Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Be Open. Be Ready. Look for Opportunities to be Kind.

Today I prayed for ideas on ways to be kind. My first opportunity came at a restaurant. A little girl dropped a dollar and walked off. I picked up the dollar and ran after her, giving it to her mother. "She dropped this," I said. Then at the store, there was an elderly man looking at firewood. He had a cane, and I couldn't see him carrying the firewood by himself, so I approached him and asked if he needed help. He said that he was just looking, but he seemed grateful that I asked. Inside the store, I found a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Uncertain who to give them to, I got into the check-out line. I only had two items, but a man came behind me with one, so I let him go first. I bought my mother her favorite candy bar, and I had the flowers but no one to give ... Read Full Story >>

Starting A New Life With Smile Cards

I have been trying recently to help a young girl who begs on the street. Well, a few days ago she shared some good news with me. She has been offered a job in another town! It's about 150 km away and she will be moving there in a week or so.   Realizing that moving and starting a new job would require several things she couldn't afford I picked up a $50 Walmart gift card and gave it to her along with ten Smile cards.   I explained that this was actually two gifts. The Walmart card was one gift but the smile cards were her way to pay it forward in thanks for all who had helped her. I explained that the best gift of all would be the joy she would find in using those cards.    Her smile, the heart felt thank you, and the sincere look of gratitude on her face were ... Read Full Story >>

Broken Bodies, Broken Minds, Amazing Spirits!

Yesterday I went to the nursing home to visit my step mom’s grandma.  She just got out of the hospital recently where she underwent some serious operations. I wanted to surprise her after work so I stopped by for a quick visit.    When I got there she was happy to see me. We hugged, kissed and exchanged greetings. Then I heard a woman crying. It was my great grandma’s roommate. The curtain was drawn so I could not see her. She started calling out a name that wasn't mine but she was definitely talking to me, begging me to go to her side of the room.    I ignored her at first and continued visiting with my great grandma. Then she started begging and saying, “Please, come see me!" So I went to see her.   When I drew the curtain back she looked so old and frail but flashed me the biggest smile! She opened ... Read Full Story >>

Lonesome Boy At A Gas Station

I have been fortunate enough to come from a family that has always been there for me, no matter what. Like all other families we have our differences of opinions, our fall-outs, our arguments, but we always make up and all is well again. Even in my high school and college days – misbehaving in abundance – I had supportive parents who would discipline me, but always left the door open. I was at the gas station filling up one day when I saw a boy in his teens. (I was a college student then.) I noticed there was something not quite right about the situation. He sat on the corner with his head hanging low. Then he saw a guy walking by and proceeded to ask him for change. The guy mocked him and laughed at him.    I was so saddened by this. I walked over to the boy and asked ... Read Full Story >>

On Passing Around Smiles...

One of my intentions for 2011 was to continue surrounding myself with a community of individuals that helped bring the best out in me. By the end of 2011, naturally and serendipitously, I was introduced to group of individuals that gets together one Wednesday per month to meditate and discuss a passage. After my second month of joining this great group of individuals, I sat down with a couple of the organizers, to get to know one and other better. What I assumed would be a lighthearted getting to know one and other session, became an a heartfelt discussion with presence. It felt like a therapy session. I poured my heart and soul into my confusions and challenges with figuring out my next steps with life and they listened and communicated so openly. They felt like long lost elder brothers giving me guidance. While one of them was leaving, he gave me a bag ... Read Full Story >>

Helping a Girl Get Married

 A few years back during the time that my aged mother was bedridden, her attendant happened to be a young woman. She was caring and kind, though not trained in her profession. When we heard her personal story our hearts sank.   She was to get married to her fiance in the near future and according to their custom the bride had to wear a valuable, colorful saree with gold accessories.  In addition, she had to give away 12 sarees plus matching jackets. This all would cost her a lot.   Seeing how my parents had helped the people who worked for us when we were kids, a flash of lightning struck me.  I though if we don't help her, who would?  A couple of months passed by and her mind was only on the "big" problem and in another four months she would have to get married, only with the six months ... Read Full Story >>

Turning Rain Into Sunshine - For A Dollar!

I go to one of those "everything's a dollar" stores and purchase several umbrellas to keep in my car. When I am driving somewhere in the rain and see someone stranded without any shelter I pull up by the roadside and hand them an umbrella. 

Nice Is My Middle Name

I work in a department store and was walking down the main aisle with my boss. 

Repaying Greed With Kind Deeds

Today I received the news that not only was my hard work not going to be recognized but I was not going to get paid on time and all my extra-hours would not be taken into consideration.

Making Soup

I love to make soups, especially bean soups.  

I am a volunteer in an animal rescue and a lovely older couple helps me a lot.   I wanted to do something for them in return.   

Whenever I make soups, I fill up several containers of soup and take to them, so, they don't have to cook.    It doesn't cost a lot of money to help people, the best way to lighten their load is to cook for them.

