Stories of Kindness from Around the World

More Kindness Inspired By A Homeless Man

  It was bitterly cold and I had been watching a homeless man make himself comfortable in a "shelter" next to a power unit on the canal bank. His "shelter" was a tarpaulin taped to the metal unit and anchored with rocks to keep the wind from blowing it away.  He had been living there for over a month in weather that often dipped below freezing. In all the times I passed that makeshift lean-to I never saw him with warm clothing or food. I knew what I wanted to do.   I was young, living at home, and when I told my parents what I wanted to do they were alarmed. I could be putting myself at risk, taking a box to a homeless person in the night time! But I knew, on some intrinsic level, that I would be safe.    I went to the grocery store and got an apple box with a solid top ... Read Full Story >>

Remembering Not To Hold Back

I was new at church and I knew nobody. I felt lonely the first time.  After heading back home I just said to myself that I was never going there again. Another situation came up and I had to go back to that "unfriendly" church again. I was quite disturbed that night, thinking how it was going to be.

Then I thought, ''Why am I complaining now? Why didn't I make a friendly gesture? Why was I holding back?"  

The next day at the church, I smiled at every possible person I met there. To my surprise, I was showered with smiles and blessings. I gave that wonderful smile and got back too many to take home.

Sowing A Kindness Seed For Two College Students

My son had come home from college for the weekend.  It was a lovely time.  No stress, unlike some weekends :-)  His friend  was going to drive him back to college.  I had a valentine card for my son, and inside I put a note to get good grades, make wise choices and that I love him.  I put a couple pieces of candy and some silly stickers along with some spending money.  The most important part?  I paper clipped 5 smile cards to the cash. I also gave his friend an enevelope.  Inside was a note to drive carefully as he had precious cargo in his vehicle :-) and I thanked him for driving my son back (saved me a trip!) I also included a couple pieces of candy and some cash for gas money.  I also paper clipped 5 smile cards to his cash.  I am looking forward to the next ... Read Full Story >>

Flowers For A Forgotten Mom

This past Mother’s Day I went to buy some flowers for my mom.  In the shop I picked out two different types of flowers, red roses and spider crysanthemums. I took them to the counter and asked the florist to arrange them for me.   I was quite disappointed by the florist's attitude. When I spoke to her she didn’t speak back, just took the flowers and got to work. I stood by to watch and she was clearly annoyed by my request.     I didn't understand why she was giving me such a hard time and wondered to myself, “Why is she so nasty on Mother’s Day?”   I actually thought about reporting her to the shop manager but something occurred to me and I asked her, “Are you a mom?” She said, “Yes," and I experienced one of those “Ahah!” moments.    I got some more flowers and asked her to arrange those, trying to make ... Read Full Story >>

A Lesson From My Childhood

I wanted to share a story from a time in my childhood when I was living with my step mother.  She worked all day so I was responsible for doing the household chores and taking care of my younger half brother. During that time in our life, my dad was not present much, but I didn’t mind, my step mother took great care of my little brother and I in any way that she could. I loved her and always wished she could spend more time with us but she worked Monday through Saturday between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 pm.   At that time my little brother was about 4 years old and he missed her so much all the time. He would always wait up for her but would fall asleep many times before she returned and when she left for work he would be asleep. One day, ... Read Full Story >>

Helping Others Helps Me

Today at Parrys bus-stand, I helped two ladies to unload a bag filled with clothes. The bag looked shabby and slightly dirty and it was difficult to carry. One of the ladies was carrying a small baby. They were from the poorer sections of society.

I unloaded the bag (without a proper handle) and carried for 100 yards and placed it in the other bus they were taking home. Fortunately, although my pants were soiled by the effort my heart certainly was not!

Helping helps me. What a privilege !

Serving With A HelpOthers Friend

A Valentine's Day Hugging Line

I am hosting a special red Valentine's Day at my place of work for all the seniors who live there.

The majority of them are now single so Valentine's Day can be difficult. We will have goodies, music, and dancing for fun.

Everyone that walks through the door will get a big HUG from me and will then get in the Hug Line to offer a hug to the next one who comes in, and so on.

I believe - 'A Hug Can Heal!'

It's Not Too Late To Talk

I am writing this story because it is not too late for me to talk to my parents.  I realized this last night when visiting their house while they were away.  I went to freshen it up for their return, and being at their house without them home made me sad.  As I went into their bedroom, I saw little reminders of them -- some Christmas gifts still in boxes and family photos that must have a special meaning to them.  What took my breath away was seeing my dad's tags from his military service to our country. My father never talked about the Korean War.  As I looked at those tags hanging proudly with all the photos that he treasures, I realized that this was an important part of his life, and I never took the time to talk with him about it.  The photos of my mom with friends made ... Read Full Story >>

Drive-Up Smiles

  I received a package of new Smile cards and decided that I would focus on people who work in drive-up businesses.     My first act was at the drive-up window of my bank. It was a new person I had never seen before. I thought to myself, 'This is kind of hokey but I'll try it.' So, I put a Smile card underneath the check I was cashing. She counted out my money and then, with a big smile on her face, inquired about the card. We had a nice chat and I gave her some additional cards to pass on. That was how my day started.   The next day I had worked late and stopped by a fast food restaurant drive-up window to collect a salad. A clear voice over the intercom took my order and I put a Smile card underneath my payment. The young girl smiled and asked me ... Read Full Story >>

