Stories of Kindness from Around the World

This Simple Act Of Kindness Left Her Feeling Connected and In Tears

Hi everyone. This is just a short moment in time, but I wanted to share it because it made me feel so good. I was at the library the other day volunteering, and our library is a place where the homeless often spend their days as well. As I was putting books up for our book sale, I glanced up and there were a small group of homeless people sitting in chairs near the door. One man caught my eye and he seemed to start to look down, almost as if he were embarrassed or ashamed. I locked eyes with him and smiled, and he just beamed back at me. I got tears in my eyes and waved to him before ducking back into the volunteer room trying not to cry. I hear such negative stuff sometimes from library patrons about these down-on-their-luck people; how they smell bad, or shouldn't be there ... Read Full Story >>

2197 Reads

Receiving So Much More Than I Could Have Given In That Moment

Today as I was leaving church, I heard an old man saying he was cold. I was wearing an expensive scarf that had been a gift to me, and I gave it to him. That made me happier because the price on that scarf wasn't even close to the price of happiness I receive as I see someone else happy in their hearts.

I hope I made a bond with this old friend. He walked me home and we talked all the way to my house. For me, material things don't have a meaning until you give them to someone. Make it a good one, a true meaning of love for others. 

1005 Reads

A Little Sweet Nothing

I was next in line to a lady paying her terminal fee at the port. The cashier seemed to be upset with the big bill the lady was paying because I learned it was already the second time she told the same lady that she has no change available for that bill. I would like to believe the cashier behaved that way because because she was alone in the paying booth and there were people lined up to pay. Or maybe she was just having a not so good day.

So after I paid my fee, I gave her the magic smiley chocolate bar. That simple act changed her mood immediately. I couldn't forget the smile painted on her face just because a stranger gave her a little sweet nothing 😍

1156 Reads

Carry Your Flashlight, Let Your Light Shine Bright

TJ is one of our bonus year third graders. He came to our school site last August with facial scarring, a pronounced limp, and braces on both of his legs due to a major car accident that kept him out of school for six months. TJ is presently physically limited in his abilities to navigate our school campus. Does that slow him down much...Nope! TJ has,along with his Dad, Reggie, and his paraprofessional Sue, started a Flashlight Science Club. Kids are given flashlights to check out the darkened science room, full of embalmed bugs, snake shed, antlers, petrified wood, and other treasures. Weekly as the students gather, TJ takes the microphone, and step by step shares detailed instruction on the proper use of the small flashlights. The no longer used space, aka science room is then darkened to only a single surface light above the exit, and for the next 30-45 minutes, ... Read Full Story >>

2962 Reads

This neighborly act of kindness came easy, because it came from the heart!

I went to help my elderly neighbor move some furniture as she is getting some kitchen renovations done. We packed up her things and sorted out the pantry. She then asked me if I wanted her solid oak table and a two door free standing cupboard. I said I don't have room for them, but they are lovely. I suggested that if she didn't want them I could advertise them online for her, so I did. She didn't want any payment for the items, just that the people could move them themselves, and organize their own transport. She was worried about being alone with strangers, so I said I'd give the people my phone number, get them to text first, and I'd go over to her house and be there when they took the furniture away. One man collected the cupboard and had a beautiful story about setting up homes for refugees, ... Read Full Story >>

2676 Reads

Sammy's Service

My student Sammy, pictured below, and his Mom offer a multi-generational service of  kindness and sweet snacks in their weekly visits to Rancho Sante Fe. The duo make seasonal fruited sweet breads and take them to our local Senior Center after school on Fridays. There Sammy and his mom, Rae Anne hold court while playing card games with the Golden Gang of Seniors, Sammy and the Golden Gals play Hearts, Fish, and a definitive favorite, Gin Rummy.

Sammy is learning to play simple tunes on the piano accompanied by 2 of the Golden Guys, former professional musicians. Sometimes my friend, Maize, who just celebrated her 95th birthday, serenades the musicians with well remembered Broadway show tunes.

Sammy serves the sweetbreads along with special napkins, and they all enjoy an afternoon "snack" before the Golden Gang heads out for their individual studio units.

Sammy and his mom haven't missed but one Friday in the past nine months. Sammy is truly a "sweetheart".

1482 Reads

Having Faith In Human Kindness


The highlight of my day was seeing Lauren, a woman without a home at this time. I brought her the bag of things I had prepared including things from Sister Ann. It was snowing when I got to see her. We talked as the snow came down around us.

