Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Patrick, The Hotel Greeter

Today is a blissfully wet day here in Raleigh, NC. By the entrance to our hotel there is Patrick Landry, employee hired by the GM to meet and greet the arriving guests. On this day, Patrick, between his scheduled trips transporting the hotel guests to and from the Raleigh-Durham Airport, hands out personal sized umbrellas, at times sheltering those who with luggage ladened arms, greatly need an extra hand. Patrick is truly in his element today. As we were in the lobby earlier, there he was singing "Rainy Days and. Mondays NEVER Get Me Down", adding his own lyrical elaboration. Born of sharecroppers in rural Alabama, one of 13 children, Patrick has worked here at our hotel since 1987. He started as a bus boy, working his way up to room service, after a stint as housekeeping staff. His love of the rain is what gives him special childlike wonder. Remembering ... Read Full Story >>

904 Reads

My Heart Went Out To Him

It's a sad reality that there are many homeless people in the city which I call home.

People huddled on the sidewalk, struggling to stay warm, with no shelter or food. As I got off the bus near my workplace this morning I saw someone who was sleeping on the sidewalk.

I went to the convenience store to grab something for my breakfast and I got a warm drink and a sandwich for the stranger in need. I left it by his side. I hope it was a nice surprise for him.

2845 Reads

Remembering Kelly

I've have started driving again, just small journeys until I gain my confidence. Tonight I dropped my daughter off to a volunteering organization. I drove along a road near my home, this new road and infrastructure was created about 12 years ago. As I drove along it tonight I remembered Kelly. Kelly was a student when this new road was constructed. Her mother passed away when Kelly was very young. She and her brother were raised by her father and by her own admission, she was a wild child, climbing out windows, staying out drinking etc. She started to settle in college and moved in with a boyfriend. The year after I taught her, a dreadful thing happened. It was actually about this time of year and Kelly's dad was about to turn on to the new road. It was a very busy road and was designed so that the user could not automatically ... Read Full Story >>

1075 Reads

The Real Gift That the House Cleaner Appreciated

This past Christmas, I wanted to give the woman who cleans my apartment a nice gift in appreciation. Since I know she doesn't have much money, I decided to write her a generous check so she could use it however she wanted, and enclosed it in an attractive large size card with a photo of a cat and dog on the cover (she loves animals). The card came with a nice message, but I also added a personal message in which I thanked her for all the good services she's provided me, wished her the best for the coming year, and for her dreams coming true. When I gave her the card with the check inside, tears of gratitude rolled down her face when she saw my message, before she even saw the check! She said, "You took the time to write me a personal message; now I feel really loved". I'm ... Read Full Story >>

2443 Reads

Kids Get An Extra Dose Of Joy After A Day In The Snow

It snowed last night which is quite rate here in Western Washington State. School has been canceled for the day and the neighborhood kids are so excited!

A couple of my young neighbors knocked on my door and asked if they could all play in our pasture (it is almost two acres). I was happy to have them and soon they were making snowmen and having snowball fights.

I invited them in to have hot cocoa and homemade cookies. Our snow does not last long -- it is supposed to start raining this afternoon -- but I LOVE seeing the kids have so much fun while it is here!
 

725 Reads

A Winning Prize To Pay Forward

 I recently won these tickets on a radio station. The same radio station run by volunteers who I recently gifted with a huge box of chocolates to share. Which I loved. Gifting them as they gifted me.

I wasn't expecting these tickets. They were a bonus. So blessed! But as we all so often do here, I felt these tickets would bless another couple more than I. So I left them on a deserving woman's doorstep with note for her husband and self to go on a movie date together 💖
 

843 Reads

An Anonymous Act Of Kindness To A Stranger In The Dark

After rain last week we've had some rock falls on the roads. Took a few minutes to stop and clear away the rocks I passed when out and about.

Eventually the council would have done it, but in the meantime someone hitting one in the dark could have caused themselves damage.

920 Reads

Mistletoe For Everyone

This morning while walking the dog my mom saw people harvesting mistletoe.

She asked if she could have some and they told her to take all she wanted from their pile of branches that are too small for them to sell.

On the way home she left a branch of mistletoe at the front door of several neighbors :)

1043 Reads

A Surprise For The Neighbors On A Snowy Day

Today I wrote little notes to a few residents in my neighborhood who shoveled the snow from their front sidewalks. I put them in the mailbox and it felt good to leave that small bit of thanks, because there are businesses that don't shovel and make it difficult to walk without slipping. :) It's the little things that count.

759 Reads

Seeing the Homeless

Every morning, when I am on my way to work, I see people who are homeless, who are sleeping in doorways and on sidewalks, clearly in need of help. I feel very sad to see this, and most people walk by, pretending they don't exist and don't offer any help at all, not even a word. Recently, it has been extra cold in Vancouver, Canada, where I live and work. So this makes things extra tough for those who are homeless. Most of the time I arrive at work first thing in the morning, around 8 AM. Those who are homeless in the area are usually trying to sleep, shivering, so sometimes I am not sure whether it's a good idea to leave something like food or a useful toiletry bag for them while they are unaware, as it may get stolen or they make not even want it. Today, I spotted someone, who ... Read Full Story >>

1954 Reads

She Took A Leap Of Faith And Connected With Someone She Didn't Expect To.

I went to a Christmas party and met up with a lady I knew briefly a few months ago. A difficult person to really like and relate to. So she was seated next to me, I knew then this was a message for me.I made my mind up to be so loving, fun, connected and really seeing her. Well it worked. We had a lovely chat and a hug goodbye.

