Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Gift of a Smile

I wanted a sign for the end of my driveway with our house number so I asked my carpenter son to cut me a big flower. He did this and presented it to me last Mother's Day so I could paint it. It was such a gift of love because I enjoyed the entire day doing something creative. On the side without the house number I wanted to write something to inspire anyone that drove out of our driveway and decided to just write SMILE!

It reminds me what a gift a smile can be to ourselves and everyone we meet. During the winter the sign came down and stayed down for several months. As I was walking on my street early in the spring my neighbor said she missed my sign so much. Each day she walked by it made her smile. I was so happy I went home and asked my son to re hang it so it would never come down!
 

1427 Reads

Opportunity For Bitter Or Better

Yesterday I got angry. It had been a long day. . And a stressful week. And this week isn't looking any better. And so I started to get upset when my mom in law asked me to cut her hair. But I know she has no money to go to a salon, and so I decided that I don't want to get upset, I want to see this as an opportunity to be kind and helpful. And I enjoyed being able to help her and I'm glad I did it :) and she was happy with the result 😀💈

1463 Reads

Father's Day Feast Of Sweet Kindness


I took my sweet Dad and Uncle out for Father's Day. We went to one of their favorite buffet places. The line was an hour long, but we decided to wait. Behind us in line was a young man and his two sons about 3 or 4 years old. They were so excited because of the Sundae Bar at the buffet. We got to talking to each other and the young boys were wishing Momma was there with them. She is a medic and is deployed overseas. My Dad and Uncle were talking to the young man and telling him about their WWII stories, easing the young man's mind that his wife would soon be home to join them.

As we approached the cash register, my sweet Dad paid for their buffet dinners, too and said to the young man "Happy Father's Day and thank your wife for me".


1082 Reads

Seizing An Opportunity For A Random Act Of Kindness

I "bussed" the tables for two ladies sitting next to me at Panera Bread Cafe/Restaurant today. I heard one ask the other if they were supposed to leave their dishes or take them somewhere. I hopped up, went over and told them I would take care of it. I made a joke that I hadn't done any kind acts for anyone yet, to ease any awkwardness. As I made the joke, I noticed that both ladies were using walking canes so I was glad I did my impromptu Random Act Of Kindness or RAOK for them.

1932 Reads

Peace Dragons As A Way To Teach Children About Non -Violence

Wanted to share these peace dragons that my friend Linda creates as part of her efforts to train others in peaceful conflict resolution. She shares simple ways with the Wee Ones and has them create Little Dragons and put little tiny hearts on them. Her latest books include one on words and their power. And one on opposites and the importance of accepting each other. 

The reason I'm spotlighting her is because I want our KindSpring member Mindy to see the peace dragons( She creates Peace Doves) and because I so admire Linda's work in peace. Some time ago she survived a terrorist attack (she was actually shot). That moment led to her using children story books as a way to teach peace. A great kindness on her side.

1483 Reads

Its Not Our Money

This happened 5 years ago to this day...My husband was walking our previous dog, Maggie at our local park. There were beer bottles on the ground, so he picked them up to put them in the bin, but Maggie trotted back with a black leather wallet in her mouth. My husband took it off her and had a quick look inside for any ID and it was crammed full of cash. He brought the wallet home and gave it to me. I was staggered, I didn't count the money, but there was at least $400 there. In the wallet was an AA membership card, so i phoned the free number, explained what happened, and they phoned the owner's cell phone and we did a multi person call. A very sleepy voice answered, so we arranged that she would stop by our house and pick it up. When she did, she was very hung ... Read Full Story >>

1226 Reads

Malibu And Ridge Tiles

He was standing on the ridge tiles when I phoned him. I thought he was joking as he laughed and allowed me to continue with my call. Then I told him it was a courtesy call. He knew it was about his autistic son who was on a two year program, but had not achieved any units for his course in year one. He knew I had started teaching his son in September and his son was struggling with me. He knew this because he was angry when I asked him to come and see me in January. He for his part, complained to the head of the training department who requested my line manager be present at the meeting. The problem you see was not his son but me. After all, I had given 7 warnings out in one day yes 7 warnings in one day and they all hated me (17 ... Read Full Story >>

1399 Reads

Good Bye North Face!

