Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Bookmarks for kindness

I got my kindness bookmarks finished. Ive made about 50. One side has got AOK ideas, the other side words of encouragement, and either stickers or scrapbooking paper to brighten them up. I laminated them, hole punched the top and added some embroidery thread to make a tassle at the top. Ill leave them in library books, at the little free library and in my kindness packs.

1334 Reads

Blessings of Comfort

A few weeks ago, I dreamed that friend's ex-husband held my hands, looked into my eyes (he had the bluest eyes!) and requested that I go visit him at the cemetery when he leaves the hospital, and to be sure to recite the 23rd Psalm.

He was a troubled soul in life, addicted to everything but to keeping what he loved or loved him. We had lost touch with both him and his wife, after our paths diverged.

Got word that he had died recently in a tragic accident, with his grown-son injured while trying to save him.

So, last night, as I finished the flock of doves I'd been preparing for flight, I recited the 23rd Psalm many times..and drew a small memorial heart on them, in friend's memory.

Blessing of healing for those who suffer.

Blessings of comfort for those who mourn.



1109 Reads

WHNT News in Alabama does RAOK

©WHNT News HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - All this month, we’re Paying it Forward by doing random acts of kindness. We helped some people pay their utilities bills. We've bought groceries for folks at the checkout counter. And now, we’re getting on the bus, literally, to surprise some people. Twelve Huntsville shuttle buses run nine different routes Monday through Friday. That’s 10,000 miles a week. For many of the 3,000 people who ride daily, it’s their only means of transportation. “That’s correct,” says Randy Griffith, shuttle fixed route coordinator. “This is a lot of people, this is all they have.” Suset Ramon is one of those riders. This mother and her children use the bus to get around the city. Suset doesn't speak a lot of English, so when I gave her 19 ride tickets as a random act of kindness, her daughter acted as an interpreter. “Oh, thank you, thank you,” she said. Sometimes, you can ... Read Full Story >>

1376 Reads

Change for Hope

Friend gave me her monthly collection of change to donate while I was out and about. Dropped the coins into a can on the lunch counter that had photo of a young mother and baby, requesting assistance for a long hospital stay due to due complications. Cashier thanked me and said the the mother was her niece, and the baby had been in hospital since November. Blessings to all the wee ones and their mothers, fathers, families and friends... it is often a difficult road.


 

840 Reads

Spreading Love in a Moment of Challenge

I released a whole flock of peace doves tonight. We had a section chorus meeting tonight and at the end it turned into an "airing of grievances" where several people ended up crying and saying they are considering leaving but love to sing so they are staying for now. I am new so I stayed out of it, I just listened.

Once everyone wound down I felt the meeting had to end on a good note, so I dug through every corner of my purse to come up with enough Mindy peace doves, I got up, gave everyone a hug and a dove, and told them that I love them and how much they all mean to me.it made everyone smile.

It also showed me that sadness and pain often hide beneath a smiling and cheerful face, and it made me more determined than ever to distribute more love letters and inspirational notes wherever I go.
Now I just need to work on my stealth skills to stay anonymous! ;)

1503 Reads

A Cart of Kindness

On the weekend I was in Kmart picking up a few things. A few things which turned into a 'few more' things. So many things, in fact, I needed a trolley to make it easier.  So off I went to get one. Later strolling through the aisles (comfortably now, I might add, with my trolley doing all the work!).  I noticed a lady juggling quite a few items, just like I had been a few moments earlier. As I passed her, she dropped a few of her items, so I bent over to pick them up for her. She was much older than me, possibly in her mid to late 60's. She struggled to readjust and get all the items back into both hands.  But she did it, and I began to walk away. Then there it was. That voice. The voice that knows. The voice that always speaks up when there is ... Read Full Story >>

1383 Reads

Loving kindness, even in the grocery store

I do 'metta', or loving kindness at the grocery store. When I stand at the checkout line I direct a silent prayer to the people around me - may you be happy, may you be well, may you be safe. It directs my restless energy to a patient, loving place, and makes grocery shopping a pleasure.

