Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Bumper Crop Yields Friendships

Our bumper crop of beets, green beans and squash went to good use.

We shared with the Center, library patrons, and with Lali and Archie - street vendors of Russian/Georgian/Armenian heritage - who then invited us to their home for borscht!
We enjoyed not only the BEST borscht we ever had (with a vegan option for our daughter-in-law), but the bloom of a new friendship as well.

Amazing where those simple acts of kindness lead, my kind friends.

Grateful for each heart-“beet” we share that links us all together 🙏 ❤️ 🌎 🕊..

552 Reads

There are Always Blessings

I was asked to accompany someone when they went to their doctor for an annual wellness visit. They didn’t want to go alone. Sitting in a doctor’s waiting room is not something I really am comfortable about right now, during the current covid variants, but I wanted to be supportive, so I went.

It was a long wait. The seats were spaced out & everyone wore a face mask 😷

I got a lot of reading done & when I began to get fidgety I closed my eyes, did some deep breathing & silently mantra’d. I reached for my companion’s hand when he appeared nervous & encouraged him to do the same.

We rewarded ourselves with a leisurely lunch after.

So, the blessings that were found there included getting a lot of reading done, comforting someone, meditating, shining light on everyone in the waiting room & a nice lunch. Always blessings to be found.

641 Reads

Back To School

Since returning to teaching (I enjoy it so much, calling it "work" doesn't seem fitting!), I've found myself super busy. This evening I have some reflection time. One thing that hasn't changed is that kids will be kids. Yes, they are super inspiring and continue to amaze me with their accomplishments and kindness...and many still don't pick up after themselves:(. At school, I've had the opportunity to spread kindness by returning dirty dishes to the kitchen, picking up litter (why, oh why do we continue to use plastic?!), and trying to make students feel seen by being deliberate about greeting them as I pass by. Of course, I've had the opportunity to deliver, anonymously, four packages of tomatoes and avocados. What I am most excited about is a delivery that I get to make on Friday. A dear friend found an organization accepting donations for helping the soon to be here refugees ... Read Full Story >>

757 Reads

🌠The Greatest Show on Earth - in My Garden

The family stumbled out into the night feeling very drowsy after being woken at 2.00 a.m. by the alarm. We took our chairs which were set out on the driveway facing northeast. Leaning back, we allowed our eyes to adjust to the canvas of stars covering the sky. The Perseid meteor shower, one of the greatest shows on earth, was in progress.  We kept our voices very low so as not to disturb the reverent silence, but every few minutes someone would exclaim, “Ohhhh….there’s another one!” or “Did you see that one?” We felt blessed to have such a front row seat to the scene of so many shooting stars with each affording the opportunity to make a wish. In a hushed voice I whispered to Elise, my 8 year old great-niece: “When you are older and perhaps a mother yourself, and you are watching the shooting stars with your children, think of your ... Read Full Story >>

886 Reads

Attitude Of Gratitude

We've had much more rain this summer in Southern Ontario, making me appreciate the sunny days we get even more. Today was one of those days, and being a holiday, I decided to take advantage of it and go cycling.

I usually meet a lot of cyclists on the trails I'm on. Usually we exchange a quick greeting as we pass each other, sometimes people stop and chat a bit longer.

This morning I talked to a young man who said that while he was tired from the activity, he's grateful to be alive.

How true. Though I came home tired, I'm grateful to get to experience another day. Also grateful to be healthy enough to cycle and to get to experience all the wonderful scenery I did see 💕

655 Reads

Adopting Animals From Overflowing Animal Shelters

I gave a free acupuncture session to my elderly neighbor as a house call. Every time I have had surgery she has brought me fresh produce in lovely baskets.

I am going to adopt a grumpy chinchilla from a rescue I foster for. I still have foster hamsters. Sadly, the rescue is overloaded with surrenders. People don't want their pandemic animal friends anymore. The rescue has had to stop accepting any more animals as they are so full.

My adoption will free up one space. Here is Chayra, wondering where her raspberry is.

