Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Doing That Little Bit Extra To Help

I volunteer at a Thrift Store.  One day, I saw Linda, a woman who sometimes comes in to the store on the sidewalk with only sneakers on during a very cold winter day.  She has battled with breast cancer and mental illness, leaving her to live in a rooming house.    I was in my warm car, having just returned from shopping with 4 grocery bags in my trunk.  I said to myself, "This isn't right.  I was able to go shopping and keep myself warm.  Linda didn't choose to be mentallly ill or choose to have breast cancer.  I cannot go to my nice warm home without helping her."  So, I pulled my car over, said hello to Linda, and asked her if she'd be there in the next 15 minutes.  She said, "Yes."  I went home, grabbed a nice warm pair of boots and drove back to where I said I'd meet her.  She wasn't there.  ... Read Full Story >>

Keeping The Kindness Going

I wanted to post an update since my last story of giving out 5 boxes of new and used items to 5 families in need (by placing an add in our local classified section) and then on Christmas eve, taking 6 fully loaded turkey dinners to people on our downtown streets! We recently found out a about a family that had lost their home to fire just before Christmas.  My mother is selling her house and hads lots of things she doesn't need.  She had them come by to get as many items of furniture as they needed, and I (having two girls with more toys than they need) put a box together for the little girl and boy (I had a few things from when I had a little guy in my care last year).  My mom told me the little girl was so happy fwith a stuffed bunny that we had put in ... Read Full Story >>

A Young Boy's Lesson in Kindness

By James David Mancini February 2011 I remember as a young boy I was living in a poor suburban neighborhood as a foster child.  Lost in the system of child services and forced to spend lots of time alone.  I would often wander the different neighborhoods on my own and offer to help rake a yard, mow a lawn, or wash some walls in exchange for some pocket money just to buy some school clothes or candy.  I will never forget this one time I knocked on the door of this elderly woman and asked if she needed her leaves raked in the yard. She asked why I was not in school and I showed her my torn pants and the soles of my shoes, which were worn and no longer keeping my feet warm and protected. She allowed me to work in the yard for pretty much that entire day, feeding ... Read Full Story >>

Fruit And Friendship Make My Day

There is a pregnant woman that works in the building adjacent to mine. I started work here a few months ago and every morning I would see her taking a nice walk. Then one day I greeted her and asked about her baby. She was very kind and smiled a lot.

On our first meeting she said she was having trouble picking a name so we brainstormed together and came up with some ideas.

Our chats became regular whenever she was on her walk and on the days that she did not show I would go by her office to see about her and the baby. I noticed that when ever she went on her walk she had a bottle of water; she told me that she got hungry a lot. So I started bringing some fruit to work with me and every time I saw her I gave her one.

We have now been friends for a few weeks and I still bring her a fruit every morning during her walk. The satisfaction it gives me to see her gratefully smile at me makes my day! Funny how a piece of fruit given in kindness can transform my whole day.

The baby is due in two months and she is as excited as can be. And I couldn’t be happier to have a new friend in my life. I look forward to meeting her little angle too.

Cookies And Tea With An Extra Helping of Kindness

  I had just finished my shopping and was crossing the busy street when I saw an elderly man walking in my direction. He was leaning on a walking frame and I felt that he might need a little assistance crossing the street. So, I walked up to him and volunteered my help.    It seemed that my hunch was right. He wasn't aiming for the proper crossing place, he was keen on crossing the street from where he was to get to the bus stop on the other side.   I stepped out and waved my hand for the drivers to take notice of the man and slow down a little.   He got safely to the other side. But, somehow, I felt I could do more than just help him cross the street. So, I reassured him he was at the right stop, then I ran back across the road to get him some tea ... Read Full Story >>

A Beautiful Act of Pay-It-Forward

I truly believe in the power of paying it forward and I have always gotten enjoyment and fulfilment from it. Last year, I was waiting at the traffic lights on my way to work, when my car was rammed from behind. After pulling over, a flustered young man admitted his fault and proceed to apologise and explain why he had not been ‘in the moment’ whilst driving. He told me that he had just been evicted and that his insurance had just run out. I could feel his genuine stress, and as he gave me his details and promised to find a way to pay for it, I tried to comfort him and told him to not worry too much; we will work it out and to please have a great day. When I got to work, my work colleagues hounded me to get a quote quickly and were appalled that I had not collected ... Read Full Story >>

