Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Spreading the Warmth When It's Freezing

Before leaving for school this morning, I shoveled my driveway and sidewalk. It was cold and I was ready to head for warmth. But then I glanced a few houses down at the house where my elderly neighbour lives. He doesn't receive much help, so I â€‹shoveled his sidewalk and driveway. What a surprise it probably was when he woke up. 



 

895 Reads

A New Pair Of Sneakers

While shopping I came across a young woman trying on sneakers.  She told me her mom advised her to go get some sneakers as she was expecting a baby and her feet were already starting to swell. I told her I liked the shoes she was trying on.  We visited more about her pregnancy. She was only 14 weeks along and seemed very excited. She told me that she just moved back in with her mom in anticipation of the baby. As I began to wrap up our conversation I told her she should definitely get the sneakers if they were comfortable because they looked good. She asked me if I knew if they had layaway because the sneakers were a little bit beyond her budget, but she really liked them. Her question took me back to my youth. I grew up relatively poor. Kids with more would make fun of my ... Read Full Story >>

1309 Reads

Gifts of Food, Time, and Joy in Celebration

I visited the supermarket to buy some groceries for a homeless family living across the supermarket, as well as for me.

While the cashier was scanning my cart full of groceries, a man came behind me in line with one item. I asked him to allow me to pay. He agreed. I paid, thanked him, and gave him a birthday card, Smile Cards, and bookmarks. 

Before all my items were scanned, a second man arrived in the line with two small cookie packages. I offered to pay for his items, too. He agreed and gave me his items. After the cashier rang them up and gave them back to me, I returned the cookies to the man. He tried to reimburse me. I asked him not to pay me, but to pay it forward to people in need. I gave him a birthday card, Smile Cards, and bookmarks, too.

I gave the groceries to the homeless family who was waiting. They needed something extra, so I gave them money.

I also paid extra to rickshaw driver.

All this was in honor of my son's marriage anniversary. He seemed happy to know the way I celebrated.
 

923 Reads

Look Around To Offer Help

Yesterday afternoon I was in my studio working. I was chatting on the phone when something made me look up. Out of the window, on the other side of the street, I saw my very elderly neighbor kneeling in the grass, his caregiver beside him. “I’ve got to go”, I said to my friend. “I think something is wrong.” So I ran downstairs, out my front door and across the street. “He was taking a walk, and he tripped on the pavement”, the caregiver said. “I can’t lift him on my own.” My neighbor is a large man, so I ran back across the street and got masks and my husband! Together we were able to get him standing, but he couldn’t walk. Luckily, a woman bicycled by and asked if we needed help! She got a lawn chair from my front porch and we got my neighbor seated. After a ... Read Full Story >>

1983 Reads

A Morning Kindness Walk

On my morning walk today, I saw a college girl share some chocolates with three street children, who called after her smiling, "Thank you!"

Next I watched a security guard move to the opposite side of the street to help an old lady cross.

As for me, my chance to help was when I saw a lady with a small child trying to gather her fallen, scattered vegetables. I offered to hold the restless boy while she picked up all her produce.

It felt good to see the kindness around me and to have a chance to help.

885 Reads

Clothing That Matters


On the street near my home, an old rickshaw puller wearing no shirt was passing by. His body was wet with sweat and he seemed very shy. He requested from me a t-shirt. The humble request touched my heart. I went inside my home and returned with some t-shirts and inner wear. As I gifted him the clothes, he gave me a big smile. 

 

787 Reads

This Is Norma. She ...

This is Norma. She lives in my neighborhood. I see her walking every night with her new red walker. I tell her to slow down because she's going to get a ticket. She laughs at the idea.

Tonight I surprised her with a bike bell I ordered for her and the walker. I told her when slow-pokes are hogging the sidewalk, to just ring the bell and they'll move.

Again, she laughed. I asked if I could take a picture and share it. She told me I could as long as I could make her look sexy. I showed her the photo and she approved! 🙂
#AprilRAOK
 

1958 Reads

Gratitude For Essential Workers

I had been waiting for a “large-size” delivery person to come to our door since I started handing out the gratitude t-shirts, shown in the graphic, a few months ago.

