Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Kindness Ripples At The Drive-Thru

I was in the drive-thru today and when I reached up to pay for my lunch the person in front of me had already paid for it and left me a  Smile Card!

I then passed the card on to someone else paying for their lunch and she passed it on as well!

That's the way it works - at least three people cheered up by a single unexpected act of kindness!

Kindness Ripples Spread Through Arby's

As I stood in a busy lunch line at Arby's I was becoming increasingly worried I would be late getting back to the office. A grandmother and her grandson were keeping the only available cashier busy. The woman had difficulty with all the choices and, after finally placing the order, became very flustered trying to find her cash or her credit card.  While this was going on, the cashier had the most gentle and benevolent expression on his face, never once making the woman feel under pressure. His mood transformed my own. I caught his eye and quietly indicated I would pay for the order. He understood and took care of it without embarrassing the woman. Then when I eventually placed my order he paid for my lunch!  As I stood aside waiting for my order two other customers spoke to me about what had happened and said they would also "pay it forward" as a ... Read Full Story >>

Helping A Little, Healing A Little

During one of the toughest weeks of my life (my father in law and my cousin had died and a colleague had committed suicide) I had the chance to experience surprising grace. I was in my office, in between teaching classes when a young man came by. He was obviously very distraught and close to tears. He was an older student and always appeared like a tough guy, never showing emotion. He had told me earlier, that he was dealing with some difficult family issues. He was a caregiver for his younger sister who was very ill. This day he came in sat down and just sobbed and sobbed until I thought he would burst. He gasped for air, wailed and sobbed some more while I sat and patted his back.  I listened while he told me how he had been up all night in the hospital with his sister and that's why he couldn't take ... Read Full Story >>

Sunday Lunch For Three

On Sunday morning I packed two lunches for my husband and I to have after church. We planned to stop by his office after the services and have our lunch there. He had to leave before me so we arranged to meet at his office afterwards.

When I arrived at his office, to my surprise, I found there was only one lunch pack and I wondered if he had already finished the other one. But he told me he had given the other lunch to a street boy.

Unkind thoughts flashed across my mind. 'He knew this was the only food I had brought! I don't have money to spend for another lunch! What was he thinking?"

I asked him why and he just said, "I saw a someone like me sitting, looking helpless as if someone shot him in the leg. He had watery eyes as if he was crying. I asked him if he had eaten anything and he said, "No." What else could I do? I gave him one of the food packs."

I was really touched by his reply and, amazingly, I discovered I wasn't really so hungry after all. 

Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Last week I was in the store getting my weekly groceries. As I shopped I noticed one couple in particular. Our paths seemed to cross in a few aisles. Once, my cart got in their way and the woman was surprisingly annoyed. As I walked on through the store I couldn't help but wonder why she had been so upset with me. That same couple ended up ahead of me in the check-out queue. I could tell they were adding up the price of their groceries very carefully. They kept checking to see if they had gone over their price limit, which was quite low for a couple with a small baby. Once they had got to their limit and had to return some of the groceries I realized it probably wasn't me the woman was upset with. Buying groceries for her family on such a strict budget was probably stressing her out.  I ran out to ... Read Full Story >>

Making Someone Smile by Sewing A Smile

While I was visiting my daughter's mother-in-law, she showed me some lovely dolls she was making.

The dolls were beautifully sewn together but she said she was having a terrible time drawing on the faces.

When I arrived home I decided to email her to let her know how much I appreciated her hospitality. I also added that I would love to help by embroidering the doll's faces, if that was okay with her.

She was delighted with the offer of help and I got the impression she was relieved to not have to struggle with that part of the dollmaking any longer.

I haven't embroidered in a few years - old eyes and arthritis has limited my crafting of late. But I know I'll enjoy doing this simple deed, all the more so because I know I'm lifting the burden from a friend.

Such little things can bring such great happiness.

A Little First-Aid Kindness

A little while back I was in town waiting to cross a road. That's when I noticed the old lady standing next to me.  As I looked at her I saw that she had cut her leg. 

While we waited for the lights to change I asked if she was okay. She told me she had fallen over just a few yards away.  I reached out my arm to help her and we crossed the road together. 

Her leg was still bleeding so I suggested that she needed a sticking plaster (band-aid.)  

I was just about to offer to go and get her some when, reaching into my pocket for my purse, I found that I already had one in my pocket!  Its funny because I never usually carried plasters.  But now I always do, just in case!

