Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Sharing Smile Cards With a Faraway Friend

My best friend in Norway told me about the HelpOthers.org website and Smile Cards. After reading some of the stories I promptly ordered some. When I talked to her later on and told her I would be receiving a batch of Smile Cards in the mail soon, she said she'd asked for some, too, but that there was no shipping to her country yet. She obviously had been a little disappointed, so I sent her half of mine when they arrived in the mail. I am sure she will be excited to start using them in Norway, and that there soon will be some stories from there.

Kind Words That Touched a Young Mother

I was on the bus with two of my young children this morning. My daughter was chatting away to me.

When the bus came to its next stop an older lady was getting off. As she passed me, she smiled and said, "You're a good mum."  I thanked her and was a little bit embarassed.

Then, after she got off, tears came into my eyes. It meant so much to me because no one ever really says that -- probably most mum's don't hear that very much!  I'm really grateful to her for taking the time to say it.  Having said all that, I don't know what I was doing that made her want to say it!!

My Daughter's Noble Sacrifice

My wife called,"How long will you be with that newspaper? Will you come here and make your darling daughter eat her food?" I tossed the paper away and rushed to the scene. My only daughter Sindu looked frightened.  Tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to its brim with curd rice. Sindu is a nice child, quite intelligent for her age.She has just turned eight. She particularly detested curd rice. My mother and my wife are orthodox, and believe firmly in the 'cooling effects' of curd rice! I cleared my throat, and picked up the bowl. "Sindu, darling,why don't you take a few mouthful of this curd rice?Just for Dad's sake, dear."  Sindu softened a bit, and wiped her tears with the back of her hands. "OK, Dad. I will eat - not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot of this. ... Read Full Story >>

Free Tax Help and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Someone offered to help us file our taxes. The man who helped us, Wallce, is an accountant and heard that my husband had gotten laid off and offered to help us out for free.  My husband is very organized and had things prepared but it still is a huge job.

Yesterday I woke up early before work and made chocolate chip cookies  for Wallace.  My husband delivered them to him along with a Thank You note and a Smile Card. He said Wallace was happy to receive the homemade treat. 

Ripples of Kindness, you just can't stop them.  And why would we even want to?  Keep them going friends!

What is in Your Attitude ?

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than the past, including your mistakes, your guilt, your pain. In fact, it is more critical  than the education you have obtained, than the money you worked so hard to earn, than the circumstances in which you were born, than the failures you endured, than even the successes which with you have been blessed. It surely is more important than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than your physical appearance or your talents. It will make or break a company, a church , or a home. In fact, it will make or break something even more profound - your character. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude . I am convinced that  10% of life is what happens to you,  and 90% of it is how you react to it. So, the choice lies with you. It's all in your Attitude."

 -Charles Swindoll

The Tortoise And The Hippopotamus: A True Story

NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said. The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him. 'It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother',' ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP. 'After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately , it landed on the tortoise and established a strong ... Read Full Story >>

Previously Loved Videos Bring Joy Once More

This week we received a query from a generous soul who wanted to know if our Acts of Kindness Network would accept a donation of over 200 VHS previously loved videos to bring hours of entertainment to others and stay out of the landfill.

We promptly sent a message to our  database advising of such and in turn received numerous positive responses to this act of kindness. I have since shared the heartwarming responses with the donor who was very touched indeed.  We now have a host of senior's residences, shelters and group homes who will receive delivery next week of new movies for their library! We also encourage our recipients to extend an act of kindness and Pay It Forward and it will be interesting to learn what they choose to do ...  as kindness comes in many forms!

The Abundance of a Sacred Fund

Last year, I received a satchel of money on the front steps at my home. When that money arrived, I actually was out of town but my family called me and said that there was a lot of money left at the front door with a note.  When, I returned home I was touched most by the note, which read, "Thank you for all you do for the world." As I have shared on helpothers.org, I immediately placed all of this money into my sacred fund which keeps coming back to me again and again. All of the work I do which bring gifts of monetary value immediately goes into a fund in my home. This has enabled me to grow the initial gift from the universe of $1000 and I have attracted and given back at least two to three times this. The abundance just keeps going out to ... Read Full Story >>

The Big Smile at Panera Bread

I was eating lunch with my mom yesterday at one of our favorite places called Panera Bread. Before we left  I found $4.00 in my purse. There was no one wating in line so I went up to the cashier and asked if there was a minimum dollar amount for a gift card. He told me no so I asked him to put the $4.00 on a gift card. I then handed him a smile card and asked that he give the gift card and the smile card to the next customer that comes in. He looked at me and with a BIG smile on his face he said "really?" and I told him yes. 

Although I did not get to see the reaction of the next customer, the smile on the cashier's face alone was worth it! Hopefully it will inspire him to do the same for someone else.

Secret Snow Wiper Will Strike Again!

