Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Holding The Elevator

Just inside the entrance of a building today there was a youngish woman on a rolling walker in front of me. I was not in a hurry and did not want to startle her so I stayed behind her. She was aware of my presence and ask me to push the button for the elevator. I walked around her in the lobby to the elevator, press the button and the elevator came immediately. She asked me to hold they elevator for as it would take her some time to walk that short distance and to even get on the elevator. I was more than glad to do this, but at the same time panic rose up inside me. The "door open", and "door close" symbols on many elevators often lack the words open and close. My brain has problems deciphering symbols and I often press the wrong button. Thankfully besides the symbol, ... Read Full Story >>

1414 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 >>

1849 Reads

Putting Off A Difficult Call

For a week now, I have dreaded to call somebody who is terminally ill. She is an acquaintance who always is very supportive and pleasant. Why then haven't I called her? What do I say? Do I bring up her illness? How do I comfort her? Those are things that made me procrastinate. Today, emboldened by a KindSpring challenge, I finally called. And as soon as I connected with her I realized that listening is probably what she needs most. I should have known. When I went through chemo therapy I was happiest with callers who asked how I was, then let me talk, sometimes more, sometimes less. ... Read Full Story >>

926 Reads

When You Give, The Universe Gives Back

It really is true that when you give, it comes back to you: I recently gifted my favorite sun hat to a friend who had been looking for one like mine for months. I found it online and had it sent to him for his birthday. A few weeks later, I lost my own. I was bummed! That hat had traveled everywhere with me. But then a few days later, a different friend had come back from his trip to the Philippines and what did he give me as a souvenir? A sun hat! I hosted my first meditation circle earlier this week, which involved cooking a dinner for the large group. I had never cooked for a large group of people in my life. I loved shopping for the food, cooking for them, and even learning a few new recipes on my own. Just today, I hiked with a friend and when we ... Read Full Story >>

3526 Reads

A Hedgehog and a Hug

In the horticulture building of the county fair, among the prizewinning flowers and veggies, found this darling little hedgehog, being held by the event hostess. “Oh, may I pet him?” I asked, never having petted a hedgehog before! Carefully and with the grain of his “needles,” I patted him. His owner and I chatted about how he was a good pet; how he’d curl up in a protective ball if he felt threatened or anxious. She spoke so gently and reverently while stroking him. It was apparent she really loved that little hedgehog. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Two young boys came bounding into the building, flushed from the heat. One held a few crumpled dollars in his hand. “Mom! I don’t have enough!” He meant it wasn’t enough for for him and his friend to play in the inflatables. Seemed he had enough for himself, but he wasn’t going to go without his buddy. (MisterM and I had ... Read Full Story >>

1197 Reads

Gifted Manicure

I am a licensed nail technician. Recently, while I was visiting my mom at the assisted senior home where she lives, I was doing my mom's nails. I was sitting next to a resident; he shyly looked my way and asked, "would you ever have time to do my very over grown finger nails?" I told him I had an extra file kit on me and I would be very happy to do his nails! After I was done he looked at his hands with a big smile and said, "I feel so much better!" He then asked if he could pay me. I told him that his kind words of thanking me, telling me how good he felt, along with that his big smile was all I needed! ... Read Full Story >>

890 Reads

Express Joy And Happiness

Today I helped a woman with two little children to carry her buggy up the stairs at a tube station. Afterwards she was very thankful even if it wasn't a big thing. But as she went away I heard how the other small child of hers said to his mom "Wow..this was really very kind!" Of course I was happy that they were happy about my help, but this was not the most important thing for me. The tone of her child's voice, saying that, was really amazing and a gift to me. Pure from the heart, honest and he really MEANT and felt what he is saying. I think it is amazing how easy it is for children to speak "truth". May everyone be able to express joy and happiness in the same way :) ... Read Full Story >>

1116 Reads

A Simple Gesture

I was at a family restaurant, a chain type, which offers good food at low prices and often has specials. You tend to see older people dining there who may not otherwise be able to afford to dine out. This particular day there was a couple, probably in their 80's, in the row next to mine. The story playing in my mind was that they would be using their social security check to enjoy this night out. So, when I finished my meal, I went to the register to pay. I then decided I would pay for this couple's meal as well. I had a SMILE card but chose not to on this occasion, as I did not want them to feel as though they had to pass it on, guessing that it was already difficult enough for them to just get by. I thanked the Divine that I am blessed enough to have ... Read Full Story >>

