Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A "Shoe In" for Kindness

Today I was the recipient of a wonderful kindness. My husband has been having some foot trouble, and today we went to a quality foot store to purchase some special shoes for him. The proprietor was extremely helpful and very knowledgeable. While thanking him, I mentioned that I also would like to get some shoes from him but would need to wait a couple of months.

 He looked at my feet and shoes and told me that I was wearing the wrong kind for me. He said he thought he could help me and went into the back room for a minute. I was not sure what was happening, but the next thing I knew he brought out a pair of shoes that had been returned to the store and told me he was GIVING THEM TO ME. He then made me some special cushions using padding materials he had left over from other jobs.

These shoes are the most comfortable I have ever had in my life, and when I tried to pay him at least something for them, he said "No, just help someone else whenever you get the chance." WOW, WOW, WOW.


1109 Reads

Kindness On The Bus

The other day I helped a girl on the bus. She had put her lunch bag on the floor of the bus, but when she picked it up to get off the paper bag had disintegrated due to snow and wetness and her lunch poured out onto the floor. She was so frustrated, and as her apple rolled over to me I picked it up and I gave her an extra plastic bag which I had with me and we picked up the rest of her lunch together.

1326 Reads

Teen's pizza date save by a RAOK

While waiting for my pizza at a local shop, there was this adorable teenage couple at the counter placing their order. He was too cute and she looked like a doll! He had a coupon for a free pizza and handed it to the clerk. She informed him that this coupon had expired last week. The look on his face was sad. He reached into his wallet and only had a $5 in there. He asked her to just give him two slices and they would split a soda. The clerk told him he didn't have enough money. So, he said "Give me one slice cut in half and a soda - we can split it". I chuckled and reached into my purse and gave him my "free pizza" coupon which we got after ordering ten pizzas previously from this shop.   He looked at me and said "Thank you. You just ... Read Full Story >>

1037 Reads

A sudden change of heart

I was at a stand-and-eat restaurant. When I approached the bill counter, there were a few folks already waiting. The guy behind the counter was busy on the phone. It is a shop where no one follows a queue. People just swarm the counter and whoever can get the attention of the counter guy gets his bill serviced first.

Before the counter guy hung up, a few more customers joined. He started servicing the orders one by one. He looked at me to serve next, as I was leaning over the table with my hands stretching up to him. At the last moment, I withdrew my hand and told him to serve the gentle man who came before me.

The waiting man was pleasantly surprised and said a very warm thank you. It felt good :)  

1303 Reads

Love Knows No Species

Dennis the Duckling showed up at the Mountfitchet Castle in England, where the caretaker and his dog, Fred, found him. The duckling had recently lost his mother and was in very bad shape. Immediately, Fred began to lick the baby bird clean, and the two have been inseparable ever since.   A ❤️-melter :))

 

734 Reads

Anonymously Yours

Earlier in the week I got around to writing, posting and sending some more random acts of love: a beautiful card, words and lotto ticket. This time, I left the card unaddressed for a reason. I decided to post it into the mail box with the disclaimer,  "Yes this card has no address, recipent or stamp. That is because it is for you!" I am hoping it will make a mail worker's day when sorting the mail ♡♡♡



701 Reads

Keep Calm and Be Nice


Was in a shop and the woman in front of me who was going out closed the door in my face. Normally that would really annoy me (I'm from a culture where it's seen as polite to hold open doors for strangers but live in a country where it's common to get a door in your face most of the time). Anyway felt nice and calm. On the way out the woman turned round and actually apologized! Gave her a big smile and said no problem! 

1573 Reads

Fueled By Kindness

My light was dimmed this morning, as I woke feeling sad & teary. I was wondering why. A dear friend whom I messaged reminded me of something I had shared with her earlier this week.  It was many years ago, on Super Bowl Sunday, that my beloved sister shared the news that she had breast cancer. She's many years gone now, but Super Bowl Sunday takes me right back there every year. I just hadn't "connected the dots" this morning.  But once I realized the source of my sadness , things turned around. I decided to dedicate the day to the memory of my sister by "doing" instead of "moping". Honoring this decision, I made a new batch of vegetable soup and whipped up a three-bean salad for us and to share with our friends. I fed the feral cats in the neighborhood and spent time with the "new kid on the ... Read Full Story >>

1057 Reads

Some friendly advice

Chatting the other day with Mish and she shared this wise advice :). Thought it would make a great guide to also share with our KS family :)).

About says it all...and that is our dear Mish. Grateful for her presence and guidance here on our KS community.

Don't attach.
Know it will pass.
Stay mindful.
Put into Universe for assistance.
Keep being kind.

1294 Reads

Get Well Soon From a Complete Stranger

My 14 year old cousin (who lives in CA) plays online games such as Minecraft Live with another boy from Canada. They have never met in person. I recently learned that the online friend from Canada is in the hospital with a brain tumor. So, I put together a little care package of things he likes such as Star Wars stickers, a valentine, book marks, a picture, and a get well soon card then shipped it off to him. Since he doesn't have many friends, I'm hoping he will be very surprised and touched that someone from across the country is reaching out to him and wishing him well.

1406 Reads

The Gift Of Family


My elderly Aunt just lost her 2nd and remaining son and I have been deeply touched by how our family has rallied around her to help her with arrangements and issues with her house. We've been on the phone non-stop and working to make sure she is safe and her needs are met and everyone is chipping in. For such a difficult time, it is heartwarming to see everyone banding together. As a spiritual person, I call that karmic resonance, where everything happens at the right time with all the right people for the best end result. 

