Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Giving Away My Skateboard

When I was a teenager I used to skateboard all the time! It seems like that's a phase a lot of teenagers go through.  I would always buy the really nice skateboards the professionals used. I still had one that I bought not too long ago. But, since I don't skateboard anymore, I thought about going to a skateboard shop and giving it to some kid.I know I would have been so excited if someone had done that for me when I was younger.   So, I drove to the local skateboard shop and waited outside for about ten minutes. A boy and his dad were about to walk into the shop when I stepped up and asked him if he'd like my skateboard. He asked how much? I told him it was free - as long as he used it!   His eyes lit up and I could really see how excited he was. ... Read Full Story >>

Conversation without Language

My friend Jenny from Germany spent some time traveling in India.  She loved the country so much that she always got pulled to it.   While there, she stayed with Leela, her friend who was Indian.  Aside from the gazes that she got as a foreigner, Jenny always had language problems.  It was so difficult for her to communicate and converse in this new environment and culture that had so many subtle differences from her own country. One day, a strange thing happened.  Along with Leela, she went to visit an orphanage.  All the children there were tiny; each one fell somewhere between the ages of fifteen days to one-and-a-half years old.   After some initial hesitation, Jenny slowly went to the kids and sat beside them.  After some time, one of the kids smiled at her. Her mind relaxed a little, and she immediately was drawn towards that child.  She slowly held ... Read Full Story >>

Stand-In Walker

Today, I made a quick stop at the grocery to pick up a few items before going home for dinner.

As I made my way toward my car, I noticed an elderly couple nearby. The husband was folding his wife's walker and about to put it in the rear of their minivan. She was gripping the side of the van, and very carefully trying to make her unassisted way to the passenger side door.

I stopped and asked if I could help her.  

She looked up and smiled. With so much gratitude in her voice, she explained that she was still recovering from hip surgery and would gladly accept the help.

Just a moment of my time and such a simple gesture meant so much to her.  My whole night was made better by those few seconds in the parking lot!

Best Servers

Recently I was on a retreat in a foreign country with some friends, some strangers, and many strangers who became friends!    We were all given duties to perform, such as cleaning and cooking. I was in the team serving meals.   On the first day I tried hard to please everyone, but it was hard to know how. Some people liked it when you were fast and just gave them their food, some people preferred it slow and steady so that they could choose exactly how much they wanted, some wanted, for example, stew without the carrots in it, some didn't know what I was serving and didn't speak English. If they weren't served in the way they wanted some grew irritable. As you can imagine, after an hour of this it started to get old.   So the next day, we tried a different tactic.   I learnt how to say "Would you like ..." in ... Read Full Story >>

The 5 a.m. Flight

Ladies Day Lunch

My daughter and I befriended a senior lady I met through volunteering. We had lunch with her then went to look at her new apartment in an assisted living facility. 

Mangos Anyone?

One of my work colleagues loves to make home-made ice-cream. She even brought some to work to share with me. Yum! 

No Change, Please

During a shopping trip into town one day, my son and I noticed a lot of homeless people. These days, we've been seeing a lot more people on the streets, and we felt compelled to help. So we made a deal with each other. We went to the cash machine and withdrew some cash. Then we gave ourselves a certain amount we could give away to the homeless people whom we encountered. Once we have given away that set amount, we stop. We had a lovely day out, and on the way home, a young girl asked us for help. We had given all our cash away already, so we passed her. But as we walked on, I couldn't help but think she looked so in need of a decent meal. At the same time, my son blurted, "Mum, I know we have spent all our cash, but could we just go back and ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness - Just Do It!

I drove into the supermarket parking lot and there were 2 homeless young people at the entrance with the standard "homeless and hungry" sign.  I felt the usual hopeless feeling and irritation.  I decided that I would drive out the other exit so I wouldn't have to see them when I left.  While shopping in the store I choose some really great cherries and proceeded to purchase freely.  When I was leaving the store, heading to my car, I saw the young homeless woman going around the parking lot asking for help.  No one seemed to being offering help and for a moment I could feel her hopelessness.  I was still set on driving out the other entrance believing that I shouldn't helpout and continue the homeless cycle.  As I was leaving the parking lot I thought of a talk I had listened to the night before - about kindness and how even a small ... Read Full Story >>

Anonymous Trip to the Emergency Room

Today, I went on quite an adventure!

I called a nearby hospital and explained to the ER nurse that I would like to do an anonymous act of kindness for a stranger.

I asked if there was someone there who could use some extra cheering up. He said yes, that he had just the person in mind and that he would make sure she got my gift.

So, I went to the grocery store and picked out a cheerful little bouquet. Then I wrote a note, explaining my anonymous kind act and wishing her well. Finally, I tucked a smile card inside and went off to make my special delivery!

I don't know who ended up receiving the flowers, but just knowing that someone else's day is a little brighter from them brings so much joy to my heart.

Blind Trust

I was inspired to pay a blind woman's bus fare because I thought she was brave to have gotten on the bus and be totally dependent on others to reach her destination safely. 

Kind Words Calm Mother and Child

One day I was shopping with my child after work to pick up supplies needed for an employee celebration. I was exhausted and wanted to get in and out quickly.

My child was tired and cranky and wanted out of the shopping cart. She was grabbing for every item we passed. I was losing my patience and temper when an elderly woman came over to us. She took my child's hand, and said, "what a lovely child."

