Stories of Kindness from Around the World

To The Airport, With An Unexpected Chauffeur

My family was going on a trip and usually our neighbor would give us a ride to the airport. This time our neighbor told me she would be working but her partner - who is a recovering alcoholic and the center of a lot of past drama in her life - would be happy to help us.  I mentioned this to my family and they were a bit hesitant. I didn't have to hear the words to know they were wondering - should we ask someone else? We don't really want him driving us, do we? Is he really ok now? But I realized that this was an opportunity to show my friend that we trusted her partner, and an opportunity to make him feel like he was doing something good! So I explained to my family that allowing him to drive us to the airport would be like giving a gift ... Read Full Story >>

Spontaneous Dog Therapy

Two days ago, in the pouring rain, a young man was yelling into his cell phone as he was approaching the horse trail where I was walking with my two Great Pyrenees dogs and Yellow Labrador.  Kailash, my biggest dog, wanted to approach him. But, since the man was so engrossed in the angry conversation, I did not want to come up behind and startle him. We just stood silently sending unconditional love as he walked on.    After returning home with the Pyrenees and Lab, I headed back out with my two Golden Retrievers. Down on the trail we found the young man bent over, holding onto the horse railing.   I asked if he was okay. He said he was frustrated. We talked and I suggested he pet the dogs to help him feel better. I told him about oxytocin, the hormone released by stroking a dog, how it calmed the brain and ... Read Full Story >>

Love - The Long And The Short Of It!

I have never lived in the same province as my only niece but she and I have a special bond. Since she was two years old I have written her a letter every week!  We refer to them as my Thursday letters because my day off used to be Thursday and the first thing I would do would be to write to Brooke. She is ten now and quite grown up, but I continue to cherish the times when I write to her. I have only missed six Thursdays in eight years; because of a mail strike and a hospital stay.    When Brooke was four she was talking with my mom. "Auntie Steph writes me a letter every week," she said   "That's a lot of letters," my mom replied. "What does she write about?"    "Well ..." Brooke thought about it. "She tells me that she loves me! Sometimes she says it long and sometimes ... Read Full Story >>

Smiling In China Town

A few weeks ago I was on vacation with my family in Malaysia. We visited lots of places. One of the hotels we stayed in was near a China Town. Everything was cheap there so did a lot of shopping. I was looking for a watch for myself and one for my girlfriend. There were many shops that were selling the same watch - but for different prices.   I finally found the best price, so I bought the watches while my sister and mom were buying other stuff from the same shop. When it was time to pay I realized I was 10 Ringgits short, so I suggested returning one of the watches. The owner of the shop asked why and I explained I didn't have enough money with me. She smiled and said, "You can take it, but promise me you'll pay tomorrow!"    So I asked her what time she would be ... Read Full Story >>

Remembering My Foul-Mouthed Friend

When I first purchased my home an elderly neighbor used to visit regularly. He was a foul-mouthed man. It wasn't through drink because he never drank. He also had a truly kind heart. He was just in the habit of swearing - a lot!

Why She Kept Me

A Little 'Game of Good'

For the last two and a half years I have been giving out Smile Cards whenever I find an opportunity. I am sad to admit that my family and I are homeless, we live in a trailer which we were so kindly given by a family member. During this period, I have given out over 200 Smile Cards.  I have always tried to find something kind to do, even when my husband lost his job and we were fighting to get by.  I have started giving out coupons for free food, plus money for people to get at least one meal, on me. I always put my coupon, gift and Smile Card in a envelope that says "For whoever finds this". Once I left an envelope on someone's work truck and got back into our trailer. I just happened to look out at the bus later and I saw the guy open my envelope and find the gift.  He read the card and then he looked ... Read Full Story >>

Can You Go Overboard With Kindness?

This past weekend I had a bunch of charitable things I wanted to do. I took food to the animal shelter, I bought sweaters and a couple of sleeping bags to donate to the homeless, and I bought someone's breakfast at the drive-thru. On my way into the good-will shop I saw a couple of young teenagers huddled together; a boy and a girl, no more than 14 or 15. The girl had her head on the boy's shoulder and they were clinging to each other. No one paid them any attention. On my way out, I saw them still sitting there. I started to walk to my car but thought, 'No. What if these poor kids need something? What if they've run away and have nowhere to go? What if they're hungry?'     Imagining all sorts of awful scenarios I turned around and walked towards them, very proud of myself for my ... Read Full Story >>

Using My Hobby To Help The Homeless

I am a huge fan of thrift shops and I have several that I check out every weekend. It's how I unwind and have some time to myself. I actually look forward to it every week.   One of my favorite shops had started discounting certain clothing by 90%. Every week they had an entire wall filled with all kinds of items, most of which were in great condition. I was disappointed at first that I couldn't personally benefit because nothing was in mine or my husband's size.   Then it dawned on me. I could stock up on sweaters and jackets for the impending cold weather and donate them to the homeless shelter! In the last couple of weeks I've gotten six huge bags of sweaters, jackets, sweatpants, and long-sleeved shirts for under $20! I also got a small bag of soap, toothbrushes and shampoo for $1.   One of the jackets I got today ... Read Full Story >>

On The Subway

Every morning I take the subway to work. Usually I am still tired and would love to sit. No one ever offers their seat, which is okay. I see advertisements for random acts of kindness on the subway and they touch my heart, but on several occasions I have seen pregnant ladies get on and no one offer them their seat.    Today I got on and a seat was available! So, I sat down. At the next stop a gentleman with a walking disability got on and to my surprise no one moved, so I stood up and offered him my seat. He was grateful.    As we approached his station he tried to get off but people would not move, even after he said excuse me. So I pushed my way through the crowd and tried to help him off the train. But people just didn't seem to care and even with my ... Read Full Story >>

Breakfast For A Tired Mom

I went through a drive-through this morning to get breakfast.  I saw a woman behind me in line.  She looked really tired and had a couple of kids with her. 