1523 Reads

It's the thought that counts!

 I was out with my neighbour's dog on a bitterly cold windy day and had forgotten my gloves. I chatted on the way with an elderly woman struggling along to the post office with her rollator.  I noticed she also had bare hands, red and raw with the cold. After parting from her, I went into the nearby pound shop (dollar store), bought two pairs of warm gloves, and found her in the post office to give her a pair. She was surprised and grateful! and my hands were warm on the way home. 


 

758 Reads

Smile Cards On The Move!

Yesterday I was doing a presentation about my business to a group of 25 or so. We typically share some personal stories as well as business. At the end I told them about Smile Cards and how they were something anyone could use. I had brought a stack of 100 or so and passed them around so everyone could take a few. They loved them! There were no extras so a woman came up to me afterwards asking how she could get some more. I told her I would bring her a big stack next week.  

It was great! The best part for me was after they were going around another woman in the group shared how she had received some from me a few months ago and how she and her two kids loved using them. I loved hearing that and was happy to see how much it meant to her. The ripples of kindness go farther than we often know! :)

901 Reads

Kindspring Inspirations

All posts here are an inspiration to me, but Mindy sharing her journal entries has re-ignited my desire for artsy creativity. Over the past few weeks, instead of watching tv at night I've been doodling simple cards.
Not sure what I'll do with them yet but I'll think of something!
Thank you for always inspiring me, kind spring angels!

1582 Reads

It only takes a minute

So I stopped at McDonald's for a morning treat due to the lovely weather! I sat in the drive thru for what seemed like forever and never moved, finally all of the cars started moving....around a car sitting there at the order screen. 

As I also pulled forward a man was standing outside the stranded car talking to each car as they drove past. As I went to go around him he also stopped me and asked if I would mind helping jump his car as his battery had died and he did not want to have to call his wife. 

I told the gentleman that I did not have jumper cables.....he said he did and all I need to do was pop the hood. After a few brief moments he was well on his way again. He thanked me for stopping and helping out as he had already asked 4 others and they told him no. It only took a few minutes out of my day to help him, and I'm glad I stopped.

777 Reads

Open to Receiving Love

Today I received an incredible kindness. My mother and sister-in-law took my boys to the movies, park and lunch!

At first, this was hard to receive. I noticed myself instantly start to evaluate if I had 'earned' it and searching for ways to repay them with kindnesses.

This has been a huge awakening for me. Noticing this aspect of myself. It sounds so simple to graciously accept yet the whole time I had thoughts of "I'm not worthy. What have I done to earn this?".

I am grateful for this realization about myself because I hadn't noticed it fully until now.

Today with my kid-free time I was able to go to lunch and catch up with a friend. I also later purchased a gift card to gift as an act of kindness. And I know this was my 'paying for and earning my kindness'. I wanted to give back to someone else as I was given. It really has a grip on me. Yet I will work on it. I am open to receiving ♡

2171 Reads

Taking the risk to be kind

Inspired by some ideas I read here in the website today, I decided to pay the bill for the woman behind me in the supermarket line. She was around 60 years old and had a frown. 

I introduced myself to her and told her I wanted to give her a gift and asked if I could pay her bill. She couldn´t believe this was happening and waited until I said goodbye (I think she was expecting I would ask her for something) - then she came to me, gave me a hug and thanked me with a smile from ear to ear. Felt so good! 


1554 Reads

An unfortunate bird gets the help it needs

Kite flying has unintended cruelty, to the the hapless birds who get entangled in the deadly string, attached to the kites.These days in India we have a religious kite flying festival. Last evening, just before dusk, I spotted a pigeon badly entangled in the razor sharp string, hitting the wall and the tree branches, to free itself the kite string. Fortunately, the same string was entangled on the building terrace. Immediately I sent my helper, Narain, to get to the terrace and try to pull up the hapless bird, gently. With a great patience, he pulled up the injured bird. With the help of scissors, we tried to disentangle the bird, by cutting the deadly thread.  We brought him to our flat, cleaned his badly bruised wings, applied the turmeric powder (Considered to to have medicinal values.) gave him the boiled rice and water. Placed the bird in a safe place hoping ... Read Full Story >>

2188 Reads

Gratitude Looks Gorgeous

I have had a lovely day. I went off to do the shopping for dinner. I always say hello and talk to the delightful young man Bryan who has disabilities. He sells a magazine called The Issue. When I came out from shopping, I gave him some bottled water and a great big box of mixed chocolates. He loved it and kept laughing .  He is such a gorgeous young man.  

I always think , how would I feel if he was my son and people ignored him. So I like to make him feel Happy. I have to tell you, that every day I just feel so damn happy. I just smile all the time and feel so different. I love my life, all of it. I look in the mirror and can really now "see" me. Tell you what, not only am I beautiful on the inside but gorgeous on the outside. I can't stop laughing. Big massive hugs to all of you. Go look in your mirror and see what is there.

1235 Reads

Listening to the little voice within

A friend's mother recently told me how she has been going through some hard times lately. She knows I practice a feminine yoga called "tigress" and often asks about it. I told her about an upcoming trial taster class. She told me that if finances permit, she would attend.

So tonight as I was thinking about her and about Tigress yoga, I heard a voice in my head say, "Pay for her Nicole." And so I did!  

I told her I would love to pay for her class and asked her if it were ok. To which she instantly replied, "Yes!" I love a woman who can so easily and graciously receive as I was nervous asking because I don't know her too well.  

5334 Reads




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