Stories of Kindness from Around the World

One Stormy Night

One stormy night many years ago, an elderly man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia, USA. Trying to get out of the rain, the couple approached the front desk hoping to get some shelter for the night. “Could you possibly give us a room here?” – the husband asked. The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, looked at the couple and explained that there were three conventions in town. “All of our rooms are taken,” the clerk said. “But I can’t send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o’clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It’s not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night.” When the couple declined, the young man pressed on. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll make out just fine,” ... Read Full Story >>

3752 Reads

Change the World

From one teacher to another. A kind soul who is a teacher in Africa is building a school in his own home for local poor children to attend lessons. I have created a campaign to raise funds to support them and hope to make a difference in these children's lives. Lots of loving kindness all around.

931 Reads

Not Just Another Number

I was at a wellness store named Sage with my aunt. As we were browsing for headache remedies, a sales associate greeted us and explained the products. As she was explaining, she was also talking about everyday life - just to make  friendly conversation and not just selling the products.

Though what struck me was that as we finished purchasing some items and thanked her for her help, she gave us each a hug and said that we are welcome to stop by and just talk to her. This shows how I was treated like a human being and not just another number that buys products and that's rare in retail. She made my day and warmed my heart.

859 Reads

Yes, A Free Lunch!

Tomorrow will be my last day working as an elementary teacher. I'm retiring and moving on to look at other possibilities. Meanwhile, I wanted to do a final RAK for the staff at the school where I currently work. I contacted the parent of one of our students who owns a small pizzeria and ordered food to be delivered today for the entire staff. Paid for it in advance, went in and set up the area, and brought one friend in on the deal so she could tip the driver and get it taken to the area. Many people came and had something to eat and expressed thanks, wanting to know who had done this. I kept quiet and enjoyed watching them eat the delicious lunch. So many multiple kindnesses involved: helped the struggling family restaurant, sharing food as a way of saying goodbye and having a "secret" as well. Like so many ... Read Full Story >>

1413 Reads

Water For All

The temperatures were in the upper 80's this week while I was volunteering at the sandwich and coffee ministry (The Backdoor Ministry) at my church. One of the men came to the door asking if we had a water bottle he could use. We didn't have any and it struck me that it would be helpful for homeless individuals to have re-usable water bottle rather than handing out disposables.

The need for cold water is extreme when a person is living on the streets in hot weather. Later that day, I went to the local thrift store and bought a dozen re-usable water bottles, cleaned them in the dishwasher, filled them with water and put them in the fridge until they were ice cold. I took them with me to pass out the next time I was at The Backdoor. The men that came by to take them were so appreciative. Their gratitude truly humbled me.

1071 Reads

No Kindness Is Too Small

I was at Walmart today and talking to the cashier. She said she could use a caffeine boost, and since there was a McDonalds in the store, I went and got her a large coffee. She came around the register to give me a big thanks and a hug. The smile on her face was worth it.

1708 Reads

The Replacement Banana

Today, a coworker of mine sent an email to staff about his banana that had gone missing from the kitchen counter. It seems that he must have put it down on the counter briefly, but when he went back for it, the banana was gone. Someone must have thought it was free for anyone to take. I decided to get him a replacement banana. It was an easy thing to do, and   I think that the gesture brightened his day!

712 Reads

Gratitude In The Disaster

It sounded like ice, that awful scraping cacophony I experienced up in icy Cook Inlet years ago. It didn't alarm me, and that's how I knew I was asleep, because there was no ice where we were. My door flew open, the engineer shouting, "Get Up!" I rolled out of my rack and climbed the few steps up to the wheelhouse, and there in front of us was the reef marker, the one that we aren't supposed to get anywhere near. We were hard aground, and in the open waters a 6 ft swell was rolling in over the reef, picking up the vessel and dropping us onto the reef with an intimidating shudder. We were stuck, and were were going to break up on that reef if we stayed there. In the dark Alaskan night near the time of the solstice, if you went into the water you only ... Read Full Story >>

1531 Reads

Living A Life Of Service With A Smile

Mr. Shannon Ames greeted us at Gate C9 . It was his job to reroute our family after our plane had been pulled out of commission due to ' oil being consumed too quickly, resulting in an aircraft emergency from the flight deck'. Grateful to be safely on the ground, we were nevertheless eager to complete our return home before the sun arose again.

