Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Sharing with Neighbors and Caring for the Earth

I plucked a bag full of ripe oranges today from the orange tree in our backyard and gave them to my neighbors. They are two brothers living together with their families and both have young kids. They are always grateful and accepting of my little gestures.

I also have a few pieces of camping gear including bedding that my kids have outgrown. I am glad to pass this on as it might be useful to them.

A few years ago, another neighbor gave me one her sleds which my family uses every year when we go to snowy places.

Circulation and reuse of resources is good for us and also good for Mother Earth.

980 Reads

Job Success From An Act Of Kindness

Thoughtful giving requires awareness of the needs of others. It also involves taking positive actions to fill that need and respond with kindness and generosity.

Recently I was able to show a homeless women some kindness. I paid for her stay for 2 weeks at a motel. Then I bought her some much needed clothes and gave her some money. I helped to set her up with an interview (she got the job). We were so thrilled we went out to get a big meal to celebrate this little success.

Kindness is a two way street you never know when you're going to need it back.

892 Reads

A Pocketful Of Peanuts And A Heart Full Of Smiles

As I write it’s 11.00 a.m. in the morning with a winter weather forecast of possibly minus 35 degrees wind chill temperature. I’m staying cosy inside and keeping busy by baking experimental vegan items to take to my daughter-in-law when we visit. I’m also making a variety of craft kindnesses to share as we journey. I venture out only to replenish my bird feeding stations with extra seeds and suet, and refill the heated bird bath by lugging buckets of water from inside. Every scrap of food that isn’t eaten, even those saved toast crusts from breakfast at a local diner, goes on the platform feeder for the crows and squirrels, or in the compost, which all the creatures root through for something edible. A few seeds, and sometimes a sliced carrot or apple, may fall to the ground for hungry deer or wild turkey.  Bundled in layers of long underwear and clothes, fleece hood ... Read Full Story >>

2519 Reads

A 25th Anniversary Celebration

My husband and I recently had our 25th wedding anniversary. We marked the occasion with gratitude and took the opportunity to do sewa (selfless service) at the Gurudwara (a sikh temple). Free food is served there to everyone who comes and it is called “langhar”.

My son, husband and I, were happily given the opportunity to stand and serve at the food stand. It was a fun experience to spend the evening in this way. Our fellow server was very friendly and encouraged us to come more often saying that it is a very good way to spend time and engage in good habits.

We also did some other chores and as we were leaving the friend gave a big hug to my son and appreciated him for doing very good work. He asked my son to come anytime when he felt like it. He gave me his business card too. We will be going there more often for sure, to serve and purify ourselves.


 

1039 Reads

Foster Care For Hamster -- Meet Fabio

Meet Fabio, my new foster hamster! Fabio was surrendered after living a year and a half in a tiny cage that had very little in it -- a chilly and too small plastic hut, a saucer wheel too small for a Syrian, and a diet unsuited for good health. He was greasy looking -- he never had a sand bath. The rescue gave him a big warm bin with a good wheel, sand to bathe in and he turns out to have the longest blond hair they have ever seen. I was asked if I would foster him and I said yes and to everyone's delight, named him Fabio. He is super friendly and will climb on my computer and wash up. Despite his neglect, his good nature is coming out. He is so excited about roaming around Hamsterdam and the scent of Popcorn leaves doesn't bother him. Popcorn is not bothered ... Read Full Story >>

961 Reads

Duh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh- Batman

My new birthday tradition rocked today. I started it a couple of years ago. It goes like this: I put the same number of one-dollar bills as my new age, into my pocket and surprise strangers around town (I know, $24 isn’t much (that's my attempt at humor, my daughter is nearly that old). I gifted strangers at local coffee shops including McDonald's, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Blenders, Kyle's Kitchen, Yogurtland, as well as tipping some of the folks behind the counter. Reactions were wonderful as I explained, "It's my birthday and paying for this is your gift to me." I plop down the money and leave. Recipients (and even people working at the establishments) are stunned and excited. I love that people will tell the story of the mystery guy with the Batman mask who paid for their coffee or burger. The best one was the last one at In-n-Out. I paid for ... Read Full Story >>

