Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Cutest Moment of My Day

I live near a bay in Sydney and I go on a bike ride almost every day. I see lots of people riding their bike and others just walking and enjoying the view. On Sundays, there are more people around the bay. I love riding my bike then so that I can give as many smiles as possible.  Today, on may way back home, I noticed a little girl with walking with her mom holding a box of her things. It was so beautiful so see how happy they were. I kept riding my bike and I noticed a shiny necklace on the ground. I didn't do anything at first, but then I thought maybe it belonged to the little girl. I turned around to pick up the necklace. Luckily, it was still there, but for a second I thought that maybe it did not belong to her. I decided to go ... Read Full Story >>

3446 Reads

Adventures In Babysitting

I had offered to watch a friend's children so she and her husband could go out to watch a movie. She was delighted with the offer - but didn't get around to fixing a day. 
 
So, finally, I picked a date and asked her if she was free. She was really excited and looking forward to her night out. 
 
On the day of the babysitting her husband e-mailed me and told me it was her birthday! I hadn't known that! He told me he would bring over a cake after the movie, when they came to pick up the kids. 
 
The kids had a great time (and so did we!) We made cookies together, played games, and so on. Then, when their parents came back we had a surprise birthday party with cake and ice cream and sparkling juice. We made music together and it was very festive! My friend said it was the most special birthday she had celebrated in a long time.
 
I was so happy!

3554 Reads

Christmas in January

In December 2012, my parents asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told them I would get back to them once I thought of something. At that point, I had the full intention of asking for something, but for the first time, I realized how lucky I was to have been born in such a fortunate family. There was nothing I could ask for because there was nothing more I needed, materialistically nor emotionally. I was truly satisfied. This made me think about all the children who did not have families, homes, or food, much less gifts, for Christmas.  With these thoughts in my mind, I told my parents in January that instead of getting me an expensive gift for the holidays, I'd love to use the money to get a bunch of small gifts for all the children that hadn't gotten anything for Christmas. At first, they were shocked. Then ... Read Full Story >>

3037 Reads

Cards And More Cards

I have a co-worker who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. She had surgery and will undergo chemotherapy. 
 
Our manager gave us her mailing address and said we could send her a card if we wanted. So, I have been sending her cards a few times a week ... some pretty ... some funny ... but I just keep sending them to her.
 
She called our manager the other day and said she has good days and bad days, but she really enjoyed getting the cards from me. She said she wasn't up to phone calls or talking to anyone about her cancer yet, so the cards were a great way to know we are all thinking of her. They are also something she can look at over and over.
 
I will continue to send them until she returns to work!

2022 Reads

Kindness Garden Cards

I recently posted an article that was written about my class’s Random Acts of Kindness Project and was also shown on our county’s website.     A county employee read the article and was so touched by it she pledged to do five random acts of kindness that day in honor of our class!   She sent the children stickers that day. The next day she sent them lollipops. A few days later she sent a CD she made, entitled "Random Acts of Kindness Songs."    I was so touched by her generosity and effort that I decided to have the kids make something for her. I took Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Kindness Garden" poem, printed it on cards and had the children make fingerprint flowers to decorate the cards.     We sent two dozen of these to our new friend and asked her to share them with those around her. She sent an email back saying her ... Read Full Story >>

11.4K Reads

Don't Wait To Win The Lottery

Like three million other knitters and crocheters I am a member of the website Ravelry. This is a resource for patterns, news of events, and for people to link up and share interests.
 
One of the groups I found there provide sweaters, caps, booties, mittens, and blankets for new-born babies as they prepare to go home from the hospital.
 
This led me to reading about the living conditions and the poverty that particular area, which in turn made me wish that somebody who is wealthy would situate something there that would provide employment and hope.
 
Then it dawned on me that I have a workroom full of raw materials for baby quilts, and other useful things. The Bible encourages us to be good stewards of the blessings we have. I don't need to win the lottery to help (especially since I never buy a lottery ticket.)
 
I'll do my bit, but if you win the lottery ... help somebody. Just sayin'!

