Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Sleeping Bag Note

I tucked a heart-felt note into my daughter's sleeping bag as she was heading off to be a camp helper for a week. 

She later unrolled her bag, found the note, and loved it! 

Years back I used to write sweet messages on the kids bananas when I was packing their lunches for school!

3595 Reads

First Day Back - After A Heart Attack

Yesterday I sent an e-mail to a person I barely know (a colleague in an on-line course) with some encouraging words. 

I knew that today was his first day in a new job. I also knew he was scared because on his last day of work, more than a year before, he had a heart attack! This despite being only in his forties!

He e-mailed me back today, saying my words had been the right thing at the right time.

So, not such a random act of kindness - but it still made my day!

821 Reads

I Got A Car !

The strangest thing happened!

Yesterday, I saw an ad for the perfect car for me. It's very strange that this would happen now, just after I wrote about still being able to help others without having much myself, and not having a car.

I went to this website and there it was. It was much nicer than I expected and at a price I can more than afford.
  
When I got home, my Smile cards were in the mailbox along with a letter from McDonalds with two free desert coupons! The letter said that they appreciated me taking the time to report some good work done by one of their employees. They said they rarely receive complimentary calls.

I am writing this because it is obvious to me that I am being blessed! I feel that God is blessing me because I have committed to blessing others. I see it as confirmation that I am supposed to continue in this journey of small acts of kindness. I have to say that even when no one else sees, you are still more than blessed by the sincere effort to bring kindness into your community.

Oh, and by the way, those desert cards are going out to others!

1083 Reads

Forty Fantastic Minutes On The Phone

I had a busy "to do" list today and was about to get started when my sister called.  I talked with her for a short time and could hear my seven year old niece in the background, full of energy as always, and getting told off for something. I asked to speak with her, both because I love talking to her and because I was hoping I could help divert some of her energy in a more positive direction and give my sister a break.  I listened and talked with her on the phone, giving her as much time as she needed to share her thoughts and express herself.  The conversation went on for quite a while as I was updated on all the latest, important happenings in her life. In exchange for my time she gifted me with her adorable stories and sense of humor. She says the cutest things that always ... Read Full Story >>

6385 Reads

Real Happy Meals

Going into Walmart I noticed a homeless man sitting on the bench outside. At first I walked past him but then I turned around, reached into my purse and gave him a $10.00 gift card for McDonalds. 

The smile on his face and his gratitude stayed with me the rest of the day. 

So, I bought several more McDonalds gift cards to hand out to those in need.

915 Reads

Do All, Feel Most

When you do an act of human kindness, you walk a step in someone else's shoes.     This can change your life.  It changed mine.   I was in an awful job, 18hr days, getting reamed out by my boss.  My new husband lived in another city and I saw him 1x a month, and even then we just had terrible, horrible fights.  I was underweight, my hair thinning, I had eczema.  But quitting was failure, simple as that.     One day I was late for work and grabbed a taxi.  I was on my computer when I noticed the driver.  He was middle-aged Asian man wearing a nice golf polo and simply put, did not look like other cab drivers I'd seen in the city.   I asked him where he was from.  Korea, he's been here 25 years.  I asked him how long he'd been driving a cab.  A month.   He said the reason he started driving was for money.  His daughter ... Read Full Story >>

3300 Reads

"Meet la Bestia, the Beast"

One of the few freight networks that still makes the rounds on Mexico's rugged countryside. Immigrants from Central and South America board the trains in an attempt to reach Mexico's northern border quickly. The trail is dangerous: the travelers face mutilation and death from falling off the train. Criminal gangs stalk the southernmost lengths of the network, stopping the trains in their tracks. The travelers are lucky if they are left alive. The few women that board the trains' roofs are raped and kidnapped. On the central and northern lengths of the trail, narcos are always prowling, ready to scare the travelers into surrendering their belongings. Some of them are forcibly recruited into the narcos' ranks as slave footsoldiers. Some are killed in cold blood, their bodies ditched into mass graves. They are chased by inmigration officers and federal police, who have been known to commit shameless acts of human rights ... Read Full Story >>

6226 Reads

Character Counts!

