Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Work Blessings

After subbing for someone at work, I left a card on their desk thanking them for allowing me to work for them while they went on vacation. It felt joyful and heart opening to thank someone for giving me the opportunity to work.

716 Reads

Dontaing a Hotel Room To A Needy Stranger

I decided a few months ago that I was going to treat myself to a 4-day getaway from Los Angeles and visit Chicago. I turned in some long-saved frequent flier miles for the airplane ticket, but had to shell out cash I really couldn't afford for the hotel. I found a travel website where a discounted promotional 3-night stay was purchased from a recently opened hotel. About three weeks before the trip, I had to regretfully cancel and only then realized the room, while transferable to another person, couldn't be changed to a later date and wasn't refundable. For the next two weeks I tried selling it on Craig's list with no success. Five days before the "big weekend" I gave up trying to recoop any money and decided I'd contact some acquaintances who live in Chicago and offer someone a free "staycation". After trying a handful of people all of ... Read Full Story >>

5998 Reads

Gratitude In Action

I suppose my story will be a little different from most. It's not about what I did today or any other day that was uniquely Kind. It's what I've been trying to do every day for many years. And maybe "trying" is no longer the right word.

I wake up every day and reflect on how grateful I feel to be alive. Grateful to not have cancer anymore. Grateful to not have painful kidney stones anymore. Grateful to have a son that I share healthy communication with. Grateful for friends and co-workers I respect and respect me in return.

And now I take that gratitude and put it into action by practicing the principles that have brought serenity to me: Honesty. Humor. Compassion. Brotherly/sisterly love. Service to others. Empathic listening.

My life is so much better than it ever was. My life is better now that it's been over 25 years of being clean to be able to live in serenity. That's my story for today.

1223 Reads

Highway Harmony!

The on-ramp from a freeway that I pass on my way to work is always backed up on week-day mornings. Today, as I do most days when I have the opportunity, I stopped to let several folks merge even while the person behind me honked three times and made frustrated gestures.

The light was red, I don't know where he thought he would go, ha ha!

782 Reads

Gift To A Friend

I have just finished a crochet shawl that was given to a friend who was spending time, helping people in Africa building compounds for people in need. My gift was given to a young couple who were expecting another child.

The couple could not afford the fare to the town to get contraception, and after finding out about the baby, the wife was so depressed about how they would be able to afford another child that she would not leave their home.

My shawl was given to her, to give her something special for the new baby and hopefully show that people care, even if they do not know each other.

Others will help the mother-to-be to come to terms with her new child both financially and emotionally. I felt really pleased that my small gift was given this way.

933 Reads

Quality Time

Spending some extra time with my little cousin in hospital today. It's a crazy busy day with work and studying, but I'm stopping by for a little longer than usual with her favorite chocolates, switching the phone off and spending some quality time with her.

1661 Reads

Bus Money

 As I was walking in Berkeley last night, i heard an old man ask another man for bus money. I walked by, but after walking ahead a little... I thought that I'd go back.

I went back and asked the man, if he got his bus money or not. He hadn't, so I asked him, "How much is it?" He said $2.10. I took out $1 bill, and then as I was fumbling for another $1, I pulled out a $20 on accident. The man was like, "No... I'm not going to take a $20."

I found another $1 bill and gave him $2. He was genuinely appreciative. He told me where his destination was and said it got a lot closer now that he had these $2. He thanked me and we went on our way.

1549 Reads

A Gift For Our Local Firemen

I was in another town, and saw some firemen standing outside of their building, praying in memory of their New York brothers who died in 9/11.

I returned to my community, purchased some coffee and cookies for our local firemen and wrote a note thanking them for their service. I gave the food to two firemen who were walking into their building.

At first, they looked concerned when I approached them, and then their faces lit up with big smiles when they saw I was bearing gifts and gratitude.

708 Reads

Day 2: Tipping At Starbucks

Well, after trying (and failing) yesterday to pay for the person behind me at the drive-through, I decided to take a different approach today. I did something that absolutely could not be rejected, and probably won't even be noticed for another few hours. About once a week, I go and get a coffee at Starbucks (otherwise, I brew my own to save money). I usually pay with a credit card, or my Starbucks card, which means that I, like many others, don't get any change or cash back. As a result, I don't often put money in the tip jar -- and when I do, it's usually a dollar that I've pulled out of my wallet for that purpose. Actually, I need to back up for a bit of history: my family was recently at a vacation house with my parents. My kids, husband, and I did a grocery shopping and prepared ... Read Full Story >>

4139 Reads

Bakery Brings Smiles!

Well three weeks ago my employment ended, due to the boss relocating out of state. I never really got to say good bye to some local company girls I worked with. I decided to stop at one of the best bakeries in town and personally delivered to them, brownies, cookies, and banana nut bread.