1311 Reads

The Shawl of Courage

Sometimes kindness takes courage. I had bought this beautiful shawl some time back. I tried wearing it one day, but it felt like I was constantly messing with it throughout the day. Not for me. So the idea lingered in the back of my mind that I could give it to someone I run into when I get my morning coffee. I heard myself say, "Naw. I'll put it in the Goodwill box with the rest of the stuff. That's an act of kindness." But each morning I'd pass by women who might like it. "They'll think you're crazy just asking them if they want it out of the blue. Or they'll reject it. Put it in the pile." The thought of giving it away personally nagged at me a couple weeks. Finally, I took one little step. "I'll just put the shawl in my truck in case I see someone." And then ... Read Full Story >>

2707 Reads
  • Posted by molasses356
  • Sep 2, 2018
  • Comments (4)
  • Share Story

The Magic of KindSpring

I sat down this morning to write down all the ways my time here at this transformative website has changed me & my way of navigating this thing called life. I woke up out my night's sleep feeling inspired to do this...wonder where I went in my dreams last night :))) For the "old-timers" here, there won't be any surprises, but for those of you who have just found this wonderful place, you will see why we tell you KS is a "magical" place where lives are changed. This is "free-form" from the notes I just jotted down, so forgive if any repetition, etc. WHAT KS HAS DONE FOR ME...HOW IT HAS "TRANSFORMED" ME: - Increased my awareness of our connectedness. How what we think, say & do impacts not only ourselves, but others as well. - Increased my "feeling worthy"; that what I do matters. Makes me feel "I am enough" (altho sometimes I ... Read Full Story >>

1649 Reads

The Man At The Market

When the supermarket clerk tallied up my groceries, I was $12 over what I had on me. I began to remove items from the bags, when another shopper handed me a $20 bill. “Please don’t put yourself out,” I told him. “Let me tell you a story,” he said. “My mother is in the hospital with cancer. I visit her every day and bring her flowers. I went this morning, and she got mad at me for spending my money on more flowers. She demanded that I do something else with that money. So, here, please accept this. It is my mother’s flowers." ... Read Full Story >>

1818 Reads

Connections Made Through a Random Act

My friend (and mentor!) and I were at a restaurant in Berkeley for an evening snack, when all of a sudden, we decided to do a small act of kindness - to use the smile card to make someone's day and allow some ripples to flow. :) Being at a restaurant, we decided to pay for someone else anonymously and see what emerged. We got all excited with the idea and decided to do that. We looked around for which table should we pay for, and then settled on this table - it seemed like an immigrant family with a few children, enjoying their mocktails at that time. I could sense a family bond in them and that they were having a nice time together. We called on the waitress to explain the idea to her. As soon as we told her we wanted to pay for another table and showed her the ... Read Full Story >>

1325 Reads

Clearing the Garden for an Elderly Neighbor

I have an elderly neighbor who is 89 years old. She is unmarried, no children, a few nieces and nephews who live out of state (only one lives relatively close-by), and all of her siblings have died. The garden-guy mows her grass, and I try to keep some weeds at bay by lopping what comes over the fence, but her yard is pretty much a safety hazard and a danger. Not to mention that our neighborhood has had rodent sightings. I witnessed a beautiful act of kindness from the family across the alley. The couple, along with their teen-age son, arrived in her garden recently, dressed for major work: long sleeves, long pants, gloves, hats. The arrived with pruners, loppers, weed wacker...you name it. It took them more than several hours and plenty of yard-waste containers, but they did it. Will the overgrowth return? Yes. But, our neighbor will have a ... Read Full Story >>

1799 Reads

Passing Along A Gift of Love

Ten years ago, my mom gave me a peculiar but welcome gift: a fancy blood pressure monitor. My doctor told me I had high blood pressure and she wanted to make sure I was keeping track of it. Being in my early twenties at the time, this situation should have shocked me, but it didn't; I had long been suffering from nameless anxiety and stress that ended up being a decade long struggle. It's only been in the last few years that, through lots of meditation, self inquiry, exercise, and diet, I've slowly unwound it, day by day. I'm happy to say that I no longer need my blood pressure monitor. My mom is healthy and doesn't need it, but I know she spent a decent amount on it back when her finances were not the best. I decided to put it up for sale online for a nominal fee, and ... Read Full Story >>

