Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Listening Even When You Don't Understand

I'm currently at a unique university, an inclusive campus where 46 speech and hearing impaired students graduate each year. I have been doing one on one sessions with these students to help them get clear on their goals, have a reality check of where they are and have a plan in place for next three months. Every morning, I made it a practice of setting the intention in my heart of "May I be an instrument for them to get what they need right now." And for the last two days , I am seeing a few of them overflowing and sharing in kind. Though they communicate with very speedy sign language that I'm still new to picking up,  I'm enjoying their ability to express themselves so joyously. Today, an incredible thing happened. One girl came at around 11:30 AM and sat down. I started with how we usually do. She can speak ... Read Full Story >>

2056 Reads

Just Listened

Yesterday's Smile Card Challenge on the Kind Spring website was "Strike up a conversation with someone who looks like they need a friend." While waiting to have a prescription filled at my HMO's pharmacy this morning, I noticed a lady who looked very agitated and impatient sat down beside me. I greeted her and asked if she was having a hard day. She replied that she was having a hard life and went on to tell me about a number of problems she was having. I said a quiet prayer that I would have the patience to listen with with empathy and understanding. I just made an occasional comment such as "Oh I am sorry you have to go through that" and "that must be really hard". When her name was called to talk to the pharmacist she told me "thank you for listening. I think I have the strength now to ... Read Full Story >>

1347 Reads

Generosity Of A Homeless Person

It was really getting to be autumn: Cold, wet, and gray. I'd donned thermal underwear and fur-lined boots for the first time this year. I'd just finished some shopping, and was getting ready to leave the supermarket's parking lot, when I heard music coming from the area of the shopping carts. Now, sometimes, people will beg in front of the supermarket. As a matter of fact, I had had to make a little detour around a man who was kneeling right besides the entrance, putting himself obnoxiously in the way. I didn't understand why he was kneeling (with his body upright) - it looked very uncomfortable. I felt he was trying to push my guilt button with the posture and didn't give him any money. But the music - guitar strings being softly plucked - was coming from a different area. I followed the sounds, and even though the baseball cap was shielding ... Read Full Story >>

1576 Reads

Who's Thinking Of You?

When I was 7 months pregnant with my daughter, I witnessed a car accident while waiting on a bus to go to work. Someone managed to get the elderly lady who caused the accident out of the car. It was during the summer months and I was one of the few teaching staff on and it was also my first day with the group. Workmen stopped and helped the lady and gave her a blanket. I agreed to stay with her until the ambulance came but I couldn't travel with her as there was no one else in my department to cover the new class. Fast forward about 10 years later. My mother in law was collecting donations about 10 minutes from where the accident occurred. She left calling cards saying she would be back to houses where no one was in. When she returned to a particular house an elderly ... Read Full Story >>

1296 Reads

I'll take that sandwich to go

One day I nipped out of work during lunch time and on the way back I bought a sandwich in a local deli. When I returned to work, I realized I didn't have my sandwich. I telephoned the deli to see if I'd left it on the counter. They said I hadn't, but that if I sent a student down they would make another sandwich for me (they didn't actually know me even to see). The deli was a few minutes from the college. I was really touched by this. I teach Business Studies as well as office administration and I relay this story to all my students. One day about five years later, I was having lunch in that same deli. I asked if I could speak to the manager. He came to my table and he looked like he was expecting me to complain. I told him about his kindness ... Read Full Story >>

1452 Reads

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone to Nurture a 1:1 Connection

There are so many opportunities to practice loving-kindness in the day to day happenings that make up a life. Letting a car pull out in front of me during my commute, slowing down, holding a door, giving a smile, a compliment or a kind word. The treats of surprising someone by paying for their coffee, their meal, groceries or toll. Writing notes of love, support, appreciation and gratitude for family, friends and strangers. Sharing what we love and allowing others to share with us in return. It makes for a happy life and joyful heart. It also can be done anonymously and is a bit impersonal most of the time. This past week has gifted me with opportunities to examine "what more can I do" - and it involves stepping out of my comfort zone. 1:1 interaction beyond social norms and opening myself even when I may be uncomfortable or nervous ... Read Full Story >>

1453 Reads

Letting Go

We got to celebrate my friend's 100th birthday with a party as she wished (but in a rehab facility rather than her senior center). There were plenty of flowers, a big balloon, her favorite fast food burgers and fries for lunch followed by cake and ice cream. An elderly gentleman friend serenaded her with songs from her past. We all sang a few songs together for her. Her formerly estranged daughter was present. She was surrounded by 12 people whose presence she requested. She was very, very happy. I was very glad to play a small role in organizing it.  Well, just a few weeks later she is now in the final phase of her life's journey, and is preparing.....sleeping most of the time, and not eating or drinking much at all. It's hard to see someone who was such a feisty, spirited, connected and caring being now looking so ethereal, but ... Read Full Story >>

