Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Lesson about Anonymous Receiving

Recently I learned the lesson that to receive and be unable to say thank you is more challenging than I had thought. I like to do things anonymously; that way nobody has to say "thank you" or "aren't you wonderful." I've always felt that giving without the need for thanks is a great way to give. Today I received a beautiful rose in the post and I have no idea who it came from, or even why I deserve it...but I am so very very grateful for such kindness towards me and I feel strange not being able to say "thank you" to whoever sent it. So you know who you are and I shall not press you and destroy your true giving nature, for  kindness and gratitude truly speak to me when thanks cannot be given; it is then that you know the act was not done for praise or for people ... Read Full Story >>

990 Reads

Miss K (our Foster ...

Miss K (our foster daughter) and I bought this miniature plant at the garden centre yesterday. We wrapped it and I took it to work today for my colleague who is struggling at the moment. There were tears when I gave it to her too.
 

788 Reads

Safety Advocacy

My safety creation advocacy unites like minds across the ideological and political spectrum. I mobilize residents and businesses within their comfort zones to displace intimidation, violence and property crime instead of feeling like hostages who must accept it. I do safety walks escorting people to their vehicles and front doors. I check on businesses and individuals impacted by crime. I also advocate on behalf of demotivated victims and witnesses who are hesitant to contact the police or feel their cases will be lost in the shuffle after reports are taken. My role is walking alongside allies in the creation of safety at the grassroots level, where it's most needed. We can't wait for it to be rationed down from on high. I promote #BrothersandBadgesTogether to bridge the volatile gap between urban stakeholders and urban police. We can't allow skin color and uniform color to divide potential partners who should be creating safety together ... Read Full Story >>

869 Reads

Donations to Keep the Homeless Warm

I read a story online that there are not enough shelters for the homeless in the area, even though my state is in an official state of emergency. We're also expecting temperatures of -13F on Thursday night. I did some research and called someone who's trying to collect blankets and handwarmers, then donated money via PayPal (because we are stuck at the house because of all the ice) and shared his information on Facebook. I hope nobody will freeze to death over the next few days! We are also making plans to pack one winter emergency pack for the homeless each month for the rest of this year and then distribute them next winter so that we can actively help next time this happens! ... Read Full Story >>

922 Reads

The Inexplicable Miracle of Smiles

The whole last week made me so depressed because of some unexplainable burden. I didn't like myself being that way. This morning, I decided to set it right and vowed to myself that I'll never complain the whole day and smile at whomever I bump into. I smiled even at people who are fully bones. You would not believe how happy I was! My heart was so light! People called me smiley, asked me to keep smiling, and shared a very beautiful smile in return.

Oh my goodness, I wasted a week's time lamenting and being depressed for nothing. I know a smile is contagious but I finally experienced it for the first time. I made so many people smile from their heart today. I thank everybody whom I came across today. So how many people are you going to make smile tomorrow? Ready for the challenge?

934 Reads

I Do Believe In Fairies: Kindness Opportunity

Hello Dear Kind-hearts, I have a very joy-filled opportunity for anyone who wants to play and give a little kindness to a "stranger" in Indiana. I met a woman online in a private group called "Art Abandonment." The concept for AA is to make and leave art behind with a little love note for the recipient. The creators are a force of giving... so much beauty and kindness! Anyway, a woman posted a note of longing to the group saying how she wished she would discover some abandoned art in her town. I decided to employ a kindness fairy in Raleigh, NC. I told my new friend there was a fairy in my neighborhood who might be up to the job. I then posted this video to her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFnul4k5hUM She responded with great curiosity and keen interest, and entrusted her mailing address to me. I'm getting ready to anonymously send her a teeny little journal the fairy ... Read Full Story >>