Helping A Hungry Women

I was on a holiday to the Bay area. On a cold, rainy day, me and my uncle went to have some fast food.  While we waited for our order to be delivered, I watched a women who came in and sat in a corner. She just sat there. I thought she was just there to take cover from the rain. A few minutes passed and I had a feeling that she must be hungry and may be didn't have any money to buy food. I just went close to her and asked her if she was hungry and that if I can buy her some food. She replied in the affirmative. So I got her some food and gave the $10 that I had with me and told her that she can have it.  I could see her face light up with smile and just before I took leave of her she ... Read Full Story >>

Serving Others, Serving Myself

Today I a conversation some homeless individuals, like myself, and  and told them that I am in the process of getting a grant to start up a small buisness.   I got a lot of "yeah rights"and paper balls tossed at me but I decided to keep talking about my idea.  I explained what I was going to do with the money and that I plan on hiring homeless people only. When I said that,  I got all of their attention.  I let them know that I would like to hire all of them but I will only be allowed to hire a few people at a time.   I handed out applications to all that wanted to fill one out. I got about 65 back so far!  In a few weeks I should get the grant and I will be helping to get myself and others off the streets and back into the ... Read Full Story >>

Frozen Kindness On A Hot Minnesota Day

It is hot across the entire U.S.A and Minnesota is not spared. Yesterday I had my oil changed, my air-conditioner recharged, etc. It was so hot at the quick oil change place and since the work takes place out in bay area they have no air-conditioning. There wasn't even much in the way of air-con in the waiting area. These kids were sweating!  

Spontaneously Helping a Family in Need

Today my husband and I passed through an intersection with a man and wife holding a sign that read: "Out of work, family hungry".  We weren't in the lane nearest them. 

We got almost all the way home when my husband said, "I should have given him a $20."

I said, "Go back, you know he'll still be there." 

We turned the car around and drove all the way back.  We handed them the money and wished them better luck.  They were really appreciative and seemed genuine in their plea. 

Please join me in praying that the find an easier path soon.

Hope And Joy In A Wal-Mart Car Park

Wal-Mart parking lots can be a very busy place with cars and vans backing out while other vehicles wait impatiently to get the next spot. It can get a little congested at times and I have certainly seen many hurried people lacking in patience. I have ocassionaly been that hurried person. The other night when I left Wal-Mart I was in a lot of pain from some chronic health issues and I just wanted to wave a magic wand on be sitting on my couch with the groceries all put away. I would love to have a magic wand like that!    I started to get irritated when a woman and her child stopped dead in the middle of the parking lot to chat and hug with a friend while I was trying to back out! They seemed oblivious to my need to get moving.                 ... Read Full Story >>

Trick-O-Treating in Reverse!

My task was to knock on 10 doors and give them a treat -- a "reverse trick-or-treat" kindness mission!  I took a wicker basket and filled it with wrapped treats, including Emergen-C Joint Health packets, ThinkThin Crunch protein bars, and Kashi Honey Oat and Flax energy bars -- all fairly healthy items. The Smile Deck Card said to knock on 10 doors, but I took it a step further and knocked on all of the 30+ doors in my apartment building.  The results were on the whole quite positive.  However, my ambivalence with doing this deed stemmed from my fear that the neighbors would be suspicious of someone knocking on their door inside of a gated building.  This turned out to be the case with a number of neighbors, but that was part of the challenge for me -- to maintain positive, giving intentions amidst people's doubt and suspicion.  I found that first ... Read Full Story >>

Can I Help You?

The other day, I was in line at the grocery store. As I waited, I turned around and found an elderly man in line behind me. I smiled and said "Hi, How ya doing?" He smiled right back at me and politely said he was fine.

I noticed that he had some heavy water jugs and kitty litter in his basket. I asked him if he wanted me to the water jugs up onto the belt so that the cashier could scan them. He said he thought he'd be ok because he didn't think he had to take them out to be scanned and winked at me.

I asked the cashier and she said her scanner most likely would reach into his basket where the items where. The elderly man thanked me for trying to help and said not many people would care about him like I did.

So be on the look out for those in need. No matter how small the good deed may seem...it means alot to those in need.

Love and Inspiration from Japan

Below are the some of the heart warming anecdotes that I've witnessed and heard from others during the aftermath of the earthquake in Japan last year...  In the supermarket, where items of all the shelves fell, people were picking up things so neatly together, and then quietly standing in line to buy food. Instead of creating panic and buying as much as needed, they bought as little as they needed.  I was proud to be a Japanese.   When I was walking home, for 4 hours, there was a lady holding a sign that said, "Please use our toilet."  They were opening their house for people to go to the restroom. It was hard not to tear up, when I saw the warmth of people.   At Disneyland, they were giving out candies. High school girls were taking so many so I was thinking, "What???"  But then the next minute, they ran to the children ... Read Full Story >>

A Time for Kindness at KFC

Last summer, I was visiting my Dad in Texas.  One particular day, since he had already had lunch, he told me to go get something to eat.   I ventured out, found a KFC and got something warm at a good price.     While I was there enjoying my lunch a young man with a bottle of window spray, a squeegee and a backpack arrived. He must have known the people there because he waved, showed his water bottle, and filled it up.    I was wondering about him as he turned and smiled at me. He came over and asked if he could clean the windows of my van. At first I said "No" but then I had second thoughts. I knew he could use a tip so I told him it would be a good idea.     I finished my meal and got to the van as the young man was finishing with the ... Read Full Story >>

Giving a Blanket on a Cold Florida Night

Last winter in Florida the temperature dropped into the 30's.  Since it was so cold, my mom got this idea to give blankets to homeless shelters.  We looked up some locations, and found one was in North Miami Beach.

We drove around for some time looking for the shelter but never found it.  Apparently the shelter had shut down, but was still on the Internet. Instead of going home, my mom and I decided to give away as many blankets as we could to homeless people that we found along the way.

We gave our last blanket to a woman sleeping in a bus stop. She was very hesitant to receive the blanket, but we insisted and told her that we'd be very grateful if she took it.  She finally gave in and thanked us. It was so rewarding to see her guard come down. It was the best winter that I've had.