952 Reads

Being Kind is always a WIN-WIN situation

Whilst at work today a man was selling raffle tickets. He approached a staff member and I and asked if we wanted to buy some. My friend bought one, and I too wanted to help support his cause (he was raising money for sporting club) but wasn't keen on prize. The prize was a trip away to somewhere I'm actually going next month.

I really wanted to help support him and contribute so I told the man I'd buy two tickets and gave him the money. As my friend was filling in his details on his ticket, told him to fill out two more in his name. I'd bought them for him. So now he has bonus tickets. I really do so hope he wins!


 

911 Reads

Gym-tastic kindess ripples

At the Health Club this morning, I was running on the treadmill and I dropped my towel and a kind person walking past picked it up and hung it back on the treadmill for me, I puffed my thanks, as this often happens and no one has picked it up for me before. In the changing rooms I occasionally stick inspiring post it notes on the mirrors, but today, I saw that 4-5 had been gathered up and stapled to the notice board! I wondered who picked them up, and now I know :-)

917 Reads

Everyday is a Special Day, Because She's With Me

Today my mom-in law would have been 82. Even though she passed away three years ago this April, we all still feel her love and presence with us every single day. She was a generous, warm-hearted spirit who made friends with everyone who crossed her path. I am smiling thinking of all of the ways in which we are still connected to her spirit. I left flowers on her daughter's doorstep today--sunflowers to embody her mom's spirit. I made several gallons of her favorite mango lassi as a contribution to a school event today, and then toasted her with a small glass, smiling as I thought of what she would say to me. Thought of everything I did after work today--picking up dry cleaning, making dinner, bringing homemade treats to a neighbor, volunteering, connecting with friends over the phone/email, writing a letter of recommendation for someone, surprising my son with a new ... Read Full Story >>

2599 Reads

Shopping to donate to the local food pantry

I went shopping for the single purpose of buying items to donate to the food pantry. In the past, I have only donated from my cupboard... basically unwanted or unneeded items. This is the first time I have shop specifically to donate and it felt SO GOOD!

1284 Reads

Overcoming Fear

I was going into a bookstore and there was a young woman sitting on a wall. She asked me for some change. I actually had no money in my purse but I had change in my car. I used to keep it there for my coffee fund but now I have it for such moments.

After picking up a delightful children's book I wanted, ( I had only my card) I went and told her that I would come back in a minute. While I was in my car, this young woman followed me without me realizing. At first I felt fear when I saw her standing right beside my car door, which was at the back of the parking lot...Then I just let that go and trusted that all was good.

Luckily I even had some bills to give her . I love that I don't make any judgments now, if someone asks me for money, I just find a way to give it to them or buy them a meal. All thanks to your inspiration! Have a great day! XO -

875 Reads

A RAOK that didn't stop at the first 'No Thanks'!

At the airport this morning, I was buying coffees for my son and I, and offered to pay for the man behind me. He said, "No thanks, I don't drink coffee" so I offered to pay for his breakfast drink, and he said, "No, thanks, I'm not having a drink", so I wished him safe travels!  My son laughed when I went back and told him! :)

I then went to the Eco Store, a place which sells plant based cleaning and personal care products, Earth friendly and not tested on animals, to get some refills. The assistants there are always so sweet. I popped next door to the supermarket, while they were doing the refills, and got two bags of treats - rocky road, and a fruit and nut mix - and gave them to the ladies when I went back to get my refills. They both said "Ooh, thank you!" I'm glad I was able to finally do my random act of kindness! :)

 

699 Reads

I Should Have Hugged Him!

