Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Customer Service Calls - We Can Serve Them

I spent several phone calls with various customer service reps today. I dislike those calls - usually a pain. I listened intently to make sure I got names, used them and tried to make the calls pleasant for them. One sounded so tired even on hello. By call's end, she was laughing and I told her to breathe deeply before her next one.  Perhaps she had a momentary lift.

1054 Reads

Feeling Changed:)

A couple of years back I invited a few students to be part of a Kindness Challenge. After the 21 days one of the participants wrote an article for our school newspaper. I just reread it and I wanted to share the last line of her article with you, in regards to doing acts of kindness with no agenda: "Though it may not be world-changing, it may change a life -- most likely your own."

This is what I have found through everyone in this community. When my mind starts to think "what impact am I having?" I try to shift to "how am I being impacted?" Through giving, may we truly experience what it means to receive<3.

1122 Reads

Growing In Kindness And It Feels So Good

I would like to share a story that I just told a KS friend about in a comment... since only she saw it I thought others might enjoy and learn from it... There is someone on KinSpring whose posts sort of annoyed me. I asked my friend about them and she replied with kindness (as she always does). This made me rethink my own reaction. I was able to something positive in this person's posts and sent this person Karmabucks with thanks for that positive thing I noticed. This felt so good as it was a stretch for me. Ordinarily I would have just continued to be annoyed every time I saw a post or at the most just ignored them. This was a way for me to show to myself that I could find something good in everyone and show kindness to everyone. It is easy to show kindness to those ... Read Full Story >>

2292 Reads

Smiles for Government Personnel

I was in line to meet with a government agency person. There were 4 possible people to help me and the very one that looked and acted disgruntled was the one I got. So I smiled at her and acted as though she was the most pleasant of all four. We had a wonderful exchange; she smiled more than once. And she finished by saying, "I hope you have a great day", while smiling. Sometimes we have to do the initiating to bring happiness into our world.

1190 Reads

Talking To Strangers

Today, I was resting on a bench at a Subway station and a very tired woman came and sat next to me. I said hello and offered her some of the sweet that I was eating but she refused politely, she's just been to a coffee shop and she was already full. But the ice was broken and we talked for about half an hour . She complained of a few things and I understood her but I also helped her to notice the bright side and she would be smiling and say "yes it's true". When we said our good bye she was a different person, her tiredness seemed to be gone and instead of sighs, as she came,  left with smiles, thanking me for talking to her, it made her day.I thanked her too for telling me so many things about her life. A few minutes later, right before riding ... Read Full Story >>

2310 Reads

School Bus Driver Appreciation

I walk my two little dogs each morning and I wave to all the School Bus Drivers I see!! I met a bus driver in a store and she ask if I was the dog lady? I said yes. She said why to you wave to us the Bus Drivers? I told her that Bus Drivers have a thankless job and if I can a little happiness to their day that makes me feel good and gives the Bus Drivers a little recognition for a job well done. grace

1465 Reads

Coffee Line Surprise

Standing in line at the coffee shop with a friend, a man waited until I pulled money out of my wallet before saying "excuse me! I need money to get a bus ticket." Startled because I didn't see him there, I told him to wait. When I got change, I hesitated for a moment over the bills.

I had realized that he had followed us in. I knew he waited to see if I would pull out a card or cash. I knew it was a scam, but.

I took the extra step, I handed him a five instead of a couple of singles. I took that moment to deliberately choose instead of simply react. I hope that with the extra bit of cash something extra from my intentions went to him, too. Perhaps a knowing that I realized what he was doing and that even with the knowing, I still cared and acted on love.

1858 Reads

Conversation and New Connections

Last night we went to a wedding. Mostly there to support the father of the bride. I generally don't like crowds. I chose to go out of my way to compliment people, make small talk and ask questions about things that mattered to them. We had a great time and left feeling very connected to a few new friends. :-)

I realized that after spending so much of my time on KindSpring, it allowed me to view the situation differently. Instead of being concerned about whether I fit in or had something to say, I simply saw around me humans who could benefit from connection . . . and kindness. :-)

1289 Reads

Blind Woman Who Was Lost And A Homeless Man Who Was Found

On the way to a meeting today, I saw a blind woman who looked a bit lost. I wanted to reach out but was a bit hesitant since I didn't want to sound patronizing. In my heart, I wished her well, and lo and behold, right as I crossed her, she blurts out, "Excuse me, can you help me?" She was indeed lost, trying to looking for the bus stop, and I gently moved her around so she could walk in the right direction. It was a very small act, actually, but I felt so happy that she could read my heart. I feel indebted that she received my invisible offering, before even asking me for help. It was a long, full day. By the end of the night, I decided to get some pizza. (My food choices decidedly deteriorate when my wife is away. :)) It's a very sketchy pizza ... Read Full Story >>

2024 Reads

Received An Email Requesting ...

Received an email requesting a creative donation (of a mandala design or an individual artistic expression) to encourage healing of a friend's father and his family during a stressful time of uncertain health concerns.

It was kindly suggested that we pour our positive vibes and thoughts into our coloring or creations. What a lovely way to promote the blessings, my kind friends <3.

I illustrated a poem (that I had originally written for Mish when she was facing a health concern) and included an origami Peace dove.

Blessings of strength and courage for those facing such challenges. Keep them close in prayer and thought, and send them our loving focus.

