Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Returning a Lost Phone Found in Taxi

On Tuesday evening I boarded a taxi and sat in the extreme corner. Arriving at the destination, I was the last to get out of the taxi and I realised someone had left their phone on the seat next to me.

I picked it up and waited for the owner to call, which he did later on. I told him I had gone with the phone to my home but would deliver it to him the following day.

So on my way to work the following day I delivered the phone to him. He was so delighted, wanted to give me a reward, but I refused and told him it was okay. He was so excited. I thank God I was able to deliver his phone at no cost.

Remembering an Anonymous Friend, 15 Years Later

I had just graduated college and couldnt find a job in Los Angeles. I ended up moving to Las Vegas but left my wife and two kids behind. I missed them all week, and I went home on most weekends to see them. Most of the time I rented a car because it was hard to get my beat up car over the pass to get to and from Vegas. Well, one time I decided to save money, and I took my car. It made it to California, but Sunday on the way back to Vegas it conked out in the broiling Nevada nigh. Not having any idea what I would do, this middle-aged angel drove up. He gave me some water, put in some coolant, and fiddled with the engine a bit. He got it started. I gave him the $12 I had in my wallet and he said he would ... Read Full Story >>

If Not

If not for my PhD, how will I know my mother's struggle to having me in her life ... 

If not for the loss of my brother, how will I appreciate siblings and friends; generosity despite difficult moments/ flaws/ misunderstandings ...

If not for my mother's failing health every second day during my growing years, how will I appreciate food, be it bland or spicy, too less or too much ... 

If not for a few arrogant people who thought they could toss me to their needs, how will I appreciate the power of a good/modest heart more than doing PhD ?

If not for countless people too rude to respond, communicate and commit, how will I appreciate a friend who helps me with luggage, a colleague who offers me a seat in the office, a cat's loving strokes ?

If not for my own negligence with food, how will I appreciate hunger, poverty and suffering of countless souls around the planet ?

If not for this beautiful life, how will I learn all these I have come to value ? 

If not for you guys, how will I appreciate this mini world of kindness ... helpothers :D

Helping a Person in Need

A homeless person was begging in a shopping mall for money and food. He asked me as well, and at first I declined.  

Then, he asked me if I was going to the grocery store located below, and that gave me a thought.  I went back to find him, and when I finally did, I offered to buy him food from the grocery store.  

I went shopping with this guy. He said to me that hadn't eaten for 2 days.  He also mentioned that he might get an appartement from an organization in my country that provides help and guidance to those in need.  

I said to him that he could buy for 5 euro and he did. He bought a loaf of bread, some yoghurt, cheese to put on the bread and some chocolate.

Even though the chocolate made the total a little over 5 euro, I couldn't lelt him put it back and told him to take what he wanted. 

He was so glad I did this for him and was so thankfull! 

Greetings,

Cirrus

'Seeing' an Opportunity for Sharing

I was sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office. I was waiting for my husband to be through with his appointment. 

As I sat there reading a magazine, a couple sat down next to me. The lady was fumbling through her pocketbook and I heard her say, "How am a I going to fill out all this paperwork for the doctor without my glasses to see?" Her husband couldn't read without his glasses either. 

I was enjoying the article I was reading with my glasses on to see. I thought about offering her my glasses and was afraid she'd think that was weird. But when I saw how upset she was and struggling to read the paperwork, I asked if she'd like to borrow mine. The smile that came across her face was priceless.

She took my glasses, thanked me and filled out the paperwork just in time to give them back to me when my husband was ready to leave. 

~Smiles are Contagious :0) ~Aurelia

Incense and Generosity Bridge Faith Divide

In India, it is very common to see children and adults begging.  Standing at high density intersections, they can collect a good amount of money each day, while also enduring verbal and at times physical abuse.  It would be easy to say that they should be given work, but often they can earn more through begging than working. Without a doubt, there are those in genuine need who are begging, but there are many more who beg for a living.  As I made my way towards the rickshaw I had spotted, I slowed my pace as there was a man near the driver.  Moving closer, I saw that he wasn't a passenger disembarking, but someone selling incense.   Perhaps seeing me approaching, the driver put away his newly purchased incense and sent the man on his way.  While the scene on the surface was nothing extraordinary, there was something out of ... Read Full Story >>

Cold Day And Hot Chocolate

On a cold winter day we got a small group of students to come together and make one hundred hot chocolates. It was for no reason other than simply to brighten people's day! 

Angels Of The Rest Area

  Years ago, when my daughter was an infant, I was traveling alone cross-country to join my husband.    I had a small sports car crammed full of household items, clothing, and one baby car-seat.    After driving for many miles, in an attempt to drive straight through, I was tired and needed to stop for a bathroom break.   The rest area was mostly deserted, on an isolated stretch of Interstate highway. I parked the car and carried my infant daughter, in her car-seat, into the restroom. Coming out again I saw a middle-aged couple hanging around. It turned out they were waiting for us!    The lady said, "We wanted to wait for you to come out and see you safely back into your car. Sometimes rest areas can be an unsafe place for a young lady.  We have a daughter almost your age and we wanted to make sure you got safely back on your way".   I ... Read Full Story >>

Battery Free Chickens

Hurrah! Yuppie! This Is the Day to Keep Rocking!