My little girl was quiet immediately. The woman looked at me. She had an angelic smile and then said, "They are so wonderful at this age." At once I felt peaceful and in control of the situation.

After she walked away, I found a snack that pleased us and we had a pleasant shopping trip. That one moment of someone reminding me what a treasure I had turned my whole attitude around and made my shopping trip so much easier.

The Urgency of Smiling

A dear friend recently shared a homemade smile card experience with me: Ever since yesterday, I've had this urge to pay forward someone's coffee. But I didn't have a smile card.  The urgency of bringing a smile to someone's face was so great, however, that, today, I decided to do it anyway! :)   While at a cafe, I anonymously paid for the coffee of the next person, and  though I didn't have a smile card, I put together a lovely hand-written message. It read:   Dear One,   You are being tagged. Your coffee is being paid for as a "gift of love". If you chose, you can pay it forward. Simply Smile and enjoy your coffee.   Much Love, Moi     Who knew that such good things can happen, when we realize the beautiful urgency of smiling! :)     ... Read Full Story >>

"Difficult" Delores

Many of the senior citizens I care for suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's. Each individual suffers from their disease in various ways and not one person is the same. At times, it can be a terribly sad thing to see, but it's another unfortunate fact of life. The majority of those I care for actually handle it quite well. But, as can be expected, some of them get beyond frustrated. One such person is Delores. I know she means well, but she acts out when she gets confused. Often times, she is very stubborn. In these instances, she refueses to eat or bathe-- or take part in all the basic neccesities. Usually we have to entice her, tell her that she has friends there. But there is one thing Dolores absolutely looks forward to, and that is attending Sunday mass. She has been going to church since she was a kid, and it's one thing that has not ... Read Full Story >>

Chapatis and Chili

My mother has always had a soft heart for beggars and anyone in need. When she lived in India, people would come to see her from far off villages. They would bring herbs and some organic home grown vegetables. She always cherished such gifts, and cooked them at home with love. After reading a kindness story, I was reminded of her and a story she told me once: Years ago, when my mother was in the early months of her pregnancy with me, she was very sick. She could not eat anything-- any food or drink would make her nauseous, and give her an upset stomach. In this condition, sleepy and hungry, she yearned to eat and drink--even just water. One afternoon, there was a knock at the door. When she went to open it, she found herself facing an extremely scorching hot day-- the temperature was probably around 40 degrees Celsius. Then she ... Read Full Story >>

$3 And A Smile

I always carry at least $3 in my car and also in my pocket. I save it for the first person who asks if I can "spare some change". Smiling and maintaining eye contact, I always respond very cheerfully with a comment like, "Yes, I would love to" or, "It would be my pleasure". And I give them the $3.    Then I replace it with my next $3 for the next person. I never spend this money myself. I honor the idea that it is the possession of the next person who asks for it. Three dollars is a small amount, yet it means a lot to the person who might only expect 25 cents, especially when delivered with respect.   I have also taken to carrying items I think the needy may be able to use. I carry hats, socks, gloves, and an umbrella. Recently I put together some care packages for ... Read Full Story >>

Free And Fair - The Gratiferia

One of the new residents in our town in the Andes Mountains started a Gratiferia. It is held every Sunday in the central park from 10:30 to 1 p.m. A Gratiferia means free and fair, it means you bring whatever you no longer need that could still be useful to someone else, and whoever is in need of what you brought can take if for free.

The Christmas Stranger

I live in Scotland. The bedrooms at the side of the house look out over the Cellardyke harbour with the front entrance and windows directly onto the road facing the Haven Restaurant. I stood at the kitchen window looking out; what houses I could see were brightly lit, families together - husbands and sons home from the sea. It was in the days between Christmas, that time of goodwill to all men and the New Year, a time when we usually pledge our good intentions of change. The streets were bare, not a soul to be seen.    Then, in the lee of the wall by the restaurant, a figure moved, slowly and with care, as though to deny he was there, standing cold and hungry at this time of celebration and cheer. It was an old tramp, a Man O' The Road. He had long straggly hair, and a grey beard. His ... Read Full Story >>

A Mexican Happy Meal

When on vacation in Mexico I always enjoyed buying the wares of the young Mexican vendors; chicklets, candies, blankets ... Actually, I don't care what their wares are I just want to buy them! It never ceases to amaze me that kids aged 3 to 5 are actually working, and it may well be the work they will do the rest of their lives because if the family is poor enough to have the kids working at these ages, you know they are not going to school and will very likely get caught in the poverty trap.   On one trip there my wife Cory and I went to McDonald's for a hamburger. (Yes, we were a little home-sick!) As we went in there was a woman begging at the door. She had with her a young boy who I would guess was about 2 years old. I sat and watched him ... Read Full Story >>

Selling The Cowboy Caddy

My husband has always had a huge affection for older people and has helped out several elderly friends in the past, but this story is different!  Mr Daves fished the same lake as my husband John for over 15 years. A friendship developed but when Mrs Daves died, five years ago, it left Mr Daves alone. They had no children and after sixty years of marriage he was lost. So John took Mr Daves fishing with him every time he went - which was often. Mr. Daves was very energetic for 80 years old and never tired of being with John.    A few years later Mr Daves had a stroke that paralyzed his right side. He lost his speech and was put into a nursing home. Confined to his bed and unable to communicate Mr Daves began to suffer from depression. This almost broke John's heart.    He finally got permission from the nursing ... Read Full Story >>