Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Gift Of Anonymity

The Gift of Anonymity I've been described as a social person. It's true. I enjoy meeting people. I love getting together with friends for lunch or a drink at Starbucks and spending hours just talking. I'm usually pretty good at remembering people's names, too. And, most often, I'm comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings with others, despite the fact that….. I'm male. For several years now, I've been a faithful Facebook user. When social media emerged in the technology world, I couldn't think of any reason why I would make use of it. I thought it was just for teens and young adults. My boys had MySpace accounts, then switched over to Facebook. My siblings, too, created FB accounts. When my wife launched her FB page, I wondered why. Then, when my mother -- yes, my mother (she's 86) -- created a Facebook page, I decided to give in and join the ... Read Full Story >>

1134 Reads

Kindness Rocks My World!

Today was a great day! I bought four huge pinwheels at the dollar store and was heading for the checkout when a little boy got so excited seeing them. His dad asked where I found them and took him back to get his own to take home. While waiting in line, a woman asked about an item I had multiples of in my cart. I asked her if she would like to take a couple and she checked them out and picked the one she liked. She was so thrilled she did not have to go back into the store to find the item. I had a great conversation with the flooring people at Lowes today. They were very helpful. I also had a nice chat with girl at the resale store. She needed change so I emptied my coin purse and let her take what she wanted. She was happy as ... Read Full Story >>

1452 Reads

Lost and Found

I was sitting on the front porch in the sun that faces the road. I saw something strange on the road behind my car tire so I went over to have a look. It was a bus pass and a pair of reading glasses in a soft case, neither of which were labeled with a name. I put them on our fence post thinking that whoever dropped them last night would come back to look for them.

Sure enough, an older man came looking all around the street near my car so I asked him if he had lost something. He said he had lost his footing and fallen coming home from dinner out last night. I was able to reunite him with his glasses and bus pass. Later my husband shared it was one of his friends he talks to when he walks our dog Roux. How funny!

774 Reads

Kindness out of nowhere!

​Today I experienced and amazing act of kindness and wanted to share it with all of you. I went to a local resale shop and found an amazing print. Without much thought I bought it for a whopping $10.00. Then got it out to my compact car and it did not fit. I called everyone I knew, and no one was around I could not return it.

As I was about to leave it, feeling sad and disappointed a very kind and compassionate man also carrying two smaller prints asked if I had a problem. I explained my dilemma. After he stopped laughing he offered to take my picture home for me! Still beaming over how happy he made me. (and my sister who hated the picture above my couch and suggested that one could replace it) I'm still giddy every time I think about the experience!

1526 Reads

Aren't We All Family?

I noticed elderly man was wobbly on his feet and was trying to steady himself by grabbing at a bush outside the rest area facility, but then sort of slowly collapsed to the concrete sidewalk as another bystander. My husband and I ran to his aide. Thankfully, he didn't hit his head on the sidewalk! A few more of us gathered around, assessing the situation. I gave my cell phone to husband to call 911. It seemed lot happened all at once, but there were at least 4 or 5 of us by the man's side. <3 His wife was alerted (she had been walking their dog in the pet area) and then she brought his oxygen. Someone took his pulse; another cushioned his head. Waiting for the ambulance to get there, I held his hand and looked in his eyes. I patted his face and touched his forehead. I assured him that ... Read Full Story >>

2938 Reads

Tale Of The Missing Wood Rabbit

Before Easter I had purchased a little rustic-looking wood rabbit that I placed on my front steps. Several weeks ago, it appeared to have hopped away with the help of some unsavory kids.

 I couldn't blame them for certain as I had no proof only a suspicion. It simply annoyed me and I wondered what happened to it. The lady on my far corner has fence upon which she places cutesy little "things". Today as I took my walk, what caught my eye but said rabbit without its base.

She was working in her garden and I inquired about it. She shared how she had found it in the street and encouraged me to take it back when she heard my tale. But I realized it looks so cute on her fence and at least I know what became of it even though I still can't pin the deed on anyone. Sometimes just knowing the end result is enough. 