I pulled up to the window and told the clerk I wanted to buy her breakfast and asked him to give her my Smile card.  He seemed moved and said he would.

As I was waiting to pull into traffic, I paused long enough to see the clerk hand the woman in the car behind me the card and point in my direction while she stared in disbelief.  

Then I pulled out and continued on my way, my car windows open, my hair blowing in the long-awaited cool breeze, my favorite music playing.  The morning seemed even sweeter than before.

Helping Hands In A Busy Diner

We were on the road yesterday and stopped for breakfast at a little diner where one employee - perhaps the owner - was the waiting staff, cook, and cashier!

Bidding For A Wedding Dress

I found a website where people auction clothes. 

The Veteran Who Just Wanted To Be Seen

This happened about four or five years ago. I had been involved in "Non Violent Communication" for a couple of years. I was struggling as I still do with finding a natural and seamless way of connecting with people through compassion and empathy in everyday encounters; trying not to assume I know what someone needs but being willing to ask.  Walking through the lobby of an office building in San Francisco I could hear a man screaming and shouting obscenities. He was so loud his voice penetrated the sounds of mid-day traffic and the double glass doors leading to the street.     Heading through those doors I saw a double amputee hunched over on one of those little rolling platforms auto mechanics sometimes use to scoot under cars. He was gesturing erratically at pedestrians as they approached and yelling profanities as they veered as far away from him as they could get ... Read Full Story >>

Proof That What Goes Around Comes Around

I was in a health food store when I heard a woman say her foot was hurting and she was going to call a cab.   I paid for my purchase and left to pick up some dry cleaning from the eco-friendly cleaners next door. I was walking back home when I saw the woman outside the health food store, presumably waiting for the cab.   I knew I wanted to make a trip to a craft store later that day and that I'd be driving. I asked her where she was going. She told me a place which was actually on the way to the craft store. So I said, "I've got a crazy idea. How about you cancel the cab and I'll give you a ride? It will save you some money and besides, I only live a few minutes away." To my amazement she said okay without any hesitation or ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Isn't Just For Humans

My daughter was on her way home when she saw a mother cat and her kitten trying to cross the street. The mother made it across, but kitten didn't. 

Welcome To The Kindness Family, Granddaughter-in-law.

My grandson will be getting married soon and my new granddaughter-to-be stopped by to pick up a TV that I was giving to a cousin. 

Stepping It Up by Giving Away Concert Tickets

I was inspired to "step it up" after being blessed to be present for an inspiring talk by Nipun on Thursday, so Friday I arranged to covertly and anonymously gift two tickets to a concert to some "strangers" (strangers are just friends we haven't yet met, right?). 

I have no idea how it turned out, but it was totally worth it just to watch the faces of the two people who were at the ticket table light up when I whispered my request that they pass the tickets along with a smile card.  And I'm sure they, in turn, also received a lot of joy when they passed along the gift and (hopefully) got to watch two other faces light up! :)

And who knows where the ripples will spread from there?  All part of the fun.  Catch the kindness cold!

The "Life Is Good" Lady

One day, on my way to work, I pulled into the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru. I was tired, hungry, worried about money and bills - as usual! I was behind this woman in a VW with a "Life is Good!" sticker on the back window.   As she put her hand out the window to pay I saw her beautifully manicured nails and the expensive looking jewelry on her arm. Her hair looked like she'd just been to the salon.     My envy immediately kicked in and I started grousing. 'Must be nice!' and various other mean-spirited thoughts went through my mind. I was resentful of her material possessions and her "Life is Good" attitude.   When it was my turn to pay the cashier told me that the lady in the VW had paid for my order! I was told that she regularly goes through the drive-thru, gets a cup of coffee, pays with ... Read Full Story >>

A Bead and the Kindness of Strangers

My daughter is a teller at a bank.  She saw that one of her clients was wearing a charm bracelet made by "Pandora."  I had been wanting one of them for my birthday.  My husband just bought me one last week so I got my present early. 

My daughter mentioned to the customer how pretty her three braclets were and that I had just got one as an early birthday present.  The customer asked when my birthday was and my daughter told her.  The woman, according to my daughter, replied, "Oh, my birthday is on the 20th" and then she opened her braclet and took off a beautiful charm and gave it to my daughter to give to me as a gift! 

The reason I wanted one of these braclets is so that as my friends and family buy beads for it I will be able to look at each one with love and fondness for the person giving it.  This bead will always remind ME to pay it forward and to be kind even to a stranger.  What a wonderful reminder as I glance down at my bracelet.