They were thrilled to see me first off, but extremely thankful for the special treats. I didn't realize how much they missed me, and it was so good to see them too.

I'm looking forward to a new opportunity in the near future. They say when one door closes another door opens. I hope so!

1240 Reads

Kindness In A Stormy Day

So lovely to read everyone's comments! We are having fierce spring storms across New Zealand at the moment and I had to drive two hours through torrential rain to teach a course today. 

But I remembered the Kindness Challenge which transported me out of the rain blues. Bought cookies for my class and gave them an early finish. Nothing like giving people sugar hits and extra time in their day!

1336 Reads

Mail Carrier Thank You

Today I thought about my mail person who makes sure I get the right mail, brings things to my door, and regularly drives around in a vehicle without air conditioning in 90 degree weather. Regardless, she always has a smile on her face.

I left her a thank you note in the mailbox with a little something more. I know it's her job but I wanted her to know that I appreciate it.

1110 Reads

Sweet Offerings

I bought some sweets and cookies today. The sweets, I gave to one department that works really hard and told them that I appreciated their work.

I left the cookies in the kitchen of my department with a love note. I must admit that I felt really good when I bought the items with the knowledge that they were going to be given in kindness.

815 Reads

Thanks For The Footprint

I went to University in Canada (from UK) for one term and made a really good friend who was from Burkina Faso.

I would otherwise not really have had the chance to meet someone like her. We stayed in touch for a while but as we haven't met since, our contact has fizzled.

So I emailed her today to tell her how glad I was that we met, and to thank her for the footprint she left on my heart.

Thank you, KindSpring for giving me ideas such as these, it's already spreading beautiful moments within, and to others.

2954 Reads

Karmakate

Sometimes it is just about hearing another person's journey and not judging. I let someone I know quite well, talk about the hardships of their day and then we joined a singing group and sang our hearts out for 2 hours - superb healing!

1139 Reads
  • Posted by ktjames62
  • Apr 18, 2014
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Special k bars

I work with a physicians group in a small community hospital. There is no cafeteria or food service available to the night shift staff, and when things get crazy the nurses often go without a meal or even a snack.

Last night I bought ten candy bars from a student (his mom left the box at work to sell). When things got crazy, I handed out chocolate bars. From their reactions, you would think I had given them a steak dinner! Chocolate delivered with a smile does the soul good.

1162 Reads

19 Lessons Learned From a Friend

1. Give money you can spare to someone who needs it and then pretend you never had it. 2. Let someone tell a story without feeling the need to one-up them or tell your own. 3. Let someone vent, even if you can’t offer a solution, just to be an ear—without considering how well they listened to you last week. 4. Help someone who is struggling with difficult feelings by admitting you’ve felt the same thing—without considering whether they’d be as open with you. 5. Ask, “What can I do to help you today?” Then let it go after following through. 6. Tell someone how you feel about them, even if it makes you feel vulnerable, just to let them know they’re loved and not alone. 7. Apologize when you’ve acted selfishly, even if you don’t like feeling wrong, because it will remind the other person they deserve to be treated with respect. 8. Let someone else ... Read Full Story >>

10.6K Reads

Kindness Towards Teachers

Today I thanked my children's teachers for all that they do. Both my children come home smiling and happy. What a comforting feeling as a parent.

Their teachers put in countless hours and a I gave my children's teacher a gift "just because", and it seemed just right! I gave one teacher a gift certificate to a painting place, and the other teacher a gift certificate to TeachersPayTeachers.com. It made me feel good to give some gifts! :)

1266 Reads

A Smile and Good Morning

Wednesday morning, September 11, the first day of the 21-Day Challenge: I said "good morning" and smiled at every person I saw. Out of dozens of people I passed on my morning run, one lady walking her dog, smiled back. Another person, stationary, to whom I said "good morning", smiled and returned my greeting.
 
Even with such modest returns, it felt good to start my day offering good cheer and reminding myself and others that we're all connected.
 

1259 Reads

Gasoline, A Burger Meal, and a Kiss!

Yesterday afternoon in St. Louis Mo it was rainy and light snow. While pumping gas, a young man approached me and asked if he could pump my gas for a dollar so he could get something to eat.

At that moment the pump stopped, my tank was full. I asked him to meet me at the Burger King across the street. At this time he informed me that the manager had asked him to stay away, as he was begging.

I went in, talked to the manager, explained that I was going to buy him a meal, and would they let him stay long enough to eat his meal. The manager agreed. I purchased his meal, and thanked the manager by telling her she'd done a good thing and also gave her a smile card and a Hershey Kiss!

2638 Reads
  • Posted by bosslady4925
  • Apr 15, 2014
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