Stories of Kindness from Around the World

When a Friend Needs It More

My manager at work, a friend who has been going through a lot in life, needed a chance to talk and a hug. I had bought an OM necklace on Etsy to hang  on my rear view mirror in my car, but I put it on her desk instead so she could wear it.
 

705 Reads

The Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us! My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, really friendly. So I asked, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!” This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck.” He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage (frustration, anger, and disappointment, etc.). As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and ... Read Full Story >>

1563 Reads

Neighborly Snow Shoveling

We had a wicked snow storm over the weekend. The city was brought to a standstill until crews and snow moving equipment could open up streets. Snow removal is a huge job. It takes days. I live in a condominium.  My neighbors and I park in an outdoor parking lot. I haven't been able to go anywhere since last Friday, because my car, and everyone else's, are buried in snow. The snow moving equipment was able to get through Wednesday afternoon and clear a path down the aisles between the rows of cars. We had to shovel out our own cars, though. I have a little red plastic shovel, and it took me 1-1/2 hours to clear off my car and shovel snow from around it. I headed back into my condominium feeling pretty great about being free again. My neighbour was at her doorway, so I stopped and chatted. She had numerous ailments ... Read Full Story >>

1547 Reads

Out of Nowhere, help arrives

This morning on the way to work I stopped to get a hot  chocolate at a convenience store. I didn’t have the correct credit card on me and went to my car to get it. When done, I locked my car door the old-fashioned way, using the manual lock, I shut my door. You know where this is going...yep, there were my car keys and cell phone inside the car! I went inside the store and they let me use their phone to place some calls. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get in touch with anyone who could hlep. Note to self: Sign up for a roadside assistance program:). After what seemed like forever, but in real time it was less than an hour, I started to pray for help. Wouldn't you know it, in walks a Pascua Yaqui police officer. He came walking towards me, said, "Good morning, how are you?" I ... Read Full Story >>

1616 Reads

Connected Deliveries

Every few months, I place an order for plant based meals home delivery. When our bell rang last night, I ran to the door as I wanted to catch the delivery guy before he left to hand him an appreciation tip. When I opened the door, I recognized him from our last delivery almost a year ago.

I blurted out, “I remember you!”

We shared wide smiles. He told me ever since I had given him a peace dove, his life had taken a good turn. It made me so happy to hear.

I said, “Here’s another one for you."
 
He told me he was going to put it with the other one he still has on his car visor.

We remembered each other even though it had been about a year since we laid eyes on one another. Memorable kindness connects are that way, aren’t they? 
 

719 Reads

A Spouse's Space to Feel

My husband's family has a long record of cancer (parents, uncles, aunts, etc.), and he also comes from a background of physical abuse as a child. One of the things he has always been afraid of is that I might leave him one day, because that's what his childhood taught him happens to things he loves - they get taken away. On Friday, I found out that I may have cancer, and we are now on the treadmill that follows that sort of news. He was trying to be supportive and strong for me, but I could see that there was something fragile behind the strength and realized that his childhood nightmares were there - he loves me, and he might lose me. So I told him every day we will spend some time where he isn't strong for me; time when he can cry, and rage, and be silent, or whatever ... Read Full Story >>

685 Reads

From picking fruits to top notch-cooking

One act of kindness is leading to another. And as it is continuing new friendships are forming and existing ones are strengthening. My elderly neighbor called me and my daughter to pluck fruits from her tree as the fruits were high and it was required to step on a huge ladder to get them. After an hour spent chatting and picking the fruits, she treated us with refreshing lemonade with ice and soda. She also gave us plenty of fruits to distribute to our friends. I then distributed them to three other senior friends of mine. One of them (75+ years) gave me a piping hot tomato rasam (curry) in a container to take home. It was so authentic and so yum that I had to ask her about it. She told me that her mom and grand mom were both top-notch cooks and she learned it from them, when she was helping them ... Read Full Story >>

1064 Reads

Ripple Effects of One Action

The phrase “One Person Can Make a Difference” is one of those sayings that we teach youngsters – to encourage them to do something kind, to help another person, or to dream big about how they will change the world. As adults, do we really believe this? Or is it a lesson just for young people? I am writing to tell you that indeed “one person can”. I know because one day one person did an act of kindness that changed my life and the lives of millions more. Almost 15 years ago while driving across town, I was listening to a radio interview and heard a story of selflessness and commitment that was inspiring. A woman had carried in ten bulky winter coats through the Thanksgiving weekend crowds on mass transit to donate them at the One Warm Coat drive. She knew the city had many homeless and families in need ... Read Full Story >>

2313 Reads

Making Change Counts

The weather has been like late summer this week, even though it is November. It won't last, but I've taken advantage and walked every day. I tend to reward myself with a coffee from the little church-run cafe that I pass on my way home.

During this time of Covid, everyone seems to be running short of coinage. I took a handful with me today and paid with exact change.

I exchanged the remainder of my coins for paper money. The clerk was overjoyed and said that they can always use coins, no matter how small the amount.
 

911 Reads

The house in my street

There is a house in my street whose front garden is full of beautiful rose bushes.
I drive past it everyday and always notice it. It really brightens up the whole street and adds such beauty to it. Yesterday whilst driving past it again I had the idea to tell them. So I did.

This morning I wrote a letter to the owners of this home, which I will put in their mailbox later today.
 

