindSpring user community has focused on inner transformation, while collectively changing the world with generosity, gratitude, and trust. The site is 100% volunteer-run and totally non-commercial. It is a shared labor of love.

Other servicespace Projects Include

KindSpring.org is a project of ServiceSpace. BY-NC-ND 4.0