Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Plant Swap.

I know somebody who wants to start a "plant swap." The idea sprang up during the pandemic to be kind to the environment by not throwing away excess yet healthy plants. We have 11 young plants  offered to new homes, all in plantpots with nice soil and homemade labels depicting the plant names and planting conditions. I gave my neighbour four others and she promptly offered me some young saplings.  Kindness all round.

567 Reads

Supermarket Kindness

I went shopping this morning. The store was confusing. The great thing was everyone was helpful with each other and smiled.

The nicest thing happened in the queue for the till. I discovered I had forgotten to get cauliflower. The lady in front of me said, "Leave your trolley while you get it, and I'll keep an eye on it."  That was very kind of her.



 

699 Reads
  • Posted by Helenconnell2
  • May 24, 2021
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Basking and Barking in the Sunshine

Recently I sat in the sunshine, reading The New York Times Book Review. I am grateful to have a yard.

While sitting in the sunshine, I was lucky enough to be greeted by our neighbors who live on either side of us. I enjoyed laughter-filled chats. I am grateful for beautiful neighbors.

Puppy dogs on either side of us were out in the sunshine, too. I had so much fun giving them dog biscuits and talking to them, even though I don’t speak "dogese" and had no idea what the "barker brothers" we share a common fence with were yapping about.

I was able to help the barker brothers’ mommy with some trash bags she asked if I might have. I am grateful I was asked.

Although it is very windy and cool here in New York City today, there is brilliant sunshine, and the trees and many flowers are in full bloom. I am grateful for the beauty.



 

390 Reads

Connected From Bracelet To A Hug

With only the bare necessities with us at the beach, I couldn’t find one Peace Dove to share with the woman sunbathing behind us.  Earlier, I had noticed an eclectic display of crystals and stones on a cloth near the bottom of her blanket, plus her meditation pose. REALLY felt the nudge to connect, so as we were packing to leave, I slipped a bracelet off my wrist (had worn for a few years, given to me by KS friend Leolady) and handed it to her along with a Smile card. “This is for you,” I said. “I usually give Peace Doves, but this is all I have to share. Love your crystals and noticed you meditating before…” Surprised, she cupped her hands to her face and smiled, “You sure? Ohhh, thank you!” We chatted over the seaside roar of the waves and wind. Discovered that her mother Elizabeth had passed 2 years ago ... Read Full Story >>

717 Reads

Neighbor Helps Dog Roll Through Her Anxiety

My attentive neighbor who loves dogs noticed how my little rescue pooch had many days when the world was too much. Going for a walk was overwhelming. We would carry her for a block to see if the fear would pass. Sometimes it did, but sometimes it didn't, and she needed to hurry home. My neighbor's friend had a brand new dog stroller, but her dog was too big for it. They wondered if my dog, Hazel, would feel safe in stroller. Then we could all go for real walks, and she could leave the stroller if she liked. I found the stroller on my porch yesterday. I took Hazel outside and sure enough, she didn't want to walk because a truck went by and made too much noise. So I got the stroller and plopped her in it. She looked at me and gave me the goofiest little grin. I took her ... Read Full Story >>

665 Reads

Scott the Smiling Server

A friend and I went to eat at a restaurant in Springfield, Illinois. We were blessed with a waiter named Scott. He seemed to love his job. He smiled and helped and was witty throughout our visit. We gave him a smile card and $5 to take off someone's bill that he thought could use the help. Thanks, Scott, for making the world a brighter place.



 

386 Reads

Transportation with a Smile

I bought 10 bus tickets from the vending machine, and left them with a Smile Card so the next person coming to buy a ticket will find them. I have also put coins on a washing machine in the laundry together with a Smile Card. The third card went to a friend of mine. I walked her to the train station to take the train for the airport, then I paid for her train ticket and gave her a Smile Card to pay it forward.



 

899 Reads
  • Posted by ancasunshine
  • May 19, 2021
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Another Chance to Buy a Meal

I went through a fast food restaurant's drive-through with my seven-year-old friend the other day. There was a guy sitting on the curb past the drive-through asking for help. I didn't have any cash, so I told him sorry. However, to exit, you have to pass the entrance to the drive through again, so I got back in line and ordered a large meal with a drink. I handed it to the man asking for help. He was grateful.



 

1133 Reads

Do You Want to Get Lucky?

I gave out five lottery scratchers with a lucky penny to people working at my school today: playground supervisors, tech specialist, reading assistant and a custodian. First I asked what they would do if suddenly they won $1,000. Then I asked if they were feeling lucky. Then I gave them the scratch-off lottery ticket.

I heard "I'd invest it," "I'd put it in the bank," "I'd go to Hawaii right now!" Some scratched right away. Others saved theirs for later. I didn't see any winners yet, but I saw smiles and heard thanks.

I hope someone gets lucky.




 

808 Reads

❤️ Feel The Karma

❤️ Feel The Karma ☕️

That’s Ro in the photo 😷. After I gave him a Kindness Kit (described here: https://www.kindspring.org/my/feed/index.php?sid=204157) we had a brief discussion over the beautiful origami gracing the cafe made by a talented customer.

Then Ro selflessly surprised me by giving me one!

