Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Help is on the Way!

We recently had our house repainted on the inside. I noticed a change in our painter's demeanor and asked him if he was okay. He told me that he was suffering from a terrible tooth ache. I called a friend who is a dentist and she agreed to see him immediately. I am so grateful for her willingness to help! Thanks, Dr. Jill. 

Opening My Heart, Hearth, and Home

Two weeks ago, one of the local college international students stopped to chat with me and mentioned that the host family where he had been staying had asked him to leave because they arranged for a longer-term student to live with them.

As a result, he was living in his car, parking it at night in the college's parking lot. Without hesitation, I offered him my home. He accepted with the condition that he would do some yard work for me.

It has been a tremendous joy to have this young man from Jordan sit at the dinner table sharing stories of his youth, his family, his country, his hopes for the future, and his impressions of our country. I am honored that he said yes to staying at my home. 

I touched her hands-and she my heart

Walking home form work one afternoon, my gaze met that of a lady I had seen many times before, asking for spare change as always, but for some reason today I felt compelled to take out my wallet and give her a few dollars.

As she took the coins from my hands she briefly held my hand and I felt her thanks so deeply as she looked me in the eyes with such immense gratitude. In that small moment the true value of compassion and the need for us to connect and empathize with each other as part of one humanity really dawned on me.

Such a small connection was just so moving. I don't know why on that specific day I felt the need to give to her, or what she would spend that money on, but I do know I made a difference in her life that day, even for just that moment, and that's enough for me.

Contagious kindness at a healthscreening

A couple of weeks ago, BCBS (Blue Cross Blue Shield) had organized biometric health screenings at our company for employees and their family. In the screening room, I saw one old person who said he had credit card but no checkbook with him. BCBS said they will only accept checks. The old man's son works in my office and he was trying to contact him via phone without any luck. I asked him his name and volunteered to find him. I knew his son by name but we had never worked together or talked to each other before. I went around looking for him without any luck. I thought I would write the check for his father, but noticed that my checkbook had ran out of checks. I asked at least 5-6 colleagues if they had a checkbook to write check in exchange of cash, but none had a checkbook with them. Finally I ... Read Full Story >>

Unexpected Kindness and the Joy of Gratitude

Yesterday I went to the local pool for a swim and there was a misunderstanding about the time. The new attendant didn't want to let me in, although I was well within the time limit for the midday swim. I was just standing there confused, when another attendant whom I knew from before, but that I had always found a bit gruff and dismissive, recognized me and leapt to my rescue. 
 
He took over to let me in. Still confused, and a bit surprised, I went in to have my swim. On my way out, the gruff attendant beamed happily at me when I thanked him. Who knew? Such a minor incident becomes a vehicle for unexpected kindness and opens the floodgates of gratitude and changed perceptions.

The Watermelon

I was in line at the grocery store check-out counter waiting for the woman ahead of me to pay for her groceries. At first, I wasn't paying attention to what was going on. Soon, however, I realized that she was struggling to decide which item or items to leave behind, as the combination of food stamps and cash still left her unable to pay for everything in her basket.

The woman said she would pass on the watermelon. With that, the young girl with the woman reminded her that she had promised they would get watermelon that day. The woman gently explained her financial situation to the small child, but the disappointment in the little girl's eyes was unmistakable. I got the attention of the cashier and offered to pay for the watermelon.
 
The cost, to me, was nothing. The joy, however, in the eyes of the woman and young child was priceless. I was so grateful for the opportunity to do something so simple. In fact, I think I benefited more from this act of kindness than they did.

 

Beautiful People

I'm sitting here in a hospital waiting to have a lump taken off my ear. As scary as it feels to have my body cut - I am thinking of all the beautiful people in my life. My son being number one.

But also thinking of all these beautiful smiling kind people working here at the hospital so early in the morning. I was obviously looking lost and the cleaner stopped her work to offer to check my paperwork and sent me in the right direction.

I let the people at the reception desk know how lovely she had been. To all those people spending some time in hospital - I wish for you- beautiful happy people to brighten your day.

Smiling At 'strangers'

My favorite, simple, act of daily kindness is to smile at every stranger that meets my gaze. It is amazing how many unexpected returned smiles you receive.

There is a special warmth one gains from this mutual exchange, nothing more nothing less than a simple smile. This effortless gesture somehow reminds me that we are all human despite being 'strangers' in this seemingly massive world.

The human experience of loneliness can be alleviated by for just one moment by sharing a smile satisfying this innate longing for connection, even just for one moment. Sometimes that simple act is all it takes to lift ones mood and make ones day.

I am ever conscious that each individual is on a journey, fighting a battle that they feel perhaps nobody understands. This one simple connection has the potential to mean so much more.  

Making space to listen

Instead of engaging in a political election debate during which one side usually tries to convince the other one to change their opinion, I focused on an individual with a different political opinion. This is was my coworker,  I smiled at him and asked him to just enjoy the sunny lunch break outside together at a picnic. .

He told me his story and where his opinions coming from and I told him mine. In the end, we even found some common ground, although we are still political opponents. I think by focusing on one person at a time, I am better able to listen and to understand and share my perspective instead of screaming at each other in big debates where you cannot hear the other side because you are so busy making yourself heard in a loud voice. 
 

Love

I have been saying "I love you" a lot more to people and animals. I used to fear being shot down but now I don't worry about that. I have a big heart and I recognize now it is full of love and it needs to be put out into the world. :)

2nd Grade Kindness

I got our school on-board with our kindness challenge this month. I received an email earlier this week sharing that a 2nd grader was out doing the bike rodeo with some volunteers and the person in charge contacted one little boy's teacher. She said:

"This one boy was being so sweet to this girl about riding her bike- nice words of encouragement. I noticed and praised him for his supportive comments.