She told me that she was grateful for her homelessness (in a way) because it has made her faith in God stronger. She said that she had to find something to be grateful out of this whole ordeal. We also talked about how it could happen to anyone at any time. Her words really touched me.

She asked how I was feeling and thanked me so much for helping them. I was going into the supermarket and asked if she wanted anything, she said she was good, that someone had bought her dinner. That is one of the things I like about her, she doesn't ask for what she doesn't need. I am truly glad to call her my friend.

 

1195 Reads

Painted Rock Treasure Hunt

My sister-in-law just sent me an invitation to participate in this fun activity that is taking place in our community. It sounds like fun and is something that any community or group could do! You can change the "rules" to suit your group or situation.

Here's how it works: Just paint a rock with art inspirational quotes of your choosing, write "Go to PNW Rocks on Facebook" on the bottom, and be sure to seal it so it holds up in our wonderful rainy weather. Then, hide it around town where people can come across it in their daily activities. If you would like, post a picture of your rock art. Give a hint as to where people can find it.

If you find a PNW ROCKS painted rock, post a picture of your find on the Facebook page. You can choose to keep the rock or re-hide it. The whole point is to use art to brighten someone's day! Please note that there is no guarantee your painted rocks will be found, and they are given freely.

2281 Reads

Bravelets

To help friend's sister, Gayle, out of her depression (after effects of chemo and about to begin radiation), I've made a BRAVELET weaving kit for her. I'm including my last spare weaving wheel, pre-cut threads, Smile cards, copies of the BRAVELET blessing and some small bags; all so she can weave, assemble and give :)). I have made and given Gayle many BRAVELETS to share, which she has (in chemo room area where encouraging items are shared), but realized that to help others is to help oneself as well. When I emerged, tremulous and trembling, from a long ago dark space, volunteering encouraged me to put kindness into action, which gifted me the growing knowledge that I could still make a positive difference. Maybe, even more so, with my new found "wings!" Thank you, my kind friends, for helping me realize the best way to encourage Gayle. I will take the BRAVELET kit to her ... Read Full Story >>

1111 Reads

A Rotating Cast Of Kindness Angels Stepping In During Women's March

Last Friday I was at one of many marches being held in the wake of the recent election/inauguration. It was pouring buckets of rain intermittently, yet everyone gathered had such a beautiful attitude and spirit of unity as we stood together holding our signs like "Love trumps hate" and "We are all in this together." One woman was in a motorized wheelchair and as the rain started, I went next to her and held my umbrella over her since she just had a jacket on.

After the rain stopped I put my umbrella away and moved to a different space, but I was so touched to see that once it started raining again, there were many others who covered her with their umbrellas. It was like a rotating cast of kindness angels stepping up to take over. That simple act moved me so much, I cannot tell you. We are all here to take care of each other, and seeing that in action was beautiful.

1054 Reads

Give and Makeup

Last night I read online about a non-profit organization in the UK called Give and Makeup that passes on donations of new and nearly new makeup (& many other things too) to women and children who have fled domestic violence and are now in refuge accommodation. Things don't need to be brand new, as long as they're in a good enough condition that you'd happily pass them on to your best friend, they'll take them. This inspired me to have a "clear-out." Over the years I've ended up with various bits of makeup and toiletries, mostly given as gifts and never used, but that I hadn't wanted to throw away or waste. So I packaged up a bunch of eye shadow, lipstick, etc. along with some clothing items and sent them off today. I wasn't using them, and I feel much happier knowing that someone else will get use out of ... Read Full Story >>

919 Reads
  • Posted by smrobinson_21
  • Feb 5, 2017
  • Comments (7)
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An Act Of Kindness Kept This Homeless Man From Stealing

The other day I was doing some grocery shopping and a man, who was unkempt and spent most of the time talking to no one in particular, walked toward a group of us at the checkout stand. I overheard him say to the man in front of me, "I don't wanna steal from this store...would you buy me some food?" The man in front of me pretended not to hear him; it was as if he were invisible. I waited patiently for my turn to be questioned, but it never came. So I asked him, "Can I buy you something to eat?" He gladly accepted. The man got a bag and began putting samosas in the bag. As my items were being rung up I watched the man put the samosas into the bag; 1, 2, 3... He finally stopped and I asked him how many he had got and he replied ... Read Full Story >>

