Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Thanking My Yoga Teacher

Here in Savusavu, Fiji, Marie teaches Yoga for free to everyone. I have been so blessed and thankful to receive lessons from her.

I just cannot express gratitude enough. As a small "thank you" gesture, I mended a belt and a blanket that we use for the class, and looking to see what else I can do.

1450 Reads

Icy Day, Warm Strangers

I was living alone in an apartment and knew no one else living there. It was winter and we had a heavy ice storm--2 to 3 inches of solid ice covered everything. I was on my way to work, when I slipped, bending my left ankle from my toes to the back of my calf. Of course, it was broken, but the funny part of this is that my dress flew up over my head! So there I was, sitting on the ice, my ankle broken, my dress up over my face, my butt slowly freezing to numbness, and in horrible pain. Just then two young men I didn't know came along, saw me there crying, and rushed right over to me. They were strapping young fellas and picked up this plus-sized lady like I was a feather and brought me back into my apartment. I was going into shock by then, ... Read Full Story >>

1828 Reads

The Final Act Of He's Kindness Challenge


As the last RAOK for this year's challenge, I left the following on the Sunday newspaper machine, then went shopping.

When I came back, the card and coins were gone, and on top of the machine were two novels that weren't there before.

Coincidence? I think not! :)

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother

839 Reads

Magic in a Simple Gesture

As I share the experience of this random act of kindness, I'm wearing my widest smile. I usually go to my workplace coffee shop to place an order but this Wednesday, it was slightly different. I called the four member crew, asked them to make a choice of a drink and snack (in their shop) and bought it for them instead. At first, they didn't sense what was happening but when truth dawned, they were surprised and a bit embarrassed. However, I explained that it was an act of appreciation and they were truly deserving. This brought a 'big' smile and a loud, 'thank you' in unison. I had for a long time nursed a desire to reach out to them but my doubting mind had always had an upper hand. On this day too, I had thoughts like, 'What if they refuse?', 'What if the place is crowded?', 'What if they ... Read Full Story >>

1753 Reads

Hello Ladybug!

"Hello ladybug!" That's how the Post Office staffer in the back clerical area greeted me this morning. "She," and she nodded towards the clerk taking care of my mailers, "paid it forward today, like you showed us how to do!" I was a little surprised and asked what she meant. The clerk chimed in saying, "Yeah, I split my lunch from Taco Bell, with a mail-carrier." As frequent recipients over the years of my acts of kindness and appreciation for their service, I have given them restaurant gift cards, doves, Girl Scout cookies, popcorn, etc, but really, sort of forgot about it until I started to think about it! Once I do a kindness and sometimes write a post about it on KindSpring, I pretty much let it go. "I still have your dove hanging on my locker," said the staffer. "I gave mine away," replied the clerk.  I gave them some more doves, a few quote and Smile cards ... Read Full Story >>

1140 Reads

In His Honor

I just read a story where a young man passed away due to complications from a surgery. This is what the family requested:

"In his honor, we ask that you take a moment to do a random act of kindness for someone."

Even in their loss, they are just encouraging some goodness. 

802 Reads

Being Kind To Someone It's Hard To Be Kind To

Lately my housemate has been host to a friend and her young daughter, who has woken me up multiple times in the past week with her screams and cries. With no children of my own, I didn't think I'd have to deal with this type of alarm clock, and it has been quite frustrating.

But I know it must be hard on the child to be sleeping on a couch and not at home in her bed. So last night I practiced the Idea of the Week, "Be kind to someone who is hard to be kind to." After she had recovered from a tantrum, I invited her to help me clean up my bedroom a little.

I taught her how to fold t-shirts and thanked her for a job well done. Then we played some catch, acted out 3 Little Pigs, and I let her borrow my colored pencils to do some coloring. I'll admit she is pretty cute when engaged in more than watching My Little Pony.

1790 Reads

A Mother's Way of Helping Her Son Visualize The Kindness He Does With Buttons and Stars

We got two jars, buttons, and star confetti. The star confetti designates good deeds done to him. The buttons designate the good deeds he does. Different sizes are how big the good deed was. Small ones are every day things. Like helping out a friend or holding open a door. The idea is to be able to visualize the impact on the world around you as well as others impact on you. Once the jars are full he will have a nice little nick knack filled with love.

1631 Reads

How A 21-Day Eco Challenged Changed Us

I am SO grateful for the 21 Day Eco challenge hosted by KindSpring. Taking care of our sweet Mother Earth has always been important to me and I have taken steps in my everyday life to recycle, reuse, think about ways to preserve, etc. but this challenge awakened me even more. Our Scholars Together community has taken on more than we have before in terms of recycling, composting, using our own ceramic cups and metal water bottles when we go out, not buying things in plastic, composting more, and having green lunches more consistently, but the biggest change we made was making a goal of zero trash. We set up more boxes and bins for paper that we could use again, recycled every sheet of used-on-both-sides paper, plastics, cans, etc. ate all of our food, instead of throwing some away and it has been great! We made it into a challenge. In ... Read Full Story >>

2472 Reads

The Trauma Healing Project

On Wednesdays I go to a non-profit group called The Trauma Healing Project and do group acupuncture for those who has been through any sort of trauma. The THP provides low or no-cost services such as acupuncture, yoga, and mindfulness classes.

I began as a volunteer over 2 years ago and now get a little stipend. I love my time there. I get to be completely present for veterans, plane crash survivors, the domestically abused, addicts in recovery and so much more. Each person is a teacher to me. I am in awe of the staff and their deep knowledge and abilities. To be helping there is a thing of great pride for me.

1535 Reads

Caught in an Act of Kindness

Today, as I was walking home after work, I walked by a parking meter that only had a few minutes of time left on it. I decided to put a coin or two in the meter, to add some time to the meter, so that the person did not get a ticket for an expired meter.

