Stories of Kindness from Around the World

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

True Beauty In A Supermarket Queue

  The following story is not my own, however I was so amazed at such kindness between two strangers I just felt I had to share it.   A POSITIVE TALE. COPIED FROM A LETTER IN “TABLE TALK” OUR LOCAL NEWS PAPER.   "I have a happy tale to tell.    "I joined the throng of frenetic shoppers at a Bayside supermarket on Thursday December 9. Sadly most were so intent on “stocking up” that friendly smiles were far and few between. I eventually arrived at the till point behind a handsome young man. His warm greeting was a real tonic!   "We exchanged a few words and just before paying his bill he excused himself, rushed off down one of the aisles, and came back with a box of chocolates which he presented to me. I must add that I am not a “drop-dead-gorgeous” young woman but a 75 year old pensioner - and this totally spontaneous gesture just ... Read Full Story >>

Appreciating This Community

I just wanted to thank HelpOthers for giving me the opportunity to meet so many beautiful hearts from around the world through this site.

Through HelpOthers I have been able to share and read stories regarding kind deeds and that  has inspired me for four  years or more.  I have laughed and cried (via Internet) with some of you. I have also had the opportunity to meet two of you in person. 

For the past two weeks I have had a visitor from HelpOthers stay with me. I can't tell what an honor it is to have Alraisi here in my home. Eventhough he is younger than me by 30 years, I am learning from him daily. I am honored to have such a special guest  and am truly grateful to HelpOthers for allowing kindness to shine through and for all of us to see the shining light in everyone.

SMILES are Contagious....I think my Smile is permanently fixed to my face now :0)

~Aurelia

Two Acts of Kindness From Two Strangers

A Special Delivery - In The Post Office

I was standing at a table in the post office, addressing an envelope and filling out the paperwork needed to mail a package. That's when I saw a woman approach the postal clerk. "I found this lying on the floor by my box," she said, "and I would like to hand it in." The postal clerk laughed and said, "I have never had anyone hand in money before, but I will put it in an envelope. Please write your name and telephone number on the front. If no one claims the money, we will call you."   The lady explained, "I have lost money before and it was never turned in. I remember how I felt. I don't want to make someone else feel that way." The postal clerk responded with her own memory of having dropped some money while shopping and not realizing it until she was preparing to pay for her purchases.   I admit ... Read Full Story >>

Paying Forward My Gratitude

When I was 23 years old I was in a dangerous relationship with the man who was my financee at the time. I was being physically and verbally abused on a daily basis.  I was financially tied to him (after he spent all my savings to pay his debts) but I wanted to be free!  For the longest time I was too embarrassed to tell my mother about the situation. She had warned me about him. But, eventually, I worked up the courage to tell her and she sent me the money I needed to leave.    Before the money arrived he found out what I planned to do. I was so scared of what he might do I decided to leave all my things and just get out of there.   Then, on my way to safety, my car died! I had automobile insurance (thanks to my mom) so I called the AAA and had them tow ... Read Full Story >>

Noticing Even The Smallest Gesture

I spent the night at my parents' house because my mom has multiple myeloma (a very rare cancer).  I was there to offer my support and loving-kindness. 

The next morning, I got up to go for my 7:00 AM swim, and, as I was walking down the steps past the Sunday newspaper, I stopped suddenly and became thoughtful.  I took the newspaper back up to the house and placed it on the kitchen counter where my parents like to read the paper.

Later, when I returned from my swim, my mom replied, "Your dad said an angel brought us our paper today."  It's such a small thing, but I went into the bathroom and cried, for I know my mom has precious little life ahead.

An Extra Special Candlelight Christmas Eve

I am a geriatric care manager and many of my clients families live out of state. This year, a sweet old lady that I care for, Alice, had gone through a particularly rough time. She had been in the hospital twice and then to a rehab nursing facility. In November I was finally able to get her back to her "home" in to an 'assisted living facility'. Alice has dementia and thought her daughter was coming to visit on Christmas day and that they were going to have the whole family together like the old days. When she finally realized that was not going to happen she was so sad and tearful. Knowing that her daughter was coming after Christmas was not enough to cheer her. I hated the idea of her being alone on the holiday! On Christmas Eve, I surprised her by asking if she would like to go to a candlelight service at church that night. Instead ... Read Full Story >>

Making Kindness A Habit

I have been inspired by other's kind acts to make a decision in my life to start gifting random acts of kindness on a daily basis.  Gifting has started to become a habit now, and I am starting to notice more and more opportunities to help others.  When I first started intentional gifting, I was more focused on how good it made me feel to be doing something nice for people, but it was mostly self-gratification and ego stroking.  But after doing it a few times, I discovered a new feeling that came from seeing someone's day brightened by my kind act.  It was no longer about me, it was about uplifting other people who need a boost too.  It is a warmer and more sincere feeling of love that comes from deep inside me and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I encourage you to explore gifting to others random acts ... Read Full Story >>

A Beautiful Gesture From A Cousin

  Recently, while visiting my cousin, my laptop was stolen!    My laptop is more than just a piece of technology, it is my only way of keeping in touch with the six nieces and nephews my mother and I cared for from their birth until a few months ago, and a nine year old daughter in another state.    Eventually my cousin managed to find my laptop and get it back. But doing so cost him all the money he had set aside to pay his bills that month!  When I asked him why he said it was because he knew how important it was to me.    He insisted I should not even try to pay him back. But I knew his kindness had left him in financial difficulty, so I waited until we left his place to go to the store together.    As he closed the door and walked on I stopped and bent down to ... Read Full Story >>

Helping Out A Mother

The other day I was really glad to be able to help a friend. She had gone back to full time work after years of staying at home to take care of her children. She has been finding it quite hectic, especially because her husband works away a lot and isn't able to help as much as he would like. She had an after-work meeting to attend in the evening and I suggested her children come over and have dinner at our house. I told her not to worry about rushing back because they would be just fine.  We had a lovely time together and my son enjoyed seeing the girls here too. Life being how it is, my friend was a lot later coming back than she thought she'd be. So, when she rushed up to my front door I stopped her, hugged her, and told her to breathe deeply. Her children were lying on the couch reading, ... Read Full Story >>

Remembering Why It's Worth Helping

Just recently I had been wondering if there was much point in doing little acts of kindness. So often they get ignored, and occasionally they come back to bite you! Then, just last week, after a long day of travelling, dragging suitcases behind me, I found myself delayed at a bus station. The bus was running four hours late! So, I guess I wasn’t in the best of moods. That’s when a woman asked me if I had any spare change to help her get a bus ticket. “Oh, sure,” I said, more than a little sarcastically. “How much would you like?” As I spoke I mentally kicked myself for my attitude and reached into my bag for some money. As I handed her five dollars I heard her stomach rumble. This was no gentle, ladylike murmer. This had the growl of real hunger! I reached back into my bag and brought out a Danish ... Read Full Story >>

Hand-In-Hand Together

This is such a tiny thing! But it still felt good.

I was on a busy bus today, going to the next town. There was an empty seat next to me and one empty seat just behind me.

And elderly couple got on the bus, quite dressed up, as if for an important ocassion, and I heard them ask for tickets to the hospital.

He came and sat in the single empty seat behind me and indicated his wife should sit next to me. I wondered if they were visiting someone in the hospital, but it was obvious as she approached that the lady had breathing problems. Maybe she was actually going into hospital.

I slipped out of the seat and indicated to the man that he should sit with his wife.

Sitting behind them, I could see the way they sat, half turned towards each other, holding hands tightly. I heard as he gently reassured her everything would be all right.

Such a little thing, but, ohhhh, it warmed my heart!