Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Cake A Day

I have just realized that this month, on average, I must have baked a cake a day!

The Gift of a Card

I'm eleven years old, and I like to make cards. I usually put a bracelet and drawing in the envelope along with the card, and hand it to someone.

I never hang around for people to say thank you, but sometimes my brother hides to watch their reactions. He tells me about them later.

The other day, I gave an old lady a card. Then I sat down to eat with my family. Well, she came over and gave my whole family a hug and kiss on the cheek! Before they had a chance to say "Hi" back, she sat herself down and made very friendly conversation.

I loved her. :)

Sharing A Laughter Break

It was a rainy day and I noticed that the lady coming into the senior center had holes in both shoes. Her toes were sticking through the shoes! It wasn't really time for a break but I decided to take one so I could chat with this lady.   She told me that she does have other shoes but they are not as comfortable as the old ones. She also told me she was going blind and could barely see, and that she has a friend who took her in and helps care for her. Her children live in other states and can't afford to visit.   She started sharing some jokes and we both laughed. Laughter is good for the soul!    When it was time for lunch, she said, "Thank You for taking the time to sit with me and listen to my jokes!"   We all need someone, sometimes, to just sit and listen and let ... Read Full Story >>

My Heart Was Tugged

It was a really chilly evening when I left the office to go to my P.O. Box.  When I arrived in the little shopping center, it was alive with folks bundled up in warm coats going about their busy lives.  To the side of the post office sat a woman on a cement wall, dressed only in sweatpants, a hoodie, and tennis shoes. Beside her were a few plastic bags of belongings.  She looked down when anyone came near her, and shyly looked up to glance when they went by.  She clearly was homeless. She clearly touched my heart.  She had to be so cold. I got into my car to leave, but just couldn't.  My heart was so tugged.  Then, I remembered that I had a brand new down hiking coat in my trunk.  I also had some blankets that I was going to give to the homeless.  This was ... Read Full Story >>

The Receptionist's Smile

Being chronically ill, I have made quite a few visits to the doctor's office.

Over the visits, I've noticed how big a difference it makes when the receptionist greets me with a smile and a pleasant tone. It just makes my entire day a little better, and the illness a little easier to bear! Plus, it puts me in a mood to smile at other people and spread the joy.

While thinking about this, I had a follow-up thought: I wish these individuals, who are only bypassers in my life, knew how much their smiles actually mean to me!

And as soon as I had the thought, I realized that it is possible-- I can tell them. :)

So I gathered some materials, sat down, and wrote cards to all the different offices-- from taxi companies to doctors' offices-- thanking them for being so pleasant and helpful. As soon as I finished, I eagerly mailed them off.

Though I won't be there to see their faces when they read the cards, I hope they feel appreciated and that the notes put smiles on their faces the way they put a smile on mine!

Kindling Kindness with Used Books

I was given a Kindle for Christmas and I love it.

But it has made the many books in my house a little obsolete. So, I am currently clearing out shelves and shelves of books (well--except for my shelves full of favorites!) and I take them to a used book store that is located right next to a lovely thrift shop.

Each time I turn in some of my books, I get vouchers to spend on books in that store. Then, I walk right over to the thrift shop, find people who look like readers, and surprise them with a voucher!

It's so much fun--one of the best things I do! 

Chasing The Brighton Bus

This is a simple story. I was driving along one day when I saw a young couple running, frantically, for a bus. The bus pulled away from the stop just as they arrived!  I slowed down and noticed how upset they looked. So, I stopped and said, "Jump in! I'll overtake the bus and you can catch it at the next stop."    They looked amazed at the offer, but got into my car. We followed the bus but we just couldn't overtake far enough to ensure they would get on. It's surprising how difficult it is to overtake a bus that doesn't stop often!    After a while and some chat with my new passengers it became clear that they were new to the area. They were visiting friends and had to get another bus to the house they were going to. That's when I asked, "Where are you going, exactly," and decided to ... Read Full Story >>

Speciality Soaps For A Friend

I have a friend who is an around-the-clock care giver for elderly folk suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. 

Amazing Albert

The other day I was getting into my car when I saw an old man walking up the hill. He looked tired and, as it was quite a rural area, I waited to check he was okay. 

From My Son and Me

Four years ago, my 26 year-old son took his life. I visit him often at the cemetery and always bring fresh flowers to place at his grave. After a series of visits, I noticed that the woman next to him never has any flowers. So on my last visit, I brought flowers and placed them at her grave site, from my son and me.

Sharing the Warmth

There is a park outside our residential complex in Pretoria, South Africa that many homeless people call home.

On my way to work this morning, I randomly greeted a man sitting by the road. With a BIG smile, he greeted me back. Disarmed, I stopped and asked how he was doing. He looked at me, and in a calm voice asked for a blanket.

He then showed me his sleeping quarters. All he had to cover himself during the cold winter nights in South Africa were some cardboard boxes and plastic. I quickly went back to my house, grabbed my "old" blanket that had been sitting in my closet, and handed it over to him.

Instantly, I was touched by the joy it brought. He gave me the biggest, warmest smile, and couldn't stop thanking me.

I just said, "I hope it keeps you warm," and wished him a great day.

This experience has inspired me to do more random acts of kindness and start a blanket drive this winter in South Africa!