1074 Reads

Drive Thru Smiles

It's been a while since I paid for someone behind me in the drive thru. Today when I was waiting in line, someone was trying to get into the drive thru but got frustrated. I saw that they ended up behind me. There was only one window so I knew I would be gone when they received their free meal. When I told the cashier what I wanted to do, her smile was priceless. One of my favorite parts of some random acts of kindness is how everyone involved gets a smile, especially the servers. It was a nice way to break up a stressful day and spread a few smiles!

2075 Reads

Change of Plans Gave an Opportunity for RAOK

Plans for a quiet sit under arbor didn't go as I had envisioned. A friend had to stick close to home to wait for repairman. So, I picked up Subway (her choice), which gave me a great opportunity for a random act of kindness or RAOK :).

I paid for an extra cookie and asked clerk to give it to the next customer who wanted one. She stapled the SMILE card to the cookie bag, just to be sure the next customer would get the free treat :).

Plus, when my friend wanted to reimburse me for the meal, I suggested she put it toward the donation she was assembling of products for the women's shelter.

A little bit of kindness in each day makes me a whole lot of happy! :).


844 Reads

I Did It. I Let It Go.


I took a fancy parker pen to work a couple of months ago and managed to hold onto it for a good couple of weeks before I lost/misplaced it, pens don't last long at work and you tend to arrive with one pen and go home with a completely different one!

Today on a colleagues desk I spotted my pen!! I couldn't believe it, I wanted to pick it up, claim it back as its rightful owner and yell out in a loud voice "that's my pen". Initially I felt annoyed then I thought hang on what if I don't say anything? what if I just leave it and see it as an anonymous gift from me to her? Does it really matter?
Well Im proud to say I left the pen where it was and felt content knowing that it was being used and in good hands :) Cant quite believe I did this, the old me probably would have snuck it into my pocket and taken it back home never to return to work again, lol!

1274 Reads

Homecoming

My gorgeous and lucky sister has been in Bali for a week. And I've been feeding her cat. She flys in tomorrow morning.

Yesterday whilst out I bought a bouquet of beautiful orange lilies, which I placed in a vase on her dinning room table. The fragrance is already filling her home.

And today. Today I made the most decadent and yummy mars bar slice for her which I'm going to place in her fridge for her to discover.

Such a lovely surprise don't you think?

Returning home from holidays is never too fun. Hopefully the surprise flowers and home baked goodies on thr fridge take the sting out of it a bit ❤

906 Reads

A Tug On My Heart Led to an Unexpected Gift

This week I rescued two kittens from a home where the family could not take care of them. This was something I was not planning on doing it just happen. A single mom with three boys and a baby girl on the way posted on Facebook she could not afford to take care of them and was going to take them in   twenty four hours to the Humane Society. I just happened to see the post and live in her city. I felt a pull in my heart and made the visit and fell in love.  The kittens were so scared of her little boys as well. The kittens were "free", but I donated money for the kittens, so the mother would see that I cared and wanted them to go to a good home. When I saw her situation my heart broke. My mother was a single mom of three, so ... Read Full Story >>

1504 Reads

A Lesson in What Wasn't Said

Reflecting on the day that was, I realized that I might have been more compassionate to someone who treated me 'quite unkindly' if I have listened carefully to his body language. It was only this afternoon when I saw him not physically well that I understood that he was not his usual self that's why he acted unkindly earlier. My big lesson for the day is to listen to what others are not saying.

1332 Reads

A Five Year Old Takes The RAOK to Another Level

Every Sunday I take my children to the grocery store to pick up our weekly stock of flowers. Today while we were there I told them we would pick out a bouquet of flowers and after we paid for them, give them to someone who looked like they might enjoy them.

Instead, my 5-year-old wanted to hand out stems that had about 4 buds each, to individual people as we walked through the store.

Reactions ranged from shock to pure delight. We got many thank you's, smile and even some hugs. What a great message for my girls and what an easy way to make someone's day.

2086 Reads

"Scentsational" Kindness From A Thoughtful Friend

A few days ago I was the blessed recipient of a poignant act of kindness. A friend texted me to ask if she could do a flower drop off.

