Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Sharing Fruits

I shared another bag of sweet oranges from our tree to my neighbor. She was delighted and accepted with gratitude and mentioned how important it is to have citrus fruits to stay healthy and develop immunity. It is also detoxifying.
I am also giving away a few bags to a friend and to my husband's colleague.
We're so blessed to have such abundant fruits in one single tree and sincerely grateful to Mother Nature for taking care of us so naturally and generously.

821 Reads

Love Always Finds a Way Back

I have been passing candies out all over town with this message: "Smile! You deserve to be happy".

At my local grocery store, I gave them to customers, the workers at the registers, the guys at the butcher counter and produce, and even other customers.

Today I went shopping and found this note in one of our grocery bags when we got home. Love always finds a way back. 

638 Reads

An Uber Driver's Compassion

A few years back I suffered from a strange vertigo health issue which showed up out the blue and caused me to feel dizzy. Around that time, I had to travel to North Carolina for a business trip that I could not miss. My wife said that she wanted to accompany me on the trip, along with my daughter. They were both concerned about me. On our hour-long Uber ride to the airport, vertigo struck. As I sat in the front of the car, I couldn't help myself, vertigo came on in a rush and I threw up all over his seat. I was so embarrassed.  Quietly, I asked the Uber driver to pull over so that I could deal with the mess I created. After some clean-up and freshwater, my wife asked me if we should cancel the trip and head back home. I told her that I felt OK and ... Read Full Story >>

1466 Reads

Valentine’s Day Gift

I just ordered a Valentines gift from Life Is Good. The nice part about ordering from this company is that they donate 10% of every purchase to their children’s charity and you yourself can add a $5.00 donation if so inclined, which I chose to do.

Hubby is a cat-lover, so he will like his gift ❤️🐈‍⬛

673 Reads

First Smile Card Handout!

I gave out my first Smile card yesterday! I had to do my laundry, but the dryer was full of someone else's clothes. I was afraid the clothes might belong to one of the mentally ill and semi-violent people at the homeless shelter who would cause a problem if I touched their things. I had to take them out because of the rules about the times we can use the laundry.  When I got them out, I could see tiny children's clothes among the washing and only one adult item which was a heavy lined jacket This wasn't dry and I knew that the clothes must belong to the mother of 4 who was staying in the shelter.  The family were in a ‘mommy-and-me’ room down the hall and she had her hands full. She was a good person and kept her kids away from the computer room when she knew I was ... Read Full Story >>

1023 Reads

Sometimes it Pours


When Buddy, the tow truck driver finally arrived, the sun had set and it was getting colder.

Thankfully, he gave us a lift along with our poor disabled car, to the nearest car dealership service garage - about 30 miles away. He put us at ease with his capable help and light conversation. We left the car in the parking lot and dropped off the key with a note, explaining the situation, then he drove us to our hotel.

🛻 Buddy was not only our angel of rescue, but he was a calming force that gave us a lifeline of hope, just when darkness was closing in.

So many beautiful caring moments and we are in need of many more as we face this immediate challenge, plus the distressing news of last week, and sister’s imminent hospice enrollment.

🙏 A deep bow of appreciation for all of your support, healing Light and prayers.


685 Reads

Heartfelt Sharing For Those in School

I assembled 30 packets of seven origami hearts in each and delivered it to the counseling center at the local high school, with a thank you note for all they do. 

They will know best who might enjoy a packet of hearts to keep and can enjoy sharing the rest.

I delivered the packets a week early with instructions on how to make the hearts thinking they might like to grow the project between now and Monday.

My heart goes out to everyone in schools right now.
 

639 Reads

Offering Appreciation to the Volunteers

I always have something nice to say to the foodservice volunteers here at the shelter. A lot of people complain that there isn't enough or that it's chicken again, soup again, cereal again. Whatever is served I always find something good to say about it. On one occasion it was crowded, and the cook had tried to make chicken tortilla soup. I said, “well, I guess word is out about your soup, now the whole city wants some”.  His face lit up with joy.   The macaroni and cheese are always delicious so it's easy to rave about it. At other time I just say something nice about the food choice. For example, “how nice to have fish sticks”.  Or “did you do something special to the green beans and corn? They're really tasty today”. I'll always find a way to put a smile on their faces instead of a frown. They used ... Read Full Story >>

960 Reads

❤️‍🩹 Re-sparking Kindness


I'm still in shock at having to abandon our 3 month winter reverie plans. We took a quick drive along the Gulf seashore to say hello/goodbye.

Feeling the weight of all the challenges, decisions and actions to come, I walked briefly along the jetty, breathing in deeply the salty air.

I noticed two weathered plastic cups wedged along the rocks, so I picked them up and deposited them in the covered garbage can.

A small act, yet it felt as if I had re-sparked a small corner of my heart.

I'm grateful to realize the power of positive action, especially when I feel overwhelmed and not all that kind.

