Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Breakfast For A Tired Mom

I went through a drive-through this morning to get breakfast.  I saw a woman behind me in line.  She looked really tired and had a couple of kids with her. 

I pulled up to the window and told the clerk I wanted to buy her breakfast and asked him to give her my Smile card.  He seemed moved and said he would.

As I was waiting to pull into traffic, I paused long enough to see the clerk hand the woman in the car behind me the card and point in my direction while she stared in disbelief.  

Then I pulled out and continued on my way, my car windows open, my hair blowing in the long-awaited cool breeze, my favorite music playing.  The morning seemed even sweeter than before.

Helping Hands In A Busy Diner

We were on the road yesterday and stopped for breakfast at a little diner where one employee - perhaps the owner - was the waiting staff, cook, and cashier!

Bidding For A Wedding Dress

I found a website where people auction clothes. 

The Veteran Who Just Wanted To Be Seen

This happened about four or five years ago. I had been involved in "Non Violent Communication" for a couple of years. I was struggling as I still do with finding a natural and seamless way of connecting with people through compassion and empathy in everyday encounters; trying not to assume I know what someone needs but being willing to ask.  Walking through the lobby of an office building in San Francisco I could hear a man screaming and shouting obscenities. He was so loud his voice penetrated the sounds of mid-day traffic and the double glass doors leading to the street.     Heading through those doors I saw a double amputee hunched over on one of those little rolling platforms auto mechanics sometimes use to scoot under cars. He was gesturing erratically at pedestrians as they approached and yelling profanities as they veered as far away from him as they could get ... Read Full Story >>

Proof That What Goes Around Comes Around

I was in a health food store when I heard a woman say her foot was hurting and she was going to call a cab.   I paid for my purchase and left to pick up some dry cleaning from the eco-friendly cleaners next door. I was walking back home when I saw the woman outside the health food store, presumably waiting for the cab.   I knew I wanted to make a trip to a craft store later that day and that I'd be driving. I asked her where she was going. She told me a place which was actually on the way to the craft store. So I said, "I've got a crazy idea. How about you cancel the cab and I'll give you a ride? It will save you some money and besides, I only live a few minutes away." To my amazement she said okay without any hesitation or ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Isn't Just For Humans

My daughter was on her way home when she saw a mother cat and her kitten trying to cross the street. The mother made it across, but kitten didn't. 

Welcome To The Kindness Family, Granddaughter-in-law.

My grandson will be getting married soon and my new granddaughter-to-be stopped by to pick up a TV that I was giving to a cousin. 

Stepping It Up by Giving Away Concert Tickets

I was inspired to "step it up" after being blessed to be present for an inspiring talk by Nipun on Thursday, so Friday I arranged to covertly and anonymously gift two tickets to a concert to some "strangers" (strangers are just friends we haven't yet met, right?). 

I have no idea how it turned out, but it was totally worth it just to watch the faces of the two people who were at the ticket table light up when I whispered my request that they pass the tickets along with a smile card.  And I'm sure they, in turn, also received a lot of joy when they passed along the gift and (hopefully) got to watch two other faces light up! :)

And who knows where the ripples will spread from there?  All part of the fun.  Catch the kindness cold!

The "Life Is Good" Lady

One day, on my way to work, I pulled into the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru. I was tired, hungry, worried about money and bills - as usual! I was behind this woman in a VW with a "Life is Good!" sticker on the back window.   As she put her hand out the window to pay I saw her beautifully manicured nails and the expensive looking jewelry on her arm. Her hair looked like she'd just been to the salon.     My envy immediately kicked in and I started grousing. 'Must be nice!' and various other mean-spirited thoughts went through my mind. I was resentful of her material possessions and her "Life is Good" attitude.   When it was my turn to pay the cashier told me that the lady in the VW had paid for my order! I was told that she regularly goes through the drive-thru, gets a cup of coffee, pays with ... Read Full Story >>

A Bead and the Kindness of Strangers

My daughter is a teller at a bank.  She saw that one of her clients was wearing a charm bracelet made by "Pandora."  I had been wanting one of them for my birthday.  My husband just bought me one last week so I got my present early. 

My daughter mentioned to the customer how pretty her three braclets were and that I had just got one as an early birthday present.  The customer asked when my birthday was and my daughter told her.  The woman, according to my daughter, replied, "Oh, my birthday is on the 20th" and then she opened her braclet and took off a beautiful charm and gave it to my daughter to give to me as a gift! 

The reason I wanted one of these braclets is so that as my friends and family buy beads for it I will be able to look at each one with love and fondness for the person giving it.  This bead will always remind ME to pay it forward and to be kind even to a stranger.  What a wonderful reminder as I glance down at my bracelet. 