Sharing My Birthday By Giving

On the night of my birthday, I went with my mom to the nearest durg store to buy  vitamins. Even though it was my birthday, I was feeling blue and a bit lonesome. Maybe I missed my dad who had passed away four years ago.  I just wanted him to be beside me that day. On my way to the drug store, I was crying. Once I arrived there, I cleaned my cheek up from the tears and tried to smile when I ordered the vitamin my mom wanted to buy. While I was waiting, I looked around the building and my eyes caught a glimpse of a beggar next to the door. She was with her kid, a cute little boy. They were siiting on the street and I realized it was cold yet that kid just wore an old T-shirt. I felt sorry for them. When I paid for ... Read Full Story >>

Hot Burritos Warm My Heart

  The company I work for actually pay my public transportation costs on a yearly basis.  Because of this I travel to work every day on the MAX train which goes through the downtown area of the city, so I get to see homeless men, women and sometimes children sleeping in doorways along the way.    My heart just aches for these people and I knew I couldn't keep looking away - but I didn't know what I could do that would make any difference.     'Well,' I thought, 'I can cook!'  So I started making piping hot burritos and giving them out!   My income is not great and I can't afford to do it every day but most weeks I will pass out about two dozen burritos. The men and women are so appreciative and always say "Thank you" or "God bless you." And their words do bless me!   And now there is a co-worker ... Read Full Story >>

A Small Act of Kindness Makes a Wonderful Impact

I wanted to share something that put a smile on my face this morning. My work place is very diverse, as matter of fact, my company ranks in the top 10 among the most diverse companies in America. With this being the case, a lot of times we run into situations where there is a language barrier.   Last week while I was at work, one of my coworkers twisted her wrist while lifting something that might have been too heavy for her.This particular coworker of mine speaks little English and my Spanish needs “mucho” work. But we have never had a problem communicating.   When I ran into her shortly after her injury, I took a look and I knew that a simple first aid routine was in order. With me being an athlete, I knew that a simple procedure called 'RICE' (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), was what she needed until she ... Read Full Story >>

A Surprise 50th Birthday Gesture

I went in early to the school where I work and I decorated the caretaker's little office with balloons, banners and streamers, with a choc orange, for his 50th birthday.

He gets to school early each morning, so hope this will make him smile when he arrives this morning.

A Little Encouragement And A Lot Of Smiles

I was visiting a resort, and when we walked into the restaurant. I noticed a violin player on the side.  He had been playing very well for about an hour - with no applause. As he was about to finish, I started humming along, smiling, and encouraging my cousins to do the same. As he ended, he smiled and I got my entire family to clap, which set off a chain across the restaurant.

He smiled, and we told him how well he had been doing... which made him smile even more. He said that I'd made his day - which made mine :) Hooray for encouragement!

With this, whenever I see somebody performing at a restaurant, I smile and encourage them, just the way I would like to be. Kindness is just one of those things that fills you up on pure joy!

The Ripple Effect From One Little Trip To The Store

I wrote a story yesterday about, my 11-year-old daughter, her friend, and I stopping to help a man yesterday.  Well, after stopping and talking with him for a minute, the girls were buzzing with ideas of how to help this man, and possibly other needy people as well.  We came home and they shared their ideas with my 6-year-old son.   The three of them started getting out craft supplies and making things to raise money to help this man and his family.  Well, I talked with a friend and she shared a wonderful idea with the kids.  She told us about an angel we can make and  sell for $1.00 to  our family, friends, and church family.  The kids were so excited that they couldn't wait.  In the meantime they made some clothespin butterflies. Today, they came into the adult's Sunday school and told them their idea.  They were very pleased ... Read Full Story >>

Two Brothers Do The Same Act Of Kindness

My brother and I were shopping at a department store one day.  My mother had taken him home separately and had returned to get me.  As we were walking towards the car, I saw a homeless man sitting outside  the department store we were shopping at.

