Stories of Kindness from Around the World

All She Needs Is A Prayer Or Two Away

A friend called over yesterday to use my home phone as she had no credit on her mobile (cell.) She then began talking about having no food in her pantry as she had spent her money the week before so her daughter could go on a school trip to Sydney Zoo.    She called a few charities to try for some food and assistance. I spent the whole morning with her trying to find a solution to some of her other worrys and driving her to pick up some food.    My friend is also 38 weeks pregnant and has  a five year old daughter and has been finding things really tough over the past few weeks. So, each Saturday we visit garage sales where I have gotten her a pram, car seat, baby sling, bottle sterilizer, and other needed items.   Yesterday I visited the supermarket for food and took her with me, telling her ... Read Full Story >>

1865 Reads

The Gift Of Time To An Upset Student

A student wanted to talk to me about a problem she had been having. She was due to meet me at 8.30am and I had a workshop to attend at 9. 

Well, it was a very fruitful meeting. Amidst lots of tears the whole story came out. Then we identified not only the problem but several solutions as well. She ended up feeling more confident and empowered. She knew what to do and she felt like I understood her situation.

I was so "present" with her that I didn't even notice the clock. It was 10:30 when we'd finished going through everything! 
 
I didn't mind about being late for my workshop and she was so glad that I had listened openly and let her go on until she was finished. 
 
Never underestimate the power of your gift of time to someone. These days people always seem to be in a hurry but if we are fully present for someone I think it can often make a huge difference.

 

4458 Reads

A Craving For Ice Cream

This morning I was running errands and had a sudden urge for an ice cream from McDonald's.   I tried talking myself out of it; I hadn't had lunch yet; I really didn't need it; I already passed McDonald's! But I gave into my craving and turned around.   A homeless man was begging for change at the traffic lights. He looked so tired and defeated. I pulled a couple of dollars out of my wallet and gave them to him. I asked him if he was hungry and he said yes, but that the money I had given him would buy something to eat.   I pulled up to the drive-thru to get my ice cream and decided to go ahead and order him a burger, fries and a coke.    When I handed him the bag I told him I had gotten him some lunch and he stared at me in disbelief. He immediately started ... Read Full Story >>

2150 Reads

"Don't Be shy - Just Ask Him."

I helped a young woman overcome her shyness and take courage. 
 
She liked a young man at work and wanted to get to know him better. I asked her what she would really like to say to him. She suggested, "You know, I really like you, J, and I'd like to get to know you better. Could we have a drink after work?" 
 
She felt very embarrassed at the thought of doing this but I encouraged her to say it several times. She got very embarrassed and laughed a lot. Eventually, she decided she had nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying it.
 
I next saw her two years later and enquired if she had ever asked J for a drink.
 
To my delight she said she had, and what is more they had married and were expecting their first child!
 
Awwwwww! :-)

1054 Reads

Books For Veterans

I love to read! Of course, this eventually means I have to make space on my bookshelves for new books!
 
So, I decided to call up my local Veterans Hospital and ask if they could use any of them. They were thrilled and told me that they were in need of reading material of all types.  
 
I loaded up six large boxes of books straight away, and headed out with them to somewhere I now know they will be greatly appreciated.

901 Reads

Fun At The Post Office

Of the endless number of things that give me joy posting parcels to friends, family and even anonymous friends always makes my heart sing.   There is something magical in choosing a number of things; objects, toys, books, etc., then sitting down and taking time to write a letter with the latest news, wrapping everything in beautifuly decorated paper and taking it to the post office to be delivered.   My favourite days are those in which I get to the post office with five or six parcels and say to the lady attending to me, "Okay, today we are going to take a trip around the world! This parcel goes to the USA, this one to Mozambique, this one to Australia, this one to Portugal, this one to India and this one to Canada!"   Of course, the cost is sometimes on the expensive side but then I focus on all the smiles and all ... Read Full Story >>

1173 Reads

More Than Just A Card

I recently joined a website where we trade books with other users through the mail.   There was one girl who had a book I really wanted to read and it was available for trading. So,  I asked her to send it to me and she said she would.   A few days later the book was delivered and, as I picked it up to smell the pages (I love the smell of books), I noticed a little card between the pages.   I picked it up and couldn't help but smile brightly as I noticed what it was. Yes, it was one of this website's "Smile, you've just been tagged!" cards.    The thing is, in the country where I live (Portugal) I had never heard of this website, but as I read the card I saw the website address. So, yes, that is how I found out this wonderful place existed!   After spending some time thinking about ... Read Full Story >>

1320 Reads

An Angel In A Wheelchair?

