Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Reverse Birthday Gift

Today I was blessed to turn forty-five years young.  I enjoy reading all of the awesome ideas from this wonderful site about people giving on their birthday, so, I decided this would be my chance to experience the joy of giving on my special day.   My husband took me to the Olive Garden, and our waitress was very nice. We had a great dinner experience and then I tried a warm apple crostata that was scrumptious. Then the waitress, Carlini, brought our bill.    When she came back to the table to get our credit card I knew it was my time to give. I sat the gift bag on the edge of the table and simply said, "In honor of my birthday, I want to bless you with a gift."   Ohh, the shock on her face! She said, "No, not for me! It’s your birthday!" Then she said, "Can I open it in front of you?" ... Read Full Story >>

Some People Do Survive

Inspired by this site, I let the woman behind me in the line at the check-out go first because she looked sick. She then told me she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor that very morning! 

The Mind's No Guide In Kindness

I had two tickets to a local festival that I wanted to give away. I carried them in my purse, along with two Smile cards.    I walked through a couple of parks near the festival, noticing groups heading towards it. I had a decision to make. Out of all of these people, who should I offer the tickets to?     I had already attempted to give them away three times; twice to people I knew, once to strangers. They had all said, "No, thank you." So now I looked for someone else.     I was having a hard time deciding. Two tickets, and so many people. All of them deserving, how could my brain choose?   I decided I couldn't choose with my mind. So, I would listen for guidance instead, trusting it would appear. I had no idea who they would be or when it would be, I just felt I should head ... Read Full Story >>

From Neighbor to Neighbor

These pages are filled with such wonderful hearts.  Today, during my morning walk, I noticed a city worker shoveling sand off the sidewalk. As I neared him, I stopped. "Thank you!" I said. He looked at me, almost dazed. Then, the sweat running down his face was re-routed by his smile. "You are very welcome, Miss!" We laughed, then he shoveled and I shuffled away. On the way back home, I began pondering how rare it is to hear a 'thank you' these days. I returned home and, with some help, crafted up ten printed cards with a rainbow and smiling flowers. Inside, I printed a simple verse: From a neighbor to a neighbor Thinking of You and Sending Lots of Happy Wishes Your Way. Have a Grand and Marvelous Day ...Pass it on! Then I randomly chose ten names from the phone book and off they went...! All the warmth and smiles shared here are now spreading throughout my little town! ... Read Full Story >>

A Customer's Gift

I recently returned to work after taking time off to recover from an operation on my elbow. On my first day back, I was the cashier in the basket-only line, as I was unable to assist with packing goods into bags due to my elbow. However, it got busy and a lady came to my line with a full cart. I didn't complain, and gave her some bags so that she could pack her goods. Towards the end of the sale, the lady suddenly exploded, shouting at me for not helping with her packing and calling the manager over to complain about me. My manager started to help with the packing, and she explained that it was my first day back after being in hospital. But the woman continued to shout that it was no excuse. Once she had gone, I tried to continue serving. But I was so shaken that I burst into ... Read Full Story >>

Post-It Note Smiles

One summer day, my best friend, Ronnie, and I were talking about how society puts a lot of pressure on girls to have the perfect body. There's a sense that women need to be all around perfect, without realizing that they already are perfect the way they are.

So, we decided to set out on a mission to our local library.

Upon arriving, we wrote, "Smile You're Beautiful," on 75 post-its and placed them on the inside page of every depression, anxiety and eating disorder book we could find.

That night, I went on Facebook and saw that a girl I knew made a status about her journey to the library and how she saw one of our post-its in an eating disorder book. She mentioned that she's been struggling with her eating disorder and seeing that post-it note made her day.

I told my friend, and it made us so happy to know that we had put a smile on at least one person's face. It made our entire day worth it.

With a Handful of Flowers

I have performed many acts of kindness in the past, but recently I became the receiver!

