Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Recycling And Reusing

This morning i thought about a couple who have been coming regularly to Open House and I didn't want them to feel left out as I have a present for a couple of other people there.

As I walked up and down the aisles getting what I needed I noticed they had some reusable coffee mugs and I know Traci and Chris always bring their own cups to Open House.

I found one with koalas on it and another with express yourself (both are made from sustainable materials so it was a win-win situation.

I buy our tooth brushes from a company which make and disbrute sustainable products. They sent me three toothbrushes and holders yesterday wrapped in such pretty paper and I've used the paper to wrap the cups up.

I love recycling and reusing!

686 Reads
  • Posted by Helenconnell2
  • Jan 3, 2022
  • Comments (7)
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Grocery Store Surprises

I was at the grocery store earlier buying ingredients for a pretty obvious dinner...which my cashier pointed out as she was scanning my items. We talked for a bit which was really nice, especially coming from a young cashier (I haven't come across it much). At the end of the conversation, she asked if happened to have any hand cream, which I did not have on me. At this point I had already paid and as I was about to leave, I noticed I forgot an ingredient I needed. I went back and also decided to check out the hand creams they had. They had one on sale, and only one left...what are the odds? I pondered if I should get it or not but thought back to the time my coworker bought me a hand cream after I showed her how bad my hands were last winter (due to all the ... Read Full Story >>

1425 Reads

Small Things That Can Make A Big Difference

A tradition for my wife and is to make holiday treats and drive around town to deliver to about 15 friends. We do this over two days and gain a lot of satisfaction seeing people and wishing them well.    Last night kindness had a strange connection with timing.    First, we showed up to deliver to treats to our 95-year old neighbor right before she was ready to go to sleep. Next, we delivered to friends who had just finished dinner and were craving something sweet. Shortly after, with plate in hand, we gifted a neighbor and her daughter who were coming home from a walk. Coincidently, we then were leaving a friend's house as she pulled up from visiting someone else. An eighty-five year old neighbor was on Zoom with friends talking about what Christmas meant and said that our surprise was the perfect example. One friend was not home when we called. ... Read Full Story >>

1228 Reads

A Lunch In Time

My sister shared this story today about her spouse.

They have had some plumbing difficulties and while they had fixed it, for the most part, the plumber was needed to secure a part to make a final installation. The supply store was a jaunt from their house and it was late in the afternoon. The plumber had to go quickly to the store to get the part and be back to their house for the install.

At some point, he mentioned to my brother-in-law that in midst of all the work, he had no time for lunch. My brother-in-law, although not a cook in any sense of the word, microwaved a hot dog and served up a very nice snack.

The plumber told my sister what a good and kind guy her spouse was. Yes, he was and is. :)

821 Reads

🎄 Dad’s Christmas Tree

Every time I see an outside pine tree decorated with holiday lights, I remember the kindness of my father-in-law's neighbors. When Dad was in at-home-hospice care during the holidays, confined to the back guest room-turned medical center, his bed faced the neighbor's hedge of bushes and a huge pine tree. When the neighbors found out that it was Dad's view, they decorated the tree with so many colored lights that it nearly lit up the whole backyard. No one else could really see or appreciate their Tree of Light from that vantage point, except for Dad, lying in his bed, preparing to transition. Time slowed and everything became washed in the glow of peace, as it does in those special moments of pivotal events. I’m so grateful that Dad, and all of us who visited, had those lights to help guide us through a challenging time. Many thanks to each of you who choose to ... Read Full Story >>

1673 Reads

Christmas - The Santalorian-Style

I've been busy getting ready for my gift giveaway coming up next week, being kind to others, elders, single families and anyone in need, because ... this is the way.

Some got new winter jackets and winter boots, others got lunch and supper. Generally acting with my usual kind force of nature, making a difference to all I could.

I even got "The Elder" treatment from some young children, 7-year-olds, holding a door open for me and carrying gifts that I was dropping off - my Little Santalorian helpers, so kind of them to do that for me.

Spent time with my great-granddaughter yesterday. Quality time, I like to call it. Still have more gifts and presents to get, checking my list, checking to see who's been naughty or nice, but not being judgemental, everyone will get something.

Hope all of you are doing well and as usual. Peace
 

592 Reads

Birthday Care Day

When we go on walks my husband often talks about the litter he sees on the sidewalk. So on his birthday, he decided to do some clean-up. I took a picker and he held a big trash bag. Together we did litter pickup on the sidewalk near the high school. I was surprised that the bag filled up so quickly and we dumped it in the roadside trash bin and repeated the process two more times.

It gave a sense of satisfaction to know that we did what we could for our Mother Earth. We thought of doing this on a regular basis; maybe once a month.

Afterward, we had a nice cup of tea and enjoyed his cake. :)

Every day after waking up is a birthday in some sense, and it would be so nice to practice starting with a fresh beginning and a kinder heart every day. :)

736 Reads

A Kind Note from My Student

We're working on paragraph writing in class. One of the assignments was to write one on your hero. This little bugger chose me. Please do not judge his incredible manuscript. We're working that for him. Instead, judge his content.

For those who cannot read third grade:
"My hero is Mr. Lewandowski. He can do magic. He's good at teaching. He's good at math. Who is your hero?"

Someone's getting an "A" for Christmas this year! 🙂

#AprilRAOK

1160 Reads

Staying Strong Together

Knowing that a little bit of Christmas would cheer my sister and her husband, we got the ornaments rolling and set up their tree.

Niece and her partner helped and by the time we enjoyed a holiday potluck meal, all was aglow especially my sister’s smile.

