Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Helping A Mom Get To Her Destination.

This PM while I was waiting for the Pre-K parents to come visit the Kindergarten classes a young mother came into the school office. She took the bus but got off at the wrong stop and the school building - she needed to go to  Head Start, about two miles away. She was carrying a baby and she had a 3 year old with her too. She was asking for directions on how to get to the other place on foot, Today was a cold blustery day and I could not see her walking that far with her children. The afternoon parents were not showing up and it was already well past the time they needed to be there, so I told this mom I would give her a ride. My colleague who was helping me during the afternoon session, volunteered to take this mom herself in case parents would still show ... Read Full Story >>

3313 Reads

Touched by kindness

My daughter and myself were driving from Los Angeles to Dallas. We were running low on gas somewhere in New Mexico and figured we'd see a gas station soon enough to fill up. But that didn't happen and we realized we were not going to make it to the next town. So my daughter made up a sign that read "Low on gas. Can u help?" and held it outside her window in the hopes that a driver in the next lane would notice it and stop. There weren't too many vehicles passing us either at the time. It was a desolate stretch of road and about 3.30 pm on a weekday. A suburban was driving along happily in the neighboring lane ahead of us. We caught up with it in the hopes the driver would notice the sign. An elderly gentleman was driving it and after a brief expression of confusion on ... Read Full Story >>

6577 Reads

Brand new beekeeper

I met what must be the world's most wonderful lady last summer - just being around her is like a soothing balm for my soul. I barely know her and after finding out that I've dreamt of having bees for several years she simply gave me a hive as a gift, including all the boxes, frames, gear, tools and a package of bees.

I'm now officially a brand new beekeeper

I kinda freaked out a little when we shook them into the hive though....10,000 bees buzzing around your body will do that to you even in beekeeping gear if you're new to this exciting hobby!

2565 Reads

Wallet Returned.

My daughter lost her wallet on the train two weeks ago. It arrived in the post today. Ed and Erin returned it to her. No other details other than their names. Thank you Ed and Erin where ever you are in Sydney.

1339 Reads

Truck breakdown

My truck broke down this weekend out of state and leaving me stranded over the weekend. The people I met in the process of trying to figure out how to get it fixed and what to do made an unfortunate situation become an opportunity to meet others and witness how kind people can be without expecting anything in return.

I had a transmission mechanic examine my truck free of charge while he was not even supposed to be at work. Many things happened "by chance" but I couldn't help but feel like I was being looked out for.

I was able to get my car back home, find a loaner car and not miss out on work. My problem isn't solved yet but I have a very different outlook on the situation and peace in my heart.

All I did was try to put out hopeful good energy and use patience. Things lined up. "Move and the way will open" - Zen Proverb. Feeling blessed.

2187 Reads

An Unexpected Blessing

Years ago a college friend and I set out across the US on a post-college adventure. Our vehicle broke-down in New London, Ontario, Canada on a Sunday afternoon.

We were towed to a garage where we spent the night sleeping in the van waiting for the owner to open the next morning. We left the van to be repaired and set out raising money working odd jobs throughout the day.

When we returned the mechanic had finished the work, but the job cost $100 more than we had earned that day. Tired and now more than a little disconsolate, we decided to ask the mechanic if we could send him the remainder of the money from our destination in Boston, MA.

To our surprise and relief he agreed. When we arrived in Boston three days later, we immediately sent the balance to him as well as a note of great appreciation for the trust he shared with two, young strangers.

3380 Reads

George's Gift

The sun came out today after a rainy weekend and the throwing up cycle I was in stopped! Was able to have enough energy to go to the store.

The bus I always take goes right by our Veterans' Hospital. I've ridden with many of the vets for some time. As I was sitting, giddy cuz I stopped vomiting, George (a vet) tapped me from behind.

George served in Vietnam & now, was usually penniless. He normally was fairly quiet, muttering to himself. This morning, he smiled at me and said " guess what I gots?"

Uh oh I thought. George proudly showed me his treasure of a box of Debbie's chocolate cup cakes. George doesn't know I'm unable to eat, yet he yanked a cupcake out & gave it to me. "This is for you cuz you always tell me hi" he said.

I know George doesn't "have" much, yet the gift he gave me filled me up. Food may not fill me up these days, but with guys like George, I'm always full! Full of love, full of life. Thanks to all who give AND receive.

1297 Reads

State ID for elderly neighbor

I took my elderly neighbor to get her State ID today and then took her on the errands she needed to do. She has a daughter that lives only 4 miles away, but she doesn't drive due to a car accident. This was our second trip to the DMV/Secretary of State because the first time she didn't have everything she needed.

2575 Reads

Turn Around Compliment

I remember back one of the last few years at a renaissance faire. I had spent about 5 years working a booth across from a wonderful comedian and actor. His name was Moonie, he was absolutely amazing, and his skit was done using nothing but gestures and noises instead of words. I remember watching his shows and always being entertained. Even when he was having a bad day, the audience wasn't cooperating, his juggling or tight-rope skills weren't as sharp as he would have liked, he always managed to keep things fun, funny, lively, and fresh. That's a very hard thing to do considering I watched him literally do the same skits, gags, and jokes for 5 years several times a day, each weekend. When I heard it would be his last year performing at the faire, I had wanted to thank him for all the amazing shows he had done on ... Read Full Story >>

4546 Reads

Who got more out of the gift- the giver or the receiver?

A young woman with a toddler by her side was standing by her rusted-out old car, in the Safeway lot, with a sign saying that they were homeless and hungry.

Normally I don't do this, but I felt compelled to give her a 20. I rolled down my window, greeted her and handed her the bill. She burst into tears, and so did I. She was so incredibly grateful, but I think I felt even more rewarded than she did. It made my day.

