Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A World of Thanks

I have restarted the gratitude challenge in French and am sending a newsletter every morning to 20 people. Today it was about the 365 gratitude notes - saying thank you in writing to somebody everyday for 365 days. I am doing this and I believe it can be incredibly transforming in a viral way. So I have started and would like to thank the KindSpring.org community at the same time.

766 Reads

Out of My Comfort Zone and Into Kindess.

It's so nice to be able to help another. Even when at times it is a bit of a pain in the b*m. I found myself over the weekend saying an automatic big "yes" when asked a favor. It was a huge kindness for someone, so naturally, automatically, I said I'd do it. I later walked away almost regretting it because of the 'effort' it would take me. That's when I realized. I only do the kindnesses "I" want to. That I enjoy. That are fun. And are simple. But what about bigger ones? Ones that are inconvenient? Those ones are much harder to do. Yet I accepted as I put myself in this women's shoes and thought how much I would appreciate someone doing this for me. Thinking about it this way made it much easier to accept and do. The favor? It's a bit detailed to explain but to sum up briefly. There is a ... Read Full Story >>

1107 Reads

Inspirational Notes

I was out shopping today and left inspirational post it notes in several places. My daughter keeps shaking her head & smiling (and telling me "wait mom, someone's coming!") when she notices, but my stealth skills are improving ;)
I'm glad I'm not embarrassing my teen! :D

920 Reads

Kindness in My New Home

I just moved to Texas from the east, and I don't know anyone here yet, but I did go to Wal-Mart and leave a five dollar bill in one of the empty shopping carts. I had a nice conversation with the cashier, and I gave change to a man along side the road. He was begging for money, but was also on his cell phone looking up the times for a $1.00 movie this weekend.

(As you may know, the government allots cell phones to the poor, with a limited number of minutes each month.) He thanked me profusely and told me he would use it for the movie.  It was more than a dollar, hope he gets popcorn as well. :) I wonder who got that money at Wal-Mart...I can have fun using my imagination. 
 

646 Reads

Sometimes It's What You Don't Do

"Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not"........ Found myself amidst "non-kindred" souls at a gathering and as time wore on I felt myself becoming incredibly not wanting to be sharing their energy fields. My patience and tolerance were lessening and I knew I had to "switch gears" , as it was a social gathering I couldn't remove myself from.  The "old" me might have 'popped my cork'  (laughing out laud) and told them how abominably spoiled and ungrateful I was found their behavior and storm out (I did great "storm outs"! Lol!).  Instead I did 'no harm' with my words, calmed myself by focusing on their good traits and practiced non-judgemental compassion. Sometimes staying in my "monastery" (home!) is best :)))) Proud of my self-control 😋. Best to share my feelings when not riled up. Love yourself when you find a moment of anger, frustration or fear, for that is a moment of ... Read Full Story >>

953 Reads

Parking Meter Blitz

We did a parking meter kindness blitz this morning. We left post-it notes on parking meters and spare coins in each one. When we came out of the health club, one of the post-it notes was gone, and we wondered if someone had picked it up and was inspired :-) or it had just blown off :-)

1034 Reads

Recovery Rock

There is a young man that last week graduated from his alcohol dependency treatment. This is his first week at the halfway house which is located in our city. We told him we would like to continue contact with him and support his recovery. I made this rock for him. We plan to visit next week.

737 Reads

Waving, the Art of "Hello!"

My son and I were outside most of today. I kept waving at people when they drove by. My son asked why. I told him my granddad said that waving was a way of saying "Hello & have a good day". He started waving at people and they would honk as they passed by. One older lady pulled up our driveway, in tears and said "Thank you. I haven't seen a child waving at folks in years." My son asked if she was okay. She replied saying that the tears were tears of memories and happiness.

1850 Reads

Finding Opportunity For Compassion In The Strangest Places

Normally I hate going to hospitals even for a blood test or x-ray until it struck me this morning as I was driving by our local one, that it is a wonderful place to practice compassion and kindness. Even holding the door for someone, or smiling or waiting patiently is an act of kindness or compassion. I'll keep that in mind the next time I have to go there.

752 Reads

Deep Changes

We now have a lovely person living in our flat that is attached to the back of our house. such a change for me. No one has lived in it for five years and the whole place has been made so beautiful. It was like my sanctuary. I knew one day we would find the right person. And we did. I've taken note of what everyone says about letting things flow and then happen. Putting a problem into the universe and just sitting back and seeing what happens. The change within me has been unbelievable. I am so relaxed and don't live with tension or anxiety anymore.  It wasn't a choice to be different, it was joining KindSpring and reading about all of you. The beautiful and heartfelt validation I got from all of you, changed something deep in my soul. I try new things, and just let them happen. I meet ... Read Full Story >>

1365 Reads

Small but powerful

My week has been spent helping a friend in need, so that's okay. I've got a day to myself today, and I dropped some dog toys off to the animal shelter, and then bought some Easter craft supplies.