621 Reads

Virus Free Hug

Today was a big day at our school. 337 of us were tested for the Covid-19 antibodies! 336 tests came back negative and one test showed that someone did have Covid-19 somewhere between 3 weeks and 3 months ago. So, we were all in a safe zone...at least for today. So, while I'm teaching my class via zoom, my colleague in the room next door peeked her head in and asked if I was teaching. I said yes, but I sensed something was wrong so I asked her what was up. She told me that her brother passed away today. She told me about their troubled relationship, she hadn't seen or spoken to him in many, many years. But she also spoke how there was comfort in knowing that he was on this Earth; now that was gone. I just listened. And then I said, "if it'd help, and you want, I'll ... Read Full Story >>

1410 Reads

Strawberry Crepes and a Random Act of Kindness

Blessings accepted.

I went out to lunch to treat myself to some strawberry crepes. When I was almost done my waitress said my bill was taken care of. I asked why, thinking they got my order wrong somehow. She said another table paid for me, but they didn't want me to know it. So I asked the waitress to thank them kindly and left an origami dove.

Kindness is floating around. I felt blessed.

560 Reads

Tiny Miracles of Nature

Yesterday I stopped at a small scrub and watched the ants 'milking' the aphids / plant louses.   An elderly lady approached the street crossing near which I stood and was struggling with her bags, so I asked her if she needed help. She refused but stopped for a moment to vent -- her day had been difficult so far and she did not feel well. I listened and when she asked me what I was doing and where I was going, I told her that I had been distracted from my own tasks by watching the ants. She was fascinated, looked for them herself and we stood there for another couple of minutes focused on the ants. She told me that as a child she used to be fascinated by all critters but stopped watching them when growing up. When we parted she was far more relaxed, thanked me again for connecting her to ... Read Full Story >>

643 Reads

Compliments Are Meant To Be Spoken

After spending 20 minutes on hold for Customer Service the sweetest gal came on the line. She had a gentle manner, went the extra mile & was very efficient.

At the end of our call, I thanked her for her time & patient assistance & told her it was a pleasure speaking with her. Her effusive sharing of appreciation of my words touched me deeply.

It made me happy to feel the heartfelt uplift in her spirit. So easy to simply let someone know you appreciate them. 👌🏻

530 Reads

The Kamloops Doves and a Message of Love

When I heard about the mass grave found at the Kamloops Indian residential school in Canada, where the remains of 215 children were discovered, I felt the need to help transform the sorrow for those innocents into a measure of healing. After reading KindSpring friend Brad2’s post (https://www.kindspring.org/my/story.php?sid=206910) I asked Brad2 how I could respectfully honour the memory of the children by doing what I do, folding and sharing origami peace doves. He told me that orange was the official colour being used to highlight the healing journey of the survivors. He also explained that the stories of individuals from the school are shared to create an awareness that ‘Every Child Matters’. A prayer for the children that never made it home is being circulated on social media by all tribes. He added a prayer of support for the families involved and his own personal request for healing and reconciliation. After much thought, ... Read Full Story >>

736 Reads

From Laundry To Vegan Pepperoni

I'm back home and spreading my birthday gift on the west coast now. Many of my acts began at home this time, with my family. Since my return yesterday I've done two loads of laundry. I rose at 6 am, made coffee for my wife, along with vegan pancakes...a recipe that I've adapted myself. I took my daughter to Chipotle. The real act of kindness here was that I did this without lecturing her about eating out too much:). And I shared my Peet's coffee reward with her. I was telling my daughter about what I'm doing and asked her what acts of kindness she thought I've done today. I was happy to hear her say, "you opened the door for me!" That was small, but given that I wasn't going through the door with her, I'll count that. And now for dinner, I'm making wife and I VBLTA's for dinner (vegan bacon, ... Read Full Story >>

681 Reads

My Birthday Gift To Myself

As my 56th lap around the sun nears its completion I have chosen to borrow an idea from some on here, and others have done…complete one act of kindness for each lap. Today I completed four. This morning I opted for a small, local coffee shop, rather than the national chain. I wanted to randomly pay for someone’s coffee. Since they didn’t take cash (a covid thing) , I purchased a gift card. I gave the gift card and a Smile Card to the barista and suggested what she might do with both. Then this evening, while standing in line at WF, I noticed a young lady behind me with a few bagels. I asked if she’d let me pay for them. In a heavy German accent, she declined. I didn’t want to force it, but I told her she would really be helping me out and I explained to her her ... Read Full Story >>

1735 Reads

The Baker, the Tailor, the Ray of Hope.

