Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Lucky

I don't play the lottery scratchers, but when I went to my local gas station today, I asked the clerk which scratcher he thought was best. He told me "Set for Life". So, I bought two and gave one to him and the other to the other clerk. They were surprised. The second clerk asked, "What if we win?" I smiled and said, "That's the point." Then, I left them with big smiles.

Hoping they are winners! #AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother

1072 Reads

A Lesson In Empathy

On my walk home one night, I see a man lying face first on the floor. One or two people notice him, but walk on by. I decide to stop and check if he’s OK. When I speak to him, he mumbles some words I can’t make out. From his breath it’s obvious he’d been drinking. I feel uncertain. What do i do? Do I help him? Or should I just walk on by? I keep trying to speak to him until I get his name - Carlton. I ask him where he lives, and he tells me a number and a road name that I recognize. It’s only a ten minute walk from here. I help him to sit up so we can have a conversation. He’s still mumbling, but I realize he’s alone and in a real state of confusion. He tells me he doesn’t know how to get home. ... Read Full Story >>

2148 Reads

Melvin Marches On

“Hey Melvin! How are you doing?!” It had been more than two months since I saw the homeless man who taught me so much from his life on the streets. Now he was standing before me inside the train station sporting a long leather jacket, a fancy felt hat with an elegant feather in it, and some new reading glasses perched on top of the hat. “I’m doing good!” he says as he lunges at me for a hug, but then stops short and offers a fist bump. I can tell he really is doing much better. “Where you sleeping these days? Did you get into that program?” I ask. “Well no, not quite. I’m at the church now,” he says. “You sleeping there?” “No, I’m working there! I’m the gardener,” he says with a big grin. “And I’m volunteering, just like you!”  “Oh man, that’s great Melvin!” I say with effusive joy. “You're my guru, man! Come ... Read Full Story >>

1208 Reads

My Love for The Homeless Veteran

The other day, I went into a store for water and a muffin. As I walked to the door, I passed this man who was sitting there silently in a wheelchair, missing part of his legs and one complete arm. I felt tears come to my eyes, and entered the store, but as I was looking for "my" stuff, something told me to buy extras. When I got back out to where he was seated, my heart just led me to ask him if he would like a bottle of water and a muffin too. He said yes, and our eyes locked onto each other. His were beautiful green, sort of like my own, and he said, "I love you." God, it was THE most intense, spiritual moment I think I've ever had, and I told him I loved him as well. It was just beautiful and I felt "seen" and "known" ... Read Full Story >>

1913 Reads

Anonymous Compassion

I just retired as a grounds keeper at a small cemetery in Pennsylvania. My position allowed me anonymity while observing people in pain. The most touching of all these moments happened in the early 90’s and it was because of the kindness of a stranger who will never know how she touched another’s heart. The most heartbreaking of all the graves are those of infants. One grave in particular was marked only by a stone lamb and metal name plaque that showed that the infant’s birth and date of death was the same day. It is near the road leading into the cemetery. Whenever there is a graveside service, we suspend our maintenance duties and do our best to remain out of sight. One such occasion was in the morning of an otherwise beautiful spring day. The man must have been well loved because flowers overflowed his plot and those who attended ... Read Full Story >>

1465 Reads

Persistence Paid Off

I had a lovely week and took a couple of bags to the Food bank. While there I got into a conversation with the lady who helps out with admin. We were talking about domestic abuse and she told me her story. It is amazing when you stop the social chitchat and see the real person, the connection can be overpowering. The conversation turned to other parts of her life and it was so hard . This lady is keeping her family going with little financial help, husband in hospital ,most likely going to lose his leg, and she has to keep the farm and family intact. The strength of this woman astounded me. I asked her "how can I help you". She of course said I am fine and today is my birthday. So I said to her, "I want you to take this money and use it for whatever you ... Read Full Story >>

1207 Reads

Warmth on a Cold and Windy Day

It's been a very cold, windy day here so we had lots of drop-in guests while I was volunteering [at the homeless shelter]. I gave out numerous snack bags and cups of coffee and hot cocoa. I also gave out lots of info on where some could find housing. One of the gentleman asked that I pray with him for his wife, currently in the hospital. I was honored to do that. Many smiles and thank you's were exchanged as well as many blessings shared.

2365 Reads

Gratitude For My Friend

One of my close friends met me at the vet clinic to sit and hold my hand. We both weren't sure I would be bringing my cat Marley home. I went back to her house for a little while he was sleeping and we talked, which helped keep my mind off of things. I was really grateful for her company. 

1007 Reads

Circling around and back

Not sure how this qualifies for a RAOK, but I had to share. Two and a half years ago I gave this guy relationship advice. Today he made my day by getting back to me:

"Thank you for your brilliance. I initially wrote to you out of desperation when my girlfriend left me about two and a half years ago. I was blown away when I heard back from you! I figured you'd be just like everyone else and too busy for the little guy, but then you wrote me back. I just wanted to let you know that (my girlfriend) and I got back together, got married, and are expecting our first child in October. Thank you very much for your wisdom in each of your books. I'm currently reading 'A Labor with Love' for the second time."

I think I am the recipient of the act of kindness this time!

