Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Kindness Even On My Special Day

It was my birthday yesterday and instead of making myself something that I like to eat, I had something that is my husband's favorite food waiting for him after he got home from work. (It was something that I don't even eat-being vegan).

813 Reads

Branches of Kindness

I just got through meeting a lady after selling an item off Craig's list. Her cash still in hand I was at the stop light on my way out of the parking lot. A homeless man was on the corner. I rolled my window down and gave him the money. As I looked in my rear view mirror the car behind me was rolling down their window. The man held some change out for the guy as well.I can only hope that I was the start of a branch of kindness before the line at the light..

1483 Reads

Good Coffee Karma

Every morning after I drop my granddaughter off at school I stop at McDonald's for 2 coffee. Sometimes I will start a pay it forward line but this morning I was the recipient of one. It made me fell extremely good. So thank you for your kindness. To keep the good feelings going I kept the pay it forward going.

912 Reads

Planting Seeds Of Kindness ...

 My grandson's cub scout den is doing a two month unit called"Planting Seeds of Kindness. They are practicing compassion and learning that good things happen when you are kind and help others by doing multiple small service projects.

At their meeting this afternoon they made seed tapes which they are donating to a senior living home. These seed tapes are much easier for the elderly residents to plant than the standard seed packets. Tomorrow the boys are going to visit the seniors and help them plant the seed tapes. My grandson was so excited when he told me about this activity.

2416 Reads

Look for the Helpers

''Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'' I reflected on these touching words while reading a Huffington Post article about a luggage handler who manifested as one of the early heroes in the Brussels airport attack.  In the aftermath of the abhorrent atrocities, this employee remained calm and helped people to safety. One person honored him as a true ''helper'' as described below by Fred Rogers. a.k.a. Mr. Rogers- "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world." In times like this, the true heroes emerge in the world. Sometimes unseen. Usually unnoticed. The ... Read Full Story >>

1365 Reads

Be the person you needed when you were young

There are so many acts of kindness that can be done daily and so many more we miss. I missed one the other day and really wish I'd acted upon it. It was only later in reflecting back on the day that I saw it.

Still it's ok. At the time I sent love and gave the girl my heart and prayers later that night. And that too is a kindness.

I was at my boys school sports carnival watching all the kids compete. When I noticed one race, and a young girl of about 8, coming last. She was overweight and was trailing so far behind that the others in the race had finished well before she crossed the line.

At the time my heart broke. I remember being that girl. Overweight and coming in last. How now I wish I'd said something. Told her how proud I was of her and encouraged her.

Still there will be a next time. And those times, those times will not pass by like this one. I will act on them 💗

3097 Reads

Short Walk Of Inspiration

Hey KS friends, You succeeded in inspiring me. Today, when I went out, I made it a point to get off at the bus stop where the homeless man (from  my earlier post) sits. Right at the bus stop, I found another old man in rags. I went ahead to buy him some cucumber slices. I bought an orange juice for myself but thought would give this to him as well, because it was hot. When I approached him, he started asking me to have these myself. He repeated 3 times. Whoa!! Even though being on the road himself in this heat, he is thinking about me :) I hadn't taken lunch, so I felt l cared for. He finally had the juice and I was all smiles. Walking further I met the same homeless man, who is handicapped and sick. I had posted his story here and received encouragement. I purchased sugarcane juice, (1 ... Read Full Story >>

1641 Reads

Connecting over tinfoil flower and peace dove

Our waiter, Jose, held up the origami dove and said, "Oh! I will put this in my car!"

I replied, "Good! It will lead you in the direction of Peace."

Jose returned to our table a few minutes later with a piece of tinfoil and very diligently folded, tore, gently and carefully, until it became this flower, which he so sweetly presented to me <3.

It's amazing how a little folded square of paper, like a Peace dove, can bring such an exchange of a positive connection!

Blessed, my kind friends, and so very grateful.

1321 Reads

Lunchtime stealth

My wife and I had lunch out today. Our server had the best attitude. The restaurant wasn't very busy. She went out of her way to make us laugh and smile and was just super friendly.

I borrowed a pen from her and wrote a little note to her about how great her attitude was and thanked her for making our lunch so fun and entertaining. We left her a very large tip with the note and a Smile Card.

Because the restaurant was inside of another venue, we were able to spy from outside the window to watch her when she found it. Her reaction was priceless! She picked it up, read the note and the Smile Card and then pumped her fist in the air a few times. It was awesome!

We then saw her go over and show the restaurant manager. We couldn't hear what they said but we could see the smiles from afar. It was great and my wife was happy we could watch the reaction and not get caught!

 

1065 Reads

Shoes of Love

I teach at an elementary school, but also sell Avon on the side to make ends meet. The students at my school are always in need of clothing, school supplies, food, etc.

In March I saw a pair of girls sneakers as an Avon "deal of the day" that I would have LOVED to have as a kid! I purchased them (with no particular student in mind) and donated them to my school counselor to give to a needy child. I secretly can't wait to see who shows up wearing the awesome shoes I bought (Just because they are so super awesome, colorful, and sparkly)!