My favorite kindness sidekick, my 7 year old daughter Rachel, was a teacher of kindness today. I wanted to share her beautiful kindness story with all of you. We were invited to her school today by her principal for a special ceremony. Her school has a program called Character Counts which has 6 pillars (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship). Once a month they recognize one student in the school who exemplifies the character of a particular pillar. Today the focus was on the Caring pillar, which represents being kind, compassionate, showing you care, expressing gratitude, forgiving others and helping people in need. Well, as you may have guessed, Rachel was the honoree!  The principal called her up to the front and read many wonderfully kind things that Rachel does and what a positive role model she is. Her teacher then followed with many specific examples of Rachel’s kindness and how ... Read Full Story >>

9573 Reads

Lunchtime

Around lunchtime today my son and I were walking in our community's busy "downtown" area. We passed by a homeless man sitting on the street and since I had no cash on me, all we could give him was a smile and a good wish. As we walked on my son asked me didn't I have any money to give him--I said I don't have cash, but why don't we ask him if he would like something to eat. On our way back on that street after doing our errand we saw the same man and asked him if he would like us to get him some lunch. His face brightened up and when I asked what he would like, he just said "anything is fine". So then my son pointed to a rather fancy looking "parisian cafe" type of place across the street and we decided to go in there. ... Read Full Story >>

3126 Reads

Teen's Fire + Motherly Heart = Healing In The Streets

How are we shifting our consciousness to recognize that we all are one big human family? A few years ago a young bilingual yoga instructor from Oakland was biking and had to stop in an intersection to wait for the green light. At that same intersection, there were three male youngsters, who mugged her by asking for her wallet. "Sure" she replied as she gently made eye contact, calmly took her wallet and handed it to them. Last week, the same young bilingual yoga instructor --now being a mother of a 6 year old-- had to stop in the same intersection. Again three men in their teens where waiting for her. She made eye contact and this time, however, there was a different surprise waiting for her. One of the teens had a flower. He looked at her and said: "you are beautiful and look so happy, please take it!" and handed the ... Read Full Story >>

2659 Reads

She Made My Piano Sing

She was in her late 70s when I met her and no longer physically fit. She was hard of hearing, very opinionated, and spoke broken English very loudly. Plus, she was seldom interested in listening. Instead, she talked almost non-stop.  She had very few friends and had no family anymore, except for a son she last heard from in 1986.  Somehow the winds of fate blew her into my life. I was a young bachelor at the time and, once a year, I used to go to the coast for a holiday. My 10 hour journey passed near the little country town where she lived all by herself. Whenever I felt sorry for her I would pick her up – along with her mountains of luggage – take her to the coast for ten days or so, and then bring her home again. And every year I promised myself that would be ... Read Full Story >>

19.9K Reads

A Volunteering Experience that Became a Lifelong Connection

Last year, I kept having this nagging feeling I was living just for the "me, me, me.” With this in mind, I decided to volunteer to break out of this me-centricity. After reaching out to a number of organizations, I got a call back from a dance studio in New Jersey. On my first day volunteering, a remarkable young girl caught my eye. That girl could dance! Aside from her natural skill, which was a delight to witness, she simply lit up the room. She was African American, ten years old and she wore the more endearing big-rimmed glasses. At the end of class, I had to ask her, “How long have you been taking lessons?” She replied shyly, "I wish... I have never taken a class.” I was speechless.  Her teacher told me she lived in a group home, and then and there I knew what I felt called to do. ... Read Full Story >>

2852 Reads

The Smiley Rocks Get Famous

Today I spent some quality time with one of my cousins. We decided to go for a walk at a nearby beach.  

I brought a permanent black marker with me and, as we walked and talked, I occasionally picked up stones and wrote positive words or drew hearts and smiley faces on them.  

On the way back, we could see the original path we took marked by love and smiles. It was beautiful! 

Well, I told one of my sisters about this. A few days later day she, excitedly, called me up to her room. She showed me some pictures posted on a local association's Facebook page. They included two of the rocks I had left behind, one of a heart and the other of the message "Love wins."  

It looks like a couple of the rocks have been found and have reached a wider audience! I hope these messages of love continue to spread.

5437 Reads

Teaching English In The Holidays

A Romanian family just moved into our neighborhood and a friend introduced me to them. They are a young couple with a twelve year old daughter. 

Knowing that both parents worked and the girl is going to be on her own a lot, and knowing that she is really keen to improve her English, I offered to look after her and teach her English during the summer holidays. 

