Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Messenger Of Encouragement

A Sweet, Loving Nephew

I have a seven year old nephew who is one of the most loving, kind, thoughtful, caring, and sharing little boys, to be so young.  He wanted to be pen pals with one of my sisters and me and correspond back and forth with us.  We've been doing this for a couple months now, and I just got a letter from him the other day, which brought tears to my eyes.  He told me that I'm his pal and he loves me so much, he can hardly breathe!  I was so taken aback by his comment because I was just so astounded that such a young boy would even think of something like that.  It surely did make my day, and I made sure that I answered his letter right away.  Receiving his sweet letters always brings a smile to my face and makes me miss him so much, since we live about 500 miles from each other.  I just love this "Li'l Man"!!!

Saving Someone a Few Steps

After parking my car at the supermarket or discount store, I look around to see if anyone, especially an elderly person or mother with small children, has almost finished emptying their shopping cart. 

Then I ask them if they would like for me to take their cart into the store with me so that they won't have to walk it to the cart-return area. 

Guess what?  I have never been turned down, and have always been thanked for doing so. 

Trusting in the Force of Kindness

I printed flyers that said “May you have a wonderful day!  This is a random act of kindness.”  They had hearts on them and a nice pattern (very feel-good).  I put them under the wipers on some cars. When the deed was done, I started wondering if people would toss them on the ground and then I would be contributing to littering.  Or, I thought they might throw them away and not recycle them.  Because my intentions are pure (or that is what I strive for), it bothers me more that the repercussions of my deeds might not be completely without adverse results.  I think I need to meditate a bit more and just chillax, as the kids say.  I need to trust in the force of kindness. “Drop-and-runs” are anonymous by nature.  But, I like to think about how people react when they receive the kindness.  I imagine today, people will notice ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift of Service for My School Newspaper

Everytime I give, I seem to forget about my own problems, and happen to find happiness in giving too. While I was at school, I was contemplating on what I was going to give as part of my daily giving challenge, seeing that I didn't have anything planned. I was roaming through the hallway when I was done for the day, but I don't leave until my yellow bus comes, so until then, I stay in school, either staying in the library or volunteering. I happened to stroll into the cafeteria when I saw one of the deans in the Student Organization ("SO") Office behind the cafeteria, who happens to be a nice friend of mine outside of teaching ;)  Students come to the SO to work on school activities, like arranging the prom, photography, yearbook, etc -- all that fun stuff!  She knew that I  was free for the rest of ... Read Full Story >>

Good Luck Stones

On New year's day in China, I went to town to book my daughter's birthday party and stopped at the council (they have a lovely coffee shop) for a coffee.

The view was lovely and the weather was just perfect a cold winter day but with a lovely blue sky and the sun shining that was warm and almost a promise of Spring.

On my way out I left 2 stones with the words "good luck" written on them and some smile cards for people to find. I hope they will put a smile on the face of the person who finds them.

Sharing Coupons During the Holiday Season

My husband and I often buy Christmas gifts for the residents at a children's home.

One day, we were at the mall buying gifts for the children. We were having problems with the size listed for one older boy.

My husband asked another customer about the size required. The lady said her son wore the same size. She directed us to the appropriate rack of clothes.

Then, she asked, "Do you have a coupon?" We replied, "No."  She gave us a 20% off coupon. What a nice gesture!

Later, in another store, I also offered an extra coupon for another shopper.

I was spreading this "instant kindness" idea around to others.  

Remembering Richard

I hadn't really given much thought to the fact that I was going to see him.  After all, my agenda that day had been to take our social worker to see him and introduce her to staff since we had not had a patient there in a while.  I planned my trip more around introducing her to other professionals in the community and less about the visit. The building is a rather old nursing facility on an Indian Reservation in Northwest Montana.  Nothing has really been updated there for some time.  I can clearly remember everything about that place; the resident cat in the hallway; vivid images of staff in my mind; silent as they passed us in the hall; the smells of food from the kitchen mixed with the scent of urine and Pine Sol filled the air.  I've been there many times, but that day was different.   The wide ... Read Full Story >>

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 >>