I love that they will never know the shoes were from me, but I will see the joy on their face the first day they come to school in pretty new shoes. :)

950 Reads

In Memory of Bernard


A dear light-bearer friend touched my heart today when she let me know she was getting ready to plant a tree in memory of Bernard, our majestic Norwegian maple that transitioned a few months ago. Brought tears of gratitude for her beautiful kindness. 🌳❤️

609 Reads

Radio broadcast gives kudos to KindSpring!

I love listening to my local radio morning show. Today I surprised them and dropped off a plate of home-baked brownies and Smile Cards. They announced the act on the radio and read the Smile Card, then proceeded to give the website for KS. That was fun!

  #AprilRAOK 

 

809 Reads

Bus Driver Appreciation

Today was bus driver appreciation day in my town. On the way home we had our regular driver and two drivers heading home. I stood up , announced the day, and asked everyone to join me in thanking these drivers for their service. They got a big round of applause!

1246 Reads

Gardener to gardener

As I was walking my dog Bentley yesterday, I passed this little lonely house, (as i often do on my walk) where the owner makes such an effort to make her garden nice. She has put out little pots of false flowers, glitter pots, and painted rocks.

So, as a fellow gardener of pretty things, I met her and asked if she would mind me dropping off some pots and garden stuff. I said that I didn't need them. She was so happy for this offer and now I will be able to contribute to making her area lovely.

You can actually see her soul in her effort to make her surroundings more beautiful. I am so fortunate that I can just buy soil,plants, and pots to make my garden special. I am so grateful for all I have. So today I will start leaving surprises in her front garden. Now that is making me smile and so happy!

1129 Reads

Kids showing kindness to animals


A recent bunny article reminded me of more children's kindness. People in the house behind us moved out and left bunnies behind. The children in the neighboring houses were coming into the garden and feeding them (they spent their pocket money on the food). They asked for my help cleaning them out and I passed newspaper and hay over the fence to them. By the time I'd walked round, they'd cleaned the bunnies out themselves. They called the RSPCA (animal welfare) who came and took them to rehouse. I was so impressed by those children! 

3162 Reads

Helping Hand

Today I felt drawn to reconnect with a single mom I have helped out in the past as she struggles to get back on her feet. She relayed that since we last spoke, her ex had come to her apartment and beaten her in front of the kids.

He is now in jail and there is a court date set for tomorrow, but now she is also out of work and struggling while she waits for public assistance and succeeds in her job hunt.

I can't do anything to ease the burden she carries or help her move more swiftly through this difficult challenge she has before her, but I was able to give her some relief by way of going to get a big load of groceries for her and the kids. We will be staying in touch and I will support her in her efforts to stop the cycle of violence as well.

Send her your strength and well wishes if you can. She is a good woman with a rough road in front of her, but one she is ready to walk with her head held high.

820 Reads

4th Graders' RAOK

Wanted to share some of our 4th grade students' random acts of kindness: 

- A student's mother had surgery. His mom gave him money to spend at Walmart. He chose to spend the money on her to make her feel more comfortable.

- A student decided to clean the house while his mother was out.

- A student did some yard work for her parents while they were resting. She then put on a movie to create some family time.

- The entire class made a card for their teacher after her grandfather passed away.

- A student stacked wood for her dad while he was resting.

There is no minimum age for kindness! :)

850 Reads

My Biggest Act Of Generosity

I’ve been doing the wonderful Laddership program with ServiceSpace. It's a program to help people understand the values of Service Space and explore if such an approach would work in their own organizations or projects, through inner transformation and leading to outer manifestation.  With each week that goes by, we are recommended videos to watch. And each video has such a powerful, deep influence on me…not just in theory, but in my heart.  By week 3, I found myself listening to several videos from the program every morning, and before going to bed each evening. I watched some videos again and again…and my heart grew more and more open…more loving…more free. My worldview began to shift. Then on a Thursday evening, two things happened. A large sum of money appeared in my account. It was from a mindfulness talk I’d given online many months ago on Skype…I was surprised at how much i got…I wasn’t actually ... Read Full Story >>

1555 Reads

Smile Card and American History

Today, while struggling to write a paper for my first hour American History class, I opened up a book that I thought might be helpful to find some information on the topic I chose for my paper.

As soon as I flipped it open, a smile card fell out, along with a few dollars and a note, that said "There is no way you are reading this book for fun. You must be working on something for school so go buy yourself a red bull in the vending machine located in the lobby and get what you need to do done, and keep your head up!"

I did as the note said and spent the remainder of my time in the library smiling to myself and working hard. I plan on replacing the goodies and leaving a few smile cards around town, that way maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to thank the anonymous giver that made my entire American History class more enjoyable. 

1188 Reads
  • Posted by bearfootcowgirl2
  • Apr 18, 2016
  • Comments (11)
  • Share Story

Connecting With The Locals

My skills in the Local's language aren't very good, so I tend to avoid more than waves and smiles to the old ladies of the area as nine times out of ten I have no idea what they're talking about. Some months ago the local bar closed down, and with it the only place in walking distance that the local ladies could be guaranteed finding someone to pass the time of day with.

Today I was loading my truck when one of the ladies approached. She'd obviously spotted me when I drove in and changed her route to pass me. Instead of shouting a greeting and carrying on, today I put down my load and went over to her. I gave her the customary kisses and she chatted to me whilst she held my hands. I honestly couldn't tell you what she said, but I KNOW she appreciated that brief moment of connection.

761 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