Shannon was simply efficient, smiling and genuine in his attention to our plight. He showered us with meal vouchers, provided motorized transportation to hasten our walk across the terminal, gave Grammy and I a gentle hug, heartily shook my husband's hand, connecting us by our mutual birthplaces, and love of the same sports teams. He commented on our family resemblance of the three generations, remarked we looked more like sisters.

Shannon saw us as fellow life travelers, in his service ministry he provided a shining light of comfort and his smile was wide and warm.

848 Reads

Calming Gratitude

As I was on my way up to see my father yesterday, I found myself getting a bit anxious. It was the first time I was going to see him since he moved to a different room in an assisted living facility on Monday. I was not sure what to expect. So I decided to interrupt my anxiety with some gratitude. I was so grateful that the move had finally happened. By all accounts, he had been through a rough couple of days, but he was beginning to settle in, and I was so grateful for that, too. Doing that preemptive gratitude really helped me to stop that feeling of uncertainty and it made it easier to proceed. I decided that I would just accept whatever awaited me with more gratitude and deal with it as best as I could. It turned out that I had a lovely visit! My dad was ... Read Full Story >>

1013 Reads

The Ice Cream Parlor

It was a hot summer day. The sun was shining brightly and all I could think of was cooling down with a scoop or two of my favorite ice cream. I decided to make a quick trip to the newly opened ice cream parlor close by for a mid day treat. I ordered my ice cream in a fancy cone and asked the server to pack two tubs of chocolate ice cream for folks at home. Before I knew it, I was halfway through my icy treat and was enjoying the view of the colorfully lined ice cream flavors, sitting pretty one next to the other. Now that my to-go order was ready, I headed to the payment counter to settle the bill. To my surprise, the cashier had forgotten to bill my ice cream, charging only for the fancy cone. The next few seconds passed by as I debated between doing what was ... Read Full Story >>

1097 Reads

Welcome, Tourists!

Stopped by McDonalds this morning to grab something to eat before work.

I had some soon to expire coupons, so I asked a lady who was waiting in line if she would like some. I gave them to her and turns out she and her friend were tourists from Germany.

Summer time is high tourist season in many places, so if you do encounter visitors to your community, offer them a smile, help with directions and a chat, if you have a few spare moments.  It will brighten their day and yours.

Let's do a kind deed or two or three.

857 Reads

This Family Saved A Woman From Getting Her Foot Amputated

I am the Director of www.bethelindia.org, in India. Without putting our hands out and asking for money from people, we give clothes, warm blankets, medicine, and educational support to poor kids. Most of the time, we as a family suffer with wants and needs, but the smile we bring in the face of suffering is rewarding. Recently, a lady in a village had a very serious gangrened foot due to diabetes. The foot was totally contaminated and the medics proposed immediate surgery to cut off the foot. Her husband and her four young children, who are in school, were helpless. It was almost in the middle of the night when I collected money from my 89 year old mother, my daughter, and from my uncle. I added to this donation and went to the house of the woman 15 kilometers away from our campus. We first prayed and handed over the donation ... Read Full Story >>

823 Reads

The Dove Magic Spreads In Oregon.

Today I gave two peace doves to a patient of mine and she was so thrilled with them that she told me her and her daughter would make them as a project during their yearly coastal retreat. I was so touched. She told me they always find some artistic project  to do and this would be perfect. She loves how they get to fly away and spread joy.