1186 Reads

Random Acts of Kindness On The Menu

Today I had lunch with Cynthia, a former student of mine. The go-to restaurant I use for events like this is Merit Vegetarian. it's a good introduction to vegan food and everyone I've brought there has loved it.   As I was waiting for my friend to arrive, I overheard someone saying they needed to go to their car to retrieve cash in order to pay for something. When they stepped outside, I spoke to the staff and offered to pay their bill.  As it turned out it was just for a piece of cake and I asked them to just add it to my bill. I handed the cashier a Smile Card, asking them to give it to the man. When he came back with his money the man was pleasantly surprised.    I thought I had done a good deed, but there were more surprises to come.  Cynthia and I were sitting enjoying a ... Read Full Story >>

2101 Reads

Let it Snow, Let is Snow!

My family was at a resort in Bass Lake to enjoy the snow. After the first night’s stay, when we got to the parking lot the next morning, we noticed that all the cars were covered in snow due to snowfall the previous night. We took off the snow from the front and rear sides and windows of our car.

As my family was getting in the car, I started removing the snow from the neighboring car. I cleared their front view glass and stuck a Smile card under the viper. Felt gratitude and joy for doing this, no matter how small the act seemed. :))

1045 Reads

A Stolen Trombone and the Necessary Kindness

A couple of months back, my son Shine had his trombone stolen from our car. Very sad. We learned a lot. We were angry. We were disappointed, then we moved through that and learned and felt compassion for the person who stole it. We also learned that telling friends about our sadness connects us, and makes it feel, well -- less icky. We received sweet messages of condolence all over the world from friends expressing interest, to people chipping in for the next one. Shine received the sweetest letter from a classmate reminding us that although things in life can be sad and painful, kindness is everywhere to be found (and money was included towards the new instrument). And then, another radical act of kindness, a student at a different school heard about the situation and decided he no longer used his trombone (he'd moved on to other instruments) and that he wanted ... Read Full Story >>

6978 Reads

Imagine! May’s Calendar Girl 🐴

The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is now open to the public by appointment only, so I called ahead about stopping by to purchase more 2022 calendars. After discovering that the Choctaw pony - Imagine, whom I sponsor annually for my birthday (and had the privilege to name) was May’s calendar girl, along with her mother Tahiyah, of course I needed to have a few more to share! “How many calendars do you want?” asked Susan, the president, and executive director of the Sanctuary? I thought for a moment, basking in the sun-drenched office, where Susan and 2 staff members were busy addressing the paperwork needed to operate the 11,000+ acres of sanctuary for hundreds of horses. Through the bank of windows, I could see a herd of horses off in the distance. “Four. No. How about five?” I replied, trying to do the math in my head on how much that would be. ... Read Full Story >>

1061 Reads

Crocheted Hug For 100th Birthday!

🧶 Back in September I posted about a “hug” I crocheted for a very special elder, Betty Peck.

(see link)
https://www.kindspring.org/my/feed/index.php?sid=210680

❤️Yesterday, she was presented with the hug on her 100th birthday, along with a proclamation from the City of Saratoga, while surrounded by The “Magic Mirror” sisters (and their girls, the next generation of Magic Mirror enthusiasts), who visited her in the nursing home.

Photo shows Anne presenting Betty with my hug & card 😊

Grateful for the opportunity to have crocheted this for Betty, thanks to noble friend Anne, one of the Magic Mirror sisters. 🙏

(Video link in my Sept. post about the Betty & the Magic Mirror)

773 Reads

Food and Books to the Rescue

A dear friend took a terrible fall and lost her two front teeth and was hurt all over. Worst of all, she was on her way to meet me and my husband and we didn't find out about this until later.

Kind strangers stayed with her and called EMTs. The next day I drove to her house (about 40 minutes, had only been there once since we always meet at the opera) bringing soup, yogurt, ice cream -- you know, soft food!

Also some humorous books and stuffed animals. She was so amazed I had come so far, but we had a lovely hour-long visit. Next day she sent us a picture of her smiling with temporary tooth caps.

892 Reads

Transit Picnic

Friends were transiting through San Francisco en route to India. They did not have a lot of time in between flights, so I drove to the airport with a picnic!

Even though it started to downpour when I pulled up to the curb, I drove them to a scenic spot by the bay. They enjoyed the hot chai and snacks/food that I brought from home while sitting in the car. And then magically the rain stopped, the sun came out briefly and we enjoyed a little walk by the bay, soaking in the views and the magnificent sky.