947 Reads

Kindness Repaid

I had a lovely experience of rewarded kindness today. I was shopping in the supermarket and found a packet of corn thins which were gluten-free to give to my daughter when she comes home for Christmas next month. I couldn't see a price for them but I didn't mind what I paid. I joined a queue to exit and a man with four thins in a basket was going to queue behind me. I looked at him and asked if that was all he had. He nodded so I told him to go ahead of me. He was through very quickly as I expected and the till-operator began scanning my items until she came to the packet of corn thins because they were coming up 'Product not found.' She asked for assistance and a member of staff went to look at the shelves. He came back a couple of minutes later and handed ... Read Full Story >>

2092 Reads
  • Posted by Helenconnell2
  • Nov 25, 2020
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Busy Road Crossing

As I was returning home after attending a wedding reception,an opportunity came my way to help a blind couple.  I helped them cross the busy road and guided them to a cafe where they were given some takeaway food.

The cafe owner did not charge them. It was tough crossing the road with all the chaos of an Indian city. The whole experience made me realize how fortunate I had been. 
 

1094 Reads

Turning a Thanksgiving Deal Into a Gift for Two Familiies

I was blessed with an opportunity to help others enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. Our local food market made this offer: buy one turkey, stuffing mix, a five-pound bag of potatoes, a can of vegetables, a can of cranberry sauce, and a gravy mix, and they would provide one each of the same items for free. If you wished to donate one or both of the turkeys, the store offered to keep them en until just before Thanksgiving when the Boy Scouts and the Food Bank would deliver them to needy families. Since it would just be my husband and me for Thanksgiving this year, we decided to purchase and donate both turkeys and all the fixings. In addition to the above-mentioned items, we took advantage of "buy one, get one offers" on canned pumpkin and dessert mixes. The items were all very reasonably priced and we were able to provide two ... Read Full Story >>

1638 Reads

That friend who needed a walk

I planned on staying at home today.

Today is the start of the carnival season, but all festivities were canceled due to covid19. I had already heard that many, especially young, people were planning to ignore it and planning to take over the streets (with lots of alcohol involved). So my original plan was: stay at home, stay out of the way of the police who will have the challenge to keep everything quiet.

But a friend of mine contacted me, she's having a bad day and needs some company, so I decided to visit her, to go for a walk with her, to talk with her. It'll be good for me as well.

I just hope my travel to and from there will be peaceful without alcohol saturated youths trying to defeat the police.

Wishing all of you a wonderful day! 🤗

773 Reads

Neighbor Kindness

KINDNESS TODAY My first attempt to do a kindness act was thwarted, as someone had already put my neighbors' garbage bins back after trash had been collected :)). The anonymous RAKer put ours back as well. :))) Wanted to do today's RAKs on our block, for World Kindness Day, & thanks to our mailman (who mixed up the mail & delivered a few neighbors' mail to us by mistake) I was able to, by taking their mail to them. Then, one neighbor came over & very sheepishly asked if I would bird/house-sit for her again when they go away for a few days at the end of the month. I recently did this when they went on vacation to Italy, so she felt funny asking again so soon (family business this time, not vacay). I could see she was struggling, so I smiled & jumped in & told her I would be happy ... Read Full Story >>

1064 Reads

Happy Tears

A man was trying to purchase cough syrup. His bank debit card was declined. My four year old daughter and I pulled out some cash and paid for it.

He was so happy and grateful, he cried.  Alana said,  "Look mama, he has happy tears." Then we all cried.
 

669 Reads

Difficult Actions Led by Love

This is an ongoing and a weird kind of kindness. But a necessary one.

My parents are too elderly to remain in their house. My sister and I must first get through all their stuff (and they are pack rats). They will be moving in with my sister.

They have been in their house for all their married life, so I understand the push back our mom is giving us...but it doesn't make it easy.
I must be both patient, yet firm. And getting pack rats to let go of any of their stuff is hard, but must be done.

This will take us months, and I suspect my mom will get worse as things get done. I keep reminding myself that now I have an opportunity to do for my parents what they did for me as a kid.



 

793 Reads

Offering Food to a Stranger

Yesterday I was leaving a QT. This homeless man had a hot dog and went to sit down on the cement. He had a soda with him too. He was eating that hot dog like he hadn't eaten in months and it just broke my heart. I was just so happy for him. I didn't have any money at the time to buy him more food. But I said God, the next time I have money and I see that man I'm going to buy him food. I had done doordash all day and had enough money, I finally bought my cat's this water drinking fountain I wanted. I know I should have used it to pay a bill, but I really wanted that fountain. I ended up with just $5 left on my card and I had $2 cash that I was going to buy a gallon of water for ... Read Full Story >>

1122 Reads

So Grateful To Have ...

So grateful to have made a new friend today! At our meditation group on Monday one of the ladies asked if the facilitator could take us through a meditation for anxiety. Later that day I thought that I would reach out to her just to let her know that I was there for her. I must admit, all sorts of reasons why I shouldn’t reach out came to mind, but I allowed myself to sit in the discomfort of my vulnerability and sent an email regardless. It was through one of those messaging type things where you can see that the other person is responding and I could see that quite soon after, the lady was writing a reply. However, she must have changed her mind and decided to delete it and not send it after all. Anyway, 2 days later, this morning, she sent me a nice message which opened up a short conversation ... Read Full Story >>

1307 Reads

Feeling Grateful!

I feel so tremendously happy and grateful right now.

I got 2 hours of sleep last night, on top of my laptop basically, and I just got home (11pm) after finishing a few major assignments for school.

In a few minutes I'm about to jump in bed and get a glorious 7 hours of sleep.I'm grateful. For my bed. For my pillows. For my blanket. For a warm house. For a house. For sleep.

I'm also grateful for my dad, who offered to drop me off to school tomorrow, letting me sleep that extra hour. I love him. I love it all. I love life.

Good night :))
 

927 Reads




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