Paying-Forward Our Blessings From Around The World

There is a saying in India - "Jab bhagawaan dheta hai to chhapad phad ke dheta hai." Roughly translated it means, "When blessings come, they come in a downpour." This is how I have been feeling since I have been the recipient of a series of tags - from multiple sources. First, I received an envelope with a beautiful hand-drawn image and inspiring message. Then another envelope, with a whole bunch of smile stickers. A day ago it was this huge box containing some cute stuffed dolls, plastic smile coins and smile balls and yet another inspiring note. And today it was yet another box from across the pond with a lovely photo frame and a wonderful note. Not only have these gifts cheered me, my husband has also been having a great time opening them and being amazed at the thoughts behind them. He still has not been able to wipe the ... Read Full Story >>

Remembering A Special Smile

This happened several years ago. but it has stuck with me so I wanted to share it. Every day on my way to work I would buy a newspaper from an elderly gentleman on the corner of the street. He would ALWAYS smile and say, "Good morning."  His smile always made my day. Most of the people who sell these papers are homeless or poor and they do it to make a few bucks. One day Charlie wasn't there! Someone else was in his place! This other guy told me Charlie was in the veterans hospital. It bothered me all day long. All I could think about was Charlie being alone in the hospital. I never knew he was a veteran who had served our country. I just knew his smile always made my day. I asked a girlfriend if she would go with me to visit him and she agreed. When I showed up in ... Read Full Story >>

Two Little Kindness Moments

The first moment came when I was in the local dollar store. There was an older woman in front of me just wrapping up her purchases. When she came to pay for them she discovered that she was seventeen cents short. Before I could even offer to help the young cashier gave her a big smile. She said, "Oh, don't worry about it,"' and sent the woman on her way. As I came up she said, "It's only a few cents. I can't make a big deal out of it." I responded, "Here's the seventeen cents. You did a really nice thing. This way your cash won't be short."   The second moment came when I was walking along with my young son in a big, busy mall. We passed a young man whose arms and face were covered in tattoos. He wore raggedy clothes and sat on the sidewalk with a sign that said "Homeless - Hungry ... Read Full Story >>

An Opportunity to Connect, to Love

It's 5:15am at the local Starbucks.  I'm standing in line and the person ahead of me in line is putting together what seems to be a large order.     "Can I have some bagels, donuts, oh and some brownies too, along with this coffee order."   My curiosity is peaked, and she chimes to the counter person, "Thank you, the order is for the nurses at Sloan-Kettering Cancer society because they've been doing a great job taking care of my Dad."  I tend to believe that people share things in order to be self expressed, and to be heard, to have their expression recognized.     Standing in line, fiddling with my book bag, the possibility of her wanting to be heard flashed by.  I, stopped, and asked her how her father was doing.   "He's in a coma, he fell into a coma yesterday and my sister and I have been taking shifts being there with ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Change and a Smile Card

Today I visited Walmart during my lunch break. While I was there, I realised I still had a gift card that my husband had given me when we got married. There wasn't much left on the card but sometimes if you are a few cents short at the register then a little bit can mean a lot! 

I asked the cashier if I could leave it for just such an occasion, along with a Smile Card to give the recipient so that they could then do something nice for someone else. She agreed. 

I was happy to help even in this small way.  I know I appreciate it when I need a little change at the register and someone is kind enough to help me.

After all, a little change for the good from everyone can be a big change for the world.

A Workplace Machine That Generates Love

I was visiting a client's offices and I saw an idea they had implemented within their company. 

It's called "The Love Machine". By using this program people in the company can give "points" to each other or even just supportive messages.  Nobody can take points away or say anything negative. 

It was very powerful, and they had a display with all the "loves" posted, scrolling by every few seconds.

They were mostly little things like, "For letting me borrow a pen five seconds before the big meeting," and, "For ordering Chinese food for lunch!" But there were also messages like, "Thanks for all your work on the big project!"