Even though we only got to spend a little over an hour together it was uplifting and so lovely since we hadn't seen each other since the pandemic began (they live in another state). I smiled all the way home.

805 Reads

The Bridge We Were Meant To Cross

 My brother and I were driving home together and became engrossed in a conversation. Because of this distraction, my brother took a wrong turn.   Unfortunately, the wrong turn took us towards a bridge and we had no way to turn back. Grudgingly, my brother paid the bridge toll and drove on. He was clearly frustrated by the mistake and the needless waste of $4.   We eventually reached an exit slip-way and, as we took it, my brother noticed a beat-up black Mustang pulled over to the side of the road. A young guy was standing nearby trying to phone someone. I was busy trying to figure out which way we went next but my brother pulled over and asked the guy if he needed any help. And he did. He had a flat tire and needed a wrench to get it off. My brother gave him a wrench, then proceed to help him ... Read Full Story >>

17.7K Reads

A True Gentleman

Today is trash pick-up day on our block, Our next door neighbor and us take turns bringing all the trash cans back. Sometimes, on recycling pickup day, there are 6 big cans to be collected.

While I was out there this morning bringing the regular trash cans back, the recycling team pulled up and saw me there. He told me he would bring the rest of the cans back for me after he unloaded them. He also wished me a happy holiday and shared his beautiful smile. 😊
I smiled wide, thanked him, told him he was a true gentleman and wished him happy holidays, and told him to stay safe and be well.

So my kindness act this morning was returned by this nice garbage man 👨🏻 💕

860 Reads

Brought To You By A Not-so-rapid Test

After waking with a slight sore throat, with a function of nearly 300 people that I was to attend, I thought it best to get a rapid covid test. I made an appointment for 12:15 pm. I arrived around noon and was told that I had to wait in line, even though I had an appointment. A little more than six hours later I finally received my test. Of course, I didn't receive my results (negative:)) until it was too late and I missed the function I was to attend. In fact, I didn't get my results until today around 11 am. And the only reason is because of Alexandra, who answered my call. After being on hold for nearly an hour. At the helpline of the company that did my test. As she took all of my information, we chatted about everything from the weather (she's in Chicago) to football. I found ... Read Full Story >>

1138 Reads

Enjoy The Ride

I offered to give a ride to a friend to a get-together at another friend's place. He gratefully accepted it since he doesn't have a car.

Coincidentally, my daughter found out that a new younger friend in her college had booked a flight to come to the bay area from Southern California. My daughter was driving to the bay area with her friend on the same day. So, she asked if the new friend wanted to join them in her car.

The new friend happily canceled her flight and they all drove together and enjoy each other's company and reached home safely.

What a fun way to return home after the stressful exams, filled with kindness and joy!

739 Reads

A Beautiful Morning With A Generous Gardener!!

Today morning I got an opportunity to help a gardener (an old man), in cleaning the field in order to grow new plants. It was a very beautiful way to begin the day for me. While I was walking near the farming field, I saw this old man pulling out the grass and weeds. I entered the field and asked him if I could help. He agreed and gave me a grass cutter.

I started cutting the grass and cleaned up to 200 sq. meter area. It was such a joy to work with him. He shared with me many interesting stories from his life. He also offered me some fruits and vegetables for which I was very thankful.

Grateful to the gardener in all of you.

788 Reads

Kindness Received Twice Over

A big box of citrus fruit from our friend in Florida was delivered to the wrong house, one block over. Instead of just keeping it, the people were honest enough to let us know, as some less honest might have done.

To show our appreciation & thank them, I put a bunch of grapefruits & navel oranges in a nice gift bag, with a Christmas card of thanks & hubby dropped it off at their house this morning on his way to the park.

716 Reads

It's The Little Things...

I work at an elementary school, and have become pretty close with one of the older custodians over the past few years.

She's been incredibly kind and encouraging and has also been through quite a lot recently. Butt despite the challenges, she always has a smile on her face.

Yesterday, I took the time to write her a card, letting her know just how much she is appreciated and what about her I really admire. Today, she let me know just how much that card meant to her.

The little things ♥️

810 Reads




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