Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Love Warrior on a Tricycle

After polio, Raghu Makwana lost his legs.  He had to walk with the support of his hands. A long time back, a few friends took a walk on the street with the inspiration to do a small act of kindness.  After some searching, two of them saw Raghu arranging the shoes that people had left outside the temple.  Given his condition, their first impulse was to do something for him, but when they conversed with him, they quickly realized that they were actually receiving a lot more than they could give him.  Raghu's big-hearted devotion coupled with a sharp and street-smart intellect profoundly impressed them, so much so that they spoke about him to their nonprofit mentor Jayeshbhai, and ended up making him financially self-reliant.   Raghu's impluse of kindness is ever-present.  One of his many kindness endeavors is the Tulsi project.  Whenever he learns of a family (mostly in the slums nearby, the largest in ... Read Full Story >>

9873 Reads

The Shirt Off My Back

Today I had the thrill of giving someone the shirt off my back!  For the past four days I have been participating in a disability arts festival as a member of a choir set up specifically to perform at this festival. Yesterday, after our performance, I was feeling a bit sad thinking that this might be the last time I would sing with this amazing group of people.  I was putting on an oversize, custom-made, raw silk shirt with mother-of-pearl buttons that I have been enjoying wearing when it occurred to me to give the shirt to the first person who said they liked it.  After our performance, as choir members were winding down and changing, the director of the procession said she loved my shirt. So, I happily took if off and gave it to her. She immediately put it on, saying, "Can I give you some money for it?" and "Why ... Read Full Story >>

7556 Reads

Like Sandpaper

At my workplace there is not much opportunity to be different. We administer care to others and, in the process, sometimes we forget to care for ourselves and each other.  So, I print inspirational messages, happy pictures, quotes, etc, and post them on a blank space I've found in one of our utility rooms. I also print stories from this site, and some others I subscribe to, and leave them in the staff room. I believe it adds to our "emotional education."  One person asked me, "Why do you do this? Why do you try to help these people, they are not very nice?"  My response was, "If it affects one person then it's a good thing."  Often that one person is me, because I know I have done a kind thing, a good thing. It doesn't matter if it doesn't affect anyone else. What matters is that I'm the best person I can ... Read Full Story >>

14.3K Reads

A Math Life Lesson

I spent some time after class with two of my math students.

They wanted to make sure they understood what we had been working on in pre-algebra. It only took a few minutes for them to realize they both knew what to do - but had to trust in themselves. 

Even better than helping them discovering what they could achieve in math, was watching them grow in self-confidence.

1129 Reads
  • Posted by christopher.star
  • Feb 8, 2014
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Kindness Wheel

I received the deck of Kindness Cards about 2 months ago. Since then it has been a blessing, it is like a grand parent at home reminding me to do at least one act of kindness daily. Call somebody and ask them how they are doing, give the post man a few fruits, At the Aldi grocery store pay the Quarter for the Shopping cart for someone, pick up the recycling papers while on a walk, be kind to the students, the list goes on. Thank you all for the wonderful positive peer pressure. And, now this 21 Day Kindness Challenge, this is great!

1452 Reads

It Went Where It Was Needed - I Hope

One of my classmates is going through a really hard time, both emotionally and financially. So, I went out and bought a $40 gift card from Target so she could buy herself something. 

I placed it in her mailbox but - I think I put it in her neighbours box by mistake! And, because it is anonymous, I can't ask her whether she got it or not. 

Oh, well. Someone benefited from it! 

I do, though, offer her my undivided attention and listen when she needs to talk about her problems, so I guess that helps. Sometimes all we need is a place where we feel as though we are being heard. I know, for me, just to verbalize what is inside you sometimes is enough.

938 Reads
  • Posted by veggie_tables
  • Feb 7, 2014
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Marine Moms

Don't you love when you get to special things for special people? 

My son graduates from Marine Combat Training soon. Some of the parents can't get to the ceremony, so I am making goodie bags for four of the boys (whose parents can't attend,) each with a card inside it from their mom. 

So exciting!

926 Reads
  • Posted by flossiemarie
  • Feb 7, 2014
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Dubai Market

A few of us friends got together for a random acts of kindness event at a flea market in Dubai. 

We collected items from our homes, our neighbors, and our friends, which could make good gifts. Then we put up a bright and chirpy stall at the market, put all our gifts on display, and took a lot of people by surprise! 

We had a gratitude board too, where people pinned up their answers to the question, "What are you grateful for?" 

And we had a basket full of kindness ideas for people to pick up and, hopefully, put into practice!

It was a beautiful, beautiful day!

2975 Reads

First Two Days On KindSpring

Can I start with yesterday?  I was out and about yesterday. I did my usual picking up of trash and I complimented the shift-manager at Wal-Mart on the positive changes I saw around the store after a talk we had about trash inside and outside the store.  I listened to a clerk at Dollar Tree as she told me about some family problems. Then I gave her a hug!  I gave my contact info to a clerk at Trader Joe's. I told him I knit and crochet. So, he's going to keep an eye out at his daughter's school for kids who need gloves, hats, or mufflers. He promised to let me know which items are needed. I will make them and he will deliver them! Then, I let two folks with fewer groceries than me cut ahead of me at check-out. I bought some greeting cards for vets at the VA Hospital hospice unit ... Read Full Story >>

1975 Reads

Gym Break

I complimented a woman at the gym who was very intently going about her exercise. 

She then paused and told me it was the first time she had been to the gym in about a month as her mother is dying in hospital. 