I told my mom to hold on a minute. I walked towards the man, and handed him a twenty dollar bill. I usually wouldn't do this, but I knew that I had to this time. When I handed it to him, a tear ran down his eyes, as he said "God bless you".

When I returned to the car my mom told me she was so proud. I asked her why and said that I felt that when people need help, and we have the urge to help, we need to just help them. She then told me that my brother, who she had taken home earlier, did the exact same thing.

The Slow-Down Culture

It's been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience. Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule. Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to posses a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results. Said in another words: 1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil. 2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants. 3. Stockholm, has 500,000 people. 4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies the NASA. The first time I was ... Read Full Story >>

Bringing Spring Early

I had a lovely surprise yesterday. It was snowing like crazy outside when my doorbell rang. There standing in my doorway was a delivery man with a beautiful bouquet of lilies for me.

And this is why I received them...

I was telling a close friend of mine how much I was wishing for Spring and how I loved spring flowers. It happens to be my mom's birthday on the first day of spring.. she passed away in 2007, but I always got her daffodils or some type of pretty spring flowers for her birthday.

My friend knew I needed some cheer and I am delighted. They are so pretty and smell wonderful. Flowers - what a perfect way to make someone Smile! :)

Thank You my Friend :0) I'm Smiling each day looking at them.

Jamie's Story

For years I was a reporter, with five of those years covering an affluent community.  Month after month of little girl beauty contests, conservative politics and people calling for the extermination of prairie dogs wore on my soul. Then I wrote "Becoming Jamie" the story of a seven year old girl, born a boy, but aware of her own transgender status. I veiled the family, for their safety.  The photographer created an image that illustrated the girl's journey thus far to herself. We ran the story. I went back to the grind of the daily story, the details of government and sustainable business, and the thousand other stories swirling through a community. Then I got an email that I had won a prize with the press association. I had enetered only one story. I knew it was "Becoming Jamie." I called the family, to tell them the story was up for an ... Read Full Story >>

Pay-It-Forward Global Heart Cart

Today I was working the Latte Cart at my church.

One of my friends came up to us and handed us $5.00 saying that last week someone annonymous had payed for her coffee and that she would like to pay it foreward to other people this week. She payed for two people's drinks. One of those people did the same thing. How cool :)

Later a woman came up asking if we took credit cards, which we did not. The barista at the cash register had payed it foreward to her. I then told him that the next customer is on me. It was a revolving circle of kindness and love.

I guess that's why we call it the Global Heart Cart. 

Smile Cards At The Vending Machine

One day I had got a power bar from the vending machines at school before I realised that I couldn't eat it due to food allergies. So I attached a Smile Card and stuck it back in the machine :).

Another day someone's dollar got stuck in the machine, so I gave them a dollar and a Smile Card, which brought them to tears.

A diferent day, when I had made my selection I recieved an extra bag of chips. It was the coolest thing and a true example showing that what you put out into the world comes back to you.

A Kindness Lesson For The Girls On The Way To The Store

There is a man who always stands out on different corners of our city, holding a sign that reads "Will work for food for my family."  Normally I don't have much extra to help him too much.  Many times my mom is with me and she makes me pull over and she will hand him some money.   Tonight, I was on my way to the store to get milk when I saw the man.  My daughter and her friend in the car.  We all felt so awful that this man was standing out in the cold, wet weather.  Many people make comments that he should be able to work.  I often wondered why he would stand out there rather than be in the warmth of a building to work.   Well, he may not have an address, and you need an address in order to apply for a job.  Either way, I don't ... Read Full Story >>

Helping With Cupcakes

A man that I work with has cancer and has gone through so many tests. Unfortunately, he had to pay quite a bit of money that wasn't covered by his insurance.

Some of us decided to make cupcakes and bring them in to our 'breakroom' last Saturday. We thought 50 cents a cupcake would be a nice way to get a collection for our friend who has the bills piling up. Sure enough we collected of $800 for him. He was thrilled and so grateful for our support and kindness.

If you know of someone in need, whether it be to pay for gasoline, groceries, heat or medical bills, maybe you can arrange a cupcake sale in your lunchroom or breakroom.

~Smiles are Contagious...let's start an epidemic :)