I was out in my car on a street in Beverly Hills, California, when I  noticed an old, old man sitting in the street, just off of the curb, in his wheelchair.     He didn't seem to be going anywhere. He was just sitting there, alone, in his chair. There were lots of people around but no one paid him any attention.    One of those smaller buses that gives rides to the elderly and to the handicapped was parked just a few feet from him. The driver honked a few times, as if to attract someone's attention. Then the bus left left without the driver even getting out.   I approached the old man and noticed his glasses were thicker than the bottom of a coke bottle. His eyes seemed blurred and wavery  through them. I asked him if he was alright. He seemed hard of hearing as well. I patiently repeated my request ... Read Full Story >>

1434 Reads

Ten Greetings

I was having lunch with a friend the other day. In between bites of her chicken sandwich she would give a big smile and a greeting to kids passing us. 

After one particularyly heart-filled greeting she turned to me and said, "Finished!"

"What?" I asked.

"That was my tenth greeting today. I'm finished."
 
I asked what she meant and she told me how she tries to greet ten people with a smile and wave each day.
 
"It makes me happy to be greeted, so I know it makes others happy when I greet them," she said.
 
This seemingly effortless act of kindness made me incredibly happy, so I asked if I could participate as well. It feels great to see the smile on people's faces when they are greeted. Being acknowledged is a great feeling and can brighten anyone's day.

 

1364 Reads

Turtles And Horses And Bunnies, Oh My!

I like to practice kindness with the animals as well.     I live out in the country and we often have big old turtles trying to cross the road. I always stop, pick them up, and take them across. I've even stopped in the rain and kept the traffic at bay while I ran across with a hissing turtle!     Lots of people around here do this and we always give each other a thumbs-up or a wave. However, I have seen people purposefully run over the turtles and it always breaks my heart.    Our neighbors have three beautiful horses that my husband and I enjoy petting. We keep a steady supply of carrots, apples and sugar cubes to feed them (with the owners' permission, of course).   We also have a couple of rabbits who live in the shrubs off our driveway and I like to leave them carrots and lettuce.     We keep a ... Read Full Story >>

1506 Reads

Just A Pen

I was waiting in the airport before boarding my plane and there was a family of four sitting across from me: a father, mother, and two daughters. I had my headphones on while working, so I was minding my own business.
 
The father was speaking on his mobile phone and I noticed that he was asking his daughters and wife by his hand gestures if they had something for him to write with. Either they didn't have anything or they didn't understand him - I couldn't tell. But I knew I had some extra pens in my bag. So, I fished one out, reached over, and handed it to him while he was frantically searching his pockets.
 
Lately I'd been feeling like I don't get the opportunity to do many nice random acts of kindness. Before he boarded the plane, he turned to me and thanked me again. It made me happy to know that I could do even this one small thing to help someone.

920 Reads

Magnetically Attracting Kindness

I found a twenty dollar bill on the ground the other day. I've been on a tighter than usual budget the last month so thanked my lucky stars for the opportunity to spend more on others. First few bucks were spent opportunistically: anonymously adding to the funds of an older man who went into a gas station counting bills and asking for ten dollars if gas. That kind of thing.   Last night I walked down the street after work and saw a woman selling a newspaper published for homeless folks. She also had some fridge magnets for sale. "What's your most popular magnet?" I asked. "Oh, probably the Bob Marley. This John Coltrane one is really nice too," she said. "I'm surprised it hasn't gone yet. They're five dollars each."   I counted the remains of the cash. "Here's nine dollars," I said.   "Which one would you like?"    "I don't need one myself, but the next person that ... Read Full Story >>

4456 Reads

The Grip Of Love Is Hard To Let Go

I was in the bus when a lady, probably in her late 60's, boarded. She sat next to me and, coincidently, we got off at the same stop. As we were walking, she began complaining of giddiness and thirst. So, I took her to a nearby restaurant, got her sweet lime juice and a snack and she smiled.   Then I accompanied her along her way. She seemed to have wanted a saree but I didn't have one to give her. She also didn't seem to be very happy with her relatives. So, I just told her to forget all that and just relax as we were walking along. I said it with a smile and she actually seemed to brighten in response.    Then she wanted to rest at a temple along the way.    Her friend (another elderly lady) came by and I gave a small amount of money to each of them so ... Read Full Story >>

2152 Reads

Giving A Gift Card

I was leaving Walmart the other day and saw a young man standing by the exit. He was holding a sign that read, "Even 50 cents would help."  

My heart went out to him because he looked to be the same age as my son. I didn't want to give him money, so I decided to drive to McDonalds (about a mile away) and get him a gift card.  
 
I bought the gift card but when I got back to Walmart he was gone. I drove around looking for him but didn't see him.  
 
