Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The 'Sacks of Hope' From These Sweet Students, Even Piqued Interest of Local Media and Press


One of the top 3 most memorable days in my 20 years of education!

My class constructed their Sacks of Hope, a seven-month labor of love. Each "Sack" was actually three bags: one for the outdoors with a sleeping bag, socks, hand warmers, and a lantern, one with toiletries: comb, razor, wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, lotion and a bunch more, and the final was full of edibles: bars, tea, raisins, trail mix, and more. About 40 items per "Sack".

Best part: my students were so incredibly proud of what they had accomplished. The press came out. Fashion designer Cecilia Cassini celebrated them with a pizza party and her brand of t-shirts, but what affected the kids most was that they started with an idea and then made it a reality!

They may not remember me teaching them the difference between a subject and a predicate, but they will never forget how they helped those less fortunate than themselves.

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother
 

1427 Reads

Paying Forward The Red Nose

At Walgreens, we were given a red nose and told the lady in front of us paid for it for the person behind. We were then asked if we wanted to repay the favor, which we did. It's so nice to be part of a kindness chain. Especially after the day we had today. Plus, red nose day is a worthy cause. So it's win win win!

757 Reads

He Sent A Stranger A Gift Off of Their Amazon Wish List

I was reading "Kindness Boomerang" (a book that gives ideas and inspirations of kindness for each day of the year), and I saw this one. I went to Amazon and found a random person's "Wish List" using this link.
Then, I was able to find an item, buy it and ship it to them, as well as leave a gift note. I don't know personal info about them, but their name and city.

Wish I could be a fly on the wall when they open the box.

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother

2203 Reads

She Received Someone Else's Mail, But Turned It Into an Opportunity For a Random Act Of Kindness

I was processing our incoming mail at work today, and there was a piece of mail that had the wrong address on it, and it was sent to my office by mistake.

It looked to be a utility payment that someone was mailing to their gas company. I called the company to verify their mailing address, and I will correct the address on the envelope and send it off in the postal mail.

I spoke to the woman at the gas company and asked her to contact the sender (name was on the envelope) to advise customer of the correct address, so this doesn't happen again. She said she would, but she said that it was up to the customer to make sure they used the right address. I told her that I was trying to do a good deed to help the customer, who just happened to use the wrong address and whom I do not know at all.

Think I did the right thing.

1232 Reads

A Memorable 30th Wedding Anniversary For A Couple That Made Sure To Leave Something Behind For Others To Enjoy

For our 30th wedding anniversary we made our first trip to Maui this last January. Everything is beautiful, but each little thing adds up cost-wise. We drove by a garage sale where stadium-style beach chairs were $1 each.

We purchased two and used them during our stay and then attached a "sharpie" and wrote on the back of the chairs "share where you're from and then share the chairs forward".

Then we wrote in cursive our "Olympia, WA". I wonder if people from all around the world will be using the chairs? And will they still be passed around when we visit next year? (Yes, Maui was that awesome).

769 Reads
  • Posted by AmyKay0713
  • Apr 28, 2017
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They Saw Their Friend's Unkept Garden And Surprised Them With A Visit From The 'Garden Fairies".

I had to drop something off to a friend yesterday. My husband noticed that their lawns were untidy. She said that their lawnmower was being used by a family member so they didn't have a lawn mower. My kind husband solved the problem and dropped ours off for them to use. JOKING! 

We both got busy yesterday, and weeded their garden and paths and mowed their lawns. It took us 2 hours!!

Their 9 yr old came out and gave us a hug and thanked us for making their gardens look nice again. Today when we got home, there were two frozen dinners on our doorstep!!! What a nice and unexpected thank you.

1002 Reads

Her Neighbors Yearly Blooms Inspired An Act of Kindness In Appreciation

A neighbor down the street sows marigold and zinnia seeds in a small spot in her front yard. When the flowers finally bloom, they are so cheerful looking.

It's springtime here and every shop has a rack with veggie or flower seeds to entice. I picked up a packet of zinnia seeds this week and included them with a little note expressing my appreciation for her efforts each year. I'll drop them in her mail slot when I take my walk today.

918 Reads

What A Kind Bus Driver!

Here's to all the wonderful Bus Drivers out there! - the other day I jumped on to the wrong bus.. The kind generous Bus Driver not only charged me half price (because I only had a dollar in change) he also pulled out a ticket so I could ride the next bus and took the time to give me proper directions. Needless to say, I was touched by his kindness!

760 Reads

Kindness Is Like A Boomerang

Kindness is like a boomerang. I found this mysterious note in an envelope marked: "To You". I opened the card up and I knew by the writing it had to be a little kid who left it in my mailbox this morning.
I was passing out little rainbow cards that said "I thought of you today" to patients I visited at the independent living place a year ago and it was like kindness was coming back to me. This note made a great start to my morning.

2060 Reads

A Pup with an Ear Infection

I babysat this silly billy this morning. She has got an infection so isn't allowed to do her nice activities for the week. No daycare or group walks. I looked after her this morning while my neighbour went to work, as she is destructive if left alone.

Its Passover and my neighbour keeps a kosher house, so I can't bring my own food into her house. When I arrived this morning, there were gluten free matzo and a gluten free kosher brownie crackers. I was very grateful.

It all worked out perfectly.

750 Reads

Intangible And Invaluable

I received an email yesterday. It contained 5 small lessons in life , the essence of which is summed up in this quote.

I have never met this person and they do not even live in my country, despite this we have created a connection. The person is terminally ill. I send them cards, emails and occasionally a small token gift. I try to make all these connections upbeat.

The email which I received was sent to 12 other recipients, some family members. The sender has little energy and they have taken the time to let all the recipients know that they are valued.

I am on the list.

Me, for how little I do.