This is an unfolding story. I once came across bedding all folded up behind the swimming pools where I walk my dog Roux. I wondered at the time who was sleeping there and why, what had happened in their life that this is how they had to live.  I then saw a young woman walking away from the area when I was walking. I was surprised and wondered if she was the person sleeping rough. I saw her again the next day, walking towards that area of the park. Roux the ice breaker, ran up to her for a pat, and she smiled and she is young, mid teens? I asked her if she was sleeping there and she looked embarrassed and said "no" and I didn't believe her. It was winter at the time. She had a T-shirt on and a small rucksack and looked cold. I thought of Mindy (A KindSpring Member)  Oh well ... Read Full Story >>

2505 Reads

I Was That Stranger

 I always wondered how people would react if i tried to approach a total stranger for help in a busy place like a street corner or in a bustling mall. I have always hurried past a stranger who tried to catch my attention in a busy place or when I am rushing around. I had a taste of both the kindness and callousness that you encounter in the street. Yesterday I was in a busy shopping mall buying a large piece of luggage because I just had the time to do it after many days of planning After the purchase in one of the large shops, I picked up my phone from my pocket to call my driver waiting in the parking lot and my phone was dead . I then requested the shop attendant who had just sold me the merchandise (which was not cheap), if she could ring the number ... Read Full Story >>

1839 Reads

Anything Helps: A Father, A Brother, And Me

Today, I was rushing to an appointment and I passed a man sitting on the sidewalk, leaning against a building, holding a cardboard sign over his head. As I sped-walked past him, I glanced at the sign-- it read "Anything Helps" in thin, blue ink. You could barely read it if you weren't looking closely. There are many homeless people in the city where I live, and I've recently noticed how, when I first moved to this city a decade ago, I'd stop and do whatever I could each time I passed by someone in need, whereas now, I walk right by and avoid interacting as much as possible. I've been wondering why that is. Have I gotten busier? More cautious and jaded over time? Even though I know a human being is a human being, no matter what mental state or social status they carry, or how much or little money ... Read Full Story >>

2467 Reads

The Girl Student Sitting at the Back of the Classroom

I still will never forget a girl student sitting at the back of the classroom. Having failed the college entrance exams and changed schools two times, she couldn’t smile naturally. Every day she would sit at the desk, staring into textbooks and exercises, motionless and heavy-hearted. The desperate loneliness she radiated almost stopped me from teaching. Of course, she had no friends in this fiercely competitive class. Every time I stepped into the classroom, I welcomed everyone. Of course, when I said something to her casually, she reluctantly answered with a stiff, shaky, and sheepish smile. Life is harder for senior students. Hardly does a day go by without endless exercises or tests. Every time when the scores came out, her score wouldn't be the first or second but last. Dark clouds always flashed in her eyes. When I invited her to the teacher's office, we never talked about studies or ... Read Full Story >>

8653 Reads

Listening With The Heart

I am so getting into the "listening". A dear friend was having coffee with me and started to tell me a long wonderful story. I listened intrigued, commenting when needed and truly heard her.as I have heard the same story over and over. She has memory loss.
The positive side is. I know the story so well that when she falters in the telling, I fill in the blanks. She says to me "you are amazing how you know exactly what I am going to say". How do you do that?" A beautiful learning for me is hearing her and not letting her know that her memory loss is so bad. I get more out of seeing the joy on her face as she tells this marvelous story. It is a gift to me.

2066 Reads

A Prescription for Compassion

The other day I was standing in line at the drugstore waiting to get a prescription. The man in front of me started to talk to me out of the blue, and I noticed that he was very intoxicated. He was just striking up a normal "how's the weather?" Type of chat, and I pretended to not know that he was "drunk" and just allowed him to speak. I felt my heart fill to bursting with compassion for him in that moment, rather than other more negative reactions I might've had in the past, and when it was his time to get his order, he nodded and smiled at me, with gratitude in his eyes. I could "feel" that he felt "my" lack of reaction to his inebriation and was grateful for it, and I wished him a good day as he left. I'm so happy to be able to be that ... Read Full Story >>

1429 Reads

Small Act Of Kindness, From One Child To Another

On Saturday, as usual my granddaughter and I went out. We decided to go to the YMCA Sports Club and swim. As I was getting out of the car I noticed that my granddaughter, who is much faster than I am, was bending over in a small green space by the car. I asked her what she was doing. I thought maybe she had found something. To my surprise , she wasn't picking anything up but putting a small plastic gem down for a child to find.