About a week later, in another shopping area, I saw a man in a wheelchair. He was in the parking lot asking for money so he could buy some food. I reached into my car and gave him the McDonalds gift card.  
 
It made him so happy that I decided to always carry a gift card to give to others I might meet who are in need.

 

8689 Reads

Grace In Defeat At The Soccer Match

After my son's soccer game this weekend I witnessed something that really made me proud! 

His team lost 3-0 with the last goal scored in the last few minutes. As they walked off the pitch I saw my son put his arm around the goalie, his team-mate, and I overheard him reassuring the other boy. "Don't worry," he said. "It's not your fault. You couldn't have done anything more. Don't beat yourself up about it. It's okay ..." and so on.  
 
He stayed with the other boy, who was obviously upset, patting him and talking to him encouragingly until the coach called all the boys together. 
 
To hear this kind of positive talk coming from a new teenager just made my day!

 

1708 Reads

A Simple Bowl To Drink From

While buying milk from a nearby vendor my husband noticed an old lady walking by. She had a big sack on her head and two milk containers in her hands. She was walking a little ahead of him and, after some time, she sat down on the footpath, laid down her sack and tried to drink milk from the container. 

My husband thought that she must not own a bowl. So, he cam home and asked me to give the lady a bowl so she could drink her milk without spilling it. 
 
We hurried after her with a bowl but by the time we reached her she had already finished her milk. 
 
Seeing us there, she said something which we could not understand. We asked if she needed some food and she nodded her head. We came back home, made up two food packets and hurried back to her. She was still there. We offered her the packets and she smiled as if giving her blessings. 
 
No words exchanged, just expressions and gestures, but we came back home feeling lighter in our hearts.

 

5170 Reads

Beauty At Cracker Barrel

A co-worker and I were at Cracker Barrel for a quick workday lunch. Seated next to us was a large group of about a dozen people. They had several tables all pushed together, with children milling about and adults laughing and talking. My friend and I rolled our eyes at being seated next to such a noisy crowd. But after watching them for a few minutes I saw the most beautiful thing. An elderly man was tenderly cradling a tiny baby wrapped up in a pink blanket. We watched as he kept leaning over and kissing her forehead and whispering into her ear.     He was beaming just being in the presence of this little girl. It was so sweet that it brought tears to my eyes.   On our way out I decided to stop and tell the man how much this little interaction touched me. He smiled very broadly and said the ... Read Full Story >>

1875 Reads

A Dollar's Worth Of Smiles

Today I did my usual thrift shop rounds, buying clothes to donate to a shelter for the homeless.  

 
I went to the register to pay and found I was $1 short. As I fumbled through my coins a sweet man behind me in line said "I have a dollar. My wife always says I know how to pass the buck, so here ya go!"
 
I started to protest but then realized that allowing this man to do something nice for me was a real blessing. I didn't want to take the pleasure away from him because I know how good I feel when someone lets me help them.
 
So I thanked him graciously and we exchanged smiles. Then the cashier, who was moved by his generosity, said, "My customers are always so good to each other!" And she smiled too.  
 
He and I walked to our cars still smiling, and I then dropped off the clothing at the shelter which made other people smile.
 
That $1 brought a lot of joy to a lot of people today.

 

1548 Reads

Searching For Gum In The Mountains

My family and I were driving along Skyline Drive which passes through the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.  

We stopped at a rest stop and I decided to buy gum for my son. His ears were bothering him due to the change of altitude and I thought chewing might help relieve the pressure.  
 
I searched the gift shop but there didn't seem to be any gum for sale. Just as I was wondering what to do next another shopper, who had seen me searching, gave me her own packet of gum!  
 
She said that she had kids and understood perfectly!

 

917 Reads

Moments Of Pure Joy From My Weekend -

Baking and sending a surprise care package to my friend's son. He has just started college. I didn't tell his mum I was doing it!

Finding exactly what kind of bread someone wanted in the soup kitchen. We give away a lot of donated food items and I remembered that this one lady liked a particular kind of bread.  I saved it for her this time and she was touched that I remembered!
 
Throwing a big neighborhood birthday bash for our dear neighbor who just turned 100! Organizing this was so much fun and I loved seeing more than sixty people from our neighborhood come together in our front yard. The adults shared food, good wishes, and memories. Then the kids made their own future memories, playing cricket in our driveway and hockey in the street. It was awesome. Then taking food and cake to some of the people who couldn't make it to the party. They were so happy.
 
Gifting "gently used" books from the library book sale to a neighbor's young kids just for fun. No occasion, just an excuse to have them be enjoyed again!

 

1737 Reads




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