Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Pay It Forward Coffee Day

I don't drink coffee. It's not that I don't like coffee, because just the smell is heaven to me, but coffee doesn't seem to agree with my body. I can drink decaffeinated coffee every once in awhile if I'm lucky, but only on rare occasions. So this story is not actually about me, but about my husband, who definitely drinks coffee. In fact, he drinks so much coffee that he is on a first name basis with every employee that works at our local coffee house. They even gave him a Christmas card last year with a free coffee gift card inside. Well, maybe they gave him the gift card because he's such a friendly guy. :) Anyway, each Friday, the person behind him gets their coffee gifted to them. If there's no one behind him then the next person to walk in the door will receive the pleasant surprise. He decided ... Read Full Story >>

4441 Reads

Wrapped In Kindness

Yesterday, I attended an outdoor graduation ceremony.
It was uncharacteristically windy and cold. Since I'm local to the area where the ceremony was held, I had plenty of scarves, hats, gloves available, and I brought them to the graduation to share with my family.

During the ceremony, I heard a little boy who looked about four years old complaining that he was so cold. You see, they were from out of town and thought the weather was going to be much warmer down South. And actually, it usually is a lot warmer... just not yesterday.  

I had an extra scarf draped over my legs, and I immediately took it and handed it to the Mom to wrap around her son. She took it, and said she'd give it back at the end of the ceremony. The little guy was quiet and content after she wrapped that scarf around his neck and face. :)

Later, when it was time to leave, the mother found me and handed the scarf back to me. I told her to keep it and to pay it forward with another act of kindness someday.

She looked at me for a moment. Then broke into a smile as she answered, "Yes, oh yes, I will do just that." :)

2400 Reads

Thank You, Dentist!

 The dentist's surgery can be a painful place to visit but it serves a vital function.   The last time I went I was sick from an abscessed tooth. I had been up all night, unable to sleep. I called the dentist and she got me an appointment straight away. When she saw how shaky, weak and pale I was from the pain and lack of sleep she, and her nurse, took me straight to the hospital Emergency Room. They picked me up again after I had been treated, took me back, and pulled my tooth!     Now that was kindness they didn't have to show!   So, as a fun thank you, I went online and bought some Flash Cards for the dentist's surgery. These are cards you can hold up to dentist when you can't say anything because of the tools in your mouth! Like, for example, "Will my face ever go back ... Read Full Story >>

2272 Reads

Soaring with Happiness

Somehow, I ended up with four turkeys this past holiday. Needing only one, I decided to make up two boxes with all the trimmings for a holiday meal. Then, I gifted them to two families who I knew could use them. That still left me with two extra turkeys. So, I decided to cook one of them, make sandwiches and bring them to an area of town where many people seem to be in need of food and a little kindness. I had my son take me to our local bus stop. While waiting for the bus, I saw two people that I thought might like a sandwich. Without missing a beat, I offered them each a sandwich, along with a smile card, and told them to have a good day. I received nothing but smiles in return.   On the bus, a young mother got on with her little girl. I offered ... Read Full Story >>

3430 Reads

My Day To Visit Someone

 
Today was my assigned day of the month to go visiting if there were any people from our church in the hospital. On other Fridays we haven't had anyone there for me to visit, so this was a first effort.  
 
Now, I'm at home in the hospital environment because I used to work in one, yet I was apprehensive about doing this.  
 
It was made easy for me because the sweet lady I got to visit had just had a surgery I'd had myself. Plus, she grew up in my home town, so we had lots to talk about.
 
I don't know if I cheered her up - but she surely cheered me up!
 

1744 Reads

Love Lasts for an Eternity

I drove to a local supermarket the other day. My shopping list was long and my wallet was light. Still, I needed to get a week's worth of groceries for my family. I parked my car, looked down at my list, and hoped I could afford it all.  As I approached the door, I saw a man with kind eyes and a gentle smile. He said he was collecting for a local food bank that helped to feed the hungry in my area. He handed me a second shopping list of things they could use and asked me to help if I could. I smiled back, took the list and walked into the store. I really wanted to help, but wasn't sure if I could this time.  I walked through the store, picking up vegetables, soup, spaghetti, bread, milk, cereal, macaroni, bananas, and a dozen other things. I slowly marked each item ... Read Full Story >>