An extra difficult holiday this year, but we are staying strong in the memories and moments shared. 🎄 💕
 

315 Reads

A Walk In The Park

A guy at the park I walk in, set up a table with free water and Gatorade for the passersby. He shared God's word on a speaker, and some of the smoothest jazz I've heard in a while. I sat near by, listened, and observed. He generated lots of smiles, and waves. People thanked him, and shook his hand. It was a chilly morning but this kind man's warmth radiated all around. He spread generosity, and I'm grateful to share it with the community.

717 Reads

Mission Accomplished 👍

💕 One of my “soul sisters” on our block shared earlier today that she was having a bit of a hard time. She hadn’t slept well and was anxious. She’s a big-time kindness angel and very supportive of me. She is always positive and encouraging.

💕I wanted to do something to cheer her up. I put together a little gift bag with some chocolates and a pretty little plaque filled with appreciation comments about all the wonderful things she does for others. I included a Smile Card and peace dove and left it on her back porch.

I have just received a sweet note from her telling me it cheered her up. Mission accomplished ðŸ‘
 

809 Reads

Sharing Knowledge With Children

I had an interactive session with children to give something, and to learn something. It was very a nice time with the children where I taught them subjects like Mathematics and English and they taught me how to live happily all time.

I am thankful ful for the children.

753 Reads

An Alternative Way of Giving

Our autumn concert was this past weekend and it was received with joy by our audiences! Because I don't volunteer for many things in our chorus, I support it by purchasing all of the tickets that I am given to sell.

I gave the last three to a couple and their relative from our church. At the end of the concert, they thanked me and asked if they could pay for the tickets.

I could have accepted their offer as they felt an obligation to pay. Instead, I suggested that they make a contribution to the chorus (we are a non-profit). They agreed that it was a fitting alternative to reimbursing me.

870 Reads

A Rose-breasted Nuthatch Made My Day

I noticed a rose-breasted nuthatch was very interested in me refilling the nut bird feeder, so I followed the nudge to place a peanut in the palm of my hand and hold it out.

With faith, that tiny little bird quickly took the nut from my hand and flew off.

Made my day! 😊

776 Reads

My Students Transition to In-Person School

Many of my students struggled coming back to school this year. They were used to being at home on Zoom. I am their first male teacher and I have high expectations.

Many weren't happy at first, but then they realized that I cared about them. Many have started to tell me they will miss me over the weekend.

There are no tears in the morning at home now. Instead, I  get "Best Teacher" pictures and notes. Yesterday I got this one (I removed her name for the post) and had to share it.

This makes me happy!

854 Reads

In For A Penny And A Pound

I went shopping with my partner, who needed a pair of trousers. After 2 hours of looking, trying, etc we decided to sit at a Cafe for a break, we both dislike shopping. While waiting for the coffee he noticed a homeless man outside and told me that he'd found a pound coin in the changing room and he was going to give it to the man. On his return he told me that the man was talking 'nonsense' without even looking at him. He had tried to have a conversation with the man without success.  Eventually he just put the money in one of his bags. The man had lots of bags and was also checking the rubbish bin taking more things. One of the things he repeated a few times was 'I have a million pounds in my bank account'. Bless him, who knows :-)

I was touched by my partner's gesture. Not long before this, he found a penny coin on the street. I suggested he could do what my grandmother always told me; pass it on to someone else, no matter how small. He'd made fun of me (kindly) as I'd also suggested adding a pound to it as it was such a small amount :-) My grandmother has a long reach! 

1122 Reads

Stocking Stuffers For Seniors

One of our local Drug Stores/Pharmacy has a holiday program called Stocking Stuffers for Seniors, which they coordinate with local seniors facilities.

The seniors request a few items that they would like, and the gift tags with their requests are placed on a Christmas tree in the store. 🎄

Customers can take a tag from the tree, buy the items that are requested and return the tag and gifts to the customer service desk.

I took one tag for a man and one for a woman, and I will be getting the items on their wish list. I will include a Christmas card with the gifts to spread some holiday cheer to them, as many are alone, without any family. 

657 Reads

Perfect Timing

❤️ Kindness Circle.

🍜 Our neighbor rang our bell & surprised us with her homemade soup & desserts. I in turn surprised her with a Hanukkah gift bag I had been adding small gifts to over the past few weeks.

The timing was perfect, as I was about to walk over to her house to leave the gift bag on her porch 😊

723 Reads

My Connection and Love to Portland, Oregon

There's a homeless young man in Portland named Oscar who I got to know over the past couple of years through his Twitter posts. I wrote to him last spring to see if there was anything we could do to help. He has an autoimmune disease and lost his job during COVID and then his home. It took months but he finally responded to my messages. He said in the heatwave of last summer he could use a fan spritzer. It sprays water as it fans. So we sent him one of those. Later he said he was sleeping on concrete and he mentioned a ground mattress. So the next month we got him that. He later mentioned how wet it is in Portland so I found him a pair of waterproof pants. He said he felt like it was Christmas all summer. Lately, he's been helping a friend who is in ... Read Full Story >>

1359 Reads

How I learned [I'm]Perfect in Middle School

   When I think of the word perfect, I think of something only a few can achieve, like high beauty standards, the super-smart girl in my class, or anything that I can compare myself to. For a few weeks now, I have been noticing this one girl who is in a few of my middle school classes. She has fabulous long dark brown hair, big hazel eyes, and the most beautiful face. She always wears the prettiest outfits and seems to be the most popular girl in school, at least in my point of view. It seems like she has a perfect life, lots of friends, all A's, and everything anyone could ever want.    One day, I was in language arts talking to my teacher about one of the upcoming tests, when I saw the girl staring at me in this weird way. I immediately started to freak out and ... Read Full Story >>

2931 Reads




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