I told her how they might hang at different angles and such, but Kindspring member Mindy told me me that was OK as each has its own perspective. My patient told me she already liked this Mindy person. What a lovely web these doves create.

1591 Reads

I Want to Give You Something

"What's your favorite candy bar?" I asked the cashier. "Hershey's with almonds! It's the best!" she answered, looking up briefly from bagging the groceries. I put the candy bar on the conveyer belt, gave it a pat and said, "This is for you." "Why do you want to do that?" She asked. "Why not?" I replied. "You all work so hard, you deserve a little appreciation!" We got to talking and found out that her sister in law, who transitioned a few years ago, had worked at the same place as my husband 'MisterM' did. (Learned later that he did indeed know her from work). Small world! Only a 1000 miles away and not that many degrees of separation. Gave her a Peace dove and a quote card made by Kindspring member Rajni too. "I want to give you something," She said, coming from around the counter, and reached her arms around me and gave me the warmest ... Read Full Story >>

1124 Reads

Receiving So Much From So Many

I received many kindnesses in the last week or and I had to share. My Dad (bless him) was having a good day yesterday and I was having a problem with another family member, so I brought it up, and he was so great. He reassured me that the other person had problems and it was okay for me to make some choices about dealing with him, and that he himself had some of the same issues with the person too. I felt heard and understood, and I told him that it felt good to have him on my side, and he hugged me and said that he was always on my side. It touched me so much and I felt for the first time in awhile that my Dad was able to be in the role of "Dad" for me-it was such a huge blessing. (Especially given how things have ... Read Full Story >>

1109 Reads

Little Ray Of Sunshine!

It gives me great pleasure to spend time at the assisted living facility in my town. I visit the residents and go for walks and chat with them while I'm there. The other day I walked with one of the newer residents. She recounted the day she spent with her sister outside the facility the day before.

She began to cry because she felt bad saying that she enjoyed her time out. She said if felt good to have "normal" conversation and to see "healthy" people. I consoled her as she cried and I felt compelled to help her understand that she was put in the facility to be that little ray of sunshine the rest of the residents needed.

I encouraged her to look at her glass as half full and to understand that she can turn a "bad" situation into a ministry. She was so happy after we spoke and told me I gave her a whole new perspective.  I get so much more from volunteering than I give!  

1846 Reads

Following the Nudge To Act in Kindness

The other day I went to the hospital to see my friend. They were moving her to a different room so I went to ask which room she was in. There was a gentleman in from of me and he was asking about his car because it was towed. The people behind the desk were trying to help him. The towing place was on the other side of town and this man was walking. I do not know what happened but I know his eye (the white part) was dark colored, and he said he had contusions on his ribs. He needed medicine but if he took a cab to get his car then he wouldn't have the money for his meds. He told them he was in a shelter waiting to get his car.  The lady behind the desk asked him to wait and they would see what they could do ... Read Full Story >>

1360 Reads
  • Posted by michelelpurcel
  • Jul 22, 2017
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Last Years Harvest Feeding Those in Need

My grapes will be ripe in a month so it was time to use up the last jar of jam from this past season. I made 10 PBJ sandwiches to pass out to the homeless along with more re-usable bottles of water. How wonderful it is to give. The people I shared with today were so humble and kind. I received their smiles with gratitude.

797 Reads

Shared Smiles

I saw a man listening to music on his phone today. He was standing by the pet store as I walked by and he looked lost in thought as he listened to the soft sounds playing. He was looking off into the distance as if watching old memories being projected onto the wall in front of him.

The music was a beautiful Asian sounding song. I got to the end of my walk and upon my return the man was still standing there. The music was still playing and he was still looking off into the distance.

As I walked by again, I looked back and smiled and said, "such beautiful music!" Suddenly everything changed. His face lit up with the biggest and most happiest smile!  He said, " Thank you!" We both smiled. Our sparks connected just for a moment. There is so much kindness in a shared smile!! I smiled all the way back to work! 

1657 Reads




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