1130 Reads

Bread and Roses

While checking out at the grocery store I had been visiting with the woman behind me. She was riding in one of those shopping carts with the basket in front. The basket held just a few items: some apples, corn, a loaf of bread, some canned goods, and a bunch of gorgeous coral colored roses. Several times while we were visiting I caught her looking at those lovely roses and smiling. I commented to her that they were, indeed, very lovely roses. She said, "I really do love them, they're my favorite color. Well, just as I was leaving, I heard her say to the cashier, "You can put those roses back, I really shouldn't afford them." I turned around and asked her if she would allow me to get them for her. She shook her head and said, "Why would you want to do that? You certainly don't have to." ... Read Full Story >>

4475 Reads

Gifted Tree Removal

My neighbor, recently widowed, told me a great story today. Apparently she had a tree in her yard she was afraid would fall on the house. It was in bad shape and she knew it had to be cut down; she was concerned about the expense, though. Just two days ago, a young man appeared at her door ready to cut the tree down.When she asked what it would cost, he responded: "I don't want money and I don't want the wood. All I ask is that you pay it forward!" She was so grateful. ... Read Full Story >>

1396 Reads

Save The Pants!

Yesterday when I was at one of my schools a parent that just enrolled her child in PreK was looking for a uniform for her daughter. The school nurse has uniform donations she can distribute. As she was looking for the right size of pants she pulls out a pair of pants and she notices it is missing a button. Without hesitation, she throws the pants In garbage. I did not see anything wrong with the pants and I could not contain myself. I reached into the garbage and pulled the pants out. I examined the pants and they were in good shape except for the button that was missing and the button hole was unraveled. I told the nurse I would fix the button part and I would return the pants in the school mail. The pants still have good service in front of them. I must say that I surprised ... Read Full Story >>

1250 Reads

The Gift of a Smile

Let me tell you about Mary - I heard Mary before I met her. She was vacuuming the top level of the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal, MO. We got there just as it opened and there was only one other couple enjoying the interactive displays and the assembled historic memorabilia. When we finally reached the top level, Mary turned off the vacuum and waited. I forgot how we got to talking, but before I knew it, Mary was telling me all about how she left home at 15, how she was 83 now and was thinking of retiring this summer, but couldn’t see herself sitting around watching TV and staring at the 4 walls all day. When she told me why she returned to Hannibal, MO from California in 1957, her voice caught on the tears barely held back. “My mother had that cancer of the blood, the leukemia,” Mary looked far off, deep into ... Read Full Story >>

1385 Reads

Gems Of Love, The Wisdom Of Kindness And A Printable

I'd like to share story about a little random act of kindness I did this week. I took a glass container of Kindness Blessing Scrolls to a local indy coffee shop to leave out for strangers to take. I believe that these little gems often are discovered by the people who need the message, like a fortune cookie sometimes. I told the cashier what they were and she said she'd have to check with the manager. I explained that there was nothing self serving or promotional about them, just little gems of wisdom for customers. She was very suspicious and took my email address and glared at the beautiful --well at least to me-- jar that I set beside her register. It made my heart sad that she didn't share an ounce of my enthusiasm. Sometimes doing random acts of kindness takes an act of courage, many times they don't turn out ... Read Full Story >>

1715 Reads

Beautiful People

Building a house in a remote farm in India is a challenge. When we were driving the process we met many beautiful people. So many people inspired us, so many friends guided us. I thought of sharing about one of the lovely soul. His name was Tulsi Ram. He was from a far village and worked day and night to support his family staying far from him. When he was working for us I used to get amazed by his stunning workmanship. He always used to arrange the tiles even very small one's in beautiful patterns and designs. One day we asked him to make a simple granite seat. He told us that he can make a very beautiful granite seat with a back support as it's at the entrance gate. We thought why pay more just for some additional beauty, so we said no. But he made a very nice and ... Read Full Story >>

1291 Reads

Helping Celebrate My Colleague's Mother's Birthday

I was able to do a beautiful act of kindness today, one that a year or two ago I never would have done. It wouldn't have even crossed my mind. But thanks to KindSpring and to all the souls that liven it, I am becoming the person I was put on this earth to be. A work colleague messaged me this morning saying it was a sad day. I asked him why and he told me that the day was his mother's birthday. His mother passed away a few years ago. Through our conversation he mentioned he and his father were going out to lunch to celebrate her life. I asked him where he was going to lunch and left it at that. After our phone call I immediately called the restaurant and asked to pay for their lunch today. I explained who they were and made arrangements to pay. When my ... Read Full Story >>

