Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Unexpected Help at the Grocery Store

  My son is away at college, in his first year.    He called me one night to tell me, "Mom, I met the nicest lady ever!"     He had taken the bus from his dormitory to the grocery store. While he was shopping the light rain outside turned into a major storm; heavy rain, strong winds and very cold! As soon as he stepped outside the wind destroyed his umbrella and he was immediately drenched. Not knowing how he'd get his groceries onto the bus and back to the dormitory in such awful weather he stood in the shelter of the store entrance.    Just then a lady stopped her car, rolled down the window, and asked if he needed a ride. Remembering what I had taught him about taking rides from strangers he said, "No, thanks." But she insisted so he looked her over carefully and decided she looked like a safe "mom-type." He ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness: A Way of Living (Video)

Two volunteer interns at HelpOthers, who are only high-school students, recently directed and starred in their own video about how to make kindness a part of our daily lives.  They undertook "step-it-up" acts of kindness as part of their weekly "homework" throughout the summer internship :) and have produced this video to share their inspiration with others!

Check out their inspiring video and leave a comment here to encourage them, and other young people like them, to create more ripples of kindness in the world! :)

Helping a Little Girl on the Street

Her facial deformities make her look scary. She is around eight or nine years old and she begs for living.   The first time I saw her I got a fright and almost squealed. A few times after than I handed over some coins. Later, I felt annoyed with her and her parents for scaring others to get money. Eventually I thought of giving some more money or talking to her but I was worried she might become a nuisance, so I didn't. I told myself she probably wouldn't understand my language, but that was just an excuse and I felt bad about it.   Today, when I saw her sitting on the footpath counting coins, I thought she would come to my car and beg but she didn’t. I started walking home from my car but then thought maybe I could do some good here if I could overcome my inhibitions, discomfort ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Step With A Big Lesson

The shop was set a little back from it's neighbours. The little old lady who was leaving it leaned on a walking stick and used her other hand to support herself as she shuffled slowly along the plate-glass window and then along the wall of the neighbouring shop. All of this to cross a step most of us would have covered in two strides.   My fifteen year old daughter Amy and I had been swimming in a nearby leisure centre and just happened to be passing. I stepped forward offering a few friendly words and a supporting hand.   She had a motability scooter (a little electric wheelchair) on the pavement - but first she had to get down that step!   I supported her as she came to the edge. She swung one foot forward, then hesitated. She shifted her weight, leaning on my arm and said, "I better put my bad leg down first."   Eventually, ... Read Full Story >>

Showing Compassion by Just Listening

There is this girl in my math class that has a lot of problems in her life. The economy has torn her family apart and her parents are having trouble coming up with money. People at school make fun of her. I decided that it would be the right thing to go up to her and talk to her and make her feel like someone does care. She told me all about her problems and she said she felt much better after telling me. I felt really good that I reassured her that there are still people in this beautiful world that are kind.

Remembering Kindness 41 Years Later

I was twenty-four years old and three months pregnant when my husband died.   I was a widow and an expectant mother in the same day. We had bought a new home and I had filled our two bedroom apartment with nursery items in anticipation of moving in. Now the house would be taken away. I knew I would have to go back to my parents' home, at least until I delivered the baby. And the shock of my husband's sudden death had made losing the baby a very real possibility. I moved back into my old bedroom.  My twin bed, a crib and a dresser was all that could fit in the 8 x 10 foot bedroom. The rest of our furniture had to go into storage. I was able to pay for three months worth of storage and then I would have to sell all the new furniture we had bought for ... Read Full Story >>

"Human Beings Are Not Islands"

In my country we have a form of transportation called “border border” where you ride on the back of a bicycle. It was one of the most common forms of transportation when I was a kid.    One afternoon I was ill and had to leave school early. As I was walking home I saw a man on a bicycle with a baby as the passenger. He had been asked to take her to a specific destination but was having trouble because the baby could not hold on for itself. He was pushing the bike and walking besides it with one hand holding onto the baby.    Then he saw me and asked me where I was going. I told him and it turned out we were going in the same direction. He asked if I would ride on the back of the bike and hold the baby for him. I gladly obliged and ... Read Full Story >>

Paying it forward every week!

My latest week of paying it forward -  Monday I paid for the coffee of the person behind me on my way to work. Tuesday I was driving to work and accidently cut somebody off. When we came to the stop light I rolled down my window and apologized to the driver. Wednesday I was driving out of the parking lot and a young woman, who was obviously not paying attention, backed into my car. It turns out she had no insurance and was really worried about the big ticket and the damages to my car. I assessed the damage to car and decided I could fix it myself without getting the police involved. She was a college student and, since I just graduated from college only four months ago, I do understand that money is very hard to come by. I told her to be more careful next time and left. Thursday I invited my new neighbor ... Read Full Story >>

Everyone's Using Smile Cards

My sister and her family were visiting from Mexico last week.  Naturally, I took the chance to introduce them to as many beautiful things as I could - including Smile Cards!  When we were about to cross the toll both at San Francisco's Bay Bridge I thought it might be the best time to explain the pay-it-forward idea. So I pulled up to the toll booth, paid our $6 fare, and said, "This is another $6 for the car behind us. Can you give 'em this Smile Card to pay forward?"  Anyone who has done this knows that it gives you a joyous high.   All of a sudden the car driver who is visible in your rear view mirror becomes a part of you in some unexplicable way. But today, the experience went even further!  The toll booth attendant said, "You know, everybody seems to using these cards. We get them a lot ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift Of A Friendly Chat