2794 Reads

En Route to Ubud

I have been living in Ubud in Bali for the last 9 months, and am really loving it. One of the many things I enjoy about it is that I get to travel without going anywhere, because friends regularly fly in from different parts of the world to visit. When I happen to be the one traveling places, I love being welcomed at the airport, and so I try to do the same for friends whenever I can.   Two days ago, I headed to the airport to pick up a friend who was flying in from Paris to visit for three weeks.  I don't own a car so I hired the services of my friend, Wayan Yoga, a really sweet Balinese driver. Wayan is also my informal Indonesian tutor, so I always look forward to riding with him.  We had a wonderful chat on our way to the airport about what ... Read Full Story >>

4544 Reads

A Party For An Inspirational Teacher

 My social studies teacher is leaving our school for a new job. 
 
He has been with us for about three years and is dear to me and my friends. He is one of the best teachers we have and we will be sad to see him go. He has to leave because his youngest son is ill and he needs to work closer to home.
 
As a thank-you present and a good-bye gift we are giving him a surprise party on the day he leaves. We will bring in his favorite foods, play his favorite music, and so much more. I am putting a video together for him of all of the funny sayings he has and funny stories told by other staff members. Another friend is putting funny video clips and pictures we have of him together into a movie.
 
My Spanish teacher has helped us organize this and I really appreciate all the support and help we are getting from others at school! 
 
It makes me so happy to know how much of a family our small school is and how supportive everyone is of each other.
 
I am sad to see a dear friend and teacher leave but I hope he enjoys his new job and his son gets better soon!
 

2211 Reads
  • Posted by SmileSharer
  • Jul 23, 2013
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Power of Kind Words

Sometime back, I was at a meeting at my church, and I was not particularly in a good mood. I was neither happy nor unhappy, and in a very indifferent frame of mind. Deep down I was restless.

Then I overheard someone talking about me to another person. It went something like, "He is a great guy and very often misunderstood..."
That was all I needed. That comment lifted my spirit, and suddenly brightened my day. It was like finding the rainbow in a very unexpected way.

They're just little things--small compliments or kind words of encouragement. But they can completely change our world.

2326 Reads

Drive-Thru Stroke of Inspiration

A few weeks ago, I went to a McDonald's drive thru window. I was waiting for my turn and when it came I ordered.

Then, I noticed there was a car behind me. In a split-second stroke of inspiration, I asked the employee if I could pay for their meal, too. :)
At first, he said, "What?!"
I asked him again.
"Sure, okay," he replied.

And I did.  As I drove away, I didn't look back to see the reaction of the driver. But I'm pretty sure that they were happy :)
In any case, I felt so happy and blessed, and that made my day. :D

1479 Reads

46 Not-So-Random Acts of Kindness

 Today, March 6th, is my birthday.  Two days ago, I got the idea to do 46 acts of kindness in honor of my 46th birthday.  I’ve read many posts on the internet about people doing this.  I had planned to do all 46 acts on my birthday, but the forecasters began early predictions of a foot of snow for today.  So Monday night, I started planning – typed up the acts of kindness I wanted to do and started writing out some of the Thank You cards, Thinking of You cards and Get Well cards. When I woke up Tuesday, the weathermen were certain the big storm was coming. I thought it would be hard to do my acts of kindness stuck inside all day, so I decided to do as much as I could on Tuesday and spread it out over a few days.  Tuesday night is my daughters’ softball ... Read Full Story >>

15.9K Reads

Feeding Stomach and Soul

Over this past weekend, I walked to the local gas station to pick up a couple of things. On my walk home, an older gentleman came up to me and asked if I had any money for him to get something to eat. I told him that I don't carry cash, but if he wanted to follow me, I can get him some food. We walked to my apartment and talked the whole way. He was a veteran from the Vietnam War and recently lost his banking job that he held for over 20 years in banking. He had recently become homeless, and he shared that he has no living relatives left in the area. He felt all alone, with no idea where he was going to sleep tonight. Struck by our conversation, I took a chance and invited him to my apartment.  I introduced him to my roommate and set about ... Read Full Story >>

7694 Reads

Bookmarks With Smiles

 
This morning I am going to make some book-marks and attach Smile cards to them. Then I am going to slip them into books at my local library!  
 