It turns out that she gets on well with my daughter and they have a great time together!

2104 Reads

Universtiy Can Wait

I was on my way to the library to do some studying for history class. That's when I saw my friends and their family knocking on doors.  As I was standing outside one house my friend's brother walked past me and went to the door of the house. When the resident answered I heard him say, "Excuse me. Hi! I am raising money for my mom. She needs to have surgery but we don't have enough money. Could you please help with a donation?"  The lady gave him some coins and he said, "Thank you so much! God bless you." Then he walked on to the next house.  I could see he didn't have much and I also saw he had been crying.  Instead of going to the library I went to the bank. I told them I wanted to withdraw all my savings. The lady in the bank said to me, "But, sweetie, ... Read Full Story >>

2606 Reads

Taco Cabana

I was at Taco Cabana looking at the menu while drinking an iced tea to cool off from a long day of running errands.  I was trying to decide what to feed my family that evening.   An elderly woman was struggling with the door so I opened the door.  She was frail and a little confused with the menu.  After a long time ordering and many questions she pulled out her coin purse to pay.  She had to take an item off to pay as she was short the funds.  I told the cashier (without her hearing) to tell her that her order was on the house and I would pay.  The look on her face was priceless as he told her someone anonymously treated her to lunch.  While they filled her order, I had them add a second meal, 2 desserts, a smile card, and a gift card to her bag ... Read Full Story >>

20.3K Reads
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  • Nov 24, 2013
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Smiles For Remaining Days

I have this very sweet neighbor who was just diagnosed with cancer. 

She has chosen not to receive any treatment and I try to visit her daily. 

When I received my Smile Cards I was wondering how I could use them to make a difference in someone's life. Imaginary light bulbs flashed as I thought about my neighbor and friend. Mary, I realized, would love some happiness in her life. 

She loves flowers so I bought a small violet and a "Thinking of You" card, then tucked a Smile Card down inside the leaves of the flower. 

That evening I got a call from her asking about the Smile Card. She felt so special. It made her day. It sits in her living room where she can smile at the card every day. 

I am just thankful that I can bring some happiness to such a special and kind lady as Mary. I ask God to comfort her everyday that she is here. 

Thank you sending me my Smile Cards. I will find a way to send her one everyday until she leaves me. 

4001 Reads

A Sub Birthday Surprise

We walked a couple of miles yesterday, pushing my little guy in the stroller. He got hungry so we decided to stop for a "sub" for him.   While we were waiting in line a woman came in. She was very irritated and talking about someone who had asked her for money. In her opinion those people needed to get jobs.    We were feeling a little uncomfortable with the situation and I was wondering what I should say to my kids later, especially my fifteen year old daughter. I always tell her we have to be the change we want to see. I was sort of mulling it over in my head when I heard the lady say, "It's also my birthday, and no one could be bothered to spend it with me."  I knew this was my chance, both to help her change her thinking and to help her feel cared for on ... Read Full Story >>

7177 Reads

Giving The Gift Of G-love

We were having a colder than usual spell. 

While I was filling up with gas I noticed that the young man helping me didn't have any gloves. I looked around and noticed all the other employees had their hands in warm gloves. He was very uncomfortable, rubbing his hands a lot and stuffing them in his pockets every chance he got. 

I looked at the simple, inexpensive, knitted gloves sitting in my purse. It seemed to me that they wouldn't be much help in this bitter cold - but they were what I had, so I offered them to him! 

"Seriously?" he said. 

"Yes," I replied. "Seriously!" 

You would have thought I had given him a $100 dollar bill! I know the gloves helped warm his hands, but not as much as his appreciation warmed my heart. 

2900 Reads

Love Goes Round, Round, Round

About a year ago I learned to knit on a loom, which is a circular device that lets you knit without needles. The yarn goes around and around just like love we give to others. I love making baby hats using the loom and giving them away as gifts. In my free time, I volunteer at a non-profit that assists children and families in need, and I noticed that many of the clients we served were mothers-to-be or mothers with newborn babies. Most of the families we serve need a great deal of help just to get through each day. As I worked with more and more these mothers and families, it struck me: Wouldn't it be nice to share my newfound skill and make hats for these precious little babies? I have since then been donating my hats, and I always attach a small note on the bag that reads "This handcrafted keepsake is ... Read Full Story >>

2094 Reads




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