2736 Reads

Sharing What is Needed

I was waiting for the bus today to head for the child care session I help to guide. It was really cold out there. When I came there, the bus wasn't scheduled for another 10 minutes. There was an elderly lady there carrying a few bags, and I noticed she had no gloves on. She started talking to me randomly and saying how she has been waiting for the bus for the past 5 minutes or so, and that the weather was cold for her and she wished it came sooner. I took my gloves off and offered them to her until the bus came, and she took them. When we came on the bus, there was a police officer who saw the lady give me my gloves and thanking me, and he looked at me with a smile and nodded. ... Read Full Story >>

1359 Reads

Engaging my Heart

Some time back I stopped by our local health food store to buy some produce. As I was waiting in line to check out, there was a mature woman in front of me who was having trouble with her payment; her debit card was repeatedly being denied. She was understandably upset and tried to show the cashier and manager that she had just deposited money into her account. Rather than analyzing the situation with my brain, I engaged my heart and said, "I can help you if you like." The look on all of their faces was a gift to me. The woman then asked for my information in order to repay me...I gently refused. I  offered her the opportunity to pay forward the kindness to someone else, possibly another stranger in need. I am thankful that I was able to serve in this way and conscious of the great feeling that the ... Read Full Story >>

1417 Reads
  • Posted by lovebarr123
  • Aug 25, 2018
  • Comments (7)
  • Share Story

Serving in the Coffee Isle

We were shopping in the supermarket and there was an elderly lady hovering by the instant coffee who kept looking at me. I assumed she needed help reaching something from the top shelf and was wondering whether I looked approachable enough to ask, so I went over and asked if she needed help. It turned out that she couldn't read, and wanted help finding the sort of coffee that she liked at the right price. I showed her a couple of jars and explained the differences and the prices, and she chose some. It really brought it home to me how difficult doing something like shopping must be if you can't read the labels, and made me wonder how many other people there are struggling with the same problem but might be too embarrassed to ask. Yes, each of us is fighting our own battle. ... Read Full Story >>

1399 Reads

Learning Love

There is a 'mean' dog in our street. She has attacked our dog and both our neighbour's dogs too.

Our foster daughter said today that we shouldn't call the dog the 'mean dog' we should call her the 'learning dog' because she is still learning to be kind to other dogs. The wisdom of a 7 year old :-)

987 Reads

Overcoming My Fear of Blood Donation

Today I booked an appointment to donate blood. I used to fear needles and blood, but once I hit the age required to be able to donate blood (17), I booked it and decided to face my fears. This wasn't about just me, it was about others. I'm grateful for my health, and should use it to help others. I did it, and I still continue to donate. This will be my fourth time. I was talking to my dad about it, telling him about all the positives, and I've managed to successfully recruit him. He'll be donating with me. I can't wait :)

1082 Reads

Missing a Bus, Restoring Faith

Traveling in and around NYC can pretty hectic...even more so during rush hour, with people everyone in a hurry to get to their destination. I myself was rushing to the bus stop and crossing a pretty large intersection when I dropped one of my bags on the street.

A young man no more than 21 years old, who was traveling in the opposite direction hurrying for his bus, stopped and helped me get my bag and clean it off since it had fallen in a pile of dirty sleet/snow. I told him to go on or he would miss his bus, but he chose to stay and help me.

I was very grateful for his kindness and very inspired. He ended up missing his bus, but he was also responsible for renewing my faith in the human-kind, especially in the younger generation!

1134 Reads
  • Posted by morning1angel
  • Aug 21, 2018
  • Comments (6)
  • Share Story




Submit your own
story of Kindness

Search by keyword

Tags

Subscribe to the Kindness Newsletter

143K subscribers

About Us

KindSpring is a place to practice small acts of kindness. For over a decade the KindSpring user community has focused on inner transformation, while collectively changing the world with generosity, gratitude, and trust. The site is 100% volunteer-run and totally non-commercial. It is a shared labor of love.

Other servicespace Projects Include

KindSpring.org is a project of ServiceSpace. BY-NC-ND 4.0