I opened my heart to listen to how stressful that was for her, emotionally and physically. I let her unload her worries and reminded her to be gentle to herself and that, as a mother and a daughter, she was doing the best she could on all sides. 

It warmed me to see her exhale and smile at the end, knowing that those few moments of contact may have helped her, even a little.

1952 Reads

My New Friend

I saw a very tiny frail, (about 60 lbs) old lady coming from the grocery store as I was walking towards it.  She was tiny, under 5ft, about 60 lbs, pushing her little wire basket.  It was about 85-90 degrees and she was not walking well . I was afraid I might scare her... but this pledge inspired me to have courage & offer her a ride.   "Oh yes, that would be nice".  On the way to her house, I found out she has no family, & was recently out of a nursing home due to a hip surgery. so now we're friends & I will visit & take to do her shopping on Wednesdays.  So the friendship begins!

1101 Reads

Can You Afford It?

I was having breakfast in a nice cafe in London last Saturday when a skinny young guy approached me asking if I had any spare spare change I could give him. 

Thinking I would go one better I offered to buy him breakfast. His reaction really surprised me.

He asked, "Can you afford it?"

Well ... yes, I could. So, I did. Gratefully!

1343 Reads

Carrying A Child To The Right School

As I neared the end of my morning run a woman with two young children (maybe around three and seven years old) asked for directions to a school nearly a mile away. 

When I discovered she was on foot and late for the start of school I offered to carry the older child while she carried the younger in order to make better time. She gladly accepted. 

As we talked she told me her name was Rose. She was born in Haiti and has been in America for six years. Taking her niece to school that morning, Rose had been informed that the girl was actually enrolled in a different school.

I told her my wife used to work in Haiti, where she learned to speak Creole. 

When I left them at their destination, Rose said "God bless you." I said the same in return, and was glad to be able to add, "Au revoir et bonne chance." 

1683 Reads

Kindness Contest Bears Fruit For All

When I was little I wondered why neighborhoods didn’t invest in edible landscaping to build community, promote health, and promote collaboration. As adults, my husband and I decided the right way to answer this question was to do it ourselves, so we transformed our front yard with edibles, adding blueberries, strawberries, limes, pomegranates, and oranges. Every crop brought us closer to neighbors and strangers. The food was an excuse to commune. Kids in the neighborhood (including our sons) learned patience and gentle timing. When we had extra, we'd share it. Then, we received a powerful lesson; a gift hidden as a loss. Our first-ever crop of pomegranates had ripened. But at harvest, they were all gone, stolen in the middle of the night. We were shocked, sad and angry. Friends had fun suggesting deterrents. One even suggested we post a sign to curse thieves who stole our fruit. And suddenly, the lesson ... Read Full Story >>

15.5K Reads

Silencio!

The elderly Peruvian lady across the hall from me does not speak English. When her smoke detector started beeping and announcing "Battery low, please replace.", she did not understand and was frightened. I disconnected it but could not stop the annoying noise. After asking around other neighbors if anyone had the right battery, with no results, I got dressed, caught the bus and went to the store for another battery. Got the battery in and stopped the beeping and -- "Silencio!"

1287 Reads

Taking Time To Listen Can Be A Kindness...

I spent extra time this morning listening to a coworker's concern about her health and encouraging her. After receiving so much support during the recent illness and death of my father, it is time to not only give back, but pay forward as well.

1343 Reads

3,762 Miles Walked And 100 Tons Of Trash

On an unassuming weekday evening, Jane was at home… as usual. As her thoughts swung between what she was going to do with her life and their dinner plans for the evening, she was unexpectedly interrupted by an urgent call from her sister “get over here! Turn on NBC and check these guys out, they are just like you…” One facebook message and a phone interview later, Jane found herself on a bus with 8 strangers in the middle of the sweltering desert heat of Utah, picking up trash and raising awareness about zero-waste and climate change. Armed with a deep love of the environment and a desire to make a difference, Jane, Davey, and a group of self described “environmental pick-up artists” went on a coast to coast road side trash pick-up. As they walked, sometimes only covering 0.9 miles in an entire day, they slowly and steadily made their ... Read Full Story >>

9402 Reads

A Little Library...

I started a small neighborhood book exchange. My husband put the shelves together for me and we supplied the "seed" books to get things rolling. I also designed and printed free bookmarks for patrons to take with them. My hope is that people will choose a book, enjoy it and return it for another...along with contributing a few books of their own to share with their neighbors and friends.

2494 Reads

Baby cicada

Preparing Kale for lunch, I saw a bit of movement off to the side. Pale green, less than a half inch long, with nearly-invisible wings having a slightly golden cast, supported on long , fragile-looking legs...a baby cicada. I put my hand on the counter, and nudged it a bit. It came up onto my finger, and was so light I could barely feel it. I took it outside and placed my hand on the grass, letting it take its time moving. Such a simple thing to do, almost nothing....but nothing else would have been possible in that moment. Each little thing is the entirety of fe in that moment.

1661 Reads

Helping out

A couple of days ago I was shopping for grocery specials at a downtown store. An elderly lady beside me in one aisle commented on what great prices they had. We spoke for a moment & she told me that she would get more but she couldn't carry anymore home. I asked her where she lived & she told me -it was a couple of streets away, so I immediately told her that I would give her a drive & to buy everything she wanted! As I was helping her get her groceries out of the back seat when we arrived at her apartment, she kept asking if I wanted anything. I laughed & said "Have a nice day" & I asked her to pass it on.

1453 Reads




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