Flowers For A Stranger

Today I went to the hospital to visit a friend in the Intensive Care Unit. I stopped by the gift shop and got a small flower arrangement to take to him.   The nurse told me I couldn't bring flowers into the ICU so I left them on the counter feeling really disappointed.   After my visit I retrieved the bouquet and headed for the elevator. I saw a woman leaning up against the wall looking tired and stressed and as though she'd been crying. I asked if she was okay. She sighed, and said, "The people around here sure don't give you any emotional support. They tell you they're too busy saving lives to do that."    We chatted for a minute and I kept wondering why the elevator was taking so long. Then I realized, I was meant to be there with her at that moment.     I handed the flowers to her and ... Read Full Story >>

A Heart Touched By A Musical Soul

I was feeling a little blue because my mother had been laid off from her job and she had lots of bills to pay. It left me wondering what was going to happen to us now. But it reassured me some when my mother told me she was relieved to be leaving since her boss wasn't the nicest person to be around. I got off the college shuttle bus and started walking. That's when I heard piano music and singing rising above the noise of the people and the traffic. I walked a little slower so I could find out to where it was coming from. Through the crowd I saw a young lady sitting at a piano with a carriage next to her.   She was singing songs about love, keeping on trying, and not underestimating the power within yourself. The way she was singing comforted me a bit. I stood there ... Read Full Story >>

Making Someone's Day - Cheaper Than A Latte!

I was in the check-out line at the store a few hours ago. The gal ahead of me asked the cashier to take two items off because she could tell by the subtotal she wasn't going to be able to afford them.     Off came a single-serve container of strawberry milk and a can of that La Choy Chunk King Chinese food stuff.    Once the cashier was done ringing everything else up, the woman looked at her significant other and said, "We have enough for one but not the other. Should we get the milk or the La Choy?"   He said, "The milk. I'm REALLY thirsty!" So, the cashier added the milk and the gal handed her the payment.    I reached into my purse, grabbed one of my Smile cards and some cash, then I looked at the woman customer and asked, "Can I buy the other thing for you?"     She gave me a ... Read Full Story >>

To Whoever Finds This

Lately it has seemed like every time we got a little ahead something would come along and we would have to start all over.  Today I had to pick my son up early from school and decided to go to a local store. While I was looking around I noticed there was an envelope on the shelf. At first I wasn't sure what to make of it. Even though it was addressed "To Whoever Finds This" I thought I might get in trouble if I took it.  I looked at it for a while then decided to risk it.    I waited until I got back to my car before opening it. I honestly didn't know what to expect. I was surprised to find a note and a Smile card, along with two lottery tickets!    We didn't win the lottery but the pleasure I got from such a small act of kindness will stay ... Read Full Story >>

Gratitude for a "Glimpse of Hope"

I want to stop and tell you all how amazing you are. I have been reading some of your stories and I am in tears now -- good tears though. I have been through so much and things are so hard for me right now. I have just recently freed myself and my children from a really bad marriage.  He is currently in jail for domestic violence and attempted murder,  If that says anything.

Living this life of violence and abuse for so long, I thought when I left him that things would be so much easier, that everything would fall into place. I never expected things to be so hard. I have been looking around for some inspiration and something to distract me from the struggle I have been going through with starting over and I stumbled across this website.

It is nice to see that kind-hearted people are still out there. It is so nice to see that there are people out there who still care about others. I was losing hope in all of humanity, so thank you for showing me people still care. I really needed that little glimpse of hope. Thank you for helping me stop and breathe. 

The Hands We Are Dealt

There is a homeless man who always seems to be perched on his bike somewhere along the main road running through our town. We see him every time we leave the house. He is either bundled up, hunched over his bags and blankets in the winter, or riding up and down the street in the summer when I suspect trying to catch a little breeze in the heat. Whenever I see him I want to bring him a coffee, or a water, or a blanket, or a fan - but I never do.   His name is Bruce. I only know this because my brother-in-law saw him one freezing day on his way to our house. He asked his name and why he was sleeping in the field. Then he gave Bruce the coat off his back and the hat from his head!   Today I had a notion to venture to the mall with ... Read Full Story >>

Be Kind With Your Words

This morning I woke up to a text message that said, “I want you to know that you are a talented, smart and incredible woman whose beauty radiates flawlessly from the inside out.” When I read it I smiled so brightly that I did not need to open the blinds and look out to know it was going to be a beautiful day.    As I chose my work clothes for the day I took extra care. I tried on a few items until I found the ones that made me look as good as I felt.    As I sat in the morning traffic I thought to myself, “Does he know how wonderful he made me feel with his simple and kind words?”   This made me think of the power of words. Can you imagine how something so simple can make such a big impact?   So I challenge you and myself to be kind with our ... Read Full Story >>

Shared Scrubs

I am a nurse who is required to wear a uniform we call "scrubs" at work. 

Back After Fifteen Years, To Help A Friend

I have a friend who is really struggling at the moment. Thankfully, I turned up at the right moment, after we had been apart for fifteen years! 

The Family On The Ferry

I grew up with my mother's husband, unaware that he was not my biological father. When I see a loving family together it touches my heart.