I printed 8 wonderful inspiring quotes sent by my friend and gave them to two friends who are going through tough times.  They felt so happy :), and my inner voice said, "Keep rocking :)." We went to a hotel, but one of our companions didn't get any food.  Later we went to a canteen, but our companion told us that he would not eat. I ordered Maggi noodles for myself, and then a thought came, and I asked our companion to eat a little.  We each ended up eating half. I knew that his stomach was still fairly empty, so I ordered one more, this time for him, but I told him it was for me.  He said ok. Then I said, "Eat a little; my stomach is full."  Actually it was not full :), but I pretended, and he ate. Another friend of mine was in trouble, so we went ... Read Full Story >>

Yes! Helped with a Mood of Satisfaction! Yes!

Last night around 9 PM a friend came to ask for help related to his project.  I helped him for more than hour, and the great thing is that I helped him with a personal mood of satisfaction, rather than viewing the help I gave as burden.

Yesterday was a ROCKING day! I created smiles at different places at different times. Yes! Good things are happening! Wow! Keep Rocking :).

Taking Grandmother To The Temple

  As you probably know Nepal a small country full of diverse religions and populations.    As the daughter of a Hindu family there are many aspects of my religion that I have to bear in mind. But, even while keeping such strictures in mind, I want to be ale to live a life of kindness to others.    When I was sixteen my friends and I were going to watch a movie. We sat waiting for the bus but it was very late. While we were waiting another bus came by and a old lady of about seventy got off. She had bags full of her possessions in one hand and a walking stick in the other.    After a few minutes I noticed that she seemed to be looking for something. She approached a shopkeeper for help - but it wasn't forthcoming. So, I went over and asked, "What's the matter grandmother?"   She told me she ... Read Full Story >>

Rescuing Two Children from Abandonment

I recently rescued my two stepdaughters from their mother's house. She abandoned them for 3 days, and we found out she was in Colorado. The apartment they were staying in was completely flea-infested, and there wasn't any food. The girls, ages 11 and 14, had been staying with their papaw since there mother had left. After a 30-minute pack job to take just their clothes, we left without looking back. Since then, their mother has only called once, and that was to see if she was still getting child support.

I got everything washed and re-did their bedroom here. My husband and I don't know what we are going to do financially, but we pray for a miracle ever day. The girls are so happy now, and they get to be with their little brother. We may be strapped financially every day, but the children love just being loved.

Smile Deck Art

I have been a fan of the HelpOthers website for several years, and I love reading the amazing stories every week. I recently ordered a Smile Deck and was delighted when it arrived in the mail shortly thereafter.

I am a massage therapist and run my business from home, so I thought I would share the deck of cards with all my clients. I went to a custom frame shop and had the cards presented beautifully for all to enjoy:

Now when clients come into the room, they are greeted with an inspiring piece of art. I also have a stash of Smile Cards that I hand out to each client so s/he can keep the kindness circle going!

Thank you for the Smile Cards and for the Smile Deck. They continue to motivate and encourage me every day!!

Placemats for Seniors Who Made Our Existence Possible

We make crafts with the children of the community at our local outreach center every week. Once a month, we make crafts for others, and I have a comment box so the children can give their own ideas. The children LOVE making crafts for others, they have shared lots of reasons for doing so, and we often go over the reasons we are giving to others.

One of the young children wanted to make placemats for seniors.  We have done this before, but this little girl was not previously in attendance :). We created placemats, and I asked her why she wanted to make them for seniors.

She responded by saying something that I will never forget. From a 6 year-old's mouth: "We are everything because of those that lived here before us." Amazing! We then went to our local seniors' home, and the kids set the tables, including the placemats that they made. They also sang to the seniors during the seniors' lunch. We had many smiles...seniors and children alike! It was wonderful!!

I hope that others do this also...it was very enjoyable for all involved!

It's in the (Reusable) Bag

I was at the grocery store today and noticed that its reusable grocery bags were on sale.  I always hate to see people using plastic bags for many reasons, mainly because we live near the ocean, I often see plastic bags being blown around, and many end up being eaten by whales, dolphins, and other animals that think the bags are food.  I bought 4 of the reusable bags and asked the cashier to give them to the next 4 people who didn't have a reusable bag.  The cashier thought it was a great idea and added a few more bags :-).

Dining with Mr. Yepp, a Smiling Face in the Cafeteria

I was a freshman in college when I met Mr. Yepp. He was friendly and smiled a lot. He was almost always standing by the cashier that checked us into the university cafeteria, and I would run into Mr. Yepp during three of my daily meals. However, as the years past, I became annoyed by him. He would stand there and shake every person’s hand that came through the cafeteria. This was a problem for me because I did not want to offend him by refusing his handshake; however, I did not want to shake hands with him before coming into the cafeteria to eat because he was shaking every single person’s hand, and I had sanitary concerns. When we had the swine flu outbreak at the university, I started to avoid him by going through the back door. I am out of college now, work full-time, and Mr. Yepp is still ... Read Full Story >>

A Two Dollar Tip That Was Worth Much More

A Smile Card Wins The Lottery

  While I was in hospital for back surgery recently I was looked after by a nurse called Deitrich. She worked the night shifts and took very good care of me.   One night things were quiet and when Deitrich came in to take my blood pressure we started to talk about our family situations. Then she asked what I enjoyed doing most. I replied that I liked helping people and doing charity work. Deitrich  said she thought she would enjoy doing that kind of thing too, perhaps with her church.   The day I was discharged we hugged and she gave me a kiss on the cheek. In return I gave her a Smile card and ten dollars. She didnt want the money but I told her to read the card  and assured her the money was from my heart. "Now you have the power to do something for yourself or make adifference for ... Read Full Story >>

I Could Not Feel More Blessed