There was one left, but it was an oversized one and no one whom it could fit appeared at our door, until our bell rang at dawn (yes, dawn, lol...we get early Fresh Direct grocery deliveries).  A husky delivery guy greeted me. Perfect, I thought. I grabbed the shirt and asked him if I could give him an “appreciation t-shirt”. His beautiful smile 😃 made my morning.

Ongoing, deep appreciation for the people who make these home deliveries possible during the ongoing pandemic. 🙏

1180 Reads

Giving With Anonymity Is My Favorite!

Overheard Someone Having A Bad Day.

I was in the drive through last night grabbing some dinner after a long and busy day. After I ordered and pulled up to let the next person order, I heard her saying to her passenger how she has had a really bad day. When I got to the window to pay for my meal, I paid for theirs too.

I told the cashier that I heard her say she had a bad day and I thought this might help if just a bit. I asked him to say something nice to cheer her up as well. A chance for her to receive a couple of kind acts in one stop!

I drove off before she got to the window so she couldn't see that I did it. Anonymity is my favorite way to deliver kindness! I hope it brought a little kindness to what sounded like a tough day!

 

962 Reads

Thank You to the Invisible Hands

Whom do I under appreciate? On a day of traveling by air, I’m immediately reminded of so many people that I might overlook. At first I think of the pilots whose experience, skill, training, and sometimes courage, gets me to my destination safely, flying through zero visibility, nightfall and seemingly unidentifiable sky, and getting me there at nearly the exact minute promised. But then I think of the mechanics without whom the plane would never even start, or worse, would get in the air before falling apart. And the people who built the plane with exact consistency so that it is capable of doing what it’s supposed to, to its fullest potential. Then there are the people who designed the plane, testing their conclusions both by computer, then by actually flying their designs. But no plane could get from point A to point B without the thousands of people who operate the air ... Read Full Story >>

1047 Reads
  • Posted by jaylanglois
  • Oct 11, 2020
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Just Be Nice! Bonding

We had an engineer come to fix a few things on an engine. He was so friendly and patient, he explained everything as he did it so that we know how to fix it ourselves next time.

He also charged a reduced fee, which is of course very helpful.

 I'm now preparing a kind envelope to send him with cards, a peace dove and a thank you note. I'm sure he'll be happily surprised when he gets it :-)

673 Reads

Blanketed In Love 💕

After learning that a good friend’s husband (back in IL) has been ill with CoVid, we had a blanket covered in positive words and vibes sent to them. They live simply in a one bedroom, one bath home, so it’s not possible for my friend to follow the doctor’s suggestion to keep distance from her husband. And besides, Janice is the KIND of soul who has always put loving kindness and compassion forward as a driving force. She exemplifies and LIVES the words on the blanket image below. I’ll never forgot how she was the first one there when MisterM had a close call and ended up in the ER. She stayed the night with me in the visitor lounge, bringing snacks along with her open heart.  We may not be physically close anymore (1000 miles between us), yet our hearts 💕 are forever united. Much love and blessings to ALL that have connected to ... Read Full Story >>

884 Reads

Gardening Neighbor

My neighbor's grandfather lives with them. He is maybe 80 years young; I'm not exactly sure. He planted a little garden, sands down tree branches to make into walking sticks. Keeps himself busy.

I told him he could use part of my yard to make himself a larger garden; he did just that! Then he offered to clean up a portion of my yard that is messy.

I said, "oh no, you don't have to do that. I'll get to it eventually." He replied, "no, I like to stay busy." I came home Monday to a yard that was all raked up. He told me he'd take care of the piles soon.

I felt so happy...and a little bad, too. I think I'll ask him on my next payday if I can take him out to eat as a thank you. I'll take photos later on, too.