She had earlier brought me fresh cut white lilacs, knowing what a hard spring this is for me - the first season without my beloved perennial garden. This time she gifted me a small bouquet of lilies of the valley, one of the scents I miss the most (the others being my plum blossoms, and my peonies).

She found them in her own back yard (she also had moved). That familiar potent scent brought tears of joy and longing to my eyes. For a dozen years at least, I made sure to share my peonies with her - it was our tradition; I was so touched by her thoughtfulness.

I quickly sniffed all the sniff out of those lilies, which was yet another lesson in the ephemeral nature of joy, but the little blossom bells are still so cheery!

1625 Reads

A Mother Who Fed Me With Inspiration

Yesterday I saw a mother holding her baby a bit awkward, struggling to get a better hold of her baby, there was no seat around, I thought she was tired. I stopped and praised the beauty of her child and she gave me the baby to hold. I kept the beautiful baby for a few minutes and expressed my gratitude and pleasure, and the baby laughed. When I left, the mother and the baby were all smiles, but guess who kept the biggest one, for hours and even now as I remember it? [Laughs] Probably me.  And if you can forgive this long space and the time I take, please allow me to share my new poem: Mother and child Caress me mother, Touch me! Just give me one finger Won't demand your hand! -Sweet dear child, Don't you really know? Nothing can stop The primal love of mothers To you I dedicate my life, entire Eternally you'll have me In flesh and ... Read Full Story >>

1623 Reads

Her Soul Sang Through

Today, as on most Saturdays my granddaughter and I went swimming at the Y.M.C.A. While we were there a gentleman came in with his daughter who was blind. 

They played in the pool for awhile then came to the the hot tub where my granddaughter and I were resting. After a few minutes we heard this beautiful voice singing "What a Wonderful World." The pitch was perfect, the timing wonderful . It was the little girl singing. She sang a couple of other songs then they left. I hope they come back and we have the pleasure of hearing her sing again. It was such beautiful a surprise. 

1189 Reads

A Gratitude Practice Steeped in Faith


I am working on a daily learning in the Jewish tradition with a different Torah concept each day that includes a practice. Today's practice is Not Claiming Credit for One's Self.  Because everything we do is based on a gift we received from someone or from GOD. And  thus I feel like who are we to take all the credit. Therefore the practice is to think of something you have accomplished and who helped to make this possible AND thank that person for his or her gift to you.

This is the reason for my post today. I want to thank you all ( at Kindspring ) for the gift of inspiring me and teaching me about kindness in so many ways I never thought of before. My growing kindness is because of your kindness and I am grateful.
 

945 Reads

Meeting Marilyn

My 5 year son and I were headed to Costco after school and he was hungry. He wanted to know if we could run by McDonald's and grab a cheeseburger. We pulled into the parking lot and in front of us was a mini-van with an elderly lady inside. She had a look of discouragement on her face. I approached her and she told me she was traveling from out of town for a wedding and that her car had broken down as soon as she pulled out of the parking spot. A man and I helped push her car back into the parking spot. She was nervous and couldn't remember how to use her cell. I called AAA  car service for her and then called her son to let him know she was safe.  We waited with her until AAA arrived. She was unable to get into the AAA vehicle due ... Read Full Story >>

1266 Reads

Meditating With Others In Mind

I started my day in meditation by picturing someone I care about who is going through a challenging time along with me. I pictured all the things I love about her. It felt like I was creating a painting, coloring in all the textures, swirls, and depth that make her "her."

After sending love up and out her way, I sent her an e-mail sharing how I see her as a master artwork who simply flows thought life and leaves situations and people better simply because she was there. They breathe easier. They feel happier. Their spirits are brighter - all things I associate with being in the presence of Art that speaks to me.

I hope the e- mail will encourage her and help her heart rest a bit more.

1310 Reads

Better Than Suspension

Two boys got into a scuffle at our school. Rather than suspend them for fighting we asked them how they wanted to make up for what they did. They decided they should pick up trash at lunch and wear a sign on their backs that said, "Violence can be stopped before it happens. Choose kindness over violence." They decided it would be helpful to explain to students why they were wearing the sign. Way cool!

784 Reads




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