Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Kindness On A Budget

It never ceases to amaze me how generous people who post on this site are.  From those who are fortunate enough to be able to use some of their money to help others, people making things for others, or just giving up a moment of their time to someone in need.   But what I would like to do here is offer some ideas on how to bring kindness into other people’s lives without needing to spend money.  So here I offer some ideas for acts of kindness that only need you, your hands, your knowledge or your ears. 1.  Help strangers find their way This is one I try to do every day if I can.  Here in London we have some useful information panels scattered around with maps of the local area on them.  If ever I see someone looking at the panel, or just looking at a map anywhere near where ... Read Full Story >>

A Tail Waggin Way Of A Blessing

Last week, I was out getting the mail and noticed a dog crossing the street that looked oddly familiar. I went near the dog to see if it had a tag or if I recognized it to see if I could find the owner. When I got close to the dog, I realized that it was the same dog that my neighbors had lost 4 years ago. A few months ago, these neighbors moved out of my neighborhood, but that was not going to stop me finding them! I remebered they moved to Minnesota. I spent the rest of the day searching all of the people with their last name in the Minnesota area.  Finally when I was starting to give up hope, I called the last number.  I couldn't' believe it, it was them!   I told them of how I found their dog that went missing 4 years ago.  They thought it ... Read Full Story >>

Flowers and Wheel Chairs

I am the Director of a little non profit Youth Centre and we do at least one act of kindness a month with the youth who attend. Just this month the youth handed out flowers to random community members. There was great energy among the kids that day, after we exchange stories on how we felt about the act of kindness we did. A 14 year old male stood up and said "Id like to say something." I was a bit surprised as he is a shy and quite boy but I said go ahead. "Today I gave a lady who was in a wheel chair a flower. She was putting her two kids in the back seat of her car. When I went up to her and said, hello, she was suprised when I handed her a flower. I quickly said Happy Valentines day and started to walk away. She ... Read Full Story >>

Helping A Stranger In Need

During the holidays my sisters and I were walking through town when we noticed that a lady was struggling so much to try and carry her groceries..far too much to try and carry them by herself. People were passing on by without taking a second look. All at once together my sisters and I all said to ourselves "lets go help out this lady" without giving it a second thought. We carried all her groceries to her car which was parked about 5 minutes walk down the road.

She was so happy and as she thanked us, you could see the happiness across her face.  It didn't cost anything nor did it take anything out of our day..only those few minutes but let me tell you...it was the best time during the entire day...helping a stranger in need :)

Smiles all round :)

The Power of a Simple Compliment

Yesterday I went to our local grocery store. I often go to their deli counter, and I understand that it can get a little hectic for the workers.  So normally none of them ever take the time to smile or seem overly friendly.  But yesterday it was completely different.  I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with a very welcoming smile by the young man behind the counter.  He never sighed heavily or slumped back and forth (like some of the workers do) like he didn't want to be there.  He was all by himself and quite a long line.  But not once did he act concerned about it.  He just did his job efficiently and acted very kind the entire time. I was so impressed that I approached the manager, who was working nearby.  I explained to her that I often visit the deli counter and I have never been ... Read Full Story >>

A Guide Dog for the Blind

Many years ago I lived in a western country. My very first job saw me employed in the city and I was thrilled to commute to the office by public transport! I had never been employed before and my chances of travelling on a bus by myself had always been very remote.  So, I was very happy with my new lifestyle! I left home each morning in time to catch the 8.05 bus from the main road. One Autumn morning I could see the bus approaching. I could also see an elderly lady walking with an adorable dog beside her. There were some youngsters behind her. The bus arrived and we got on. Unlike in eastern countries only eight passengers were permitted to travel standing. I was inside the bus when the conducter called, "Only eight standing passengers! Could the last one to get on please get off?" I saw those youngsters ... Read Full Story >>

What Kindness Means to Me

Kindness to me is being in a mode of here/now ... despite differences ...

Kindness to me is sharing my feelings, ideas, thoughts to the other and being open to trusting my loved ones' feedbacks ... If I disagree, I feel, the great way seem to agree to disagree non-violently.

Kindness to me is respecting the time/efforts given by the other and show genuine gratitude.

Kindness to me is the sudden spontaneity at times filled with positive words and appreciation for what the other does, despite my own current troubles and shortcomings.

Kindness to me is treating friendship positively at challenging times, for being who the person is and not despite being who the person is.

Kindness to me is helping a person without losing one's true self to negativity. If yes, then not too long.

Kindness to me is being honest, firm and gentle when challenged.

God bless.