I am honoured and humbled.

That a very ill and weak person has placed me in this elite and close circle, touches me to my very core.

A poignant reminder to me that the love you give always come back to you my friends.

Intangible and invaluable.  X 


972 Reads

Her Home-cooked Meals Feed a Lot More Than Their Physical Bodies

Today, I am saying "I Love You" with food.

About once ever 6 weeks or so, I prepare a few large batches of food that freezes well and make up meal packages which I then deliver to friends who need a helping hand or just to know that someone cares.

Today's I prepared meals for (1) a family with a new baby, (2) a single mom who just needs a break (3) An elderly neighbor who lives alone and a friend who is recovering from an auto accident. The meals are simple, but I hope they convey a message of love and caring.

963 Reads

She Serves With The Magical Sounds of A Harp

Today I played my harp at the hospital for three patients at their bedsides. I played a piece called "Flight of the Heron" for one man. He told me the heron was his favorite bird. He put his tv on a nature channel with no sound as I played.

Another man I played for was a harmonica player. So we had playing "the harp" in common. I watched his blood pressure fall as I played and he fell asleep.

They tell me how grateful they are that I come, but I am so deeply rewarded by serving.

852 Reads

Beauty and the Beast -- Mary & Howard!

I had noticed Mary's jacket and wondered if Howard had a 'Beast' one. He did,and made sure to wear it yesterday, so I could see. Seems the health club sold the jackets some years ago as a fundraiser.

Such a dear couple they are, always willing to lend a hand and help. Everyone knows their trademark smiles and open hearts. Mary and Howard have certainly undergone a lifetime of love and lessons together. Mary, with her infectious laugh and Howard's wry grin and deep listening.

They are on a rather limited budget and when I asked if they had seen the recent Beauty and the Beast film, they said that hadn't.

So I tucked a gift card for theater and nearby restaurant in a card and left with the front desk staff to give anonymously to my favorite 'BEAUTY' and the 'BEAST'.

Grateful for this opportunity to show Mary & Howard how much they are appreciated!


935 Reads

He Turned This Barista's Frown Upside Down

As I walked into my workplace coffee shop for my daily dose of Latte, the soft-spoken cashier greeted and asked when I was making a trip to India, my home country. I told him it would be in two months and his face lit up. He's from India too, so I asked him the same question to which his rather sad reply was, "not too soon".

Well, to cheer him up, I started a casual conversation, asked him what he liked about Dubai and his job. In a bit, he was his cheery self and that made me feel good. I intend to give him a little surprise tomorrow. Shhhhh...don't tell him. ;)

994 Reads

She Ran To Give an Elderly Man Back His Walking Cane, And Received Far More In Return

I met a man yesterday. Didn't get his name. And I'm confident, I'll probably never ever see him again. And that's ok. The purpose of our meeting, it's destiny, and it's fate, was fulfilled in the 5 minutes we spoke. He was an elderly man. Quite elderly. I'd say with no more than a few years left in him, on this earth. If he's lucky. I didn't see him at first. Had to search for him. Search for the owner of a very worn and old wooden walking stick, which was left half hanging outside of a shopping cart. I called out to a man who was walking away. I knew it was his. Had to be. It was. And he returned (slowly) to get it. I was in a friendly mood so started a conversation. And that's when it happened. That's when this man blessed me, with his story. And what a story. I ... Read Full Story >>

4710 Reads

Paper Peace Doves Acted As 'Ambassadors Of Connection

I overheard an elder sitting at table next to us was celebrating her birthday, so I whipped out a 'Mindy peace dove' (made by a KindSpring member Mindy) and walked it over to her.

She and her table mates were so in awe and appreciative. Big smiles and twinkly eyes all around. A long conversation ensued with her husband who basically shared his life story with us, and what an interesting listen it was!

So many times these little doves open doors to beautiful connections, and I never tire of sharing the story of Mindy's mission that puts these "ambassadors" into our world. Thank you, Mindy!

902 Reads

The Lost Baby Duck

A few days ago I saw two baby ducklings that were alone in the grass near a pond, and today I found out that they were abandoned or lost. Unfortunately one of them was found dead today, but I decided to take the other one in and take care of it until he gets big enough to take care of himself. When I decided to take him in, he was actually be stalked by a cat, so it's a good thing that I got him when I did. The duck and I both are figuring it out as we go along. He's already quite big for a duckling so hopefully I can release him back into the pond in a couple of weeks. At first he was terrified of me, which is understandable, but now he seems to be a bit less worried about me as I've been feeding him some corn ... Read Full Story >>

6433 Reads

He Trod Through A Snowy Blizzard For Peace

Just did a "Peace Walk" here in my community, due to all the gang violence, with blowing snow, we showed our resolve and walked for Peace. Below is a picture of me on the right( KindSpring name 'Brad2'), elder Theresia Boysis and our Chief Kurt Buffalo on the left. I believe in Peace.

589 Reads

Her Quiet Sit On A Park Bench, Has Become A Place of 'Therapy' For Passers-By

The past two days, when I sit on a bench after my park walk, an acquaintance comes over to sit by me and needs to 'vent' about something that is apparently troubling him. He goes on and on, and sometimes repeats himself. I listen patiently and let him vent. He thanks me for letting him vent and apologizes. I tell him no apologies necessary, that we all need to be listened to.

I am learning as I listen, as some of what is irking him helps me understand some similar things that sometimes irk me as well.

I also like thinking that by sitting there on that bench in the sunshine on a glorious park day, I am getting an extra kindness act in by listening and occasionally sharing some thoughts with him that might help him. 

“There are times that all you need is someone who will listen to you without judging you — not telling you what you should have done or should do, but simply, listening to you” ― Bernard Kelvin Clive


2533 Reads




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