Many people have experienced negative consequences as a result of the Covid restrictions. This includes small business owners who were forced to close. However, there has also been a chance for some people to demonstrate great acts of kindness and shine a ray of hope.  One of my friends owns a bakery. Because of the lockdowns, he ran into a financial crisis. He had to shut his shop for months causing his debts to mount up.  My friend had previously rented his apartment to a tailor, but this man also struggled to earn a living due to the impact of COVID. Even after the restrictions were lifted his business was not picking. Somehow the tailor managed to arrange for the rent to be paid to my friend after months. However, my friend refused to take the money. He discovered that the tailor had sold one of his machines to pay it. He ... Read Full Story >>

764 Reads

Paying It Backwards Also Works

Good afternoon :) I went to McDonald's this morning and the line through the drive up was super long. Someone allowed me to go in before them. So, when I got to the window to pay for my food I also gave the cashier money to pay for the person who let me go ahead of them. I wanted them to know how much I appreciated their kindness.

585 Reads

A Morning When Everything Fell Into Place

I’d driven down to Los Angeles to interview a well-known artist, and afterwards met friends in Culver City for dinner. I hadn’t reserved a room anywhere, and after saying good night, I ended up at a Motel 6 fifteen or twenty miles east on Highway 10. It was still hot outside, maybe 90 degrees. From the look of things, I was deep in gang territory. A young couple checking in ahead of me added to this impression. I was nervous and felt out of place, but ended up having a good night’s sleep. In the morning, as I was carrying my bags to the car, a young man standing in the parking lot shouted out, “Good morning!”       “Good morning,” I responded.       And then, continuing to look at me with his smile, he said, “Have a blessed day.”       His words were so unexpected and so genuine, they passed into an unguarded place in ... Read Full Story >>

2096 Reads

Favorite Meal Ordered For A Friend

A 90 plus family friend in Florida, shared about his love of Katz’s Deli, a longtime landmark restaurant in Manhattan that he frequented whenever he was in NYC. He talked about his favorite foods there & said his mouth was watering as he typed 😋

Our friend has had a few serious health scares this year, but is doing better now. At the end of his email he said he wondered if he’d ever get to taste his favorite foods there again.

My husband was so moved by what he said that he ordered a selection of his favorites from Katz’s to be delivered to him in a few days. When he told me that he did this, I was deeply moved by his loving act. ❤️

502 Reads

Chocolate Surprise

When I had a neighbour over for breakfast a while ago, while his dog underwent surgery, he especially enjoyed a vegan chocolate
spread I served.

As I saw him today (he is my haircutter and it was about time .... 😉) I made sure to buy a jar of this spread and gave it to him.

I know he will probably never buy it himself as he does not have that much money. Just seeing his smiling eyes over the mask made my day!

572 Reads

Caring for Our Four-Legged Friends

My wife Mindy and I sponsor a wild horse we've named “Imagine” at the Hot Springs SD wild horse sanctuary, a beautiful 14000 acre wildlife refuge in the southern Black Hills. The 750 horses here are free to roam the property with little human intervention. As the summers are dry and winters harsh, they do require additional feed, hay, and water sources that are funded by sponsors such as we are. I gift this sponsorship to Mindy annually on her birthday. As we are sponsoring a horse, we were allowed to give the horse a name.
Pictured below is “Imagine” when she was about 5 months old, and now about 14 months old. Isn't she beautiful!

497 Reads

Finding Old Friends

This week, I volunteered at Caring Kitchen, which makes meals for cancer patients in Ukiah. We picked blackberries and prepared fruit for dessert.

I said some kind and encouraging words to people on a social media platform, which I usually don't participate in.

I complimented one of my old classmates on a picture she posted on Instagram, and we had a nice conversation after that, which was great because I haven't talked to her in a long time.

548 Reads




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