7553 Reads

The Gift on the Sidewalk

Today, I was babysitting my two-year-old friend, Liam. He was feeling sad and wanted to stay inside with his mom and dad. I tried everything to get him interested in playing outside with me. Nothing worked. Finally, as a last resort, I took a shiny new penny out of my pocket. I tossed the penny down the sidewalk and then chased after it. It must have looked fun, because he joined right in! On one of my tosses, the shiny penny rolled down the sidewalk and appeared to stop near a Christmas tree that was laying next to the gutter, waiting to be picked up by the recycle truck. As I squatted near the tree to look for the penny, I spotted a small, lonely Christmas ornament attached to one of the branches. Scooping it up, I was struck by how delicate it was. Handmade, and crafted from felt, it was in the ... Read Full Story >>

2401 Reads

The Math of Sharing Meals

One day, I came across an elderly lady sharing her food with a dog. This made a lasting impression on me because she seemed like she didn't even have enough food for herself. Yet she still made the effort to share. This got me thinking.  In my entire life, I have always had enough. Neither my family nor I have ever gone hungry. I often give thanks before eating a meal, but just saying words of gratitude at dinner or lunch doesn't seem like enough. I felt the need to do more. I wanted to share my good fortune with others. As these thoughts brewed, I shared them out loud with my family. We did some math. There are four of us in my family. With two main meals a day, that multiplies up to about 56 meals every week.  Based on these calculations, we decided to prepare and give at least 60 ... Read Full Story >>

6787 Reads
  • Posted by appreciateall1
  • Jun 19, 2013
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Hospital Cafeteria Kindness

The other day, I wandered into the hospital cafeteria to grab a bite to eat after an appointment.  While having lunch, I spotted this older woman who had bought only a small amount of french fries.

She sat by herself and ate. Then, I overheard her ask the young lady at the cash register how much it would cost to buy a drink. The cashier informed her that they were different prices, depending on what she wanted.

Upon hearing this, the woman walked back to the beverages to pick one out. While she had her back turned, I snuck up to the cashier and paid for her drink. All I asked was for her to tell the woman it had been paid for, and to wish her a Happy New Year. 

Later on, while walking to the elevator, I spotted the same woman and said hello. She had the biggest smile on her face as she greeted me.
It just felt good. :)

2104 Reads

Smile Cards In Class

I am a 6th grade teacher and I use Smile cards in my class!  
I assign each student one on Tuesdays. They have a week to use it and then they write about it the following week.  
 
At first they were hesitant - but now they love it and can't wait until they get a new one! It's helping them realize how being kind makes them feel good about themselves and makes others smile :)
 

2036 Reads

An Umbrella to Brighten a Day

On my way to work I would see this older man sitting beside the road and waving at everyone who passed by. I noticed that he sat there every day even if it was raining or very hot outside.  
 
One day while going to work I remembered that I had a beach umbrella at my house, so I turned around, got the umbrella, and took it to him. He was so happy and for about another six months I saw him sitting beside the road waving at people from under the umbrella. 
 
I later found out that the man had passed away, but I hope that the umbrella made his days more pleasant while he was making everyone else's days more pleasant.
 

5142 Reads

Sunday Night Kindness Deliveries

Last night was date night with my little girl. She wanted to conduct another Kindness "Special Ops" Mission for our evening. That afternoon, we made up some kindness envelopes full of a smile cards, a few dollars and a special note. She decorated the outside of the envelopes with smiley stickers and the words "Open me, I’m a gift for you!" She wanted to go to the mall and secretly place envelopes around to spread some Christmas smiles. When we dropped our first one and walked off without being seen, the look on my daughter's face was priceless. She was beaming and had a joyful kick in her step. I love how she loves our kindness missions! For the next one, we sat down at a table for a minute, ready to scurry off and leave our envelope behind. The heavy sea of people around us made it challenging. My daughter is ... Read Full Story >>

2799 Reads

Rice In Chennai Station

I was having something to eat at the central railway station in Chennai when I noticed an old man entering the canteen. He asked the man behind the counter for some food but, as he obviously couldn't pay, none was forthcoming.

So, I indicated to the canteen worker to serve some rice and paid for it without the old man noticing.
 
The old man had the food and left. And I was left with a warm feeling of love and compasion.
 
"It is in giving that one receives." Thank you Saint Francis of Assisi!