As I was doing this, a couple of men walked towards me. It looked like one of them had a oxygen tank. One of the men asked me if I was putting money in his meter. I said, "Yes." He seemed surprised, in a good way.

It was just a fluke that he came out right then, just as I was putting money in the meter. A few seconds later, and he would have missed me. Serendipity!

1278 Reads

I'm Proud Of Me

I'm proud of me for this kindness I did last night. Proud I did it. Did the RIGHT thing. I was reluctant to share, because by sharing I am also sharing the selfish and more self centered side of me. It was last night and I finishing my shift at work. It was late and I wanted to go straight home. On my way out the door I noticed a fellow staff member and colleague. She doesn't have a car and usually either catches a taxi home or hangs around work for an hour waiting for another staff member and friend of hers to finish. In the past I've offered to drive her home and have as she lives on my side of town. But last night I really did not want too. I wanted to drive straight home, alone. And not have to make 'small talk' etc. So I contemplated avoiding her. ... Read Full Story >>

1379 Reads

She Choose To Engage With The Chatty Woman At The Gym

I did a class at the gym this morning and as I was getting dressed, a woman who I've seen before at the gym arrived near my locker. She is chatty and has a slightly needy, gossipy energy so I've always been reluctant to engage in conversation. As usual she greeted me and I gave a non interested response.

Then she mumbled to herself that she had left her shampoo at home and something within me snapped to attention to be kind and not distant. So I offered her some of mine and away she went as I wished her a nice shower. Its nice to remember that every minute of every day is a chance for us to grow and love and be the small change.

844 Reads

An Unexpected Act of Kindness At The Clinic

With my change in job, I'm taking public transport to work, and working with a variety of people. After having the real flu last year, that knocked me out for 10 days, I thought it would be wise to have a flu vaccination before winter sets in here in New Zealand.

At the clinic, my details needed updating, and the receptionist said I could phone a central number and get them changed. I've already tried that, and at my last hospital visit they were still not updated. The receptionist asked me for ID which I gave to her.

The nurse talked to me about my circumstances. I explained I had a new job as my husband is still out of work.

When we went to pay. Guess what? The receptionist had phoned the central database and got my details changed, AND the nurse waived the $30 fee! I'll be taking in a thank you for them!

* I'm not promoting vaccinations, it was just part of my kindness story!

1339 Reads

Seeing The Good Stuff

It is a kind act to myself and others to look for what is right in myself, in the community, in society, the world--in short, life itself. Taking a break today from engaging with what can seem to me to be the desperately dark politics of a globe in distress. From looking at all that is wrong, which is seemingly endless, and instead trying to focus on the amazing, gnarly, beautiful phenomenon that is 'my very own experience.' So, despite a headache and powering on only 3 hours sleep, I aim to "choose to see the good stuff" today. And there is an abundance of good around me: the post office staff were friendly as I begin to try tracing a missing Easter parcel to my infant grandson in Melbourne, the sky really is a cloudless late April blue, my pet dog PoodleNoodle is recovering from her vaccine yesterday but is as ... Read Full Story >>

1181 Reads

Vitamin C For The Soul

At the beginning of the month I stocked up a grocery bag that I kept in my car with some non-perishables, water bottles, and scratchers. During April I have been handing out items when the opportunity arises.

My bag is in need of a refill. Today, as I drove around town to do errands, I saw a woman with a sign, "Anything helps." I gave her my last sunflower seeds and peanuts, as well as some bottled water.

Soon after, I was going to buy produce when I saw a man with a sign, "Hungry". I almost forgot about him as I was checking out, ran back and grabbed him an orange, and gave it to him with a couple water bottles.

"I can always do with some water," he said, "and everyone needs some Vitamin C." He thanked me genuinely.

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother

942 Reads

Family Gets On Wrong Bus, Bus Driver Then Does The Unthinkable

I was on vacation with my husband, my brother, his wife and daughter. We were not familiar with the area and hopped onto a bus, thinking it would be a nice way to see the downtown's old town area. Well, until visiting with the bus driver, we found out we were on the neighborhood route which picks up school children and delivers commuters to various neighborhood places, with a route of well over about 2 hours. That was a surprise and a concern because we had parked our vehicle in a timed parking area and it was going to expire. We shared this with the bus driver only to let her know we were not from the area and apologized for getting on her bus in error. Then she surprised us further saying, "I get off shift after a few more blocks, and if you don't mind a tight squeeze in ... Read Full Story >>

2400 Reads

Kindness Adventures with a Gumball Machine

Today was fun. I put quarters in a bunch of gumball machines and left smile cards taped to the glass. Some kids will be delighted.

The funny part is my heart pounds heavily while I'm setting it up because I don't want to get "caught" doing my RAOK. :-)

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother

1048 Reads

They Are The Smile Within My Heart

I am a caregiver of my mom, who lives with me. Also, stepdad is in a convalescent home and I go every day to see him. I take care of his clothes and all needs. Recently my husband had a knee replacement. I am also his caregiver. My mother in law is in Intensive Care Unit, and I don't know if she's going to make it. She's 96.  I feel my hands are quite full.

But when I go to the nursing home, I sit and color with the residents. We talk and laugh. We play bingo, and sometimes I buy puzzles for them to do. It's just the company I receive from them. When my life is stressed and not always appreciated, these ladies with just those quiet joyful moments bring me happiness and strength to carry on. I tell them they are the smile within my heart.

1102 Reads

Mystery Student

I was on the receiving in of a Random Act Of Kindness this morning. I found an envelope on my desk created by an anonymous student. Inside was what you see below.

The blue money is part of our classroom economy, and the "bank" is a shoebox. It says "Here is extra money for the box!"

809 Reads




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