964 Reads

Survival Kits For Healthcare Provideers

Survival Kits for Healthcare Providers: A few days ago, I saw a post from a fellow KS member talking about gift bags for the nursing staff at a hospital or nursing home. It got me thinking about the wonderful staff at the Assisted Care home I visit on a regular basis. So I found this run "survival kit" idea and purchased the items to make several of them. I am putting the kits together tonight and will deliver them to the staff tomorrow. These are the items I am including:all which all came from the Dollar Tree. - A package of mints: A reminder that you are WORTH A MINT - Roll of lifesavers: To remind you of the many times you have been one - Rubber Bands  Because you often are called upon to stretch yourself beyond your limits - A Package of Band-Aids - For when things get a little rough (I ... Read Full Story >>

2126 Reads

Reminded of The Power of Kindness

This is a story about me practicing without knowing it. I stopped at a small grocery store to pick up a couple things, asked the cashier how her day was going, looked at her when she asked me a question and responded politely.

When she handed me my bill she said she wished all her customers were as nice as I was - I asked what she meant by that and  she responded by sharing that I was very polite and smiling.

It is a good reminder for me that being nice can have a positive impact to people, whether they say it or not.

1857 Reads

The World Could Learn from Toddlers

Hello again everyone and Blessings to the world. I'd like to share another inspiring story that melted my heart. I was having breakfast at Ihop this morning and I watched two toddlers smile and wave at each other from two separate tables. At one table was an African American family and at the other table was a Caucasian family.

What I loved about this interaction was the fact that these toddlers didn't see color, they saw another little person in a high chair who was smiling and waving....just that simple. 

This exchange got the attention of both mothers who smiled to each other and soon became engaged in a friendly and positive conversation. It was then that I thought to myself, if the world took a lesson from these toddlers, not focus on race, just smiling, waving and engaging in simple, conversation, what a peaceful world it would be!!

798 Reads

Right place, right time!

I recently had a new colleague start at work. She moved to town from Colorado and had just been here for a month. She shared this story that must be shared. Her family was in the process of moving into their new home. During this time a lot of activity was taking place on their bank account. This sent a red flag to their bank. The bank tried to call them but they were in the process of switching phones so the bank put a stop on their account. My friend, not aware of this, went grocery shopping. After going to the register they were shocked to see their method of payment was stopped. No cash, no way to get cash, they were not sure what to do.. Without blinking an eye or asking any questions, the lady in front of them placed her card in the machine and paid for their ... Read Full Story >>

1298 Reads

Kindness Received-Kindness Given

Kindness Received-Kindness Given. Sunday, the gentleman who donated our Sanctuary flowers gifted me with one of the arrangements as he said he appreciates all that I do. I was so touched and gladly thanked him and took them home. Today I took them up to my Dad. He loves flowers and he was so glad to have these in his room. Thought they were lovely, too, and I was so glad to share them with him!

2502 Reads

Sacred Acts

I think kindness is a very sacred word, which has a very vast message. We can't bind it in some definition or some words. We can feel it only in our heart or soul and it can be learned by practicing it in day-to-day life. As we as practice it, we learn more and more. I never try to do big things for showing my kindness. I just see it in little things and try to show big kindness in small steps. I use kindness in saying thanks to my colleagues, my friends, taxi drivers, laborers, mess workers, sweepers, gardeners, and other workers. I use kindness in spending time with a roadside tea stall worker, a vendor, orphanage children, and with the elderly. I use kindness in sharing smiles with strangers, children, patients, and with those who are in trouble. I use kindness in playing with animals and also in caring for injured birds. ... Read Full Story >>

2021 Reads

Connecting With A Stranger

Connecting with a stranger in the form of a smile and friendly hello used to be something I rarely ever did but thanks to Kind Spring its part of my everyday kindness :)

Smiled and said hello to three strangers on my walk this morning, one lady even had her head down as she walked past me but responded by making eye contact and returning the hello.

Make someone's day.......SMILE :) 

 

1380 Reads

Where's My Bread?

Kindness is playful.

Today I bought my piece of sweet bread from the local guy. Usually I leave my bread on top of some rocks. Then I read or walk and then come back to get another bite from that sweet. I repeat that until I finish eating  the bread.

Today was funny. Kindness appeared there, suddenly. I was walking and when I came back to eat again, my bread had disappeared. I looked and detected a man in the distance. He was eating my bread with so much happiness and enthusiasm. I smiled.

I'm going to repeat that action to see what happens :)

1398 Reads

Witnesssing an act of bravery by community

Took part in a beautiful act of kindness today. After a group beekeeping event in Southern California, one of the beekeepers had her car slip into a ditch. Within minutes twelve cars had stopped to help get it out. Most of them strangers who had been driving by. After 15 minutes the car was out and we were all cheering and hugging to celebrate. It was the most beautiful act of kindness, community and humanity working together.

711 Reads

Mum sharing her act of kindness with me

My Mum phoned me with one of her AOK. Today the elderly lady in front of her was confused about using her bank card and cash to pay. Mum asked the cashier if it was ok for her to pay for the lady and gave her the cash. The lady thanked Mum and said that she usually has a helper with her, but thought the helper was in another shop. Mum watched to see the lady was ok, and was reunited with her helper and went off on her way.

780 Reads

Love Making People Smile :)

I made lots of customers smile today just by smiling at them and I made my work mates happy as I put positive post it notes in random places to make them happy too...it worked! Simple but effective kindness :)

1240 Reads
  • Posted by madelinehaynes
  • Apr 11, 2016
  • Comments (9)
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