Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Private Connections

I noticed her, the hotel breakfast attendant. She was busy making sure that the breakfast offerings were refreshed, coffee carafes full and hot, the tables cleared and cleaned. And mostly, more importantly, I noticed her smile. She had a slight limp, and I could tell that each step pained her a bit, but still she went about her work with a smile and a “good morning” for each guest. While MisterM turned in our keys at the front desk, I slipped over to the breakfast kitchen area, where the attendant was up to her elbows in sudsy water, doing dishes. “This is for you,” I said, placing the little Smile card package on the ledge beside her. “I make these,” pointing to the Peace dove, “and give them out. And here’s a little tip too, for the nice breakfast. Happy holidays to you!” A little surprised, but very gracious, she smiled, thanked me and ... Read Full Story >>

527 Reads

Magic Boot Box!

Our wonderful volunteer, who has been with us for about 6 weeks, has just headed off to pastures new. Before he left, we'd discovered in conversation that he took a really big foot size and that his boots didn't have much life left in them.

It's really hard too find footwear in large sizes in rural Portugal, so before he moved on I had a rummage in my 'spares' box and was able to give him a pair of welly boots and a pair of combat style boots. Perfect for farm work and his onward journey.

A friend popped over tonight wearing a jacket taped together. I didn't have one of those handy, but checking out his feet revealed he could do with shoes too.

Out came the magic boot box again, and he went off with a pair of 'for work' trainers and a pair of work boots. More space for me and dry feet for him - winners all round!

300 Reads

Kindness Seeds

Many years ago, I worked in a midnight shift, in a hospital, in Indiana. I was earning money to go back to college. Some of the people on that shift could be unfriendly; it wore one me. However, there was one woman who was extremely cheerful and always so kind. Other staff would go to talk to her on breaks because they would leave feeling much better. I lacked some basic social skills due to my Asperger's. She let me make the mistakes one normally makes in his early teens. She showed me kindness at a time when life was very dark for me. I went back to school and graduated. I've felt moved to pay her kindness forward and I have tried to do so. Her small gift of kindness has been repaid many times over. We have two choices in life: kindness or violence. Each is a gift that keeps ... Read Full Story >>

813 Reads
  • Posted by medicinebison
  • Jan 26, 2019
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First Time Fishing For 10 Year Old

I have a little 10 year friend that has become like a niece to me. I've known her since she was 4. We do crafts, go places. She has never been fishing. I've been wanting to get her a license, pole, everything for at least a year. It just never happened. Yesterday we went to the park and were bored. I said come on, let's go to Wal-Mart and check out fishing stuff. My credit card showed $55. It was $5 for a year license for her, pole, etc...$23. I couldn't afford my own license ($37), I just got her one. I know somewhere in the conversation I mentioned she has never been fishing and I am going to make it happen. Well, for some reason my card got declined. I said ok, let's just do the $5 license. It still declined. I had $6 on my debit (in car) we go ... Read Full Story >>

350 Reads

Santa Left a Gift

There is an older couple across the street one house over from me. They keep to themselves. I love their yard with rocks and neat rusted old things. I left a plant by their walk way about 6 months ago. They planted it. They have a small section of colored lights on their patio roof and a tree inside.

I made a glass Christmas ornament with melted crayon. I had a cute invitation card that had Mr and Mrs Santa saying we checked our list twice. I cut it and made it into a card and said Merry Christmas from Santa. I placed it on their patio this morning. Now they'll have a new handmade ornament to place on their tree.

715 Reads

Foundation Building

There is a construction zone next door. I live in the inner city, even though I have a house, not an apartment, our neighbours are very close. We were woken up at 6.50am by loud voices - the concrete layers arrived 40 mins before they are legally allowed to start work. I decided that I wouldn't get out of bed to express myself (lol) but just to leave it.

A bit later, I went outside and the concrete layer apologised for his early start. He had left home early but there wasn't much traffic so arrived early. We had a chat about traffic, and the lack of parking in the street. All was forgiven.

For the rest of the morning I have gotten the royal treatment. They stopped cars from parking outside my house so I didn't have to lug my shopping up the hill in the heat, and even helped lift some heavy grocery bags for me!

I'm very thankful that I didn't get grumpy this morning, and my kind self was first.

499 Reads

Train Controller and the Reggia Ride

I was in a foreign country. Even though I knew the country and the language and everything well, I might still need some other people to help me in emergency cases. I took a midnight train from the capital to where I lived. I was trying not to fall asleep as I would be home towards 2am, but funnily enough I fell asleep and opened my eyes while the train reported from the station I wanted to arrive. I went and talked to the controllers, one of them told me to get off at the next one and wait for the train to my city, which would not arrive until 4 in the morning. The other station was just shitty and too dangerous to wait alone for the next train. One of the controllers got off with me as he lived there. Then he told me he would not feel okay ... Read Full Story >>

735 Reads

Celebrate Givers

This time of year there are always Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army. It was super windy and cold this past weekend, I droppeda donation when I went in the store. When I came out of the store, it was even colder. There was a Burger King across the street, so I went in and bought a large coffee and chicken nuggets. I figured it was a safe bet for someone to enjoy if they were cold.  I went back the the bell ringer, and handed him the bag. I said, it is pretty chilly here in the shade and I thought you might enjoy something warm.
 
He was totally shocked! I wished him a Merry Christmas and left. He was smiling.

I do this often, but don't usually post as I feel like I should be totally anonymous, but I thought if I shared my story it might encourage someone else to brighten another's day! Kindness does not cost a whole lot. I challenge others to do the same all year long, not just at Christmas. Wishing everyone who is reading a blessed day!

