Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Collecting Toys And Treats For The Dog Pound

I've collected a few bags of dog treats and dog toys when I've seen them on sale. Some I've left at the park with a note for someone with a dog to pick up as a RAOK, and the others I've been storing away to take to the local animal shelter as soon as I've got enough to fill a bag.

I was at the pet shop and bought some more hard rubber balls, the cashier commented that my dog must go through a lot of balls, and I told him my plan to take a bag of toys and treats to the pound. He said I had a good heart and added two more balls to the bag - free! and gave me a suggestion to email the head office and ask for their toy returns. If I can deliver them to the pound myself, then he was sure that could happen.

Here's giving it a go!

2055 Reads

Hospital Cheer

I dropped off two cheer-up gift bags (socks, bottled water, puzzle books, hand cream, lip balm...) and 15 packs that had tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste, travel size shampoo & conditioners, lip balm, lotion... To my local hospital.

The lovely nurses gave me a hug, and said "I remember you from last time! We gave out the cheer up bags to patients straight away, and we kept a few in the cupboard. We gave those ones out on Mothers Day to patients without visitors" yay, it was nice to have feedback on how a small thing cheered someone up.

2131 Reads

Popcorn Kindness at the Dentist's Office

Waited for the gal at the front desk at our dentist to walk away and quickly put this bag of assorted mini-bags of popcorn, with a peace dove inside & a smile card outside, on her desk. I was still sitting in the waiting room when she returned & found it. She smiled & looked at me. I acted totally innocent :)))))

2190 Reads

Customer Ahead Of Me In Line

Customer ahead of me in line was short a few dollars on her order. As she was directing what items to put back, I offered to pay the difference. The customer graciously accepted :).

After the customer left, cashier thanked me as well :)).

Grateful that the Universe put me right where I needed to be of assistance. Abundant blessings, my kind friends.

2548 Reads

New Furry Friends

We have neighbors whose adult son has been living with them since losing his job over 5 years ago. He is the 5th child of 6 and he has struggled throughout his life. His dog died in early July and the loss has affected him deeply, understandably. He built his daily life around the dog walks and made relationships in the neighborhood with other dog walkers and owners. His parents do not want him to get another dog because they want his schedule to be more flexible to find work and not worry about walking the dog. It is a hard situation, I can see he is depressed and lonely without his dog. I also see he helps his parents a lot with chores and cleaning. All I could think to help by including him with my family for walks with our dogs, for a BBQ, and to go get a coffee. Then ... Read Full Story >>

3373 Reads

Everyday Stuff

Hi, My name is Max. I'm 10 years old. I was at an amusement park for a birthday party today, and I found an iPhone on the ground next to a videogame. I gave it to a person who worked there. I feel like I did the right thing.

1439 Reads

No Translation Needed

At the soup kitchen where I volunteer, a gentleman had a lot to say to me in Spanish (which I don't understand).....I could gather that he was thanking me, but beyond that his words were a mystery to me. I could have asked someone else to translate, but I didn't want to stop the flow, and so I just stood there basking in his words and being present. When he finished I just smiled and gave him a big hug---no translation needed :-) I felt that just been bestowed a huge blessing and the feeling of it carried me for the rest of the day.

1869 Reads

Post It Note Blitz

Today I did a post-it note blitz - on public toilet mirrors, outside a public parent's room, and on the back of park benches in the park. I wrote the notes on the run of the mill yellow post it notes saying "Be the Kindness in the World Today" "A smile is free" "Your smile looks great on you" "I'm glad you are reading this, you are a blessing to our world" It was one of those days that I didn't feel like putting myself out there, and perhaps on those days its important that I do :-)

2588 Reads

Keep Smiling!

I wanted to share how I received kindness today. I moved to a high- density urban setting from a small community a couple of years ago.

Initially, I attempted to smile and wave at the people in my neighborhood. But this was met with indifference and often dismissive-ness.

So, after a while I gave up, kept my head down. I became increasingly dissatisfied with my living conditions and considered moving. But then I realized that I was becoming someone I didn't want to be.

So, I started waving and smiling again. Well, this morning while walking my dogs, two neighbors passedme without a glance. I noticed that this didn't feel very nice and I felt discouraged. But a third person passed in their car with a big smile on his face.
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It made my day! I smiled back and kept smiling all the way home. I guess the moral of the story for me was, never underestimate the power of a smile! So keep smiling everyone!

4005 Reads

Raining kindness

My husband changed my tire in Woodstock today during a rain storm (with some thunder and lightning) and afterwards we went to Starbucks. When we were driving away, a lady flagged me down and handed me a ziplock bag. This was inside. Star Bucks gift card and a letter which reads:

Dear Spare Tire Changers,

I just watched you change a flat tire in the pouring rain. I even took a short video and put it on F.B. I felt very bad for you both. Just happen to be home because I threw my back out. Otherwise, I would have come out to assist even if it was just holding an umbrella over you. This was a Christmas gift from my boss from my second job. I hope you both can enjoy it. Sorry it's a re-gift : )

-TP

Thank you, TP and the other gift givers who make our days shine (even when it rains).

1771 Reads
  • Posted by AwesomePaws
  • Aug 6, 2015
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Kindness Flowering

'Hi , Kind Friends, It has been an amazing day. I bought 'coffee for a dear friend and then too for the person behind us.
The lady first said: "Oh no you do not have to."" I am in a kind mood, It's a pass it forward thing," I said to her.

Then she said Thank You!! And shares that she just today moved into our neighborhood and must be a good sign. I said "Yes, it is;welcome to the neighborhood."

While waiting for her coffee and my stuff too. she was just chatting and beaming. It was a great feeling and my friend was also very happy.