1404 Reads

Knitting Warmth for People Living Outside

Winter is fast approaching here in Tasmania, Australia and this coming one is expected to be one of the coldest in quite a while. We have people who cannot find properties to rent. We also have  Community Centres that  provide lunches and food parcels for people doing it tough and I have kept in contact with two local Community Centres over the years. I approached them recently regarding an idea for a knitathon, whereby people could donate knitted items (hats, gloves, scarves, slipper socks, rugs) and get a certificate and I would try to get some items donated to provide some prizes. I talked to a friend at work who has franchises for 3 bakeries in the greater Hobart area to see if she would be able to donate a couple of gift vouchers... WELL! she was so taken with the idea she and her husband have donated over 300 vouchers for a ... Read Full Story >>

1447 Reads

Turning Loss into Love: The Embeth Project

I pondered for a long while about this, and I decided to ask your contribution … On March 30 our gifted daughter should have celebrated her 21st birthday. A day that was supposed to be full of fun and festivities, will be a very lonely day for me and her dad. No birthday cake. No special present. No looking forward to a bright future ahead. Because she passed away when she was only 13. A butterfly who wasn’t able to spread her fragile wings. It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself. Instead, I decided to ask people to do kind deeds in her name. I call it the Embeth Project, in commemoration of this beautiful soul who crossed my life. In the following days up to March 30, please consider to dedicate an opportunity for a kind deed to Embeth …. and please keep me posted about it if you feel like doing so.  *In ... Read Full Story >>

1446 Reads

My Best Teachers Are My Students

Nico came into our classroom bubbling and full of zest as only some five year olds do. Sweetly he strolled through over to where Jaxson stood lining up the Hot Wheel cars. Rather than getting into a verbal conversation with Jaxson whose autism affects his ability to engage in meaningful social conversation , Nico sat down and paralleled whatever Jaxson was doing.

When Jaxson motioned for the car that was in front of Nico, he rolled it over then smiled broadly. Jaxson soon giggled and rolled it back along the table top. Back to Jaxson, then back to Nico. Over the course of ten minutes the car zoomed back and forth,

When I tapped on the bell ringer signaling clean up time, both boys left their car game and sat together on the carpet. Nico put his arm out and Jaxson nestled in beside him, shoulders together.

No spoken words just gentle acceptance, and for me my eyes misted as I smiled wide.

 

3563 Reads

Can you put this anonymously to that Mom's bill?

We went out to dinner tonight to celebrate my daughter's beautiful choral concert. We don't do this often because of our tight budget. I noticed a very tired mom come in with her three children, perhaps triplets, maybe about age 4 or 5. She looked like she had just finished work. She sat with them quietly taking care of all their needs; cups sorted with straws, crayons for coloring, etc. Then I noticed, as soon as their finally food arrived, she took a bite of her food and then one of the kids had to go to the bathroom. They all left the table and she ushered them--so lovingly--especially after what may have been a long day at work. (She as wearing some kind of uniform.) I excused myself from the table and went discreetly to hostess stand. I handed the hostess $15 and said, "Can you put this anonymously to that ... Read Full Story >>

2540 Reads

Years later, the Effect Still Lingered

A few years ago, I was working in a small (50-ish person) office. I noticed that even though the size of the organization was not huge, we often worked in our disparate teams; and while everyone was friendly, there was an underlying sense of anonymity and efficiency in the workplace culture. One particular week, I decided I wanted to make people smile, but I wanted to do it anonymously, perhaps with the slight hope that it'd invite a subtle sense of trust or playfulness in the work culture. So one evening, I wrote up a few quotes that have inspired me over the years. The next morning, I went to work a bit early and quickly posted them up by the sinks and mirrors in the office restrooms. Maybe someone else would enjoy the quote as much as I had, and perhaps it might just freshen their day, I thought. For the ... Read Full Story >>

1845 Reads

A Slice of Kindness

My Sweetheart and I have been down on our  luck lately - financially speaking. That, coupled with the fact he has anxiety over being in public sometimes, has meant that we haven't been able to go on a date for a while. We are finally getting our feet under us so we decided to go to a pizza parlor that I have been wanting to try. Once we saw the prices we decided we could only afford to get a small pizza so we would have enough left in our budget for a tip. The server was kind and before long our 4 slice pie arrived. My Honey, being the gentleman that he is, offered to serve me a slice-- which he then dropped on to the floor. He was beside himself with embarrassment and he was angry with himself. I soothed him and assured him that I would be satisfied ... Read Full Story >>

3004 Reads




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