2452 Reads
  • Posted by klintheburbs
  • Apr 3, 2015
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Works in mysterious ways

As a young man, there was a special trip I had really wanted to take, but it cost $50 and I didn't have the money. A friend of mine who was doing things for his church, said I could earn $50 doing yard work and invited me along.

When to my total surprise in the process of cleaning up the fall leaves in the parking lot, I found of all things...a $50 bill there on the ground under the leaves I was raking! I was totally astounded!

Gratitude told me the best thing to do was donate the $50 I was to earn for my work, back to the church instead. It was my first exposure to "pay it forward". From then on, I have "paid it forward" with random acts of kindness for others ever since. The heart warming feeling of helping others "mysteriously" is better than anything I know of. :)

2722 Reads

Volunteering At An Orphanage In Tijuana, Mx

Today I'm grateful for the joy and grace of the children at Los Angellitos orphanage in the Tijuana area of Mexico.

I go with a bus load of volunteers from Corazon de Vida foundation to spend the day every now and then. We bring them art projects, balls, balloons, a special pizza lunch, and most of all, one on one attention. In return they give us unconditional love and teach us to be grateful for the simple joys of giving and receiving.

2896 Reads
  • Posted by cathryna.rathsam
  • Apr 2, 2015
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Reflection Of A Bully

​One day, while waiting on a bus, I observed an interaction between two young men. One appeared to be about 17-21 in age, while the other appeared to be somewhere between 25-30. The older of the two was verbally bullying the younger. ​When the young man being bullied requested to be left alone, I noticed that he had a small, but still noticeable speech impediment. I waited a minute or two waiting for the bully to stop, but when it was apparent that the teasing was not going to stop, I spoke up and in a calm, even, but firm tone, said, “he asked you to stop, so now I’m telling you, don’t talk to him any more." The bully immediately stopped his chatter. Asmore people arrived at the stop, and the bully was distracted, the teenager thanked me for my assistance.While I have no regrets for speaking up, four years later, I still ... Read Full Story >>

3540 Reads

Rescue in the frozen section

When my son was a toddler, he didn't tolerate the grocery store well. The bright lights, tons of products and people would usually result in a meltdown of epic proportions. I didn't know it at that time, but he has sensory processing disorder and retail stores can be very hard for kids like mine. One day, I had to pick up a few things. There were no options, I had to go. As soon as he's in the cart he begins to wail. I was at the back of the store, walking down the long end towards the frozen section. My son was in one of those "race car" carts that have a steering wheel. At the other end of the market was a woman, waving her arms frantically. I looked behind us but we were the only people there. I kept walking towards her and when we got close she lightly ... Read Full Story >>

4049 Reads
  • Posted by juliegfoxx
  • Mar 31, 2015
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Smiles

Watching my "baby" who is now a fifth grader take the hand of a kindergartener to walk her to the bathroom during the middle of Sunday mass made me smile. My daughter seems so small to me, but looked so big and confident helping her little friend. I smiled thinking how cute it was that they figured out a way to break up the long mass without getting in trouble too! I love friendships!

2043 Reads

Beautiful Smiles

I was wandering through a fruit stand today and noticed two women walking in the store. One was leading the way, the other followed slowly with a walker. The second woman was probably in her fifties, too young for a walker, and she had the most beautiful smile.I passed them without giving it too much thought. They left the store before me, and when I left and was walking down the sidewalk, I saw them in their car. This lovely woman was sitting in the passenger's seat, smiling and laughing sweetly as she said, "I never thought it could be this hard to get in a car" -- and laughed and laughed. Amazing, I thought! And I wanted to connect with this lovely energy, so as I passed, I asked if she would like me toclo se the car door for her. She looked at me and gave me one of her beautiful ... Read Full Story >>

2923 Reads

Smile

I was actually having a not so great day today. I've been having some pain issues with my neck and shoulder. Just some weird thing that pops up now and then.(I hadn't mentioned the pain/discomfort to my husband.)

But today I was aggravated with my spouse. Feeling ignored etc. (I'm thinking it could be due to being off of work for two months now.) I was weepy and just not having a very good day.

My spouse went to the grocery store this afternoon. I went into the kitchen and put away the items from the store. Still weepy and defensive.

I walk into the living room and there, on the spot where I usually sit, was a neck pillow with heat and vibration for neck pain. This made me smile.

It's so funny how perception is reality. Sometimes its the wrong reality. This made me remember all of the times my spouse has been giving and thoughtful. I need to remind myself that there are times when my POV can be so lopsided that I cant get out of my own way. :)

1963 Reads

One Good Turn....

I was a grateful recipient of kindness today. We are about to take in a Guatemalan woman and her infant child for three weeks, until the infant is healthy enough to move.

I was on FreeCycle.org this morning searching for a bassinet and car seat. Then I spent the afternoon harvesting the generosity of others, who will in turn allow us to provide much needed housing to this woman and her infant.

1291 Reads

My 7 Year Old ...

My 7 year old daughter wanted to do some kind act for our mail man. So she made a thank you card, drew a picture. She also taped an organic fruit bar as a small gift. Also tagged him with a smile card. She is so excited:))seeing her smile makes me smile :)))


2756 Reads

Romance

I was sitting in a coffee shop sipping on my decaf and simply watching the world go by. My eyes caught sight of a very mature couple. I knew this as their hair was very white and they were slightly hunched over. They stopped and seemed to be looking around, perhaps lost? Who knows? But what made me smile was.....they were holding hands. Was it the many years they were together or was this a fairly new romance. I wondered, as the smile on my face lingered and together they walked away.

2765 Reads




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