Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Smiles As The Beginning Of Love

Hello everyone,

It is the evening of Day 2 as I am in Auckland, New Zealand. Lovely to keep reading all the posts. Wow, the collective energy of everyone's kindness will make a big difference to the world we live in.

Mother Teresa said, "Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of Love".

I practiced  smiling at everyone I encountered, and made an effort to smile and send love to all my students especially to the sad or grumpy looking!! It transformed the space into one of upliftment and positivity and we all had a great day of learning and vibrant health.

I also gave my coffee lady a tip (we don't really tip in NZ so that made her smile!).
 

1010 Reads

Lifesavers

A coworker of mine has been having a really hard time: juggling a full time job, school, and an internship. To top it all off she just got into a car accident. As a result she has to go to a chiropractor three times a week because of her injuries. Thinking of her, I bought her a bag of lifesavers. I attached a note that read "I know you're going through a rough time. I hope this cheers you up!"

1616 Reads
  • Posted by jukeboxmaddox
  • May 22, 2014
  • Comments (1)
  • Share Story

Before Drawing Conclusions

An old man was seated in the train with his 25 years old son.  As train started the young man was filled with lot of joy and curiosity. He was seated on the window side. He stuck out one hand to feel the passing air. He shouted, "Papa see all the trees are going behind". Old man smiled and admired son's emotions. There was a couple who were seated beside the young man. They were just sitting and listing to the conversation between the father and son. They probably thought it was a little awkward, observing that the 25 years old man was behaving like a small child. Suddenly young man again shouted, "Papa see the pond and animals. Clouds are moving with the train". The couple was watching the young man visibly embarrassed of his behavior. Now it started raining and some of water drops touched the young man's hand. He was filled with even ... Read Full Story >>

3371 Reads

Lunch Date

A third grade student at my school invited me to sit with him at lunch today. Even though I usually like to take that time to get a break from kids I said yes as an act of kindness. It surprised me as to how sweet it was to be surrounded by kindergarten through 6th grade students at the lunch table. I have come to love those lunch table conversations!

2280 Reads

Able And Willing

This afternoon I went to the local senior center to help decorate for their 25 year in business celebration and new expansion open house. It was hard work but enjoyable to work with others. I reconnected with a couple of friends after nearly a year.

I am still very able to perform a lot of jobs that others cannot. So I realize I am needed and should volunteer for as long as I am able.

2102 Reads

Gas Emergancy

A woman was at the gas station and was crying saying she didn't have enough money to drive back home (another state away). I wanted to believe in my heart she was telling the truth and had a real need. I went inside of the gas station to the ATM and took out $40.00.

I came back outside & handed it to her. She was crying so hard and thanked me at least 10 times. She got right in her car and went over to the pumps. She then went inside and paid for her gas. I watched from my car as she pumped it then smiled and drove away.

I saw a need and took care of it, that's all I need to make me happy today. I want to believe that I did the right thing and she was genuine.

995 Reads
  • Posted by poohkitten1968
  • May 20, 2014
  • Comments (3)
  • Share Story

Thanks To My Coach:

I found my high school teacher from 30yrs ago online and sent him this note: Hello Mr. D, I hope this finds you well. Perhaps a letter would be more appropriate here but I will take this opportunity to send you a huge "Thank You". When I first signed up for your art class, I was in 9th grade and at a somewhat difficult time. My good friend was on the shady side and I was near going down that path with him, when you convinced me to join the Nordic ski team. This ended up being a huge turning point for me and I credit you entirely. At that time I held a certain amount of rebellion and anger towards my father. It was you who told me straight up what a good man he was and that I had wonderful parents. I really did need to hear that, and I'm glad you ... Read Full Story >>

4088 Reads

Snack Attack

Yesterday, I went to the supermarket and got all kinds of treats for my boyfriend. On movie night, he's always the one getting the snacks for both of us, so I decided to go and get treats for a month. It was sweet to see him go through all the snacks with the excitement of a little boy.

1167 Reads
  • Posted by jessyopf
  • May 18, 2014
  • Add Comment
  • Share Story

Happy Tails

I sent a "We Heart You" card to a young woman who fostered my dog in between her (my dog's) time in the pound in Arkansas and when I met her.

It has been three years since I've adopted Espresso, and I am grateful everyday to all the people and agencies involved the rescue process. But individuals who foster animals (and children) stand out as exceptional.

To love unconditionally and without attachment to save a life ... Jennie is one of those exceptional individuals.

2438 Reads

Coffee Kindness

I hit the ground running on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I did not get the Day 2 email until after my act of kindness. I had a full schedule today, so I decided to do something quick and convenient. I printed out some Smile Cards and headed out.

As I walked to the Starbucks on campus, I worked out the details of buying someone their drink. Should I buy a gift card and give it to the barista to dole out? Or buy myself something and pay for the person behind me? Or buy the gift card and walk around campus looking for someone I would not normally interact with? I was feeling oddly nervous.

In the end, I got in line, bought a gift card and turned around and handed it with a smile card to the boy behind me. I said, "Here you go!" And he said, "Thank you." I scampered out the door with a "You're welcome!" That was it.

But, what a feeling! I loved the joy I felt for doing something so small. I wasn't too concern about what the recipient thought. I felt phenomenal for taking a chance and performing a kind gesture. I love this!

2327 Reads

A Warm Place To Rest

The receptionist where I work has such a tough job! People are really nice here but I can imagine how hard it must be to constantly smile and be "on" all the time. She always smiles, treats everyone with respect, and always has a kind word to share. 