My best AOK today was free. There was a mum at the supermarket checkout who's baby was just about to "lose the plot," so walked behind her to the carpark and I helped her load her bags into her car and returned her trolley for her. She thanked me very heartedly - I think all Mum's have been through that... the final moment of shopping and everything is about to turn to custard!

923 Reads

Dollar a Day

As many of you know I was inspired by another KindSpringer to put a dollar a day in a container. I was going to take this money each month to the food bank. However, I met a young man who was telling me that he was unable to get fresh produce at the food bank so I gave last month's money to him.

Today I am going to sneak in the store and put the money on his cash register. I am tucking one of Mindy's peace doves in with the money and kisses as well. I am going to post this monthly donation so that I never forget to do it! The beautiful flowers are a thank you from a friend. It is kind of lovely when life ripples back kindness to you! Have a lovely day! XO


 

993 Reads

Chance Encounter Brings Joy

I was taking the garbage out two nights ago and I recognize a neighbor so I said "Hi". We started chatting and he began by telling me how his wife had passed away in September last year and how they had been together for 63 years. He is now 87.  I was delighted listening to his stories about when he lived in Poland, where he is from, and how he was a welder that got payment only with food and wine. :) He proceeded to tell me very interesting facts about crows he had seen on National Geographic, and about how happy he is in this neighborhood where he can walk everywhere and doesn't even need a car to get around. We chatted for about 30 minutes and then we proceeded to part ways. On his way back in, he was sure to let me know how I had made his day ... Read Full Story >>

2294 Reads

Library Surprise

"Oh, please, let me pay for that," I said to woman as she was fumbling for change to put into payment box for book at the sale shelf at library.

"I can't let you do that!" She said, surprised and smiling.

"Sure you can, just pay it forward sometime." I replied.

She gave me such a gentle pat on my shoulder, explaining, "This book is for my granddaughter," she flipped the book open to show me the artwork depicted inside, "she loves little books and art too."

"Then it's perfect," I replied.

Grateful to support not only a budding art appreciator with a little kindness, but the library as well. What fun!


730 Reads

Speaking up was the right thing to do

I was at Costco with my Mom yesterday. When we were leaving to go to our car, there was a traffic jam of cars jockeying for position. One car waited so long and so patiently. Then when he got into position for the handicapped spot he was waiting for, someone swooped in and took it.

Their windows were down so I politely told them what they had done. They agreed to leave and the man that had waited so patiently thanked me for doing what I did. I am so glad I spoke up.

1962 Reads

Adding Colors - Holi Special

I went out with my friends to dine at a fine restaurant. After finishing the dinner,we generally prefer to sit outside the restaurant for conversations and fun.
I saw a poor kid there selling 'Coloring books' for his livelihood. While seeing him do that, I realized how blessed we are and still we complain about small things in life instead of being thankful for all we have.

I bought the Coloring book from him with the thought that it will add some 'color' to his day. Everyday when I open my drawer and I see this book, it actually adds a bright color on my face too. Now I am planning to gift this book with coloring pencils to someone who would like to play with colors but couldn't afford it.
This Holi, Let's add colors to each other's life. Happy Holi everyone! 

913 Reads

The Purr-fect Day for Some Kitties

My husband and I found several packages of cat food that a shopper forgot in a shopping cart at the store. We could not find the person who purchased them so we took a drive today about one hour out of town to a lovely person who operates a cat shelter. She has 17 cats in her home right now and she was very happy to receive these tins of food. Some of her charges include 5 adorable kittens born only 11 days ago....how sweet and small.

1038 Reads

Books and Kind Wishes

Today I volunteered at our "Friends of the Library" used book sale. Towards the end of the sale, a gentleman rushed in. I recognized him as the the 'father' of a very special family in our community. This man and his wife have adopted a large number of special needs children (I think the number is around 20 over the past 40 years).
 
The couple's grown biological children have now carried on the tradition. I helped the man choose a large selection of books for all the kids and told him there was no charge since the sale was nearly over. While he was talking to someone else, I put an envelope with some money in it and a quickly written smiley note in the top of his book bag. The amount was not large, but I hope it will help.

1511 Reads

Hidden Chalk

We left packs pavement chalk in three different places in the park this morning. But... we got caught in action by a lady walking past, who (nicely) asked what we were doing. We explained that we were doing an AoK for Lent and she said it was a great idea. We saw a family walking down the path towards the park and my husband wondered if they would find one of the packs of chalks. :-)

1076 Reads

The Most Priceless Gift

The most priceless gift- gift of Love :) One of my elderly patients (who I only looked after for a day) knitted an outfit for my to be child and sent it via post to my work- quite unexpected, but so beautiful- Luckily she put her address on the envelope so I had the opportunity to send her back a small gift to say thanks.... AND THEN..... The latest gift of love was from our cleaner at work- what a gorgeous soul! Lovely lady who cleans our work place in the mornings, and I usually only get the chance to say hello to her a couple of times a week and have small talk.... Yesterday she left an envelope for me -with a card with wishes for me on the arrival of my baby, I was SO TOUCHED that she actually got me a card, but was totally dumbfounded when I opened it and ... Read Full Story >>

1672 Reads




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