A Card For A Stranger

The mother of a friend of mine was in the hospital undergoing treatment for a serious illness.  Initally, we didn't know just how serious it would be, but we soon learned that she would be hospitalized for at least 3 months before getting to go home... assuming she survived the illness and treatments.  I posted her mother's hospital room's mailing address above my desk and made sure to drop her a card or uplifting note every few days.  Sadly, her mother did not survive the treatments and passed away during her stay at the hospital.  I just couldn't bring myself to throw out her room's address.  Each time it caught my eye I would say a quick prayer for strength for those who were mourning her death.  I never even met this dear lady... but it didn't matter... she was loved by someone that I loved... and that was enough.  Her address ... Read Full Story >>

A Kind Word

I have found that spreading kindness isn't always about what you do for someone else but can also be what you say.  I was standing in line at the gas station waiting to pay the cashier.  There were 4 other people ahead of me and none had a smile on their face and all looked to be in a hurry.  After the winter we've had, we were having a beautiful, nice day.  I spoke up and said "I don't know which one of you ordered this fantastic day for us but I want to say I really appreciate it and thank you."   There were smiles all around and everyone started talking to each other.  As each person left, they would turn around and tell everyone to have a wonderful day and they all had smiles on their faces when they left.  I like to think that what I said made a difference in the day each of them had.  I know it did in mine.   

The Smile Project

In celebration of Random Acts of Kindness week, I started a project with my preschool class.  I made a smiley face recognition certificate called it a Smile O Gram.  I made copies of it for each of my 17 preschoolers.  I decorated regular business size envelopes with smiley face stickers and wrote on the front : A Smile especially for You!  The parents were to talk with their preschooler about who they wanted to send a Smile Gram to.   I talked with our local flower shop about the possibility of getting smiley face latex balloons.  Unfortunately the flu bug has hit our community and a lot of children have been gone from school so as of today we've only gotten 9 of them delivered.  We still plan on sending out another 10. Inside the envelope, in addition to the SMILE Gram was a smile card and a paper that said "Tag, You're ... Read Full Story >>

Pocket Money in Tanzania

I was doing a year of voluntary service in a residential home for people with learning disabilities. It was set in an English village, deep in the countryside, quite different from my home in Sweden. One of my fellow volunteers, a girl from from Tanzania, seemed a bit desperate, so I asked what the problem was. She told me she had a friend back home who was really struggling with her university studies. It was beginning to look like finacial difficulties would make it impossible for her to complete her course.   So this friend of mine had done something incredible: she had sent all her pocket money for the month to Tanzania to support her friend! This meant that she didn't have much food to eat, no money to go anywhere outside the village, no money to buy any clothes, and so on.    We lived in our workplace so not being able to ... Read Full Story >>

Postcards From Half Way Around The World

  A new Facebook friend referred to the time before his family went through an emotional earthquake. I asked what he meant and it turned out his son had left home and, almost straight away, ended up in jail!   Well, I know what that's like. So, I asked if I could send his son something. He said a postcard would be good.   Now I live in Scotland and this young man is incarcerated in California. So, I thought if I sent him some postcards with Scottish scenes on them they might brighten his cell wall.   One of them was a montage of Scottish castles. On the back I wrote that his dad loved him very much and was looking forward to better days ahead.   The other was a picture of the sun setting behind an island. Now you can see that island from the town where I bought the postcards. So, I paid a visit ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness in a Moment of Need

  One evening, as I was about to go to sleep, my brother phoned to tell me they had taken my father to the hospital! He had been vomitting and had recently lost a lot of weight.   (We had recently discovered he was diabetic which was why he had been losing weight.)   He asked me if I could send them money for Dad's medicine. I told him maybe I could send some in the morning.    During that long night I wasn't able to sleep. I kept on wondering what I could do since it was still a long time until payday and I didn't have money to send. I just cried through the night, then I bowed my head and prayed, "Lord, I know you have a better plan for us. Without You Lord I am nothing and through You nothing is impossble. Amen!"   The next morning I went in to work early. I bumped ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Through the Generations

Many years ago when I was employed, I joined my mother in donating some money to build small houses for six poor families. After their houses were completed, with gratitude in their hearts, we were invited for their house warming ceremonies.  They had lovely homes to live in.  We felt very light and satisfied after seeing them with roofs over their heads.  Several years passed by, my parents had passed away and I lhad eft my work to lead a retired life. Some time later, I took a meditation retreat trip to Thailand. In these meditation centers, the foreign mediators are given accommodation in seperate areas, where either two women or two men share a single room with a common bath and toilet or a single room with an attached bath and toilet. The local meditators stay in large halls. The time of the year was such that the meditation center was completely full. Therefore, ... Read Full Story >>

Practicing a Little Patience

I work at night in a department store. Yesterday I had a customer come to my register to order socks from our catalog. It seemed pretty clear and easy to me, but she was struggling to figure out how many 3packs she needed to order. She apologized for being so confused and told me she had a head trauma and it was taking time for her to think.