I gave her a card for no reason other than to let her know that, as I put it, "thoughts of your sweet demeanor and kindness are like a warm place to rest."

When I saw her later in the day her face lit up!

1185 Reads
  • Posted by josienutter
  • May 15, 2014
  • Comments (1)
  • Share Story

Gratitude

I took some time this morning to write a gratitude mind map.

As I continued to add items, I found my fingers almost couldn't keep pace with all things I tried to write. I sent emails to a few people on the map to tell them how much I appreciate them!

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~ William Arthur Ward

3090 Reads

A Bag of Donuts

Yesterday, I went out and saw a street vendor selling potato donuts. I had bought 8 donuts for the boys at home. Before I left the place, I saw this little boy sleeping on the sidewalk, with his mom sitting next to him. She appeared to be sleeping as well, with her head resting on her knees. Their clothes were tattered and dirty.

As I walked to my car just a few meters away, I couldn't ignore the tightness in my chest, as the thought of what that boy was going through came into my mind. So I went back and gave the woman the bag of donuts. She thanked me and placed the bag next to her and went back to sleep.

I left the place and hoped that maybe when that little boy wakes up, he will smile when he sees a bag of sugar covered donuts, all for him.

2601 Reads

Do Unto Others...

This morning, a mother and her son were seated next to me on the bus. I could tell that she was stressed as it was, and her son was a bit frazzled along with her. As they went to sit down, the contents of his backpack fell all over the bus floor.

Without words, I bent down and helped them pick them all up. I could tell that she needed a little breath of fresh air this morning, and the genuine smile and thank you was infectious!

1429 Reads

A Mother's Sacrifice

My mom only had one eye. I hated her... she was such an embarrassment. My mom ran a small shop at a flea market. She collected little weeds and such to sell... anything for the money we needed she was such an embarrassment. There was this one day during elementary school. I remember that it was field day, and my mom came. I was so embarrassed. How could she do this to me? I threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school..."Your mom only has one eye?!" and they taunted me. I wished that my mom would just disappear from this world so I said to my mom, "Mom, why don't you have the other eye?! You're only going to make me a laughingstock. Why don't you just die?" My mom did not respond. I guess I felt a little bad, but at the same time, it ... Read Full Story >>

11.8K Reads

21 Day Challenge: A Different Dinner Date

There is a crew of street children I'm friends with, and they hang out [read: routinely beg] right outside the McDonald's across my school. I pass them all the time, but I've never given them food or money, just company. Today, on a whim, I withdrew more money than usual with my scholar's cash card [I just got transportation allowance from the school this September]. Incidentally, the crew was complete when I passed by McDonald's. I wasn't even thinking of Day 1's Challenge, but there you go. God works in mysterious ways!  The kids were indeed surprised and delighted to know that I was actually treating them to a legitimate meal this time. They enjoyed being able to step inside the restaurant [when the security guard would come close, I made it clear that they were with me] and order for themselves. I bought each of them 1-piece Chicken Mcdo, a regular ... Read Full Story >>

2794 Reads

A Tribute to My Mother

I've been thinking today (with it being mothers day) that it should be a sad day for me. But it isn't. Not at all. Today I haven't felt sad that my mother is no longer with me, instead I've felt so incredibly grateful and blessed that she once was.

With you or not with you, here or somewhere else, your mother is always your mother and everything she has ever given you will always be carried in your heart. She never leaves you. Her impact on your life is imprinted into your very being and you carry it with you and little bits of her wherever you go.

It reminds me of a quote by Joel Osteen I love ... "The best legacy is not what we leave FOR people but what we leave IN people" And my mother, she left a lot in me.

7176 Reads

My Special Needs Class.

I work with the mentally challenged and have a class of 60 students that range in age from 18 to 70. Each one has taken the pledge of 21 days of Kindness. I wanted to teach them that an act of kindness goes a long way: To give a little, that they would receive a lot back.

We are on day 2, and so far out of the 60 students at least 15 of them have done a some kind of random act of kindness. I love the look on their faces when they realize how they have brightened someone else's day. They are making a huge difference, and we are loving every bit of it.

1197 Reads

What Time Cannot Erase

Today, I reached out to three amazing women I am blessed to know in my life. I let them each know how even though life moves us away from each other some times, we still always live on in each others' hearts.

I told them about all the things I love about them, what their special gifts are, how they touched my life, and that I'll always treasure them, near or far.

Beautiful words are just such a gift... expressing gratitude, love, connection - what could be better! I hope they each in turn do the same with friendships of their own that may need rekindling.  I'm so grateful and blessed they crossed my path in life.

3369 Reads

Never Quit

Day 2- Today I wrote a letter to a childhood friend after a long long time. He has been going through a very tough time and I reminded him of this poem which he used to share with me when we were kids:

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will
when the road your trudging seems all up the hill
when the funds are low and the debts are high
when you want to smile but you have to sigh
stick to the fight when you are hardest hit
it's when things go wrong when you should never quit."

1528 Reads




Submit your own
story of Kindness

Search by keyword

Tags

Subscribe to the Kindness Newsletter

143K subscribers

About Us

KindSpring is a place to practice small acts of kindness. For over a decade the KindSpring user community has focused on inner transformation, while collectively changing the world with generosity, gratitude, and trust. The site is 100% volunteer-run and totally non-commercial. It is a shared labor of love.

Other servicespace Projects Include

KindSpring.org is a project of ServiceSpace. BY-NC-ND 4.0