Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Sharing the Warmth

There is a park outside our residential complex in Pretoria, South Africa that many homeless people call home.

On my way to work this morning, I randomly greeted a man sitting by the road. With a BIG smile, he greeted me back. Disarmed, I stopped and asked how he was doing. He looked at me, and in a calm voice asked for a blanket.

He then showed me his sleeping quarters. All he had to cover himself during the cold winter nights in South Africa were some cardboard boxes and plastic. I quickly went back to my house, grabbed my "old" blanket that had been sitting in my closet, and handed it over to him.

Instantly, I was touched by the joy it brought. He gave me the biggest, warmest smile, and couldn't stop thanking me.

I just said, "I hope it keeps you warm," and wished him a great day.

This experience has inspired me to do more random acts of kindness and start a blanket drive this winter in South Africa!

Customer Service Smiles

I work as a contractor at a senior center and absolutely love it. My days are spent coordinating rides for seniors from volunteer drivers. Today, a lady called saying she was unable to get her medication from the pharmacy. Usually, our center requires a three-day advance notice for local rides. We also require folks to fill out an application and a waiver.  With these things in mind, I decided that this was my opportunity to go above and beyond the call of duty. I filled out the application and told her I would come pick her up. "You will?" she asked, slightly shocked. "Yup." I sent an email to my manager and off I went. It was a nice day to be out. We had a pleasant ride, and along the way, I found out she has cancer. Despite the illness, she still embraces life with a lot of faith. After arriving back at her home, I gave her ... Read Full Story >>

A Big Tip Just to Make Her Day

The other night a friend I went to visit a childhood friend of mine. It was a wonderful visit.  My friend loved and adored him. We shared many laughs over some childhood stories. It was a very long drive so on the way back we stopped at a restaurant so that we could use the restroom. To be courteous he placed a small to-go order and on the way out he paid for the order along with a tip that was five times the amount of his bill. His tip was so generous that the waitress could not believe he tipped her that much. One of the other waitresses called out to him loud enough so that he could hear since he was already at the door heading out how generous his tip was and she thanked him. Back in the car I asked him why he had left such a big ... Read Full Story >>

A Radio for Dancing and Singing

I was conducting an auction for a non-profit to help our senior citizens in need.  There was an old battery-operated radio, never used, and an older woman came up with her friend. 

She was digging in her handbag to find 50 cents to buy a ticket and her friend asked what she would do with the radio if she won it.  I was eavesdropping because I was also curious.  She smiled and said, "I would sing and dance in my apartment." 

That really touched my heart, so when she left I found out her name and surprised her anonymously with gift cards so she could buy a radio and not have to worry about batteries.  I have never forgotten that. We take so many little things for granted!  And we can all make a difference!

A Book Brings a Smile

Yesterday I went for my son's karate class. I waited for him  two hours. As I sat there and read books I saw a lady who works there. She is a Filipino.  Most who work here in Kuwait are away from their families and all alone. She was just siting on a chair minding the kids gym, going through the snaps in her mobile. Something told me to ask if she loved to read. I dismissed the idea a few times then went ahead and asked her. She said she used to read but now she doesn't have the time because she works, goes home,eats and sleeps. I told her I would give her a book.  She asked if she could take it. She looked very happy. I said yes and told her she could read it during her spare time rather than just sitting there. She started reading the book, which was Chicken Soup for the Soul. 

Food for the Weary Travelers

Several times I had seen what seemed to be a homeless woman with her dog holding up a sign that said "weary travelers, will accept any donation."  

Each time I saw them it nearly broke my heart that this young woman was walking everywhere with her dog beside her.  My heart just went out to her for some reason so one day I saw her and went to the pet store and bought her dog some cans of dog food and some treats and went back to where I had seen her but she had already gone. 

I kept the dog food and treats in my car hoping to see her and about a month later, I saw her with her dog.  I had to turn my car around in heavy traffic to get to her but I managed it and gave her the dog food and treats
along with ten dollars for herself. 

She was very thankful and I don't regret doing what I did one bit.  Sometimes, we all need a little help.  I hope she and her dog find a place to live soon.

A Dog, a Gutter, and 2 Thank You's

During a recent trip to India, I introduced my cousin to smile cards and left a deck of smile cards that he has now integrated into his office routine :).  Every morning, after a circle of prayers with his employees, one person chooses a smile card from the deck. The next morning, that person shares the ripples of the smile card.  Here is one of the beautiful stories... A young woman picked a card that read, "Tell someone thank you for doing something nice."  Later that day, as she was standing on her balcony and wondering who she should thank, she noticed a vegetable seller below her and a small dog nearby, inching towards an open gutter.  The woman watched as the vegetable seller imagined what was about to unfold and immediately ran from his cart to save the dog from falling into the gutter. The woman was so overwhelmed by this ... Read Full Story >>