One day, while walking down the street with my dogs, I noticed a young girl with a small handful of flowers walking towards me. She approached me and asked about my Chihuahuas. 

We chatted for awhile. 

Then, she asked if she could give me a flower. 

It was a small gesture, but it made my day so much brighter.  She seemed so at peace with herself.  Her calm energy flowed to me and I felt good all day. 

It is so great to know that kindness can happen at any age.

Water for the Guards

Throughout the week, I accumulate empty water bottles. They end up being perfect to take along when traveling or going on hikes.

Usually, I recycle the bottles to help the environment. But today, I tried something a little different.

Every day, a security guard comes to watch over the house. Today, I filled one of my clean water bottles with water and tried to keep it cool. Then I gave it to the guard.

The first time I did it, the guard broke into a smile and said, "Thank you."

I had such a warm feeling in my heart it even made me shed a few tears. And gave me encouragement to do it again.

Thought I didn't do it everyday, I made sure to regularly make time to bring security guards water.

Every time, they were always so grateful.

Every time, I was always glad that I did it.

This simple gesture taught me the power of doing a little act of kindness every day. It really illuminates both our own light and that of everyone else around us.

Neighbours, Furniture, and Paint

Today, after finishing dinner in town, my husband and I were driving back home. As we pulled over to park, we saw a couple painting their furniture. I went inside our home, changed, and then went back out again to ask our neighbors if they needed any help. While leaving my home, I was plagued by  thoughts of embarrassment, denial, and being received and looked down on suspiciously. Nevertheless, I gathered the guts to go down and ask them anyway! Learning: Its tough to step out of your comfort zone, even to do a good deed. Initially, the woman denied. Then, the man said, "Sure", and he handed me a spray paint bottle. We rolled into some good conversations while painting. When we finished, I briefly chatted with them before leaving. In the end, I not only enjoyed helping them, but also learned about my neighbours. On the way home, I must admit, I couldn't help but ... Read Full Story >>

Opportunities Abound While Standing in Line

While I was waiting in line at the store, I noticed a sweet elderly lady next to me. She was adding up her items quietly to herself as they were being rung up by the cashier.  

Out of know where, I said "Ma'am, I will be buying your items today."

A bit taken aback, she smiled and said, "Thank you."

When I paid for them, I was filled with such a feeling of giving and thoughtfulness inside. I am the one who is thankful! :)

Welcoming The New Folks

Our neighbor just sent an e-mail to the whole block telling us about a new family from another country who are just about to move into their own apartment - their first home together in a new country! 

Stranded In Miami

Three tourists were passing by my workplace in Miami, Florida, when their car broke down.  It was Friday afternoon and I was at my second job. I work a thirteen hour day.     One  of the tourists came and knocked on the door just as I nearing the end of my shift. She asked if we could push the car to our parking lot so they could fix it.    When I finally finished for the weekend left the two girls were still there. I went across and advised them not to stay there because it was not a safe area. I also asked if I could help them with anything. They wanted to find a hotel near-by were they could stay. I asked one of the girls to come with me and I would take them to a hotel, but I was a stranger and they were afraid. "Oh, no," one of them ... Read Full Story >>

A Hug For A Non-Huggy Person

I have a co-worker whose husband is in hospital awaiting a heart transplant.  He's been sick for a long time, and lately his situation has become more delicate. My co-worker has been trying to keep it all together - working full-time, taking care of her two teenagers, and driving three hours each way to visit her husband in the hospital.   One day she snapped at something I said, but I just let it go. She obviously felt bad about it and later e-mailed me to apologize. I told her it was okay, that I know she was dealing with a lot.   A couple of hours later I passed by her office and went in to make sure she was okay. I said, "I would like to give you a hug, if you want one."     I didn't think she would because she's not a touchy-feely type of person. Surprisingly she said she would like ... Read Full Story >>

Sunglasses For Goggles

I would like to share an experience which motivated me to help people more. 