631 Reads

Donating Bikes

Donating our bikes tomorrow to a local community help organization.

We bought them a few years ago, when we got our camper, thinking we were going to ride around the campgrounds. Not so :)). Much prefer to walk or hike.

They are like brand new and hope they will help make someone's Christmas a little happier :)).

I will miss the streamers and bell, but oh well :))).

Blessings of giving, my friends.
 

494 Reads

Helping An Old Woman Collect Money

Last Thursday, an old lady came to my office and told me that she is in need of a good amount of money for the treatment of her only son who is serously ill. She was afraid of approaching others for collecting money. So, I collected some money from my office and other offices around and gave it to her. She was crying when I handed over the money to her.

522 Reads
  • Posted by itsvinuhere
  • Jan 3, 2019
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There Is Always Support

I watched a person struggle to go up and down the stairs during intermission at a play. The stairs had no handrail. After the play, I offered to be the person's handrail and she accepted. She had shattered her ankle skydiving and the recovery was longer and more difficult than expected.

431 Reads

Coffee for an Angry-Looking Young Man

Yesterday, I let a very angry-looking young man pull in ahead of me at the coffee shop drive thru. I had decided that I would pay for the order of the person behind me when I was told that the "angry young-man" had paid for mine and said "Merry Christmas!" What a wonderful surprise and what a testament that appearances may be deceiving. This exercise in looking for, acknowledging, and sharing stories like these warms my heart so here's some love to those of you reading these snippets of joy!

858 Reads

Extra Love On Correspondence

A while ago now I had these amazing stickers made up to seal all the random love letters I write.

They say "You Are Beautiful".

Because honestly we all are and we all need the reminding 💖

I also never post a letter, bill or any correspondence without adding an extra touch of love in the form of words, or a quote on the back.

Every letter is different and unique and I just write whatever is on my heart to write 💌

564 Reads

Passing the Friendship Test

Sorting through some things the other morning I noticed I had multiple blow up pools, so offered one for sale on a facebook page for only $10. Within minutes of posting I had interest. A friend of mine was one of the first to reply and said she can pick it up later that day. Sold! A minute after speaking with her a man sent me a message and wrote the following "Stuff giving the pool away. I'll double it and give you $20". I replied to him straight away apologising saying i had just sold it and I cannot accept his offer. What he said and did next blew me away.... He replied saying, "I was wondering if you'd pass the friendship test over $20. You pass." He then asked if I had a paypal account and told me he would love to give me the $10 I had originally asked for the pool ... Read Full Story >>

625 Reads

"There's an extra $10 on there for you."

Last week at a gas station something beautiful happened to me. I desperately needed to put a little bit in my tank... when I say little, I mean that I was cashing the $4 winning lotto ticket that I found buried in the bottom of my purse. (Which, by the way I was ecstatic to have found, but this wasn't the whole story) When I went to cash in the ticket and tell the attendant which pump I was on she asked me to wait for a second. I waited, not asking why. She then looked at me and said, "There's an extra $10 on there for you." I was shocked, humbled and grateful. All I could say was thank you, along with making the promise to myself to pay it forward and share the kindness.

305 Reads
  • Posted by felisadizon
  • Dec 27, 2018
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Designing for Kindness

When I visited my grand kids this weekend, they excitedly showed me the advent calendar their family had made. Each day had a kindness activity (in red ink) and a fun family activity (in green ink) Some of the family activities were combined with the kindness activities to reinforce the idea that service and kindness are fun. For example one day's activities are "make a hot chocolate mix and package it for gifts.-- then sit down and enjoy a warm cup of cocoa and a movie with the family."
Involving the kids in designing you own family's advent calendar is such a great idea and makes it even more meaningful.

Here is a sample free printable advent calendar:: https://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/random-acts-of-christmas-kindness-advent-calendar/

257 Reads

Music To My Ears

She didn't like us. Any of us. We didn't do anything to offend her and she didn't know us but that didn't matter, she still didn't like us. As new teachers in the Emirati school, we Westerners greeted her every day. She ignored us. She came into our rooms and  bypassed us as she shook hands with all the non Westerners in our staff room. Whenever we saw her, she avoided eye contact with us.Eventually, we stopped trying to befriend her. I won't say her nationality but her friends had been fired from the school, we had been employed in their place and that was enough for her to have nothing to do with us. Well after 16 months in the school we had a secret pal gifting. I drew her name from the glass jar and that meant she was my secret pal. My role was to buy her a gift and ... Read Full Story >>

1057 Reads

Offering a Seat for a Man and his Kids

My sister and I had planned to sit together for a plane ride our family was taking today. As we settled into our seats, we heard the flight attendant asking a woman a few seats behind us to move down one seat so that a father and his baby could take her place, which had an infant life vest unlike their assigned seat. The lady was rather unhappy with this, so I gladly let the man and his daughter take my seat instead, and moved to the front of the plane. My sister had plenty of cute stories from sitting with the baby after we landed.

553 Reads
  • Posted by RachaelEliza
  • Dec 21, 2018
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Leftover Garden Fruit

Thought this was pretty fantastic and such a great idea of kindness.

In Norway, when people have left over fruit from their own gardens, they bag them and hang them on fences for anyone in need of who wants. 

390 Reads

"Would you like these?"

Was the recipient of an act of kindness tonight!

There was a knock at the door. A young boy from down the road. He attends the same school as my sons.

"Would you like these?" he said as he handed me an old school bag of his in amazing condition, filled with many items of school clothing.

"Yes, please, and thank you" I said.

This is such a thoughtful gift and one that will save me and my family a lot of money.

How blessed we are when kindness boomerangs back to us 💞

281 Reads




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