This small act of kindness really warmed my heart. A couple of years ago I had asked her to do small acts of kindness with me but she didn't seem to want to do them with me very often . I thought she had stopped but as she explained every once in a while she would leave a small gift for a child on her own without anybody knowing. I am so proud of her.

1592 Reads

Honesty Was My Greatest Friend That Day

We took a road trip this weekend to visit some long-time friends that we don't see very often. This was our first time visiting them ever, yet they've driven half-way across the country several times just to visit us (they are only 6 hours away now). Anyway, I tried to take the opportunity to spread a bit of kindness - I gave away a dove and put post-it notes in all the restrooms. And all of us had a great time just hanging out together and chatting.

There's something great about being with long-time friends: they'll tell you stuff others wouldn't. And so this weekend I was told that I am pretty "bashing" toward a certain group of people. And that surprised me, because I thought I was getting better at that. Because I've been working toward being less judgmental, less negative, more positive, more accepting, just kinder all around. I guess I'm not as far along as I thought I was.

I'm glad he told me. Now I know what needs more work!

1263 Reads

It's Our Attitude

Some (including myself) frequently feel that we don't have enough, that we struggle to make ends meet. Yet for most of us, like my family, that is just not true. And I'm glad to have learned this here-- I can change my circumstance simply by being thankful for what I have instead of focusing on what I imagine I might be lacking. Yet there are some that truly have nothing. Or not enough. So I've been wanting to make a donation to a US-based, humanist/secular charity in India called Responsible Charity, which, among other things, sponsors slum children into private schools because education is the number one thing you can do to get people out of poverty. Today, as one of the acts of kindness I had planned for June, I signed up for continuous monthly donations of $20, which is enough to sponsor one child's attendance at a private school for one whole ... Read Full Story >>

1405 Reads

Helping Competitors

A gift of "experience" is being able to share tools and resources with others to keep them from having to start from scratch. This week I did that twice with "competition" in my field. But, as I have learned, their success is also my success and glad I could help them out and save them effort.

1266 Reads

Pedaling Forward

We found a nice practice bike at the church sale for the remainder of our time here in Switzerland (and for less than 500 CHF!) a month or so back. Another mama was looking at it first but she didn't have her kid to measure it with so she wasn't going to get it then. I told her we would call her when we are leaving. Since we are leaving in 2 weeks, I called her for her son to have his turn and because it was so inexpensive we can gift it forward! 

1287 Reads

A Short Cut Home And To My Heart, Because of Kindness

This past weekend was full of wonderful love and kindness and it all started with a lovely South African couple. I went shopping in the area but without the car. I enjoy my walks and often choose a destination from which I can take a bus back- If I have walked a long distance.

So I went on a beautiful walk and was happily doing my shopping. At the checkout after paying for my bill, I decided to ask for info about the bus. I’d not been able to see the timetable. The lovely lady to whom I’d offered to go first in the queue turned back and asked where I was going. “We are going that way, we can take you”. I enjoyed a beautiful conversation with them in the car and arrived safe, grateful and happy.

1554 Reads

Little Things Mean A Lot ( To Me )

Today was a special day for me. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to spread a little love and kindness today.  I had doctor's appointments in a town that's about 45 minutes from where I live and I enjoy the drive there because I get to see the mountains reveal themselves the further north I travel. After both my appointments were done, I thanked everyone who had tended to me and started walking down from the building ( through a somewhat lengthy breezeway) and I noticed an elderly woman sort of pacing at the end. I excused myself and asked if she was waiting for someone or did she need assistance. As it turns out, she was having trouble walking the distance and had paged for a wheelchair and staff member to pick her up. No one had come for several minutes. Now, let me explain something, Virginia heat, ... Read Full Story >>

1552 Reads




Submit your own
story of Kindness

Search by keyword

Tags

Subscribe to the Kindness Newsletter

143K subscribers

About Us

KindSpring is a place to practice small acts of kindness. For over a decade the KindSpring user community has focused on inner transformation, while collectively changing the world with generosity, gratitude, and trust. The site is 100% volunteer-run and totally non-commercial. It is a shared labor of love.

Other servicespace Projects Include

KindSpring.org is a project of ServiceSpace. BY-NC-ND 4.0