I told her not to worry and we would figure it out together. She pulled out paper and wrote down 3 and then put numbers in groups....it was really something how she worked hard to figure out 3 x 4 = 12.  That she needed 12 pairs, which was 4 packs...which I could have just told her, but I could see she needed to figure it out and feel good about it.  

In  the meantime, her husband showed up and she lost her train of thought. It took about 10 minutes to place her order, but she left feeling really good about herself and her husband thanked me profusely.

Sometimes it's hard to show patience, but it really pays off.

Spending My Week Helping Others!

I have just got back from a two week university holiday break. Throughout the holidays I had an enjoyable time helping some family friends with their garden and house: weeding, mulching, stacking wood, washing all the windows, vacuuming and cleaning. It was hard work but very enjoyable and so rewarding! Then a friend asked me if I would like a very pretty Tahitian outfit. I did like it but I thought it might be more useful if I paid-it-forward. So I gave it to a university Tahitian club who wear these outfits when performing.  When I got back to univeristy on Sunday after the holiday break, as usual, I felt in a creative mood. So I organized a fun treasure hunt through my flat. It brought lots of smiles to lots of faces.   Tomorrow I’m volunteering to help the staff at the university Tahitian stall. This is part of an event held to connect different cultures ... Read Full Story >>

Weekly Groceries With An Extra Portion of Kindness

I did my monthly shopping today.  I went in to a cool room to buy my meat where they sometimes have specials on.  I picked up as much as I thought I could afford.  We have been going through tough times lately and I had saved up $60 for meat.   When the checkout lady rang it all up, the total came to $71.85.

I begun to explain that I would need to put some of the meat back.  She stopped me from reaching into the pile and told me not to worry about the extra amount.  I had taken out the dog bones but she put them back in to some carry bags and just wished me a good day...WOW!

I was so happy and moved by this gesture.  I thanked her before I left. I wish I had had a smile card to give to her.  As soon as I get some more, I will definitely head over and hand her one or two cards with a big thank you smile on my face.  The extra meat will definitely be welcomed. 

Running To The Record Shop

Many years ago I was on vacation in Tilehurst, a beautiful little village in Reading, in the U.K.  I was with my sister and her family and it was my first trip to the West. Having been born and brought up in the East I had to  get used to the English accent which sounded quite diferent to 'our' way of speaking.   I enjoyed walking in and around Tilehurst. It was a typical English village; elderly ladies walking out with lovely hats, their husband with their walking sticks, reminding me of the English films we had watched as kids back home.   In Tilehurst the main mode of public transport was a single little "Shuttle" bus which ran from Tilehurst to Reading. There was no need for more as every family owned either one or two vehicles. Being October the Autumn weather was lovely and comortable which encouraged me to go out. I would ... Read Full Story >>

Sweet Love

I normally get 4 of my grandaughters on Saturdays and they spend the night to go to church with me. The plan was for them to finish their Valentine's Day cards up for the special ones in church. Of course, everyone is special, but they can only make so many. We were to make and bake some heart shaped cookies and spread the love but due to circumstances the girls arrived late. I had already decided to go ahead and bake the cookies. They came into a home filed with the smell of homemade cookies which was a plus. Next morning I gave each girl a wrapped plate of cookies to take into their Sunday School room and share with others. There were some left-overs because there were so many. After church service I allowed them to share the remaining cookies with whomever would like one. The girls smiled as they asked the church family if they would like one. They recieved so many compliments and smiles and hugs! It was so awesome to watch them. Alot of love was passed around in that small gesture....Happy Valentine's Day everybody !!! 

Catching the Bus

The other day, I was picking my daughter up from school. As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw a man in a hoody talking with my daughter's schoolmate.  

I could see she was uneasy so I rolled my window and called out to the man asking "May I help you?"  He headed my way and I motioned for Rachel to get into her car.

The man came to my window and I could see the distress in his face.  He said he wanted to take a bus to a town about 45 minutes away. He only had $4 to his name and there was a half way house that he wanted to get to before it got dark. The bus trip ticket was $12.

I could see a certain kindness in his and wanted to help.  I looked in my wallet and all I had was a $20. I gave it to him and he said God Bless and started running toward to bus station.

I hope he used it to get the ticket, I will never know. But it felt good knowing i was trying to help him out.