Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Thank You For Your Thank You

This morning I received a beautiful hand-made card in the post. The envelope was marked "Thank you!" and I didn't open it immediately whilst I tried to work out who it had come from. Who could be saying thanks to me?   Happily I had a few choices. When I opened it I discovered it was from a lady I had sent a free gift to on eBay.    She was completely overwhelmed by this random act of kindness from a stranger and has since joined the HelpOthers family.   She had made the card especially for me with pink butterflies on the front. It was lovely! The thing that surprised me the most was that she actually used the words "I love you" to me. How wonderful to be such a positive spirit as to love so freely . Most of us are very cautious when using those three words.     I hope she enjoys ... Read Full Story >>

Groceries Bought And Left Behind

The other day I was in the grocery store. I was hurrying to get a few things I needed in between soccer games. In the line behind me was the sweetest lady who was quietly searching through her wallet to find the money she needed to purchase the seven or eight items she had in her cart. I imagined she probably lived on a limited income and might benefit, even just a little, from having her groceries paid for her.   I turned to the cashier and said, "Go ahead. Run her items through. I'd like to pay for her groceries."    My children, aged twelve, seven and three, quietly watched what was going on.   "I can't let you do that," the lady said.    "But I just did," I replied. "Have a great day!" And then, smiling, I walked with my children out the doors.   As I walked away, I heard her ask the cashier, "Did he just ... Read Full Story >>

Handing Out 'Smiles' to Friends and Beyond

At first I thought that I would never get these "smile cards" but finally one day they arrived.  And I was very happy. Although there were only 10 cards, I tried to give them to people that were most deserving.  These people are my close friends. And after a week, one friend told me that she keeps her card in her wallet and every time she opens it, she smiles. It made me feel inspired and I realized that I just want to give that little joy to others -- not only my close friends, but for all of you.

A Stranger In My Car

While out running errands today I passed a woman walking along a busy highway. I continued on my way, but I couldn't help thinking about that woman.  

Spare Change and Burritos

The one thing I enjoy is helping the homeless, the ones begging for change or food on the street near a stop sign.  I know a lot of people complain and say that these people probably make more money than the person they are asking money from. 

I don't think that way about it.  I think that these people are in need of something and I enjoy driving up to them and giving them whatever is left in my ashtray, which is where I keep all my spare change. 

One day I just finished working and thought I would drive through a fast food restaurant and pick up a few burritos.  I pulled up to a stop light afterwards and saw a guy with a sign being blown off by every single person in the row of cars.  I rolled my window down,  told him to come near and emptied my ashtray in his hand.  There was probably only $3 in it but he seemed very thankful. 

I then handed him my lunch and drink.  He really appreciated it.  I then drove home and realized I was hungry so I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Laundry-Buddies

I helped a older lady load the tumble dryer earlier and put the quarters in the machine for her. The quarter slots are hard to manage sometimes even for me. 

The Cab Driver On A Rainy Day

I woke up the other day to a phone call from a taxi driver who had my friend's cell phone.  My friend had apparently left it in the cab the night before. The driver had called others but I was the first one who had answered.    It was a rainy morning which for cab drivers in this big city is a very busy time. He asked me where he could drop the cell phone off. I told him the street where I lived and quickly jumped out of bed and got dressed so I could meet him on the corner. I guessed that if he had taken on a passenger of two he could have made some good money from driving all that distance.   When he arrived I thanked him and blessed him for having such a kind and beautiful soul. I was so happy for my friend who had only recently moved ... Read Full Story >>

A New Job And A New Friend

I started training for my new job this week. There are only four of us training and we spent four hours together yesterday talking about customer service. "Wear your smile!" they say. Well, I think I have that part "aced!"  When the first day of training came to an end a colleague and I went to grab our things from our lockers. He was having trouble getting his combination lock to work and I heard him muttering to himself.  "Come on! Open! I'm going to miss my bus!"    I asked if I could give him a lift but he said he lived quite far away. He would take the bus - if he could get to the bus stop in time! It was late, the mall was closing and soon the busses would stop running.   I told him not to worry, I would take him to the bus stop. And if the last ... Read Full Story >>

My Smile Deck Adventure

I have received a few Smile Decks and decided I would use one.    I read through the cards and love all the different ideas. I try to make sure I do at least one random act of kindness each week and thought the Smile Deck could help me with that!   There are many ways you can use the cards. Each suite has a different focus and they get progressively more challenging the higher you go. Since I have been committed to practicing kindness I figured I would just shuffle the deck and every few days pull one out and do whatever it says.    So that is what I did!    Yesterday I had the eight of hearts, which asks you to acknowledge an act of kindness by someone else and thank them. I have been the recipient of an act of kindness in the past week so this was a perfect card!    I put together a ... Read Full Story >>

Stepping In to Make Up a $3 Shortfall

Yesterday I was in the electronics department purchasing something small for my son. As I went to check out, a young boy of about 9 was in front of me with a zip lock baggie of money and a video game. The clerk gave him the price and helped him to count out the money. After the bills and the quarters, it became clear that he would not have quite enough money.  The child kept counting with stress mounting on his face.  The clerk told him that he was $3 short.  The boy's face was so sad.  While I had been watching this, I had been thinking, "if he doesn't have enough, I 'll pay the difference for him." I was glad that I was prepared because the boy quickly began to sweep the money back into the bag. I stepped  up and  told the clerk I would pay and reached over to encourage the ... Read Full Story >>

Pre-school Acts of Kindness

Ethan is six and three quarters and Emily just turned seven, and they are best friends. Their pre-school teacher, Kathleen Albert, has been teaching them about kindness. So, for their graduation project, Ethan and Emily decided to raise money to help feed hungry people by collecting cans. When they were done, they had raised 5,304 dollars for the San Francisco Food Bank - enough money for 15,912 meals!