When we were putting the bikes away that same boy said, "Is it really good to always be kind?" And of course I said "Yes, it is one of the most important things." He said, "I was kind today." And I said "Yes, you were, you were nice. Thank you." And he said, "Will you please tell my teacher what you said!?"

Loving it!

Special Outing For The Orphans

I have been working in an orphanage as a volunteer for 8 years. This year I wanted to do something different with the kids because they are always in their bedrooms or in the same house all the time. All the days are the same, so I wanted to give them a different experience, something exciting and at the same time educational for them. Two volunteers and I went with 12 babies of 15 months. I was wondering how to keep them safe, so we grabbed 3 shopping carts and put 4 kids inside each cart. We entered the supermarket. The kids were impressed and the rest of the people were as well. Their little eyes were so wide opened trying to catch everything, the lights, the things, the people, the smells-- oh so cute! I went straight onto the fruit and vegetable section and pretended to be a teacher. I grabbed ... Read Full Story >>

Rock n Stroll

My Middle School Group decorated rocks with inspirational messages and art and then left them along a half-mile stretch of sidewalk and trail for others to find. We had a great time thinking about how people would feel when they found the rocks.

Working To Repair A Friendship

Today I attended a committee meeting that included a former close friend who had hurt me terribly. It had knocked me for a loop. I know the person was stressed and lashing out at someone she cared about, but it had happened so many times in the past, I had decided it was too much.

After a couple of weeks, I extended an "olive branch" to her, by re-opening the lines of communication after I had shut it down for awhile. I know it is best not to hold the hurt and anger in my heart. Not good for either of us. 

 But today was the first day I was in the same room with her. I went out of my way to greet her and smile, and tried to put her at ease. I think she looked relieved, and she smiled back, and we spoke some pleasantries. For today, that was enough and a step in the right direction. I know she has a good heart, and I will continue to try and focus on that.


 

Do Not Ignore Love

I told someone I loved them.

After being widowed in 2014, losing my mother later that year, and a kitten I had gotten in August as a companion, I began a grieving journey that brought me full circle when a friend and neighbor was struck and killed by a car this February. Her funeral was the same date that my wife had died.

I already knew the brevity and majesty of life but my friend's sudden death took it to a new level. Then, someone came into my life one month ago and changed everything.

I knew within days that we would love each other deeply and for a long time.

At first, I was afraid, but then I remembered my friend. To receive an opportunity to love is miraculous. I have decided not to refuse the universe's offer of such a gift.

I told someone I loved them. It's a choice, a commitment, and a feeling. I am blessed.

Warm Feet, Warm Hearts

It was a cold evening and was going to be a colder night, when I visited a friend in the neighborhood who lives on her own. We talked about how cold it was and she told me that her feet never feel warm in her bed, and so sleep does not come easy.

I told her a hot water bottle was the answer, and also that I had two so I would be happy to give her one; she was hesitant to accept the offer, but when I persuaded her she agreed, so I came home and took the bottle( which also has a very pretty cotton fabric cover), for her. She told me the next morning that she had a really comfortable night, it made me feel wonderful.

She used the bottle through the winter and is still using it, every night...makes me feel really happy especially when I get into my own bed and think of her warm feet!

Right place after all

Today I went to McDonald's to buy a lunch for a student who earned it in my classroom. Out front was a man who was asking for spare change. I asked if he was hungry. He smiled and told me he was. I offered to buy him lunch.

He told me he wanted a cheeseburger, fries and a Coke. So, I bought my student's lunch as well as his, but when I walked out, he was gone. I looked all over, and he had left.

Then, I saw another man who looked like he might be down on his luck.

"I just bought this lunch for a guy," I told him. "But he left. Think you might want it?" the man was shocked and pleased. He took the food, thanked me, and we went our separate ways. Everything for a reason.

 #BeKindToOneAnother

When Kindness Takes Flight

I recently was taking a trip out of town and had to get up early to catch a flight. A friend who lives a ten minutes from the airport had kindly offered to drop me there on his way to work that morning. I planned to drive to his house, park my car there, and then carpool with him the rest of the way. It turns out, I didn't leave early enough, as I hit up against some very unexpected traffic along the way. At 6:10 AM, I literally moved one mile in 45 minutes. (In no traffic, it would only take 25 minutes to drive to this friend's house.) Given the early hour, I hadn't budgeted much buffer time for traffic into this trip. It was a workday morning, and I didn't want to make my friend late for work, so as I sat stalled in traffic, I called him to ... Read Full Story >>

More than passing kindness

Amazing how kind acts are passed on. I recently started work at a school in a very low socio- economic area. I teach textiles, and students were expected to bring in their own fabric. Many were unable, and one student brought in a bed sheet to cut into boxer pants, another a small hand dyed table cover.

I mentioned my concerns to a friend and within days I had a call from her Aunt, a beautiful local nun. She had a bag of fabric for my students and introduced me to a local organization that was also able to assist. It was an organization that helped refugees resettle, and they had more fabric donated to them than they could use.

I picked up the fabric and now have enough to supply students for the year. The smiles upon the faces of the young people are something that warms my heart and makes me so grateful. 

9 Ways To Introduce Students To Random Acts Of Kindness - Nea Today

9 Ways to Introduce Students to Random Acts of Kindness - NEA Today : A California educator offers his tips on spreading RAOK Month throughout the nation’s schools and classrooms.