1010 Reads

Kindness Of An Stranger

This afternoon coming back from seeing my mom; reading stories to her and a few scary moments that looked like this was it, I was driving home. I took the route that was more like a canyon Drive with beautiful sceneries to think and process my feelings. All of a sudden I heard a pop. I knew right away what had happened - a big flat tire! I pulled to the side, but this was a canyon drive with not much shoulder space, and it happened to be around a curve that people couldn't see me. That made it dangerous. Cars were speeding up unconsciously passing me. I couldn't get out. Within minutes, I saw a van stopped at a distance behind me. The gentleman walked out, wearing a mask offering help, and I dared to walk out of the car very carefully. It was so narrow. He moved my ... Read Full Story >>

2537 Reads

Walking Through The Drive-thru

As I was waiting for a friend outside of a Starbucks a man approached me. Stumbling and slurring his words, in a language that sounded different than English, all I could make out was "egg rolls," as he pointed across the street as a Jack in the Box. Without getting too close (I was wearing a mask and he wasn't), I made sure he safely crossed the street. The only way to order food was through the drive-thru. I walked up to where one would place an order and soon realized that a car would be needed to trigger the system. Soon after, an auto arrived. I moved out of the way so the car could pull up to the speaker. Soon I heard a voice through the speaker, "may I take your order?" I approached the car and asked if I could place an order ahead of them. The young ladies in ... Read Full Story >>

1193 Reads

Donated Some Books

I donated some books and stationery materials to some children, who are living in the slum area and were not able to buy books.

Covid19 has not only affected our health but also affected other parts of our life. Especially these  children’s lives. So many families have lost their jobs and work. It is very hard for them to arrange food for the whole family. Then how can they afford children’s education?

So I gifted books and stationery materials to those children.
So, they can continue their education and enjoy their lives.
 

822 Reads

Flowers For A Flower Child.

Today, on a whim, I bought a cheery little bunch of flowers for a really lovely shop owner (on the way from the bank so I could pay her for my wares).

We had enjoyed a lovely chat and she revealed she was a real hippie flower child. Nice chats about our love for California, the Giant Redwoods and Indian culture and jewelery.

Also, I felt a bit sad because she doesn't want to go travelling any more since her husband died and she is closing her shop (prob because of corona).

So, I handed her the flowers and said I had never met a real hippie flower child and thought she'd love the poesie. Also said I would think of her next time I would go over to the States! She said she had enjoyed chatting with me and wished me all the very best.

And I think she was about to cry when I left her unwrapping the flowers.

 

721 Reads

Listening With Empathy

Last night I had the privilege to sit with a man of 80 who has dementia but senses his imminent death, he spoke of the spirits who visit him namely his grandmother and how he used to be scared but wasn't anymore, he joked about how he would rather have visits from the living not the dead.

I felt very humbled to be part of this conversation with him as I have a passion for End of Life Care and exploring spirituality within my work I am also a strong advocate for a more Palliative approach to Dementia Care.

It was a wonderful experience taking the time to just listen allowing him to express his thoughts, validating his feelings and hopefully allowing him to find that peace within as he makes the journey towards the end of his life.
 

634 Reads

Interconnectedness with a bee

While I was painting in the studio, an insect - I assumed a fly - kept hitting against the window, trying to get back outdoors. I felt a brief moment of compassion, as I imagined its sense of panic. I kept a door open nearby, hopeful for its freedom. Hours later I learned it was a honeybee, as he landed on my easel, then flew right towards me, and landed on the front of my shirt! Amazingly, my first reaction was not fear, but rather one of compassion. He seemed tired, from all the efforting. Together we made our way outside, where he took flight to the skies, presumably back home. A feeling of joy for his freedom came up. I feel grateful that compassion came first. It so easily could have been otherwise. I am grateful I did not lash out in panic or fear or try to cause harm. Today I bow to ... Read Full Story >>

1059 Reads

International Peace Day Celebration

To celebrate International Peace day, I made Peace quote cards with mindyjourney’s message, laminated for durability. Peace dove and a string were attached to hang them. I am grateful to Sister Mindy for her inspiration. The doves were made by sisters Mindy and Cathie during their India trip November 2019. I just added a few. I am also grateful to my brother who helped me with corrections and suggestions in Gujarati translation. Credit goes to Utthan for giving me cards to make quote cards. I am happy to be a little part of this International Peace Day project. I distributed some peace and other quote cards today. Utthan, computer shop and the supermarket received a bunch of them. Others were also given where I shopped on September 21. This is just the beginning. The Peace quote cards will be made when needed to give away regularly along with other quote cards. Peace is the ... Read Full Story >>

975 Reads




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