Then I was gifted with lots of flower kindness. I have this friend who planted a prairie but all around the home she also has tons of flowers. Every year she invites her friends to cut all the flowers we want. So, I am not shy about cutting beautiful flowers and You see the big bucket of goodies I came home with. Thank you Connie Flower Goddess.

1913 Reads

My Opal Earrings

Left an anonymous gift of my opal earrings, a SMILE card, origami dove and an encouraging note to one of the clerks at the wild bird supply store that is closing.

Clerk was there, so I propped the addressed card on a shelf where she is sure to find :)). She had admired the earrings last time I was there, as well as my car (she helped carry my purchases).

I admit this one was tough, I really liked those earrings <3. But, at least I didn't give her the car :))). Husband may have balked at that!

Smiling inside, thinking of her finding them!

*oh, gave them a rose too <3.

1953 Reads

Lightness In My Step

This morning during my walk I had the good fortune of meeting someone I have been wanting to cross paths with for some time. I had seen this elderly gentleman before. A few months ago he was collecting cans and bottles from the recycle bins behind my house. I was shocked to see this and saddened by the fact that he had to do this to survive. I thought about putting bottles in a bag for him with a note attached saying that the bag was for him to take, but then thought it may not be the best idea from a safety standpoint. So I let it go. One rainy day in the spring I saw him again riding his bike with bags of bottles attached to his backpack and handle-bars. My heart sank. I felt powerless thinking I could never connect with him. So you can imagine my surprise when I ... Read Full Story >>

2533 Reads

A Ride for a Smile

I had to take a different route home than I usually do because of a road closure, and while I was stopped at a red light I could see a man approaching my car and talking.

I thought maybe he was asking for directions, but when I turned my radio off to hear he was asking me for a ride a bit down the road.

Being a young woman on my own, I was a bit hesitant thinking of what my friends' advice would be (to beware of my safety). However, I have found myself in this man's situation before, making a long walk and wishing I could get a quick ride from the many drivers passing by.

Not wanting to pass up an opportunity to help, I let him in. It was a short ride, but he introduced himself and initiated a very pleasant conversation. I learned his bicycle broke so he has had to rely on the kindness of strangers for a few days. Hearing his gratitude and learning of others who have shared a ride really gave me a sense of wonder and lifted my mood for the rest of the day!

1965 Reads

Trying Harder...

I'm trying really hard to 'be present' and putting my phone away and ipad away. I'm limiting my time on FB (and had a lovely comment from my son this afternoon, "Mum are you there? if you are not there, where are you?") which shows I spent too much time there, if that's their first stop to find me! My second thing on a different vein is when school goes back, no gossiping, which for me isn't saying it, its listening to it. I've got some strategies (changing the subject, walking out, and saying I'm not comfortable talking about the person when they are not there) I want my workplace to be one of kindness and I'm starting with myself.

2087 Reads

Gifts for My Birthday

At home all day today because of car getting serviced provided me with great opportunity for some birthday kindness :)).

Collected various household items, foodstuffs, books and clothes to donate...one item for each year of my birth! (Don't try and count! A few items are hidden...)

Bringing them to the appropriate donation locations tomorrow <3.

Truly a joy to be here another year on this wonderful Earth! Blessed and grateful.

2232 Reads

Honoring an Old Friend

One of the women in my spirituality group will not be coming to our retreat next month. She has participated for about 15 years but cannot this year. She has dementia and finds it hard to be away from her home. My friend is turning 90 the end of August. She still lives in the home she built herself more than 50 years ago. She loves to paddle the canoe she made, out on the sound. She plays a piano beautifully and has not lost the music in her mind. She wants to stay in her own home for the rest of her life. Because she now needs much more help, the cost has gotten pretty high. One of her closest friends sent an email to our group telling us what's going on and asking for help. There is a woman who lives nearby who has been coordinating the various services ... Read Full Story >>

3331 Reads

Motivating the motivators

Today I passed out 2 smile cards along with chocolates, pencils and sticky-notes. I placed them in the teacher mailboxes hoping no one could see what I was doing. One of the teachers is over the Sunshine club at the school and organizes luncheons and treats for the staff and the other teacher is very creative and brings various challenges, raffles for school materials, etc. to the teachers. I figured these are the people who may get overlooked as they are always trying to lift others up. Hope they SMILE today!!! :-)

1914 Reads
  • Posted by MindfulSchPsy
  • Jul 30, 2015
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Buddha Doodle Rug for Two

I love how much this place has changed me. As many may know I love Molly and her Buddha doodles and have wanted to purchase a throw rug for sometime.
However the shipping is more than the rug to get it to me in Australia.

So I've asked my sister in law who is currently in the US if she would mind me shipping it to her to bring when she visits in December. She said she would and mentioned her favorite is 'tree of life' when I said I couldn't decide which to get.

So I've decided to buy it for her along with mine. What a nice surprise it will be for her when she receives two, not knowing one is for her ♥

2826 Reads

A Few Little Sweet Tips

Yesterday I was a bit early for an appointment so I stopped in at Macdonald's for a coffee .I think they make the best coffee. Two very pleasant young girls were working the counter and the customer ahead was impossible to please! !

The young girl was sweaty and near tears- I only wanted coffee but I like lots of milk in it. I really didn't want to be difficult so I said you go ahead and add lots of milk and if its not enough Il'l ask for more -she smiled . She made a perfect coffee . I left her two pink peppermints for a tip.

I went to her supervisor and let her know how well she handled such a difficult customer ahead of me . More of that needs to be done for young people starting out- probably first job.

I remember how hard it was . Me I would have run away crying and quit had it been me yesterday serving those customers. I'd still be crying too.

1844 Reads