Isn’t it beautiful? Even more so because it was given with a kind and selfless heart. ❤️ 

829 Reads

Neighborly Kindness

Day 25: I've got a neighbor in her 90's...she's in way better condition than the woman in the illustration. Today I called to ask her if she'd like me to pick up any items from the grocery store on my weekly shopping trip. I brought and delivered her items. She appreciated it.

#AprilRAOK

865 Reads

Webmaster Provides Historical Information for Future Generations

I had the urge to get back into working on our family tree. I found a website bursting at the seams with historical photos of a town my father grew up in. I was tickled pink to recognise my grandmother and some of her own family members in pictures of days gone by. I also found useful snippets of information.

The man who ran the website asked for family photos and anecdotes for the website to help others with their ancestry research for that specific local area. I thought it was nice that he offered to look into the local parish records for free. He writes books on the local area and the proceeds go to charity, so I sent him a bunch of digitalised family photos spanning 50 years of the last century, and I shared some anecdotes which might help others. I also thanked him for his good work, which I see as a wealth of information for generations to come.



 

684 Reads

Smelling Like Smoke

A grassfire tore through my community with the aid of 50 - 60 kmph winds. Officers helped by going door to door to fight the fire until the fire department arrived. I got involved when it breached a fire trail and started for some houses, one belonging to my nephew and his family. I arrived just in time to put out this fire that started right beside his house. Moving old furniture aside, I found an old bedsheet and dunked it in a puddle and used it to put out the fire. I was glad to save my grandkids, who each gave me a big hug, my reward. It was a very busy 20 minutes, directing fire crews to the right locations, getting dirty, and getting right in there to help. I am glad no one got hurt.




 

922 Reads

Flower Shower for Office Staff

I asked the teachers at my school to ask their students to bring one flower to school today to build bouquets for delivery to our incredible office staff.  It's like a florist's shop in or office today.



 

714 Reads

Tuned in to Help

I have a friend who got a small zither-like therapy harp a while back. I own this style harp as well. She fell in love with it when I played it and bought one for herself. She forgot how to tune it, so I told her bring it to my office. I tuned it up and showed her how. I was glad to be of help this way, and she seemed happy to have her instrument ready to play.



 

584 Reads

Providing Teachers Sweetness

It's been a tough year for us all due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In education, we know it's been hard on the kids and their families. It's also been hard on teachers: learning Zoom and posting assignments online, teaching in hybrid, switching things up and teaching all kids in the classroom five days a week again. It's wonderful that we are coming back, but it takes a toll on educators.
I just wanted to give teachers a pick-me-up today in the teacher's lounge.



 

573 Reads

Spouse Excels as Vaccination Caretaker

On April 8. my husband and I had our appointment for the Covid-19 vaccine. I was OK on the 1st day , but on April 9 I started to feel down and like I couldn't do anything. Every part of my body ached. I went through headaches. It made me frustrated, I had sleep disruption. I live far from my hometown so there was no one to take care of me except my husband, who was also going through the same problems after the vaccination. 

However, he forgot all his pains, aching, headaches, and sleep disruption. He only gave his best to take care of me. He dealt with our three kids, he arranged food and other necessities to comfort me, and on top of all that he gave his time, love, and devotion. This was his act of kindness towards me. He is a great father and a loving husband.

1051 Reads
  • Posted by maheenarsalan09
  • May 8, 2021
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Neighbors Share Peace in Chinese and English

An elderly Asian couple often pass by when I am sitting on our front porch.  The woman is a sweet granny type. Both wear masks. He nods, she stops, and I can see the smile in her eyes.

They speak limited English, but we understand each other. We laugh together, and she likes the cats, too. I wrote out a short list of simple Chinese phrases to use next time: How are you?  It's a beautiful day, etc. My spouse picked up the phrases from his Chinese park friends.

I searched online for the English to Chinese translation for the word “Peace." I copy/paste/printed it out and cut it to size to attach to a Peace Dove for her.

822 Reads

Friend Returns Care After Pregnancy Loss

A friend of mine miscarried. She never fails to leave a basket of candy, comfy socks, tea, etc. if she finds out I lost a loved one or hurt myself. Her actions are steadfast and true, and she does this even though we are not super besties. She cares.

I found her a card, some candy, flowers, and a bell chime handmade in India with a Hand of God carving and left them on her porch. Her dad caught me. I chatted with him and her mom. The friend was finally sleeping.

By the time I got home, there was a thank you in my messages about how it all meant the world to her.

918 Reads

Sharing Moments of Awe With Strangers

Have you ever been out on a walk and noticed someone standing very still, looking up at the branches of a tree or down at the ground? They are fully engrossed in what they are seeing. Do you stop to try and see what they are looking at? Do you ask them what they see? I have learned that there is always something interesting to see and hear about if I take the time to stop and ask. The first time I did this I was gifted with seeing my first bald eagle. The person who pointed the eagle out told me there was a pair who were always around the trail. I have not seen the eagle since, but I keep my eyes open. And just a few days ago I was walking home and saw a young man looking raptly upwards. I asked what he was looking at. He was ... Read Full Story >>

1085 Reads




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