A Taxi Cab Driver Goes The Extra Five Miles

One evening a few weeks ago I was driving to a city I had never been to. I got lost and pulled into a gas station. After sitting there for a minute, a man came out of the store and walked over to his taxi cab. I rolled down my window and asked if he could help me. I showed him the directions I had printed off the internet. Not saying much, he smiled, nodded, and walked off to his cab with my directions. He sat in his car and studied a map for maybe five minutes. He came back to and gave me back the directions. After stumbling with his English a minute, he motioned to wait. He got in his car, and motioned for me to follow him. A little weary about the whole thing, I decided to follow him in my car. He took me to my friends ... Read Full Story >>

Facebook Kindness Saves A Family

You join Facebook and " friend" your old classmates. You might not ever talk about anything serious with them but they are there. You read their status, laugh at their jokes, groan at the corny quotes, or wish them a happy birthday.  Until last week, that is.... A classmate from twenty years ago was one of my Facebook  friends. A few random comments he made gave me the impression that something was wrong so I prodded him to call me.  He did call and I found out that that he, his wife and eight children had just moved into a cheap motel room.  He had used the very last of their money to pay for a week's stay there. He had no job and they had lost their home. What do you do in a situation like that?  I am just me, with my own family, my own worries, not enough money ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Bit of Care From 'The Lady In The Little Red Car'

I was taking a walk one sunny day near my home in Montreal when I saw a little lady, about seventy years old, laying by the side of the street. I went over and asked if she was okay. She said she just felt weak. I asked her if she needed me to call 911. "Oh no," she replied. I saw that she had a medic-alert bracelet on and asked her if she was ill. "All I need is maybe a cracker and water," she replied.

So I took her to my apartment, something I would never normally do. As she sat with me telling me her life story she began to feel much better. Then I asked if I could take her home. She declined but asked if I could drive her to the metro station. 

I never did give it much thought after that. Then, one day, a letter was pushed under my front door addressed to, "The Lady In The Little Red Car'." She thanked me for my kindness and the time spent with her. Then she told me she was fine and that she had really enjoyed my company.

God bless her .....

Sharing My Birthday Gifts in a Special Way

I recently celebrated my birthday. It was a BIG ONE!

My husband surprised me with a delightful party. Many guests gave me money to get whatever I wanted. I had been reading on a website of Do Gooders that one mom wanted to give her little daughter a Princess Birthday party but with the tough times, she was having trouble buying all she needed. I emailed the mom and told her I wanted to help out and know that her little girl had a fun birthday party.

So I used some of my money and I went to the store and bought invitations, napkins, plates, decorations and even a cute tutu for the little one to wear. It was the most amazing feeling to know I am helping a 5-year-old celebrate her birthday in a way she'll always remember as a Special Princess Party :)

A Neighbourly Moment of Kindness

My husband and I have a neighbor who has recently started planting flowers around her place.  We've noticed that she has been using a jug to water them.

Yesterday, on an impulse,  I bought a watering can for her while I was at the store.

I hadn't decided how best to give it to her as we don't really know each other that well.  Then she brought her jug over to the water hose we share.

Well, there was my opportunity.  I said, "Hi! We picked something up for you," and I handed her the watering can.

She was really happy and thanked us with a big smile!

We went inside and my husband said "Well, that got a smile."

I said, "Exactly!  That's what it's all about."

A Double Dose of Kindness at the Grocery Store

I was at the grocery store one evening. I had finished shopping and was looking for a line to get in to. I chose a line that had one woman who just about through and ready to pay, and another woman behind her who didn’t have very much.   As I was standing there waiting for my turn, I noticed the woman directly in front of me. She looked as if she had just had some kind of medical treatment. She was wearing a bandana along with a hat. Her face looked as if she had known a lot of pain and was tired of everything. She had a back pack to carry her groceries in and she had bought everything that one would need to care for one’s self at home. She kept glancing at her groceries and kept counting the money in her hand. I kept thinking to myself, I wish I had money to pay for ... Read Full Story >>

A Woman With A Big Warm Heart

My friend Liz works as a paralegal for a small downtown law firm. She is also a trained and licenced Massage Therapist. This woman has one of the warmest and kindest hearts that I’ve ever witnessed. She effortlessly spreads smiles and joy to most everyone she meets. At her favourite Starbuck’s watering hole she leaves generous tips for the young baristas and frequently buys them pizza for supper. She gives gift cards for food to hard-lucked strangers. Once she even gifted a stranger a new bicycle so he wouldn't lose a new job and, at Christmas-time, she passed along presents and food for his family. She has sponsored soldiers overseas and schoolchildren in low-income areas and she still strives daily to be a ‘better’ person'. Liz’s giving nature was on display recently at a hospital fund-raising event sponsored by the Chicago Police Academy. She read that officers were planning to shave ... Read Full Story >>