Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Smile-Effect

Here are some smiley related things that I did today: 1) Prepared Smileys of various sizes through the following method:     a) Selected a very beautiful Smiley from the Internet     b) Made a printout of that Smiley     c) Purchased thick paper     d) Used gum to paste each Smiley onto thick paper     e) Used scissors to cut the paper into a round shape     f) The Smileys looked very beautiful! 2) Gave the Smiley card that I prepared to a friend, and on the back, I mentioned how he helped me and what I liked about him.  He liked this. 3) Gave a Smiley card to another friend and on the back, mentioned that the suggestions he gave me in past helped me. He said, "Gift was very nice. I haven't received something like this for 10 years, and I'm very happy." 4) Gave 2 very small Smiley cards to two other friends during happy moments, and ... Read Full Story >>

Finding That Positive Note

My step-son is going through an extremely difficult time in his life and is battling many personal issues.   He calls his father several times a day, often consumed by sadness and negativity, sometimes near his breaking point. Trying to be supportive and non-critical takes it's toll on us all, but we keep trying.    This morning on our drive to work I asked my husband to try ending the telephone conversation with his son by simply saying, "Now, tell me something good about today".     Some days that might be an easy thing to do, other days it may be nearly impossible. But even if the only thing he could can up with to say is, "You were there for me again today, Dad," that would at least give him something positive to focus on.    Tonight, I heard my husband say to his son, "Okay, now let's end on a positive note. Tell me ... Read Full Story >>

Helping One Person At A Time

I live in Singapore where there are thousands of migrant workers from countries like India, Bangladesh and China. They work very hard, usually in construction sites, and are often away from their families for years in order to save money.

Smiling and Recycling

The other day when I arrived at my local recycling center I noticed I was the only one there who had arrived by car. 

A Friend Goes The Extra Fifteen Miles

During a recent ice storm, a friend and her two daughters had their power go out, and they did not have heat or a way to cook their food.  Understanding their plight, my husband and I decided to help them out.  Weathering his way on the slick, icy roads about 15 miles from our house, my husband went and picked them up. He brought them back to our house, and we let them stay with us so they could be warm and have a way to cook.

A Kindness Chain Made of Roses

I love this forum but I'm hesitant to post about my own "good works" as it sounds like I'm blowing my own horn.  I think that helping others should be a true gift from the heart rather than something that you receive applause for in a public forum. This said, I would like to share my story, not because I want to be thought well of by others but rather because I have discovered a recipe for happiness that I'm sure someone can benefit from. So here it is. It is hard for me to keep a smile on my face during certain times of the year and this is one of them. With the impending arrival of Valentine's Day I found myself thinking that if I didn't make a concerted effort to put myself in a good humor I would very quickly find myself sliding into depression. You see, I haven't received chocolates, ... Read Full Story >>

Gratitude For This Community

I have seen so much bickering, and people trying to "one-up" each other on websites, that this website almost doesn't feel real.  Could I have really found such a nice place with such kind people, that feel as I do?  When I try to share ideas of kindness, most people in my life think it's silly, a waste of time when there is so much I could be doing for myself.  They don't understand that by helping others I am helping myself.  It gives me energy, it gives me creativity, it makes me feel better physically and mentally.  AND IT HELPS SOMEONE ELSE IN THE PROCESS. How is that wrong?  It is wishy washy, and I can't save the world, they say.  No, I can't but when I becomes "we" and "we" becomes "just about everyone," it will have made a difference.  The world will have changed.  You know why that ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Could Be Just One Seat Away

Recently I was traveling on business and was on a long flight back home from the West to East Coast connecting through Charlotte. As I sat down in my seat (ailse seat) the women next to me extended her hand saying "Hi, I'm Eva".  I responded back and then she turned to the person next to her in the window seat and did the same thing.  I thought to myself, what a nice gesture for someone to introduce themself to the people around them.  You don't see that much. So after we took of, Eva soon pulls out all this paperwork from her bag, and starts to work very diligently.  Being a little nosey and somewhat curious, I could see that she had a stack of children profiless that looked like something you might see from Unicef or other organizations that help people around the world. I asked her what she was working ... Read Full Story >>

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 >>