Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Just to say thank you

I was at a local restaurant,having breakfast. I noticed a few police officers eating . I thought to myself, "has anyone said thank you to them? Maybe it will turn their day around to be happy". I bought breakfast,gave the waitress the smile card. she promised not to tell. ... Read Full Story >>

1395 Reads

Students Lead the Way

KINDNESS AT SCHOOL

I was looking on our local high school's blog to see when they were putting on a play and came across a page where they were asking students, faculty and visitors to report KIND actions that they had observed at the school (or in the community by students or others connected with the school).

There were many, many kindnesses noticed and most of the entries were made by students. The blog and its contents are written and managed by the students themselves. What a great bunch of kids!

970 Reads

A 12 Year Old's Alternative Birthday Wish

I am so proud of my granddaughter! She celebrated her twelfth birthday this past weekend wit a "stuff the Bus" party. Her school is sponsoring a stuff the bus drive and Kendall wanted to help.

She asked her friend to bring something off the school's required supply list to donate in lieu of gifts. The kids all had a blast at the party and were able to help others as well.
 

1011 Reads

Harping At The Nursing Home

Nursing home Monday gifted me and my harp with three lovely listeners. I stopped in the room of the quiet and gentle woman I have played for twice before. She was sleeping but I set up anyway as I know she loves the harp. Her room mate was also with the hospice I volunteer for and I asked if she wouldn't mind and maybe she would like it as well. She told me yes, please play but she was going to be weighed soon. The weighing took about 3 minutes. My sleeping beauty slumbered as I played and my other recipient told me over and over how much she loved it and that I was just fabulous. I happened upon another woman, dozing in front of her TV. She told me,"Why sure, I would like harp! C'mon in!" Her TV and her room mate's TV were on (the room mate wasn't ... Read Full Story >>

1399 Reads

Signs Of Acceptance

As I explore my home town I came across a sign on a front lawn of someone’s home that is written in three languages. Each time I walk by this sign of acceptance my heart warms, my mood lightens and I grin from ear to ear. The sign reads “No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor.”

Another day as I walked along this same street I realized that there is several churches of different denominations within a block of this sign.

To me this too is a sign of acceptance. How wonderful to have such open signs of acceptance in one’s neighborhood. I do not walk the same way each day but when I take this a particular route I find myself looking with anticipation to catch sight of this sign. Each time I pause and give a silent thank-you to the home owner for displaying this sign of acceptance of all their neighbors.


 

1402 Reads

A Utah Teacher Sets Up Unique Wedding Registry

INSPIRATIONAL NEWS STORY

This wonderful story was on many of the U.S. National News stations today:

A Utah teacher set up a unique and loving wedding registry -- filled with items that are needed by her school's homeless families.

Read More Here. 

1249 Reads

A Few Acts Of Kindness

I want to acknowledge an act of kindness that I witnessed yesterday. It was my week to volunteer at our church food pantry. Usually, the 5th Tuesday is very slow and quiet. Not yesterday. The act of kindness was from some unnamed member of our church who donated extra autumn squashes from their garden. The clients who came yesterday were so delighted to be able to get a fresh veggie. Our pantry is small, we only distribute non-perishables, so to see the joy on faces was heartwarming.

Today, I was able to give my mail carrier a bottle of cold water. She was so happy. She isn't feeling well, can't wait to finish her route and get home. She complained that she also had a sore throat. I was able to offer her several kinds of throat lozenges (a singer always has big supply!) and she was so excited because they were her favorite brand.

991 Reads

Stuff the Bus

Over the last two weeks the local Communities in Schools Support Group sponsored a "Stuff the Bus With School Supplies" drive. The response was enormous. The bus was truly stuffed to the brim with everything students need to help them succeed in school. Today I helped sort the items, etc.

842 Reads

Harping At The Hospital

There is another harpist at the hospital where I am doing my internship. I have met and known her from harp events in town. We finally coordinated our schedules so I could do some intern days with her. The first was this last Thursday and I am grateful for all she shared and taught and the support and lack of attitude. It was good to giggle over some challenging situations with another harpist who can be a bit irreverent. She told me it was just fine to pick out hymns in the treble clef only (hymns aren't quite my forte in the talent department) and that is all she does, too. The harp will take care of the rest and simple is good by the hospital bedside. I played for two people that day. One woman requested hymns after I played a song or two. I was queried about my faith ... Read Full Story >>

1268 Reads

Kindness Angels

This week we are hosting a Permaculture Design Course at the farm. On the pinboard in the classroom each person on site has been asked to make themselves a little envelope and has been assigned a secret 'Kindness Angel' who will pop a little message or treat into their envelope at some point. Of course, it is encouraged for everyone to post messages of support to whoever they'd like, so I got the ball rolling yesterday by encouraging a small flock of peace doves to make the envelopes their temporary homes.

1195 Reads

A Ticket Home

I was on the bus on my way home and I saw two 10-year old boys. One of them found out he had not enough money to go to their destination, so I gave them 2 of my tickets for them to catch another bus. It made me feel good because I know they wouldn't be stuck in a unfamiliar neighborhood.