The truth is I was in the process of a big learn a few months ago and could not relate to her. But now, it is so easy to put her at ease, be interested and concerned. I know when we meet up again, it will be like meeting an old, cherished friend.

Change comes from not only the wanting to change but the willingness to be honest and just take that massive leap. I took it. So if I can change how I view and am with extremely difficult people, I can change a lot of things within me.

Today is the day to keep on making those leaps. Big hug to all of you for helping me get this far.

1037 Reads

A Stitch Saves The Day

A coworker, who doesn't buy a lot of new clothes, had purchased a cute fringed denim skirt. Someone reported her, as fringe is against the dress code & it really seemed to hurt her feelings. I offered to hem the skirt, which I did on my sewing machine. While I always see the imperfections in my work, she seemed pleased & wore it to work the next day. She told another coworker how happy she was with how it turned out. Definitely made me feel good.

1152 Reads

A run of errands led her to meet a young man in need of kindness

It has been a very, very blessed week of giving simple, sometimes handmade sweets,  beautifully wrapped gifts, and handmade cards to various helpers in the community. I want to thank them for how they go beyond the call of duty with their homespun friendliness. I have walked all over the place - can't drive due to medicine I have to take. It's been wonderful and I have stopped to have warm chats too. I really wasn't trying to meet my KindSpring Day 18 challenge to make time to listen to someone, but it happened anyway!  In going hither and tither I came across a young man sleeping rough. I admit I was so busy I was going to go past his sign requesting help with just a smile, but as I walked on, I suddenly turned around with a little donation and a Smile Card as well as one of the You ... Read Full Story >>

1485 Reads

A Text Message That Saved Her Life

A friend thought of an acquaintance of his the other day who he knew had not been doing well recently. He decided to send her a text message to let her know he was thinking of her and to have a nice day.

In the evening, the lady's husband called him and my friend's first thought was "Oh no, he's going to give me a hard time for texting his wife".

But instead the guy thanked him for texting his wife. Apparently she's been struggling with depression and had been thinking of killing herself that day, but the text message gave her hope.

Never underestimate the importance of a simple text message.

1434 Reads

She Got 'Heart Bombed" By Her Colleagues

Here's a great opportunity to let a friend, co-worker or family member know you care... Do a "Heart Bomb" when they least expect it. A colleague did it to me a year ago and I still have the little colorful hearts they papered my desk with all around my cubicle. They give me a warm heart and make me smile each time i look at them. Highly Recommend sharing a "Heart Bomb" with someone this week.

2200 Reads

Donations All Around

I've been thinking a lot about the less fortunate this winter, especially since it got really cold suddenly. My husband, my mother, and I donated 5 winter coats to the local charity that my daughter's Pathfinder unit was working with last week. I figured that if we had not had that coat on our back in a year, then someone else should have it.

I also donated my grocery store "points" to the lady ahead of me in the line this week. I don't need them and someone else might.

I bought extra food at the grocery store today to give to the food bank. I remembered the furry friends and included cat food and dog food in the donation.

1041 Reads

Children Choosing Generosity During The Holidays

This is a whole lot of groceries that were delivered to me for our local food bank. Unfortunately it was closed but I arranged to deliver them to the church office. This was from a family of five and the children researched what was most needed and went out and bought those items, plus some treat foods and Christmas themed foods. I'm so blessed to have such kind friends.
 

938 Reads

Love is Predominant


As I write this it is 2.22 am on New Year's morning and I've already performed my first act of kindness.

I went to visit my mother in law tonight at about 11.00 pm and stayed with her until now to bring in the new year so that she was not alone. She doesn't like being alone and I didn't want her to be upset when the New Year chimed and she was on her own.

A great act of kindness for her but for me, well I just love this lady and I would gladly do  anything for her. For those of you who know me you will know that this is my ex husband's mother, I can't bring myself to call her my ex mother in law though she's too high quality a lady to be called ex anything.

As with all acts of kindness, love was predominant so I don't even feel that it was an act of kindness, just something that I was glad  to do.

My heart is filled with love and kindness and I hope this continues for the rest of 2017. X



818 Reads

Her Act Of Kindness To Neighboring Town Hit By Typhoon Before Christmas

On Christmas, I shopped and prepared enough food and provision for the family and neighbors who would possibly seek refuge in our home due to typhoon Nock-Ten (local name Nina) that hit my parents' home province Albay (Bicol, Philippines).

Thankfully, our family and neighbors were spared by the wrath of the typhoon. But due to damages on electric lines and posts, we still do not have electricity until now. I am now using the internet connection in our branch office in Legazpi City to connect to all of you. After this post, I will be back online in January. So allow me to already greet everyone here a Blessed New Year ahead.

Please also help us pray for fast recovery of those people, families and communities badly hit by the typhoon. Thank you very much, my kind friends :-)

980 Reads

Female Judge Recognizes Male Suspect As Friend From 35 Years Ago, Does Unexpected Kindness Act


What an unreal kindness. A female judge is trying a male suspect for petty theft and fleeing from the police. After hearing the case against the suspect the judge asks if he went to a specific school. He then recognizes her. It turns out Arthur Booth and Mindy Glazer  went to the same middle school 35 years beforehand. They played together and we're good friends. He then recognizes her.

The judge then does something unprecedented; sitting in her official role, she allows her heart to speak and she tells everyone what a good boy the suspect was when he was a child. He sobs hard. I've watched the online video and it's so moving.

What a kindness. This judge did not have to acknowledge that she even had an inkling who this guy was but instead she gives him a character reference in her court!

Something tells me this guy will never be on the wrong side of the law again.

1170 Reads




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