1182 Reads

Healing With A Simple Card

Last week, I did something simple yet extraordinary; I sent my dad a father's day card for the first time in my life. From being a little kid until recently, I had a troubled relationship with him that culminated in a several year stretch of no communication. Anger, resentment, and worst of all, waiting for apologies for perceived wrongdoings, blocked my heart so much that I could barely acknowledge him at all, much less celebrate him. Long story short, years of transformative inner work opened my eyes to all the good things he provided me from birth, even if they weren't in my preferred love language. I am finally able to see him with compassionate eyes as an imperfect human being who brought the best fatherhood he could bring to the table, despite lacking the tools he needed to heal from his own trauma. Love managed to sneak around the yells, punches, ... Read Full Story >>

1138 Reads

Moment of Pure Joy

There was a wonderful child at a retreat at camp Chrysalis. Saturday morning at breakfast I sat with her and her family. She seemed fascinated when I was speaking. So I started to sing to her and her attention was absolutely riveted. In my best voice, and pretending that I was perhaps her dad singing her a Christmas song, I started singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. For a moment, I had never sung better in my life. The only thing I wanted to do was to be smiled at in joy by the two and a half year old girl, in pigtails, and of course just a little bit running out of her nose. After I finished her mom turned toward me and said, "if you could only do that all day long I would be fine with that. She just loves when grandpa sings to her too." Well Sunday at breakfast I ... Read Full Story >>

1085 Reads

Sharing Donated Food with Someone Else in Need

On the way to a hill station, my friend and I stopped to have breakfast. After having a hearty meal, we stepped out and talked about what we would do next. All of a sudden, my friend was approached by old lady begging in the street for food. Had it been me, I would have given her some money and left. But to my surprise, he took the old lady into the restaurant and got her what she wanted. I was able to see the happiness and gratitude in the old lady's face, and I was really moved by my friend's act of kindness...when suddenly I was floored by an even bigger act of kindness! The old lady, who was hungry and could have eaten the donated food entirely by herself, instead shared her food with another old lady like her. There I stood, stunned while I watched them. At that moment ... Read Full Story >>

1218 Reads

My Campsite... My Neighborhood

Although it wasn't my neighborhood, per se, it was the camp ground I was at this weekend. I was a little disappointed at how previous campers left the campgrounds, so this morning (as part of our packing up) I went around to the adjoining camp sites and cleaned up the litter and leftovers that were left behind. Although it was a small gesture, it made be feel accomplished so early in the day.

910 Reads
  • Posted by kimberleedthom
  • Jul 21, 2018
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Heroes At The Beach

What an incredible day at the beach! Not because it was the most fabulous weather. Not because we were with fabulous friends. No, it was the best day because a group of men and a young boy took the time to notice a little boy with different abilities, waving his arms in the air saying, "my turn, me, me" as the football was being tossed around over his head. Honestly, my first thought was,  'oh man they are playing football, I'm going to have to go move Micah.' I called Micah from my chair 50 ft away and he was refusing to come! He just continued to watch the ball being tossed, listening to the fun laughter of the guys, and watching the high fives they were swapping. These are the moments that I dread. These are the moments I have to make choices to choose good thoughts, not bad ones! ... Read Full Story >>

2134 Reads

I Got A Great ...

I got a great book from the free library box. I read it, love it, wrapped it, addressed it to my sister and will now post it to her! She is having surgery next week so I think something to read will be appreciated.
 

840 Reads

An Unexpected Free Ride Begins A Cycle

About one year ago, the concept came to me of being grateful for the small good things that happen to us everyday. So I decided to start practicing it, and started noticing things that I hadn't before. For example, I started noticing how beautiful it was to wake up and see through the window of my room a very big rainbow. I was really grateful for being lucky enough to see that, and I kept on going - finding small things that would make my day. One day, something big happened... I used to live in an area where the public transportation was not very good. If you came back home after 7pm you would have to wait in line for about an hour before you were able to get public transport or taxis. Because the line would be so long, there were many non-official "taxis" that would come by and ... Read Full Story >>

986 Reads
  • Posted by richelynag
  • Jul 20, 2018
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Rock Salt, Coffee, and Lending an Ear

