Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Family Daily Gratitude Journal

My family has been writing in a gratitude journal daily since the first of the year. Each day we write one thing that we are thankful or grateful for. It's amazing to see our 9 year old and 15 year old put thought into the smallest things in life....and have so much gratitude! I'm grateful for this practice.

40 acts of kindness for my 40th

I am undertaking 40 acts of kindness for my 40th! I started a blog to write about what I was up to: www.naturalfairy.com.au. From chocolate gifts for new mums, to cleaning up my local beach and helping out a random stranger in the supermarket...my aim - to bring a few more smiles to the world :-)

Another Busy Morning :)

This morning I took all those books, colouring pencils & puzzles down to the children's ward at our local hospital. The nurses were very happy to see all the new stuff, and I was very happy to make some more room in our very full house, lol.

Then I went to our local Salvation Army store and literally FILLED the boot of my car with clothes and books for $13!!!!! I couldn't believe it. So, that money goes to the Salvos, and I can donate the clothes and books I bought to someone else who needs them. Two birds with one stone :D

I also have a guy coming to pick up the suitcase I'm giving away, either today or tomorrow, so that gives hubby more room on his side of the wardrobe. He needs more room - he has more clothes than I do, lol.

I had another HUGE list of messages in my inbox here on KindSpring today, so my thanks go out again to all the people taking time out of their day to make mine that little bit more special xoxox

One Little Moment That Melted My Heart

I pass by a road once in a while, where a homeless, handicapped person sits with his leg spread out. Today, I thought of giving him something. I asked if he needs a juice, he agreed.

When I got fresh juice and went back, handing it with care, he took it with shivering hands. He had this disease as well, 'oh my God', I thought. He was even finding it difficult to hold the glass and have juice. He really needed some juice in afternoon weather and somehow this got conveyed.
That one moment melted my heart in some way.

He actually needs a lot more: some care, money, medical treatment and place to stay.We generally ignore such people but some of them are really struggling and need help.

Being Neighborly

I have a neighbor two doors down whose family is not a favorite on the block. They constantly bring their squabbles out to the front yard for everyone to hear and view, their teenager plays loud music and asks neighbors for money and cigarettes, and their friends drive loud cars and speed down the street.

My neighbor across the street has tried to talk to them about the issues, but hasn't been successful. He is probably the only person on the block who has contact with this family. Yesterday, we were talking, and he said the family was without phone service because their only phone broke and they couldn't afford a new one.

I remembered I had an older plug-in phone in my garage, so I dug it out, cleaned it up and gave it to him to pass on to my neighbor. He thanked me, and I thanked him for being a good neighbor

A Bedtime Surprise

I left notes for my daughters to find under their pillows, saying how much I appreciated them. It had such a magical effect. My eldest cried and I got 2 massive hugs. Then, the magic continued as they spent the next few hours with each other playing piano and being so caring and considerate to each other. 

25 Acts Of Kindness For My 25th Birthday

Birthday Act #2: Donated to local food bank. This is something I try to do as often as possible! Your community is so important and a great place to start giving back. Whether it's a friendly smile to a neighbour or donating to a local charity, it all makes a difference! :)

Wed Kindness

Today I had day off so I tried to spread a little kindness around. I left some magazines at my library, fed my sweet Ebony and left a few things on the table to the homeless at the church on the corner.

Serving Food

For my last official kind act of the 21 day challenge (I am definitely going to keep the kind acts going), I decided to volunteer serving dinner to the homeless. It was such a rewarding experience. What struck me was how happy the staff was (they were people who benefited from the center's services previously) and how grateful the people were that we served. I got so many thank you's for just being there to help them. It so interesting how I was there to help them, but I was the one that got the most out of it. It was awesome!

Beanies For The Whole School!

I had a message from my friend. A lady on her Pay It Forward page, is knitting slouch beanies for the whole school I work with (92 kids). These are kids that don't often get extras or even RAOK. I can't wait to see their faces and warm heads in winter!

One life at a time

There had been a problem with gangs within my community, so I took it upon my self to do something about it. 

I started by talking and listening to them. Then we moved on to getting them into school, job-training and employment. Some were still kids - but kids with kids. Now many of them can provide for their own families. 

Now I do follow ups with them, reintroducing them to our (Native American/Canadian) Cree culture. 

They too have value. Along with others we have painted over all the graffiti and some of the gang leaders are now helping me in turning the tide, as far as gangs are concerned, talking to the others, getting them out of the gang life. 

One life at at time.

Let's Play

I'm a teacher and at recess I usually stay in and correct papers or help students with work they are behind on. 