605 Reads

The Seeds of Education Keep on Giving

This morning I met our gardener and gave him his monthly salary. After receiving it, he paused and asked me if I could help pay the school fees for his child and deduct it from his future monthly salaries. I agreed that we would do this and he was very happy.

 Afterwards, I discussed it with my wife. She immediately told me we should fund it without deducting it from his salary. Every year we fund the school fees for a child she explained. This year let it be for our gardener's son. We both agreed that is the right thing to do. I feel happy we can be of help to support a child's education.

772 Reads

Fixing the Boiler for the Buyer

We are in the process of moving. Before Christmas there was a problem with the central heating boiler and when it was repaired we were told to have the system flushed. We contacted our plumber who always does this type of work for us and she and one of her assistants are here today.

To cut a long story short - it is going to take more money to make everything straight but I've told her to do it and we will pay. It's the least we can do as we will receive considerably more money than we anticipated from the sale and also have money from my mother-in-law's estate.

The young couple who are buying it are getting married this year so we want to help them as much as possible.

791 Reads

Appreciation Of Friendship

 A senior friend of mine has several good sewing materials which she wants to give to me. She cannot sew anymore due to a dysfunctional nerve in one of her hands

I mentioned to her that I don’t sew but she is encouraging me to learn and tells me it can be fun. She did some research on the internet and sent me several links for sewing classes nearby.

I really appreciate her friendship. She is very encouraging and generous too.

900 Reads

Every Little Kindness Helps

Eight young Ukrainian children have recently emigrated to my neighboring large city that has a Ukrainian population. The children are now in school and need just about everything.

Thanks to local television reports, I found a link to make a financial contribution. As difficult as it must for these children and their families, it is heartening to know that they are among people who share their language and culture.

                                  

250 Reads

Friends On the Street

I'm homeless and living in a shelter. On Thursday I went to a job interview and because I knew I'd miss lunch at the shelter, I spent the last of my money on toothpaste and a celebratory pack of cookies at Dollar Tree. I decided to keep walking and see if I'd make it, and I did! The next day I forgot I still had the cookies in my coat pocket as I headed out (we have to leave the building as soon as the temperature hits 45 degrees). Someone's dogs came bounding over, apparently recognizing a dog lover when they see one. Well, two of the dogs went running towards a very busy street. I suddenly remembered the cookies and drew their attention back to me just before they ran into traffic; I used the cookies to lure them back towards safety and gave them a talking to about dogs and traffic ... Read Full Story >>

1105 Reads

Helping to Feed Others is Food for the Soul

The order I had placed for different food products arrived

Wednesday. It included oat bars and some other oat products. I put the part of the order for my daughter into a bag and put it in her bedroom.

From the previous delivery there was also a case of oatcakes which I had ordered but didn't need it for myself, so I put them altogether in one package to take to the food bank. All of the gifts were gratefully received especially the gluten-free oat bars which went into the special section for those with allergies and special diets.
 

922 Reads
  • Posted by Helenconnell2
  • Feb 27, 2022
  • Comments (8)
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Buying the Baker Her Favorite Treat

I often visit a small shop across the road from me to get lunch from their bakery section. One of the staff at the bakery mentioned having received a distressing diagnosis the day before. She was clearly shaken up by it.

There was nothing I could do about that, except for offering sympathy, but I tried to offer a little kindness. I asked if she could eat the baked goods they sold herself if she needed a treat. She said she couldn't eat them unless they were broken. Under the guise of asking for a recommendation, I asked about her favourite treat, and pretended to be buying it for myself to try. Then I gave it right back to her.

It took her a minute to realize what I'd done, and I left pretty quickly, not wanting to make her feel awkward! I hope it made her day a little bit better, and that she felt like someone cared. 

1187 Reads

Community Camaraderie

Absolutely slammed at the food pantry today! At one point there was a line of over a dozen families waiting for food. We even ran out of the regular staples of cheese and margarine. One woman was moved to tears, telling us how this was the first time she needed help in feeding her family. We soothed her, expressing how at one time or another we all need a little extra help. We were short one of our regular volunteers but did the best we could. We even managed to keep the spirits of our visitors up by our camaraderie of “help-it-tude” and all the time behind our masks.  It was wonderful that one of the pantry patrons brought in a bucket of fresh eggs to share.  Fellow volunteers enjoyed my treat of burnt butter cookies. My friend, Cheryl, was also thrilled that I woke early and baked her a loaf of sourdough bread. She ... Read Full Story >>

1269 Reads

Showing Kindness to Families of Hospital Patients

Recently, our 'mini boy's library' program decided to visit  a hospital. We met with some of the patients' family members. As we spoke with them and inquired what support we could give, they requested our help in getting food service.

The boys decided to make and distribute food in the hospital and also to laborers and street vendors as many of them are suffering due to the pandemic. It was a good experience to serve so many people with food and provide them with masks.














The boys did a great job. Thanks to them for all their hard work.

1065 Reads

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.

1014 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.

914 Reads




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