Customer Service Smiles

I work as a contractor at a senior center and absolutely love it. My days are spent coordinating rides for seniors from volunteer drivers. Today, a lady called saying she was unable to get her medication from the pharmacy. Usually, our center requires a three-day advance notice for local rides. We also require folks to fill out an application and a waiver.  With these things in mind, I decided that this was my opportunity to go above and beyond the call of duty. I filled out the application and told her I would come pick her up. "You will?" she asked, slightly shocked. "Yup." I sent an email to my manager and off I went. It was a nice day to be out. We had a pleasant ride, and along the way, I found out she has cancer. Despite the illness, she still embraces life with a lot of faith. After arriving back at her home, I gave her ... Read Full Story >>

A Big Tip Just to Make Her Day

The other night a friend I went to visit a childhood friend of mine. It was a wonderful visit.  My friend loved and adored him. We shared many laughs over some childhood stories. It was a very long drive so on the way back we stopped at a restaurant so that we could use the restroom. To be courteous he placed a small to-go order and on the way out he paid for the order along with a tip that was five times the amount of his bill. His tip was so generous that the waitress could not believe he tipped her that much. One of the other waitresses called out to him loud enough so that he could hear since he was already at the door heading out how generous his tip was and she thanked him. Back in the car I asked him why he had left such a big ... Read Full Story >>

A Radio for Dancing and Singing

I was conducting an auction for a non-profit to help our senior citizens in need.  There was an old battery-operated radio, never used, and an older woman came up with her friend. 

She was digging in her handbag to find 50 cents to buy a ticket and her friend asked what she would do with the radio if she won it.  I was eavesdropping because I was also curious.  She smiled and said, "I would sing and dance in my apartment." 

That really touched my heart, so when she left I found out her name and surprised her anonymously with gift cards so she could buy a radio and not have to worry about batteries.  I have never forgotten that. We take so many little things for granted!  And we can all make a difference!

A Book Brings a Smile

Yesterday I went for my son's karate class. I waited for him  two hours. As I sat there and read books I saw a lady who works there. She is a Filipino.  Most who work here in Kuwait are away from their families and all alone. She was just siting on a chair minding the kids gym, going through the snaps in her mobile. Something told me to ask if she loved to read. I dismissed the idea a few times then went ahead and asked her. She said she used to read but now she doesn't have the time because she works, goes home,eats and sleeps. I told her I would give her a book.  She asked if she could take it. She looked very happy. I said yes and told her she could read it during her spare time rather than just sitting there. She started reading the book, which was Chicken Soup for the Soul. 

Food for the Weary Travelers

Several times I had seen what seemed to be a homeless woman with her dog holding up a sign that said "weary travelers, will accept any donation."  

Each time I saw them it nearly broke my heart that this young woman was walking everywhere with her dog beside her.  My heart just went out to her for some reason so one day I saw her and went to the pet store and bought her dog some cans of dog food and some treats and went back to where I had seen her but she had already gone. 

I kept the dog food and treats in my car hoping to see her and about a month later, I saw her with her dog.  I had to turn my car around in heavy traffic to get to her but I managed it and gave her the dog food and treats
along with ten dollars for herself. 

She was very thankful and I don't regret doing what I did one bit.  Sometimes, we all need a little help.  I hope she and her dog find a place to live soon.

A Dog, a Gutter, and 2 Thank You's

During a recent trip to India, I introduced my cousin to smile cards and left a deck of smile cards that he has now integrated into his office routine :).  Every morning, after a circle of prayers with his employees, one person chooses a smile card from the deck. The next morning, that person shares the ripples of the smile card.  Here is one of the beautiful stories... A young woman picked a card that read, "Tell someone thank you for doing something nice."  Later that day, as she was standing on her balcony and wondering who she should thank, she noticed a vegetable seller below her and a small dog nearby, inching towards an open gutter.  The woman watched as the vegetable seller imagined what was about to unfold and immediately ran from his cart to save the dog from falling into the gutter. The woman was so overwhelmed by this ... Read Full Story >>

Life Reminders in Traffic

It was a beautiful morning, uncharacteristically warm and sunny for this time of year.  I was in the middle of a hectic day, packed full of activities and errands, with my mind on what I had to do next.  As I drove along a very busy road to my next destination, I noticed a young child wearing a bike helmet walking out from the entrance of an apartment complex on the other side of the street.  The complex was surrounded by woods on both sides and the entrance was obscured by trees and bushes.  I couldn't see beyond the entrance but I hoped that his family was there, just out of sight, about to emerge behind him.  He was young, maybe four years old, and it was a strange sight to see him alone near the busy street, even if just for a little while.  I continued to look behind me but I didn't see anyone else coming out to join him as cars ... Read Full Story >>

Waiting for the Train

Last weekend, I was blessed with an opportunity to serve as a volunteer at a meditation retreat in Maryland.  I don't have a car and the closest Amtrak station is about 30 minutes away from the actual site so I wasn't sure how I would get there....I started thinking that maybe it wouldn't be possible and after a really long week, thought that maybe I shouldn't volunteer at all.  But I went ahead and posted a request for a ride on the ride share board.  A few days later, an individual I had never met replied that he would be able to pick me up and drop me off at the station. He was also planning on serving but said he would wait until my train arrived before driving out there. How kind of this person whom I've never even met, I thought to myself.  My heart warmed and the stress I ... Read Full Story >>

Found Before Lost

On my "Lifelist" is the goal of visiting all the states in the U.S. Several years ago, my husband and I were traveling in the Northwest.  While we were enjoying Portland, we were staying in a Bed and Breakfast there. While carrying in some of the luggage, a cash belt containing over $300 fell onto the pavement on the road.  There was no identification in the pocket and no way for us to be able to claim it, either.   We went off to drive around and enjoy the city, totally oblivious to our loss. Later on, when I checked my phone, there was a voicemail message from our host at the B&B: "I have something that belongs to you, and you're going to be mighty happy," was the message. What???  We got back to our room and there was the money belt on the bed with all the cash in it.  My husband ... Read Full Story >>