Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Paralyzed Body But A Powerful Heart

Last weekend, I was traveling home from Bangalore. There was a distinct lack of buses, so I thought I would escape the crowd and go for a refreshment. I decided to go to a hotel near the bus stand. I met a man there who was paralyzed and I thought to offer him some food. He spoke to me in English and started explaining his past life when he was healthy.   He had worked in Dubai for five years. Then an accident left him paralyzed. Now his family was taken care of by his sister.   While listening to his past I realized that he had experienced much in his life and learnt many lessons.   Eventually I told him that he may have been physically paralyzed but his heart and spirit were wonderful and he could always depend on them.   His eyes filled in with tears, I offered him some money and then I took him ... Read Full Story >>

5911 Reads

A Secret Handshake Puts It Right

Yesterday was my step-mom’s birthday. I haven’t been home in a long time so I wanted to stop by the house to see her on this special day.    I have been struggling financially so I was dreading the long trip. Gas is so expensive nowadays! Anyway, I filled my tank with gas and set off.    I stopped at the shopping mall and found a present. It was the perfect gift and I knew she would love it. But when I got to the cashier my card was declined! I did not have enough money in my account to pay for the gift!    So I pondered the issue for a few minutes. I could put it back and get something cheaper, but I knew there was nothing else in the store she would have liked as much. So, I got on my smart-phone and transferred some money from my savings account so I was ... Read Full Story >>

10.5K Reads

Personal Growth On The Freeway

This morning when I got in my car I said a prayer. I prayed that God would help me become a better person and I prayed He would allow me to experience personal growth.  As I pulled out and headed to work I said I was going to hold myself accountable for all the things that I know prevent me from being that better person.   As soon as I got on the freeway the madness started. People were driving crazily, not courteous at all. So I was getting mad and impatient. And then a car came out of nowhere and the driver cut in front of me so recklessly that I had to slam my foot on the brakes to avoid from crashing into him.   In that moment a string of curse words entered my mind and my arm raised in anticipation of blaring my horn! My other hand prepared to flash a ... Read Full Story >>

2706 Reads

My Secret Sister

A young boy at church touched my heart by his kindness, his caring and always wanting to help.  So, I asked his mom if I could be his second mom. She smiled, said yes and thanked me.  

After church service I approached her and told her to let me know what he needed for school and I would buy it. I gave her my phone number and we have since become friends by sharing things about ourselves and our families.  
 
At this point, I'm adopting the mom as my "secret sister" to be able to leave her things to see a smile on her face because she struggles everyday just to survive and make a life for her and her son.  

 

1390 Reads

My Children Lift A Heavy Heart

My son, daughter, and I have been trying to write to people in our family and friends who are going through difficult times.  So, recently we decided to make personal note cards for this purpose.  My children sat down immediately and wrote to my brother with cancer, my sister with a sick husband, and an elderly friend living in a nursing center.   I was so proud of them for being so thoughtful! Then, my son went out of the room and I heard a lot of whispering between my daughter and him.  Well, my sister was over and had mentioned that a very close friend of hers (an elderly lady battling breast cancer) was having a birthday.  Knowing that she loves angels, he and my daughter found a beautiful picture of an angel online, they printed it out, and he made her a gorgeous birthday card to cheer her day. ... Read Full Story >>

5371 Reads

A Saturday Well Spent

Today my heart is full of joy and gratefulness for my family and for the beautiful people I encountered today.  My husband worked all night as a police volunteer and got home at 5.30 a.m. in the morning and then left at 4 p.m. this afternoon for another shift. My daughter spent the morning with some friends and neighbors raising money  for a very famous charity in our town and also helped one of her friend's dad raise money for a sponsored climb of a mountain in Morocco. And what did I do? Well, I bought some cakes for my daughter and her friend and gave a smile card to the gentleman that was selling the cakes, plus a card that said,  "May all your days be filled with Love." I went to the library and left the cards inside the magazines and books and on the shelves so people could find them. I ... Read Full Story >>

8325 Reads

Morning Walk

It was a beautiful morning and I decided to take advantage of the lovely weather and go out for a walk.  I was feeling grateful for the fresh air, sun shining, and birds chirping and all of a sudden came across this sign on the sidewalk!  It said "good morning, go on an adventure, make a stranger smile".  

What a wonderful and unexpected message to read!  Random acts of kindness come in so many different shapes and forms, I'm scheming of how to pay it forward this week! 


4575 Reads
  • Posted by rachel lapierre
  • Jan 30, 2012
  • Comments (-4)
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Gratitude Overflowing :)

So guess who experienced kindness? :) Me! A little while ago I got a taxi and was in a chatty mood and picked up a slight Italian accent in the taxi driver who's name I've forgotten (oops!). We had such a lovely chat, he was surprised that I picked up on his Italian accent etc, but Mandymoo grew up with Italians and can speak the tiniest amount of Italian. Anyway today, it's raining cats and dogs and I had bags to carry to the taxi and the dear man came to the house, remembered my name and helped carry my bags. It was so lovely and unexpected and truly appreciated! :))))))

859 Reads

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 >>

7647 Reads

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 >>

5498 Reads

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 >>

15.2K Reads

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 >>

2382 Reads
  • Posted by GypsyLover
  • Jan 25, 2012
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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 >>

13.6K Reads

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 >>

4874 Reads

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. 

 
It brings out a smile every time! :) 

 

2259 Reads

Nice Is My Middle Name

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

 
We were chatting away and we passed a handicapped customer. She had one of those walking frames with a built in seat and she had stopped for a rest. Just then she started to pull herself from a sitting position into a standing position. As she was doing this the walker rolled a little. 
 
I stopped walking with my boss and held on to her walker until she was stable. She said, "You didn't have to do that - but thanks!"  
 
My boss was watching and said, "Aurelia, you are always so nice!" I smiled and said, "Yeah, that's my middle name!" 
 
I would hope that people would be there for me if I ever needed help or a smile. Kindness Ripples have to begin somewhere, so why not with me?

 

1797 Reads

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.

 
Was I angry? No, just sad for my boss who is a muti-millionaire but very poor in his heart.
 
So, I decided to pay forward the unkindness with kindness.
 
I decided to look for a new job and put some ads on the post office notice board. Then I bought six lovely flowers and planted them in some flower pots of my neighbours which had been sitting empty for over a year. I baked cup cakes for a friend. I wrote a letter to another friend.
 
Now I am having my coffee at home feeling an immense joy inside that no one can take away from me.

 

 

2402 Reads

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.

1938 Reads

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 >>

5836 Reads

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 >>

2163 Reads




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