2324 Reads

Teaching English Helped Him Be Seen Again

  I am an Iranian man who has been battling cancer for the past two years. A transpant has meant things have been better over the past six months. It means I have a lot more time to spend online learning new things.   I have a friend in England who is really feeling home-sick. It's making him quite depressed. He would tell me that he didn't want to do stuff, he just wanted to be left alone, and so on. But I didn't want to leave him in his depression.   So, I asked him if he could teach me English! Even though we were far apart we could communicate by Skype. He jumped from his seat towards the computer in his enthusiasm! "Yes! I'd really like to do that! Can I do that? Please?"   Now, after a few lessons, I can see him becoming happier and more energetic again!   In am sixty-two years old and ... Read Full Story >>

5343 Reads

A Smiling Face at the Store

I needed to get some supplies to clean the house this weekend, so I headed over to a local store. While walking through the aisles there, I realized that I wasn't smiling at anyone. That was out of character. I almost always smile at strangers with the hope that it might brighten their day a bit. But in that particular moment, my mind was focused on events that had bothered me earlier in the day. Not really in the mood to smile, I thought, Oh well, and continued through the store. When I went to check out my things, I was met with a very long line. People were stocking up on Christmas gifts and things for the holidays. To help minimize the first line, a second register opened up. I quickly switched over to the it. After a few moments, I began to notice that all the people in front ... Read Full Story >>

6106 Reads

More than Money at the Bus Stop

A story a friend shared with me: While going to the office, I found an old man lying by the side of the bus stop. He seemed very sick and poor. Instinctively, I gave him some money. After a few minutes, I realized that he was probably too sick to get up and buy something with that money. I was thinking about how to help him when my bus arrived, halting my brainstorm. I quickly got on and rode off. However, that night I couldn't sleep. I felt very angry at my own heartless and selfish behavior. How could I just walk away from that man without a thought for his suffering? I felt restless and very upset.  The next morning, while waiting at the bus stop, I hoped to run into him again. But he wasn't there. I thought he may have gone to the sidewalk to sleep for the night. I ... Read Full Story >>

2992 Reads

With A Little Help From My Brother

Living off welfare, I couldn't afford the train ride to see my mom these last few months.

She has Parkinson's disease, and I'm worried that she has been hiding how she is really doing from both my brother and me, in order to keep from being a burden.

I've also been missing her. I haven't seen her for months, being occupied with my training and my life and now, the money problem.
Last weekend, I talked to my brother. I've been feeling a strong pull to visit my mother, so I asked if he'd be willing to give me some money to pay for the ticket. Without skipping a beat, he said, "Yes."

Then, on top of that, he announced that he would pay for a train ticket for me to visit our mother once a month for the next couple of months. I was so blown away! What a kind-hearted, above and beyond generous gesture! I'm so grateful, and so looking forward to visiting my mother.

2007 Reads

Warm Ears, Warm Heart

Earlier this week, one of my colleagues asked me to help her with a project at work. Even though I happily agreed, as the week went on, I found myself getting swamped with other tasks and not having time to help her out.

This morning she came by my desk and I thought, "Uh oh! I am in big trouble for not completing that piece of work for her!"

Instead, to my complete surprise, she gifted me with a handmade ear warmer! I was blown away by her sincere offering, and the fact that she expected nothing in return. It is inspiring to work alongside her and learn from her generosity.

1854 Reads

A Tribute to Rodney: Ten Things to Live By

I just lost my stepson last week.  He was 37.  I had been with him for 9 years and two years ago, when his father died, I became his guardian.   Rodney had down syndrome and was delightful. Today is his memorial service and we plan to have some readings along this very theme.  It reminds me of how lucky we were that Rodney taught us this in person.   I wrote a poem for him, that I'll read at the service and then we're going to listen to the Beach Boys and have root beer floats (two of his favorite things).  Thank you for this. Ten Things to Live By As Taught by Rodney Throw back your head and enjoy life Laugh until the tears come Dance while the music is playing Give hugs to anyone who needs one Taste everything good Cuddle the animals Never pass up an opportunity for a friend Smile really big Remember to say you're sorry AND ... Read Full Story >>

15.5K Reads

A Daily Phone Call

Everyday, I call my mum and ask how she is doing.   On most days, she complains of pain and aches and low energy.  I listen and ask more questions about her eating and sleeping.  She describes her life with very little joy and a sense of dread. This conversation goes on for several days. One day, she decides to visit her health care provider and take extensive tests.  She decides that she will wait for the answer and the tests will determine what her life will be. I listen and mention that, each day, we have an opportunity to enjoy the moment.  Every day, I ask her, "What are your thoughts today?" She tells me more about her unpleasant days and nights.  Finally, she receives the report from her doctor.  All the pain that she has been experiencing is not due to any disease or turmor. There is no condition that can explain her ... Read Full Story >>

1892 Reads




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