An Answer To A Prayer

  Since my husband has been hospital for quite a while I have learned to make do with very little.    On Sunday I went to our church and someone there said to me, "I know you must be having a tough time." I just smiled and said, "I'm okay. I have two dollars and I have food at home, so I'll be fine."   I always think that what I have is what I have and it is up to me to make the most of it.    Anyway, then she said, "Can I borrow your Bible? I need to look up a verse." I said, "Okay."   Just then someone called me. "I'll be right back," I said to the woman. When I returned she thanked me and returned my Bible.   On my way home my friend who was driving said, "I thought you told me you didn't have any money?" I replied, "I don't."   She said, "Oh yes ... Read Full Story >>

Helping From A Hundred Miles Away

  The volunteers in our church's ministries try to keep their personal details confidential. Occasionally, our phone numbers show up in caller IDs and, sometimes, the people we help take advantage of that knowledge to repeatedly call the volunteers.   A woman I have been helping did find my cell number and she has called me a few times but she wasn't really abusing the situation.   She landed a new job after being unemployed for a while and was on a sales call about a hundred miles away when she ran out gas. She didn't have any money to buy gas so, in a panic, she called me.    I told her to try and find a Walmart. Then I went to my local Walmart.   About twenty cell phone calls later I managed to transfer some cash to her. I paid it in at my local store and the Walmart where she was gave her the equivalent ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Hope For A Father And Son

Making Things Better With Kindness Medicine

I was at the bank applying for a new  ATM card because mine was damaged. As I was filling in a form given to me by the bank officer, a middle-aged woman came and asked the banker if she could withdraw a certain amount of money and showed the officer her bank book.  The banker checked her pass book and told her she could withdraw the amount requested.  She then returned to the line to wait her turn, saying she needed the money to pay for her medicine. 

While I was filling out the form heard what she said and suddenly my mind suggested that I give her the amount she needed.  I quickly turned to her and confirmed how much she needed and told her not to withdraw money from her account.  Instead, I said I would give her the money. 

She was shocked and looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "Thank you, daughter. When ever I take my medicine I will remember you."

Tears came to my eyes, too.

A Kind Friend and Some Soup

A freind of mine makes organic soup that she sells. One day I went to her house with some things for her son and she asked me if I'd like to have her left overs because she had made too much.

She really didn't have to do that but she did. She knows that my husband and I live on a very limited budget and that this helped us out so much.  She is so kind and I let her know it all the time by doing little things for her son, like making hum stuffed animals that he adores.

She is a great friend who loves to help others.

A Young Boy's Angel Gift

I've just joined this site today and have a story to share regarding my 7-year-old son.  We went to visit a friend of ours that lives in a nursing home and he saw that she collected angels.  As a family, we make jewelery.  My son asked if he could make this elderly lady an angel necklace and send it to her for Christmas.

I purchased an angel pendant and he made a beautiful necklace that anyone would be proud to wear.  I called her after Christmas to see if she had received it. She had received it, she cried and said she wore it to bed every night and that the many people who commented on it. She said, "I will wear it until the day I die!"  

I told my son what she had said and he just smiled and hung his head.  Now he has made her a homemade Valentine and we are trying to find an envelope large enough to send it.  I have a feeling that my son will remember this lady for every little thing.  I'm so proud of him!  This was all his idea!

Flowers for Those Who Want to See Them

First, thank you for taking the time to read my posts – it's really comforting to know that there are warm-hearted, kind, and encouraging people on this site. I can always seek comfort here and have fun sharing my experiences with random acts of kindness and giving. Today, I finished making a drawing for my friend Valerie. She recently broke up with someone, and I thought she could use a bit of cheer, so I drew a picture of flowers, like the ones that blossom during the spring! I must tell you all, I have a really soft spot for bright, pretty, and cute things (I often use the term kawaii for cute). So I took some time with the detail, with the petals and such, using violets, raspberry, and pink colors! They are all so uplifting to me. I also put in a few of my own encouraging quotes, which ... Read Full Story >>

A Lovely Act of Compassion From A Nurse

Serving people is one of my desires so my profession as a nurse is a blessing to me. 

A couple of weeks ago, I received an outpatient. He was 45 years old and a father of four. He looked thin and pale with an abnormally big abdomen. The doctor's diagnosis was related to an infection and requested that he be given an abdominal ultrasound. As I provide a health advice to this client, he responded with tears. I asked what moved him into tears. He said he felt helpless because his illness caused him to stop working and his young children couldn't  go to school anymore. I did not waste another thought, instead I took out a bill large enough for a two meals, which was my pocket money for the day. When I handed it to the client, he cried all the more. He thanked me for that.

I felt blessed that day. I believe that what comes around, goes around. 

Neighbourly Kindness Starts A Commitment To Kindness

A couple of months ago I was renting a house to work from. I was fairly well set up, but didn't own a lawn mower and after a week or two realised I would have to find some way to deal with the growing grass! Funds were short, and I was on a fairly tight budget which didn't extend to paying a lawnmowing company. I was thinking about this one Sunday as the "Mr Whippy" ice cream van pulled up outside on the street. I hadn't had a Mr Whippy ice cream for years, and on impulse I grabbed my coin purse, shook it to gauge affordability, and headed outside. On the pavement were three young boys aged around 10 years playing. I think a couple of them may have been from next door, but I was new there and hadn't really met anyone yet. It was a hot day and I asked them if ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Girl Remembers A Little Smile