Last week I had to travel and was carrying 2 large suitcases and 1 medium size (yes, I know…I was not traveling light….). I had to take a bus and a train before getting to the airport, not an easy task but I took it easy and left with more than enough time.  I arrived at the bus stop and there were a few other people waiting. Bus came and one by one I struggled patiently and put them inside the bus. I noticed I’d began to think ‘why doesn’t anyone offer to help?’ Sat on the bus and kept thinking ‘many are very young, most of them are my neighbours, how unkind, typical of this country, that’s why I want to leave as soon as I can….etc. etc.’ I suddenly stopped myself and decided to change thoughts. I’ve been trying especially lately to ‘switch’ as soon as I see negativity coming ... Read Full Story >>

1854 Reads

Watching my inner dialogue change

Lately I've become a huge fan or Raw Desserts. They are honestly SO amazing, and good for you!!!

Anyway I discovered a blog and lady who makes heaps of easy recipes and shares them. Many of the recipes require a particular brand of coconut cream. I go through many and recently discovered a promotion where you buy 2 cans and submit the barcode and receipt, to get an entry to win a trip to Borneo.

I've entered and as I did thought of her. She would go through many cans a week, way more than I. At first I didn't want to mention it and noticed myself not wanting to tell her because she would have so many more entries than me. Then I realized that not only the RIGHT thing to do, but the KIND thing to do, is tell her and send her a link to the promotions page, so I did.

It was fascinating to watch this aspect of myself not wanting to share. However I'm grateful to have witnessed it, realized it was selfish and unkind and do what was right xox

 

1033 Reads

Happiness is a choice

Yesterday I spent the entire day doing things that just made for happiness. The day started with a day at the spa with two wonderful friends - one was turning 65, so we celebrated her! Then we got together and had a dinner party with a larger group of friends.

One of our dearest friends died suddenly right before Christmas, so we celebrated her presence with us in the past and how she lives within us all in the present still. She was really the glue that pulled us together - we did not all know each other prior to rallying around her after she had an accident which left her a quadriplegic. Just being with each other is such a gift.

I completed reading a book, The Geography of Bliss, earlier this week. It really left me aware that happiness is a choice - we all get to make it! No matter what our circumstances, it is ours to choose. The amygdala only gets to rule if we let it....

969 Reads

Office Smiles

Hi Everyone! I work in an office with about 100 employees. I just printed off 12 of the SMILE cards. I put them on 12 desks when there was no one there. I watched over the next few hours as the cards made their way around the office. Lots of giggling as people were trying to put them on desks without other people seeing them. Funny and smiles grew! Thank you for making this possible.

898 Reads

Kindness even in the bathroom. Yes really.

BATHROOM KINDNESS- Weirdly in our bathroom at work we will put up a sentence starter on a white board...well it is a bunch of teachers! This week someone wrote "Today I love...." How would you respond!? As you can see there were many different things written but someone said they love Random Acts of Kindness. So...I ran to my car to get some kisses and a smile card to put beside the response. I love working with a wonderful group of people...and my kind spring kin! XO

1085 Reads

A different birthday bash

We had an amazing birthday party today. Our friend who is in her early 60's has health issues and we see her fighting each day. Heavily diabetic she lost her vision, her leg was amputated and the heavy antibiotics have damaged her kidneys beyond repair so she is on dialysis 3 days a week.  In her good days she has been a dancer, singer and a happy lady. After she lost her vision and her ailments life came to a stand still. These days she has become a recluse. It was her birthday and few of her friends decided to gift her some happy moments. Ten of them gathered together with different types of foods prepared for her, somebody ferried her to her friends house where the party was to take place. She was so overwhelmed by all the love showered on her that tears of joy flowed continuously. She kept on ... Read Full Story >>

1356 Reads

Sugar And Spice And All Things Nice :)

Today I bought some fudge, some for me and some for a delightful stranger. The fudge shop is simply lovely. The owner is so kind and he had his baby daughter with him. I got a wee smile and a little wave from his nearly one year old daughter. 

So I bought the fudge and then magic happened. I don't know who is getting the fudge. This is the first time in ages that I wore a soft pink/red lip gloss. So I kissed the receipt and wrote, "Love From A Stranger. Enjoy the Fudge :) x". It made it so personal. So I can't help but feel so excited. Could you imagine a stranger doing that for you? To think it could transform someone's day. Sugar and spice and all things nice is certainty true in this circumstance!

903 Reads




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