Yesterday I was in line at a coffee shop when a woman who was coming in to warm up and buy a coffee entered. She was upset but struggling with English. I decided to get her a coffee and sit with her to understand what was happening with her. She was upset about the rock salt that was poured everywhere on the roads and sidewalks. She thought it was so much salt and that she worried greatly for the animals and the environment. We discussed the balance of trying to keep people from slipping on the icy roads and walks and at last decided to approach the store manager and ask her why so much salt was used, and to see if something more environmentally suitable could be used instead. The manager was so receptive and open. She said she would discuss this with the company that owns the chain. Together we came ... Read Full Story >>

956 Reads

Honoring My Father

My father and I have a complicated relationship, full of good and bad. On Father's Day, I choose to honor the good from our history and this year I made him some homemade biscotti (dried apricot with chia, flax and hemp seeds mixed in -- my "hippy" biscotti).

I sent a card with a bookmark of pressed flowers, as he loves to read, some low sugar snacks, and a list of the things he taught me when I was young.

The list included: how to change a tire and my oil, how to use a knife, to love reading and writing (he was an English teacher), to question authority, how to pitch a tent, wash dishes with sand, wilderness survival, how to shoot a 22 and fire off a wrist rocket, to love the wild places, to be interested in the stories and lives of all people, to despise racism, and to follow your dreams.

He told me he cried upon reading my list and said that I had a good memory. I am grateful for these moments.
 

1078 Reads

Waste

I just have received a good reminder how important reduction of waste is: Living in an apartment building as just one of several tenants, our waste bins are usually quite full (not only because several other tenants are not interested in reducing or preventing waste but as they seem to be incapable of even cutting a cereals box down, much less other more sturdy packages ...) Last week - for whatever reason - our waste was not collected as it usually is, so the little room where we have our bins is overflowing with waste ... a pity that in most cases it just elicited complaints of other tenants why the waste had not been collected ... no reflection on their own waste-generation and just blank stares when I suggested to be more mindful in this area .... (found these tips on the internet, maybe I just translate & print them and ... Read Full Story >>

2252 Reads

I Won't Give Back To The Earth, But I Will Take Less From Her.

 I won't give back to the earth I will not give back to the earth because I believe the only time you give back to the earth is when you die and your body becomes dust once again. But I pledge to take less from the earth or at least as little as I possibly can. For years I've turned the water off when brushing my teeth and shaving. I try to recycle all that I can. So yesterday, when working on this challenge I did two things. First, I went upstairs and changed into warmer clothes rather than turning up the heat. Second, we recently installed a low flush upstairs. We still have the regular flush toilets in the other bathrooms. I walked right past a downstairs bathroom and went upstairs to use the low flush toilet to take less from the earth. I will make this a habit. ... Read Full Story >>

911 Reads
  • Posted by johnburmaster
  • Jul 16, 2018
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Helping Our Neighbors in a Winter Storm

We are the local Yankees in the neighborhood down here and we must own the only snow shovel in the whole neighborhood. So we haven't had power, but we've stayed warm by shoveling the snow starting in our driveway and then our neighbors on our dead end hillside street and then for the mile long country neighborhood with a hundred houses packed in between cotton field and pastures. We also drug away the downed trees and limbs so when the weather improves enough to go out, there won't be any obstacles. It will also help when the power crews come so they can get to the problems faster. It felt so great to be able to help our neighbors. After all, it was only a few days of hard labor in the end. ... Read Full Story >>

970 Reads

Parking Lot Connections

This happened a few days ago... and still feeling the love and positivity from it.
Meet Charles
https://www.facebook.com/1588304292/posts/10213950958879922/


851 Reads

Peace Doves for an Honest Mistake

Yesterday, I went to a local hardware store to get a replacement bulb for a light that had blown. The shop assistant told me that they had never stocked this type of bulb, but I was adamant I had purchased it at the store previously! Altogether there were three shop assistants helping me trying to find what I was looking for. They were so helpful and tolerant as I explained the bulb and its fitting, but in the end I said I would go home and double check. Turns out I was wrong! The bulb I needed was not what I thought and the store had it all along, so I returned today with some peace doves and gave one to the only assistant I could find who had helped me. I apologized and we had a laugh about my mistake. He wasn't too sure what to say when I gave ... Read Full Story >>

1051 Reads




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