811 Reads

The Buddy Bench


Our students do not let their friends feel sad during our school recesses. When one friend feels sad, or lonely  they go to sit on the Buddy Bench. When another student sees them, they run over and take a seat with the lonely child. Sometimes they ask them to join in with an existing game . It works so well.

903 Reads

Traveler's Notes

At reflection points along the Pathway there are wooden benches where a "traveler" can leave a written message or drawing in the plastic bin where a notebook and some colored pencils are provided.

While on the car ride there (about an hour or so), I prepared some positive note pages to leave in the bins.

I am envisioning someone at each bench, reading the message placed there, just when needed; receiving the Peace dove, Rajni quote and Smile card in the Spirit of generosity and kindness.

We are after all just walking each other hOMe.

669 Reads

The Right Place, At The Right Time

I went to the convenience store at the gas station today. As I walked in I saw a homeless man that I have interacted with many times. I asked if he wanted me to buy him up something. He answered "trail mix" right away. When I came out and gave him the bag, he told me that before I pulled up he was just wondering what he'd answer if someone asked him if they could get something for him, and he'd decided on trail mix. Then, I showed up.

I told him that he'd manifested me to him right then. He appreciated that.

1030 Reads

Invisible People

If you have the time, check out an amazing YouTube channel that I recently found called "invisible people", it's a channel with hundreds of interviews of homeless people who share their story and how they survive day to day. The man who operates the channel was formerly homeless and has dedicated his life to helping the homeless. The name invisible people certainly suits the channel well. For indeed there are so many "invisible" beings whom are suffering everyday, both human and animal, and yet our society either pays for people to brutally treat and kill animals, or completely ignores and neglects those who are in desperate need. Occasionally, someone who watches the videos posted on that channel is near one of the people interviewed and is able to help in some way. Some of the videos are truly heartbreaking but it's important to see what people go through, we can't turn a ... Read Full Story >>

1283 Reads

One in a Minion

"Oh, we should get a bag like that!" the teen daughter told her mom as they passed by my shopping cart, where I had my Minion bag full of reusable shopping bags.

I pulled out all the bags and handed her the Minion bag, saying, "Here! Please, you take it!"

"I couldn't," the teen replied.

"I have lots of bags." and then, she accepted.

It was so spur of the moment that I forgot to give her a Smile card or a dove, but felt the bag and our exchange of smiles were enough.

Continuing to shop, we parted ways, but I heard her mom say "she just make your day, didn't she?"

How amazing that such a simple thing as an open-hearted give can have such an impact on someone!

Grateful to realize the gift of giving. You are all so one in a "minion," my kind friends.  Thank you!


1245 Reads

Joy Rocks

I've made some Joy Rocks for the Share Joys Project. Here are some my daughter made with me that I kept. The others we gave away.

The most recent ones include positive affirmations to encourage the finder to be their true self and share the joys forward. :)

Under the rocks was a message something like:

"This Joy Rock is made for YOU,
for all the goodness that you do!
Create more to put in a public place
and put a smile on someone's face."

806 Reads

Rehmat and His Perfume

He smelled absolutely beautiful as he leaned across the table to pour my coffee. I later learned his name was Rehmat. He works in the hotel we are staying in in Fujairah, UAE. I couldn't resist it, I had to tell him his scent was beautiful. He blushed and humbly thanked me for my compliment. As I continued to enjoy my breakfast, Rehmat returned to my table. He presented me with his 'perfume'. There wasn't much left in it he declared but he wanted me to have it. Oh my!!! I was so touched!!! What a beautiful gesture; he'd gone to his bag and gifted me with his 'perfume'. Of course, I couldn't take this gift, it was too much. I got my friends to smell how beautiful he was. I decided that I want to give a gift to Rehmat. I went to my room and brought down a little Irish Celtic Cross ... Read Full Story >>

1884 Reads

Take A 'Paws' and Come Read With Sweetie

Sweetie is an aptly named canine Read-a-Loud partner who spends every other Friday of the month in the Children's Area of our local library. Earlier today, I was so fortunate to be nearby when she was partnering with a second grader who was reading a Magic Tree House mystery. Every time the child paused for Sweetie to acknowledge his good sounding out of the most challenging words, and his careful phrasing, she would softly lick his hand which was holding the book. With his mom in the background, Sweetie and the young boy shared a 10 minute partnership, and he was rewarded by Sweetie's rapt attention to his every word. Next Sweetie had an appointment with twins who took turns reading from a shared read aloud of poetry by Shel Silverstein. With each girl giggling over the words, Sweetie was seen to be smiling with her tongue lolling a bit as ... Read Full Story >>

1393 Reads

Ichi-go Ichi-e, "one time, one meeting"

I had an "ichi-go ichi-e" meeting on the subway ride home this evening with the gal sitting next to me.

We talked all the way home (a 30-minute ride!). It was like talking with an old friend and many laughs were shared. At the end, I gifted her with a peace dove and shared a touch on her arm and blessed her as I got up to leave the subway car. 

Also had an "ichi-go ichie-e" with a 93-year-old woman sitting at the table next to ours in the restaurant. She was so spirited and joyful that I leaned over and asked her what was her "secret" ,

It's so easy to make friends – all it takes is reaching out with a smile and sharing conversation. Grateful.

12.9K Reads




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