1332 Reads

In An Effort To Cheer Up My Homeless Friend

There is a lovely Muslim woman around 30 years old who has migrated to the UK from a well-known conflict-torn country. She has 3 children, aged twelve, nine, and two and a half. I have been learning about her and hearing about some of her difficulties for about a year. In the UK we have what is called The Big Issue, a magazine the homeless sell on street corners to make legitimate money. Many of them cannot find regular jobs or are not able to work for lack of a homestead or certain papers. My friend, as she feels like one now, has multiple obstacles and no family help. She "couch" surfs in a nearby big city where all the good Big Issue pitches are taken. Consequently she has to travel some ways to get to this small town on the seaside, and a lot of her wages is taken up ... Read Full Story >>

1406 Reads

Giving away my favorite bracelet

I picked the Smile card: " Give one of your possession RIGHT NOW" while in a discussion group where I basically had nothing to give away. I was wearing my favorite bracelet made of agates, a souvenir from Spain and had the impulse to give it to the lady sitting next to me, so I did. I will miss it, but in a good way, cause it made me feel good to give it to that beautiful girl! 

706 Reads

The Flower Road In Japan

Saturday was a very hot day on an island in North of Japan, but it did not stop the people of a small community from gathering together and working for the benefit of people's smiles. It was a great privilege to join them.

It is a tradition now, it’s the fourth spring of the Annual Beauty and Smiles Creation. Community people together were working with colorful flowers, in soulful elation. 

There was hard sweaty work, of a Junior High School child, house wives and all kind of teachers, Asahikawa workers, and elders living near by. It was a display of an interactive action of ninety volunteers. 
 
All of them kneeled along the sides of 3 km road. To plant eleven thousand sunflowers, impatience, red and blue salvia, and let’s not forget the gorgeous marigold. [The roads] Tokiwaand  and Ishiyama sparkle a new colorful flower bed.​
 

2759 Reads

Reasons to smile

I have found this and the words felt so perfect! I'm a working mother, so tired most of the time, often I get into my bed and get lost in a feeling "I'm so tired I can't fall asleep": and start to snore (laugh). Two things I want to add to my daily life: In the mornings be grateful for another day, and at night be grateful for those who made my day special (including myself). Love to you all <3

1367 Reads

What Happened Over Iced Tea

I frequent a certain cafe every now and then when I wish to work away from home, where I face many of my self-created distractions. As I stood in line at the cafe, I looked at the plethora of pastries that enticed me, and was very engaged in the thought of which pasty I was going to choose with my cup of tea. Half-present, I realized the line wasn't moving as 'smoothly' as I had wished it would. I was in no particular rush, but noticed this thought surfaced. When I became aware of this, it prompted me to look at the two individuals before me. One was an elderly woman perhaps in her 70's. She appeared fumbling with her change purse and inquired in great detail about the prices. It was then evident that she ordered an ice tea as well as a pastry, but did not have enough money for ... Read Full Story >>

1878 Reads

Starbucks Kindness

Yesterday I was waiting in the Starbucks line for my Tazo Chai Latte. A lady in front of me was at the cashiers register paying for her goodies. Her credit card kept denying. When she checked she wasn't sure why her bill was not paid. Anyways I offered to pay for her goodies. The look in her eyes and the cashier's eyes were priceless. Thank you universe.

1499 Reads

Garden Surprises

A week ago I walked past the house I had donated plants, pots and flowers to. This time I had two massive cane baskets that I had in my back yard. I used to put pots of geraniums in them.

I looked at my lovely garden, and thought "why keep things that are so beautiful if I now just take them for granted" So what I did was leave these beautiful baskets on her front porch. Yesterday when I was walking Bentley, I noticed she has arranged them in an area surrounded by flowers and put some flower pots in the baskets.

I get such a thrill when I see part of my garden now living in her garden. It is like seeing them bring pleasure to someone else. It makes me happy and I kept walking with a big smile on my face.

1808 Reads

Learning to live and trust

Since I was a kid I liked to be left alone with my own thoughts, I was always wondering around, I was a day dreamer: not an action girl - I rather be painting or just playing with my dolls or legos. Then school came and I was "forced" to know others kids, to learn how to get along, and sometimes It was a very hard issue to me. I took very seriously every harsh and bullying event towards myself and that made me to grow up with less and less hope in humanity. I became a very shy girl with huge dreams, and very large fear of others.I always thought I was meant to be alone: and I was prepared to be later in life got engaged and moved in with my beloved. I've completed my studies, after 15 years we had a baby. But even now, in my gut I don't ... Read Full Story >>

2020 Reads

Moody, Irritable, and kind

Today I found myself moody and irritable. And then the phone rang. On the other end some lady trying to 'sell' me something. I wasn't interested or in the mood for this phone call but I heard that inner voice I often hear ...

"Bless her Nicole. Bless her".

How I wondered?

Then I realised I could be kind, courteous and sympathetic. So I was.

At the end if our phone call she said

"Wow. I wish everyone were as nice and kind and as you. Most people hang up on me or are rude".

Sadly I have been that person. Rude and close to hanging up. But today I wasn't and hopefully never will I be again.

Telemarketers are people too. People just like you and me. Working to pay bills and support a family. They deserve kind. Not unkind ❤

820 Reads

Burned Out But Happy

My day started off by getting a text from one of the mothers I work with. She told me that what I taught her son in math on Monday, was the topic his teacher started on Tuesday. She was really grateful that I had taken him ahead so he already understood the concept.

I got home around 8 tonight after a grueling session with my 8th grader and my phone rang. It was my ex-student who is in college. He had a paper due to send to his teacher by 11:30 tonight. He asked me to check it for him .

It was 5 pages long, but I did it for him. I always told him I would be there for him and since I got him through middle and high school, I have to help him finish up college. He told me he wanted to work with me this summer to help him to improve his writing.

1187 Reads




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