From An Anonymous Well-Wisher

I just finished writing a Thank You card to a group that helps victims of domestic violence. Inside it I put some gift cards, for supermarkets, coffee shops, etc. 

Pizza and Generosity Delivered

I received my "smile" cards in the mail on Friday and was thinking all week what my first "act" was going to be.  There is a local pizzeria that my family frequents, and it gave me an idea.  My 10-year-old daughter and I went there Saturday afternoon. I asked the person working if someone had called in an order for pick up or delivery.  He checked and he said that there was a delivery going out in a few minutes for a party at a home.  The order was for two pizza's and a few slices on the side.  I asked him if I can pay the bill and he said,  "WHY?"  I explained it to him, paid the bill and asked him when they delivered the food to please just give them this card. He said he would comply and he thanked us for being kind. On the way home, my daughter ... Read Full Story >>

Clearing My Closet For The Street Children

I like buying clothes from "flea markets." And my sister's best friend loved buying clothes for me as well! All of which meant I had plenty of clothes! Then one day I looked at my closet and it was like a light suddenly shone upon me. VOILA! Images of homeless kids streamed into my mind. I thought of them begging on the streets to have something to give to their "guardians" back at home. My heart swelled and led me to a surprising act!    I took several plastic bags and filled them with clothes, leaving my closet half full.    I looked for my niece. (She is a teenager. Imagine her disgust! But she had no choice. She was grounded and couldn't leave the house without me.) I took her to the streets for some fun and adventure!    It was noon and the sun was scorching our skin, but who cared about that? (My niece ... Read Full Story >>

The Connection of Being Human

I have been reading a lot kindness stories. Last week, in an unusual way, a stranger showered me with generosity. At an Asian grocery store on a busy evening, I was shopping for the items I needed for my volunteer work of cooking breakfast on Saturday at a homeless shelter in San Jose. I went to the store to buy tofu and fruit. As I was waiting in  line to finish the purchase, the lady next to me approached me to find out how I was going to consume the big box of tofu I was buying. Enthusiastically, I replied that I was buying food for the homeless breakfast feed. While I was getting ready to pay the bill, to my amazement, she offered to pay for everything. Despite multiple requests for her name, she responded that she felt good because I was doing the kind of community work her parents once received when ... Read Full Story >>

Two Rugs For The Price Of One

I recently sold a rug and when the lady came to collect it we helped her load it into the car.  She had two small children with her and had just moved house. From what she said I understood it was quite a job getting the place into shape! She was delighted with the rug as it would cover "a multitude of sins."    I felt I would like to have given her the rug but, as I was selling it for my daughter, I could not. But I did have another rug of my own which I was able to let her have free of charge!   She was very appreciative and went off with both rugs as happy as she could be.    That week we had had several problems of our. By giving our rug to this lady it lifted our spirits and probably made us feel even better than she did. I had ... Read Full Story >>

A Gallon Of Gas And A Gift Card

My husband and I have six children and things have been tight financially.  He is a brick-mason and as a barter deal he agreed to build a sign base for a man who owns a sign company in return for a basset hound puppy.    The job was at the front of a cemetery. As we were working beside a busy road we noticed a well dressed man walking towards us. I looked beyond him and saw his car was parked on the roadside. When he reached us he asked if we had any gas he could have.    My husband reached into the back of the truck and handed him a gas can with a gallon or two of gas and a funnel and told him it should be enough to get him to the nearest gas station.    The man thanked him and walked back to his car. About twenty minutes passed and we finished ... Read Full Story >>

A Two Rupee Joy-Ride

It was a scorchingly hot day, the kind you wouldn't want to have to wait outside for long in. I was waiting to collect some files outside a commercial complex.   One thing that has always been stress-free for me is kids! A fun-fair had been set up right in front of the complex, so I left my vehicle and went to see the kids having fun on the rides.   One little boy arrived after me and stood there just staring at those rides. I could see the spark in his eyes and I told him to go for it. He said, "It's two rupees entry fee. I have five rupees from working all day collecting plastic garbage."    He polished his 5 rupee coin and tucked it back in his pocket. He sighed, "I wish I could know how it feels to go on those rides."   Suddenly, I imagined a shining ring above my head ... Read Full Story >>

Teelu The Puppy

Yesterday afternoon the sky was dark and the rain poured down. I went upstairs to catch the cool breeze. It was still moody, as if sky and the clouds were tired and decided to cry some rain. Yet the climate was awesome and the breeze cooled my body from head to toe.   I went onto the balcony and saw a small puppy near the gate of our apartment. He had been drenched by the rain.   I immediately ran downstairs with a towel in my hand. I rushed to the puppy and wrapped him in the towel.   I cleaned the mud from him, got into an auto, and took him to nearby veterinary doctor. He examined him and gave an injection for his health.    I brought him back home and made a place for him to sleep. I gave him a cup of milk and bread to keep his hunger away. He was good enough and ... Read Full Story >>

Sharing My I-Pod