I plan to place some in the books in the thrift Store run by The Friends Of The Library and put the rest in the books on the library shelves.  
 
Hopefully this will spread some smiles!
 

1815 Reads

My First Kindness Assignment

 
The first real "kindness assignment" I was ever given came when I was in 2nd grade. 
 
A small boy with red hair, freckles and pleading eyes asked me, "Would you please be my friend, because I don't have any?" 
 
This really scared me. This boy was disliked and shunned by the other students for some reason. I had a brief, scared, thought that I would also become an outcast and be disliked if I befriended him. I remember my heart pounding a second or two.
 
Then I remembered what this world was all about and I said, "Yes. I will be your friend." 
 
When you have to make a quick decision always choose love over fear. Kindness can be as easy as speaking one word!
 

2090 Reads

Sandwiches On The New Floor

  I recently moved to a new town in a new state. It's hard to learn where everything is.   I have this really nice man putting in hardwood floors and stairs in my new house. He has been working very hard. His hands are all blistered from removing the tiles and preparing the floor for the hardwood - but he never complains.   I was at the house yesterday while he was hard at work. I thought to myself that he might like a yummy lunch but I don't live in the house yet and so I don't have anything to cook with. So, I asked him if you would like a Subway sandwich as a treat from me. A huge smile came across his face and he said, "I would love one!"   Being new to the area I didn't know where to go. He told me exactly how to get to the right place!   I ... Read Full Story >>

3619 Reads

A Simple but Meaningful Act of Gratitude

Every month, I write letters to two Marines serving in Afghanistan who I don't know.  I thank them for their service to our nation. While I don't know them, I hope that they know how much I appreciate them.

3329 Reads

A Burst of Morning Kindness

In the morning, I always take a bus from my home to the train station.  When I boarded the bus this morning, there was an available seat and I sat down. At that moment, an old lady boarded bus too. I stood up to give her my seat, and as I did so, I noticed that along with me, three other gentlemen had also gotten up to give up their seats for her too!
It was really heart warming to see this.

1876 Reads

Spreading Smiles On a Father-Daughter Date Night!

At least once a month one of my little kindness kids Rachel and I try to have a father/daughter date night. Last night we were out for dinner together after doing some fun things. We talked about some of her kindness activities she did at school for their 100 Acts of Kindness challenge her class had. It was great to listen to the little things she and her classmates did to spread kindness. Many times on our date nights we try to do an act of kindness of our own, as she is often my sidekick on our kindness adventures. My latest Smile Deck card is one about anonymously buying a stranger's meal so I asked Rachel if we should find someone in the restaurant and buy their dinner. She loved the idea so we chose an older couple sitting behind us. I had a few Smile Cards on me (as always!) ... Read Full Story >>

7169 Reads

A Pay-it-Forward Coincidence at Starbucks

I got a Starbucks gift card for Christmas.  I don't usually go there but thought I would treat myself since I had the card.  The card was for $10.00, so when I got to the drive through window I told the cashier I wanted to pay for the person behind me as well.  She smiled and said, "that's great, because the person in front of you just paid for you!"

2362 Reads
  • Posted by donnaoiland
  • Jul 13, 2013
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Waking Up to Cookies on My Car

Yesterday around 9:30 am, as I was going towards my car, I noticed something box like on my windshield. At first I thought I may have gotten a ticket from the cops, but as I approached closer, there was a box of delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies and a smile card! Thank you anonymous angel! Later in the day, I had to make a run to my local library to pay off some overdue fines and pick up a book that I had on hold. I decided to keep few cookies for my parents to enjoy, and took the rest for the volunteers and staff at the library. I approached the clerk at the counter to hand them the box of cookies. "A small gift and token of appreciation for the staff and volunteers. Would you mind putting them in the break room?" I asked. She replied, "Oh wow! Thank you! Why don't you at least ... Read Full Story >>

4411 Reads




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