2525 Reads

A Little Act of Kindness Meant The World To This Cancer Survivor

The movie theater women's restroom was all a giggle. When I joined in and asked why, a woman flashed open her jacket, revealing her slacks that had candy all smashed into them! We had another good giggle as we walked out of the restroom together. Mr. Mindy wanted to know if we were having a party in there. We all laughed some more. The woman opened her jacket to show everyone the cause of our "party!" Still smiling, I reached into my purse and handed her a Peace dove before she left. "You don't know how much this means to me," she said, giving me such a sweet and tender hug. Sometimes it's hard to know whether it's tears of laughter, tears of love, tears of courage. Her mother came back in, walked up to me and gave me HUGE hug saying, "That was my daughter...she was operated on for brain cancer in June. This is the ... Read Full Story >>

1080 Reads

My Friend Chris The Kindness Giver


I have to share the kindness that my friend shares. He works for a city and gets paid. But you wouldn't know it because if he knows of a person who is needing something, he will give his check away to the person needing it.

He has a regular job and works for the city as an alderman or something. He feels he has enough for him and his family so he helps others with the rest.

See how blessed we are with these people around?
And by the way I gave him a smile card so he could check us out and join us since he is already doing the kindness. 

1078 Reads
  • Posted by michelelpurcel
  • Feb 4, 2017
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Close To God

I have just had a beautiful compliment. I was at the chemist collecting my daughter's medication and she asked me to nip into the shop next door to get some energy drinks for her, she was about to travel on a train and she tires easily. The shop did not have what she wanted so I went to the garage near my home. As I came out of the garage I could see Margaret across the busy road. I thought to myself she'd just got off the bus and was on her way to her daughter's house which is next door to me.  I thought  I'd give   her a lift to her daughter's house.  Then from across the busy road I could  see the elderly lady I thought was Margaret going a different direction down a different side street. I was surprised because I was really sure it was Margaret. In ... Read Full Story >>

1376 Reads

The Other Way Around

As we walked out of a convenience store, we crossed paths with a homeless man coming into the store.

For the first time ever, he stopped us not to ask for money, but to share with my girls a quarter for one, and a nickel for the other. He complimented them on how good they smelled and how pretty they were. The smiles everyone of us shared that moment were genuinely priceless.

869 Reads

The Good Neighbor Fund

Time to pay some bills this morning. I will be adding an extra amount to the utility bills. This will go into something we have here called The Good Neighbor Fund.

It's a fund that helps those struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills make those payments.

Some of it also helps shelters keep their utilities up and running. With temperatures so cold here, this is more important now than ever. Just a little extra on our part, can make a huge difference in the lives of others. 
 

1243 Reads

Helping Out In The Only Way I Knew I Could; By Being A Friendly Neighbor

Two weeks ago my neighbor's father died unexpectedly. She left with her two children, 3 and 6 months, to join her mother and siblings in Austin. My neighbor's husband stayed here to work, then joined them for the Christmas weekend. They all returned midday today.

I knocked on the door to ask what they needed from the grocery store. Just a half gallon of milk, he said. I went to a store that sells wonderful prepared foods and bought two days' worth of fresh dinners, and two dinners for the freezer. And milk and other perishable staples.

When I delivered the food, it was clear they were frazzled and spent. It was also clear they were relieved not to have to go to the store, not to have to cook, not to have to think beyond arriving, regrouping, attending to their young children, and holding their aching hearts. I'm so glad I did that.

970 Reads

Kindness Showers At A Car Accident

During times of challenge showers of kindness are forecast. As my daughter was stopped at a red light at the intersection closest to our family home she was hit full on from behind. The other driver has accepted full responsibility, and fortunately my daughters car will be fixed. The bystanders who gathered around both of these young drivers were a shower of kindness supporting each young woman before and during police reports being taken, tow trucks arriving. Thoughtfully, one of the off duty police officers present on the scene, volunteered to transport the other driver as she is now without transportation and 45 minutes from home. Grateful for the hugs shared which comforted these women, the warmth of sitting in the rear of the police car; a very welcomed relief from standing out in the pouring rain. I am thankful for opportunity to leave my work early in order to support my daughter ... Read Full Story >>

1439 Reads

They Were Lost No More

Today I was walking past the train station and I saw a woman and two young men, carrying some huge suitcases. They were consulting a map, and seemed confused, so I asked them what they were looking for.

They were looking for an address which isn't easy to find, and it happened to be the same way I was going, so I helped them with one of the bags and walked with them until we found the right house. We had a nice chat- they had come all the way from Brazil. They were very grateful, and I felt very happy.

983 Reads




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