Today, I surprised them all and went outside to play! 

I taught them a new game and now they are teaching the rest of the school to play it. 

Picking Up The Tab For Strangers

I took the big plunge the other day and bought lunch for a couple sitting near my table at the restaurant. I couldn't help but overhear them discussing the cost of this or that on the menu. They both seemed overly concerned with how much their bill was going to be. The irony of it was that I wasn't necessarily in a position to pick up their tab, since from their discussion I think they both made more money than I do each week. However, I had not only had some unexpected income that week, but had also had a neighbor offer to fix my lawnmower for free. He had told me to pay it forward. The cost of their tab was the same amount as I would have paid to him for the repair! 

I wanted these young girls to understand that money was about flow and energy. I hoped that by my act of kindness they might loosen up about the cost of items on a menu and enjoy life a bit more. I gave the waiter a SMILE card and told him to give it to them when their check came. I hope they pay it forward!

Kindness Flash Mob!!!

That was so much fun. About seven students from the school where I teach, as well as their families, came out today for our "kindness flash mob."

We contacted our local McDonald's who donated 250 free ice cream cards. So, in the rain, about 15 of us on the main street downtown passed out ice cream cards to locals and tourists, as well as a "Smile Card."

You should have seen the kids. They were interacting with the people, making them smile, explaining RAoK Month. There was a reporter and a photographer from the local paper.

We really made people's day, but my students and their families got a terrific experience of spreading kindness in the community, something I think none of them will forget...I know I won't! #AprilRAoK

Helped A Teacher.

I aide in my son's class at school. His teacher had been out sick with pneumonia for three days. I watched the homework papers to grade stack up on her desk while she was gone. The day she got back she looked tired and overwhelmed. She had a huge stack on her desk of papers to grade. I offered to take home over the weekend as much as she wanted me to to grade. She seemed relieved and I felt grateful to help. I also had a great wife who helped me.

Sat. Giving

Today was a good day for giving away things. I was off today and had time to wait for people to pick up things. I gave away a bag of books and the woman from the org. that collects clothes,etc. for women coming out of prison, came and picked up 3 bags of things. Feel lighter already.

FEED SOMEONE IN NEED

My heart is overflowing with so much gratitude and love for my amazing life which is simply filled with lots of blessings, sunshine & flowers.

I still remember that one special day when I had just finished dropping off stuffed animals at the emergency room at the nearby hospital - so nurses can give away those cuddly teddy bears to hurting & sick children.I was on my way home and thought of a nice yummy organic salad for dinner.As I was about to walk into the store, I saw a young man sitting on the bench right in front of the store.

He looked fragile and hungry.I stopped right in front of him with a big smile and "hi my dear, how are you doing?" he smiled back and said that he was trying to sell his flutes so he could buy himself some dinner.I smiled and said "please join me - I'd love to buy you your dinner."

He smiled and opened his arms and gave me a big warm hug and then he said the most beautiful prayer for me before we entered the store... and this became another beautiful moment of heaven on earth... be kind to strangers because you never know you might entertain some angels... ;-)

The Thrift Shop Dash

I love to shop at thrift stores. 

It was 8 p.m. and the store was closing. There was a loud pounding on the door and a young couple begged to be let in. Their clothes had been stolen, they said, and they needed more. 

They told us they were homeless and normally kept their things in a garbage bag. While they were trying to find work someone had taken their belongings. 

They were allowed in and raced around to get some clothes - a few shirts, a dress and a bra. They were out of breath as they brought their things to the counter. 

I had just paid for my purchases but felt bad that I was coming to this type of store for the pleasure of bargain-hunting and here were two people who were desperate for necessities. I told them I would be honored to pay for their clothes. 

At first they refused but on my repeated request they allowed me to do so. 

Best of luck to them!

 

Children Hand Out Ice Cream Vouchers On State Street In Kindness

Children hand out ice cream vouchers on State Street in kindness: I saw the video last night on TV, but it doesn't look like it's available online, but the story is. These are my students and the kindness flash mob we did yesterday! #AprilRAoK

Holiday Kindness :)on Recent ...

Holiday Kindness :)

On recent holiday we had to pay $2 to exit the airport carpark in our hired car. I only had a $10 note so asked my partner who was driving to give the $10 note to the attendants and advise them to use the change to pay for the next 4 vehicles behind us.

I also donated money to a local dance group and when buying fruit at road side stalls gave a little extra to the locals who were selling their produce.

Thank you to the Kind spring community for being the change in my actions as would never have considered doing anything like this before joining. There are many opportunities to give even if its only a small amount and while on holiday this was a wonderful thing to do!