Life Reminders in Traffic

It was a beautiful morning, uncharacteristically warm and sunny for this time of year.  I was in the middle of a hectic day, packed full of activities and errands, with my mind on what I had to do next.  As I drove along a very busy road to my next destination, I noticed a young child wearing a bike helmet walking out from the entrance of an apartment complex on the other side of the street.  The complex was surrounded by woods on both sides and the entrance was obscured by trees and bushes.  I couldn't see beyond the entrance but I hoped that his family was there, just out of sight, about to emerge behind him.  He was young, maybe four years old, and it was a strange sight to see him alone near the busy street, even if just for a little while.  I continued to look behind me but I didn't see anyone else coming out to join him as cars ... Read Full Story >>

Waiting for the Train

Last weekend, I was blessed with an opportunity to serve as a volunteer at a meditation retreat in Maryland.  I don't have a car and the closest Amtrak station is about 30 minutes away from the actual site so I wasn't sure how I would get there....I started thinking that maybe it wouldn't be possible and after a really long week, thought that maybe I shouldn't volunteer at all.  But I went ahead and posted a request for a ride on the ride share board.  A few days later, an individual I had never met replied that he would be able to pick me up and drop me off at the station. He was also planning on serving but said he would wait until my train arrived before driving out there. How kind of this person whom I've never even met, I thought to myself.  My heart warmed and the stress I ... Read Full Story >>

Found Before Lost

On my "Lifelist" is the goal of visiting all the states in the U.S. Several years ago, my husband and I were traveling in the Northwest.  While we were enjoying Portland, we were staying in a Bed and Breakfast there. While carrying in some of the luggage, a cash belt containing over $300 fell onto the pavement on the road.  There was no identification in the pocket and no way for us to be able to claim it, either.   We went off to drive around and enjoy the city, totally oblivious to our loss. Later on, when I checked my phone, there was a voicemail message from our host at the B&B: "I have something that belongs to you, and you're going to be mighty happy," was the message. What???  We got back to our room and there was the money belt on the bed with all the cash in it.  My husband ... Read Full Story >>

Taking Smiles To The Army

I received a deck of Smile cards and took them to the army base near my home. I had to go there for blood tests for my diabetes, digestive conditions, and for refills of the many medicines I take. 

End On A Good Note

One fine afternoon I had walked down to the nearby grocery store. On my way home I found a man sitting alone with a disheartened look in his eyes. 

The Monkey Lives On!

Coming home after a work's evening out I lost my purse. I guessed it had fallen out my bag as I was being dropped off. While it was probably very close to my house I couldn't find it and had to cancel my debit cards, etc.  I'd had the purse for ten years as it was a Christmas present. It was a bright, red leather, Cheeky Monkey purse, so probably not very grown up for a 36 year old but I was very upset to have lost him!   Everyone I spoke to said I might get the purse back eventually but the money and vouchers in there would very likely disappear. I had therefore written off the contents of the purse and was even considering whether to move on and go "grown-up" when I was seeking a replacement.    I came home late the next night and my monkey purse was on my mat! ... Read Full Story >>

Hi, Miss Margie!

A few of us were walking our dogs around the neighborhood yesterday. 

A Harvest Of Books

I organized a book harvest for our local primary school - which also happens to be my old school! 

The Magical Twenty Dollar Bill

Recently, my husband was on a long drive and picked up a young hitch-hiker. 

They had plenty of time to talk and my husband discovered the young man had little money and was hoping to get a job in the city. My husband shared his lunch with him, bought him a coffee and when they arrived in the city, he gave him bus fare and twenty dollars to help him out.  A simple act of kindness.

Helping A Young Blind Man

The other day I was at Subway, grabbing lunch with some friends.  I received my order, sat it on a table, and went to the bathroom to wash my hands. On my way back I noticed a young man struggling to get his drink. He was spilling everything and making a mess. He was looking for the lids but reaching in the wrong trays and dropping straws and napkins everywhere.  As I got close to him I notice why. He was blind.  I saw that he had still not gotten his drink so I went over and offered to help. I asked him what drink he wanted. Then, instead of getting the drink for him, I took his hands and guided him through the process.  After we were done I took him by the hand and led him to the table. I asked him if he needed anything else and he said he was ... Read Full Story >>

Gift of Time, Geese, and the Gentleman's Stories

I often visit a local conservation area where there are a lot of Canadian geese and ducks. It is a spot where everyone comes to feed them. This spot attracts families, the elderly, and a wide variety of people who enjoy life's simple pleasures.

I was there on a beautiful spring day and came across an elderly gentleman feeding the birds some corn. Instead of just walking by, I stopped to talk to him and the smile on his face truly brightened my day.

Life moves fast. It's too short not to spend time listening to the stories that others have to share. Thanks to the elderly gentleman, the geese, and the gift of listening, my day was completely uplifted.

Gardens Of Art

Our neighbor grows the most amazing gardens! They are real works of art. The beauty she creates spills out even to her neighbor's yards with amazing displays of color. 

Springtime Surprises

I got two bunches of daffodils today and decided to surprise some neighbors.