The Power Of A Good Example

This is the story of someone else's good example. A retired gentleman who lives a few doors away from me can occasionally be seen with a bag and a "picker-upper." (You know. One of those long-handled gadgets for picking up litter.)  He goes out by himself and plucks plastic bottles from the long grass, retrieves plastic bags from the bushes and disposes of pieces of wind-borne paper. He does it all cheerfully and never complains. I mentioned the children in the nearby school who are probably responsible for some of that litter and he was nothing but charitable. "There will come a time when they know better," he said. "It's just not yet. So, I'll do it for them." Well ... this morning I was out walking my neighbour's dog when I saw another neighbour, a much younger man, out doing the same thing! He had his two young sons with him and they were ... Read Full Story >>

Paying Forward With a Pocket of Coins

Today, during the busy lunch rush, an elderly gentleman came up to the counter with his items. As I rang them up he pulled out his wallet and I could hear what sounded like a ton of change jingling around. When I told him the total he nodded and started to count out the bills needed. I noticed that his hands shook forcefully when he did this. When I saw him having trouble trying to get his change out I told him not to worry, that I could cover it. Even though he clearly had the change I used my own to spare him the difficulty. He was so moved by this that when I handed him the receipt he had managed to get a handful of coins and asked me to take what I had given him.  When I said that I was just going to give it to the ... Read Full Story >>

Kind Hearts Are Color Blind

Waiting for Parking; Learning a Lesson

I have been ill and in a lot of pain for quite some time.  So my trips away from home have been few and far between, mostly to the doctor's office.  Two weeks ago I decided to go to the local market for some fresh produce.  As I backed out of my driveway, I asked aloud in the car, "Please help me to show kindness to others today."  It was heartfelt and I was eagerly looking for ways I could be kind, for example by letting people into my lane.   I drove to the market, and as I drove up, I saw an elderly man get his wife settled into their car, and then go around the car to the driver's side.  They were in a handicapped parking spot, and as I have a handicapped plate, I waited for that close spot.  It would mean all the difference in being ... Read Full Story >>

Selling Books To Help Students

  I have a student who is a single mom working hard to keep up with her college classes, raise her three-year-old and work to pay her bills. She is a lovely young woman and very sincere about her desire to pursue a career in nursing.    I try to help her any way I can from tutoring sessions, to study advice, etc.    The other day I received an Amazon gift card certificate via email just for filling out a survey! I immediately thought of giving this to her to use for books for herself or her son. Without thinking about it I just forwarded the gift card to her and told her to use it for something she needs.    I was so happy to be able to be in a position to do this!    She wrote a very sweet note thanking me but I just felt so glad I could do something (even something so ... Read Full Story >>

Changing a Tire and Teaching a Son

Last week as I pulled into the parking lot with my son for his baseball game, I saw a woman trying to change her flat tire. I told my son I would get him over to his practice field and then I was going back to help the woman change her tire. When I got back to the parking lot, nobody had stopped to help her. I went over and offered. She tried to be nice and said that she was fine, but I could see otherwise so I insisted. Besides, my mother as she watches me from above would have cut a deal to send a pigeon to deliver a “special present” for me if her son had walked by and done nothing.  Another woman parked nearby and said she had some wipes in the car, as I was getting dirty from the tire. She waited for us to finish ... Read Full Story >>

Fruit for the Pregnant Woman Pt. 2

The pregnant woman I wrote about in my previous story has now become a friend of mine.  Many of you wanted updates on both her and the baby, so this one is for you guys. As promised, I still have fruit for her every time she goes on her walk. Yesterday she did not come by, so I was worried. I went to her office to take her the fruit, but she was not there. This morning, she came by looking very tired. She said that she had a doctor’s appointment yesterday, which was why she was not at work. As the time for delivery is nearing, it is getting harder and harder for her to sleep at night, so she is tired.   I gave her a banana this morning, and, as always, she seemed to be surprised that it has been almost three months and she still receives fruit from me. ... Read Full Story >>

Service With Style

From time to time Julie and I meet in a supermarket cafe on a weekday evening. Because we usually arrive some time in the last hour before the cafe closes the service is usually less than good, with the staff more concerned about tidying up so they can get away quickly. Yesterday evening, there was one young guy behind the counter. Even though he must have had lots to do he took the time to talk and made sure we had everything we wanted. The meal, when he brought it over, was really nice. So, we decided to leave him a tip. I left the cash amongst the plates and, on the way out told him how much we had enjoyed the meal. He seemed genuinely pleased. But a couple of seconds later he rushed after me with the cash. It told him it was him. He apologised and said they weren't allowed ... Read Full Story >>

Will Paint For Dignity

  On a Sunday afternoon I was waiting for a music venue to open so I could slip in with my musician friends and set up to paint during the show.   They were running late so I sprawled on the grass next to the parking lot and pulled out a 4 inch by 4 inch canvas and a few tubes of paint. Some music was playing from a car parked nearby.   I certainly wasn't working on a masterpiece but I was absorbed into the work. I noticed a shadow on the grass by me, and looked up into a man's face.   He was a little unsteady on his feet and smelled lightly  of alcohol. Not a surprise in the neighborhood. He watched me paint and I looked up and smiled a few times.   "I used to be an artist," he said.  I sat up, pulled a 16 x 20 inch canvas from my bag with ... Read Full Story >>

Using Lunch Monday to Help a Stranger

While biking I came across an old man who had a flat tire on the side of the road and looked as if he needed help. I decided to stop and help this man. It turned out that he did not have the right size tube and then i remebered that right around the block was a bike store.

The man had left his wallet at home and I remembered I had my lunch money. I decided to use this money to go buy him the right-size tube. I was not worried about buying the man a tube as I knew he would appreciate this kind act. I also didn't worry about eating a lunch because by doing this kind act, I became full with the smile he had given me after I helped him.