After 2 false alerts the winter storm advisory today, tonight and tomorrow  is real  -- snow has been falling and accummulating.  And I'm armed!  I made sure to put an extra pairs of  gloves, 2 ice scraper (small and large), and a small hand held brush for sweeping the snow in the front seat of my car. What I'm also going to do is scout our work parking lot for a secret snow wiping and windshield cleaning, after I leave work. I started this tradition a few years ago when my hubby and I discontinued car pooling. (I did not realize that he spoiled me- I'd sit in the nice, warm truck watching/waiting while he did the cleaning then drove us safely home.) Now I do my own (ugh!).  I know how much work it involves, and  how cold you can get.  So I'm excited to be able to surprise someone with a ... Read Full Story >>

Chunky Chocolate and a Bear Hug

I recently attended a lecture entitled "Tickle Your Soul" with popular speaker Anne Bryan Smollin. She is one of my favorite speakers. I try to go to at least one of her lectures each year. Anne's talks are inspirational, full of energy and extremely humorous.  She always gets her audience involved and loves to give out hugs!  If you have the opportunity to see/hear her, do go. She also has some wonderful books that will put a smile on your face. Anne is not a 'small' woman and she doesn't hesistate to always find some humor in being a 'bigger' woman. I know she likes her sweets -- she talks about her icecream parlor adventures and such. I knew she was going to have a full day this particular day of her lecture, and I also knew she would be giving out hugs and autographed books after.  This gave me the perfect ... Read Full Story >>

A Special Anniversary Gift

My fiancee's birthday and his parents' wedding anniversary happens to be on the same day. I got him some expensive sports shoes, which I know he's been wanting for a long time.

I thought hard about what gift to get for his parents. In the past, I have gotten them things which they liked, but this time I wanted to do something different.  I decided to sponsor breakfast for 100 children at the children's home where I always go on behalf of them.  On that day, the children and staff said a prayer for my fiancee's parents and called them and wished them well. They were really surprised and happy.

The Secret To A Lasting Marriage

When I was a little girl, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burnt toast in front of my Dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!  Yet all my Dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that toast and eat every bite! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad,for burning the toast. And I'll never forget what he said, "Baby I love burnt toast."  ... Read Full Story >>

Just Listening Can Really Help

Have you ever felt so down and out that you don't think you can help others? How amazing is it when you end up helping anyway. In the army, we have to take what is called a "P.T." test every six months to test our physical endurance. It's in three sections: push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run. After the test it is business as usual. On the day I took it, I failed miserably and felt really down about it. I was so hard on myself that morning that I didn't want to eat or talk to anyone, I just wanted to go back to my room and sulk. Funny how things never work and it's amazing how when we are at our lowest, we can still be a conduit for good karma. As I was approaching my room another soldier was leaving to go participate in the regular P.T training (practice ... Read Full Story >>

Unexpected Surprise On A Doorstep

Today I  received a coupon in the mail for a FREE 6 pound bag of cat food. Since my Feline Sasha is very picky, I knew I would not be able to use it.

I have a neighbor a couple doors down who does have a cat.  My neighbor does not have a car, so he usually rides his bike and takes the bus when he needs to go somewhere.  So, I decided to go to Petco and bring the bag of cat food home.  I just left it at his door with a Smile card.  I know he will appreciate it.

One

One One song can soothe a moment, One flower can bloom into a dream One tree can sprout a forest, One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp can lift a soul, One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room, One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true. One life can make the difference, You see it's up to You! - Author unknown ... Read Full Story >>

A Lesson For A Desperate Housewife

Recently, I read a blog from a "desperate housewife". She was struggling to embrace the Laws of Attraction and felt overwhelmed by the energy that surrounded her personal life, between the challanges in her marraige and expectation she had for herself to care for others! Something about her circumstances touched me, as if she was a mirror of myself just a few short months ago. Before I really knew what my life purpose was, I felt much like she did, trapped in a prison of my own creation. I knew I wanted more. I knew more was expected of me, but I had no idea how to begin to find my path. Somehow, through inspiration, I took a risk and went back to school (looking back, it seems absurd to think that going back to school can be considered ever a risk). That was when my life took the turn it ... Read Full Story >>

Getting Pampered And Showing Our Thanks

My friend and I went to a local spa this weekend and got pampered, something we had  been looking forward to for months.  I got to talking to the towel girl there and thought how this must not be so much fun for her watching everyone come in and out and having to pick up after them.

I realized then how hard all the women work there not getting pampered themselves. Then I remembered my stash of goodies all bagged up with smile cards ready and waiting in the car.  I always keep bags ready to go with stuff from bath and body. I wrote all the ladies names down and handed them out.  Each one was quite suprised.  I  was glad that I could give something back to the women who had made us feel so good.

The Importance of Getting It Right

The old woman walked with a ramble as she pushed her shopping cart full of worldly possessions. She was dirty, her hair unkempt, her clothes torn, she reeked of alcohol and cigarettes. Most of her teeth missing, the image of a miserable wretch manifested before me. She stopped and asked me for change. I invited her to lunch and she agreed.  So, we went across the street to an outdoor cafe so she could watch over her shopping cart, while we dined. The waitress was taken back by the presence of this woman and did not want to serve us, but forced herself. We ate our lunches - she was ravenous and the food disappeared almost as soon as it arrived. When we were ready to leave, I was feeling pretty good about myself and then she asked for a hug.  It was then that I had to face myself and all the hidden repulsion and ... Read Full Story >>

Hoping The Old Lady Calls...

When I was at the grocery store today, there was an elderly lady behind me with lots of stuff in her cart. I had already loaded all of my things up on the conveyor belt so I asked if she would like some help with her groceries. She stood there speechless for a second so I started helping anyway and she had the biggest smile on her face. It made me feel really good.

After helping her she joked around with me (probably half serious) and asked if she could take me home to help her carry the groceries into her house. I felt bad because I had to get back to help my Mom out.  I gave the lady my phone number and told her that if she ever needed any help she could give me a call. I really hope she calls because it felt amazing to put one smile on her face -- it would be the best feeling in the world to be able to do that again.