Apple Pie And Cream

Leaving the supermarket earlier today I saw an elderly man with mobility problems. He was struggling to open the boot/trunk of his car and it was starting to rain. 

An Award For The Janitor

Recently, I spent two months at a guesthousefor work purpose. One day I encountered a very unique and honest janitor at the guesthouse. Below is the e-mail I wrote to the Human Resources Department regarding the incident.       Hi HR-Person,   Can I request that you forward this to the department concerned with housekeeping?    I want to highlight one of the best experiences I have had at your organization to date. It might come as a surprise, but this experience was with one of your janitors [insert Janitor's name] (I really hope I have his name correct, please correct me if I dont have the name right.)    He was suppose to help me exchange rooms within the guesthouse. He was very sincere and dedicated to his job. After the shifting was complete I offered him a tip. His reply was what impressed me the most. He said, "No ma'am, we get paid." I mention that ... Read Full Story >>

With Nothing Left to Ask For

Last year was very successful for my husband and me. My husband had made really good progress at work, done some extra-curricular activities, and was able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I had successfully completed one of my major milestones in my Ph.D. program, had won an award for my research, traveled to few countries abroad, and visited my family and spent a quality time with them.   What more can one ask for, right?  My husband and I agreed that because we were so blessed this year, we wanted to help someone else. I soon realized, though, that finding someone genuinely in need of help can be a very tough task. We are relatively new to the US, so our community here is not very big. I couldn't think of anyone who might need the extra help. I even emailed an American friend of mine to ask if she knew anyone. But by the ... Read Full Story >>

Doormat Surprises

Once a year, the ladies from my church bring flowers for a special service. After the service is over, they throw them away.

This year, instead of throwing the flowers away, I took them home and decided to give them to my neighbors.

My mom helped me pair each flower with a card that read "Blessings". Then we placed them on the doormat of each neighbor. We could have left our names in the cards, but I think it always feels better when a gift is given anonymously. 

As I went from door to door, I smiled, knowing that when my neighbors go to check their mail, they will be pleasantly surprised with an anonymous act of kindness!

When we finished, I felt so full of joy inside. It was such a great feeling to share flowers with my neighbors, especially since most of them are elders and rarely receive anything at all.

Free Hugs in Paris

It is said that we need four hugs a day, just to maintain our sanity. Many of us are not meeting our quota. I didn't think that was right. So I began to share and organize Free Hugs Around the World. Free Hugs make people smile and feel good. Hugs release endorphins. Through these free hugs, I've noticed that people often share deep details of their lives.  We are desperate to connect to each other.  My most powerful hug ever, was from a severely autistic boy in Paris. He saw us hugging and asked his mom what we were doing. To our relief, she did not say we were crazy. Instead, she explained that we were hugging people and it was very kind. They left. A few moments later, that boy came running towards me, leaped into my arms, hugged me tight, and looked me right in the eyes. Then I saw his mother.  She was crying. I gently set ... Read Full Story >>

Pizza and a Giggle

It's been unseasonably hot here in Colorado.

Today I called for a lunch time pizza delivery only to get a frantic call from the manager. She was alone, the driver and others did not show up for work.

I laughed, and asked her to breathe. I told her I was not going to hang up until I heard her laugh. She giggled a "thank you".

Later, I ordered again for dinner delivery. The driver showed up, her face flushed from the heat. She was gasping for air. Her car windows were down, so I assumed she did not have air conditioning.

I joked about the heat, but she hardly cracked.

"You will have to get a pen," she told me, "My last customer stole mine."

I got a pen and again tried to get her to smile. She still would not budge.

I took a $20 tip out from my wallet and told her to keep the pen. She saw the tip, her eyes, weary, softened and finally, she smiled.

At last, she agreed with my earlier comment: "Yes, it is a glorious day."

Pizza and a giggle - it doesn't get better than that!