Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Thank You To The People That Help

My son was competing in a school competition for bowling, and after watching him play a few rounds, I let him know I was going to walk around the shops for a while.  Afterward, I was on my way back to watch my son bowl some more when I noticed a man sitting on a seat holding onto the side of a trolley.  As I got closer, I began wondering if he had a disability but realized he was in distress when I noticed his knuckles had turned white.  I approached him asking if he was ok.  He looked at me and mumbled some words, so I asked if he was diabetic, but he just stared at me.  I tried to get him to sit upright to relieve his fingers, but he was a large man, and I had to call for help.  Two ladies came to his aid from the ... Read Full Story >>

A Gift To Be Paid Forward

I have been going through a significantly hard time lately and there have been some weeks recently where I honestly did not know where my next meal was coming from.

I leaned on a friend of mine for emotional support one evening, not talking much about the situation at hand just wanting to have a distraction from it all. She must have caught on to the situation though, maybe because of some of the things I said. 

A few days later my friend called and asked me to come over. When I got there she gifted me with prepared dinners her boyfriend had made for me at his deli.  I had just used my last bit of food for my daughter so I was overwhelmed and could not thank her enough! 

Then, when I returned home, I checked the mail and found a note from that same friend, saying, "Just a little something." Enclosed was a $25.00 Walmart gift card. 

I called her in tears and thanked her profusely. I told her that I would repay her as soon as I possibley could. She said, "Oh no, you will not! You will pay it forward!" 

My friend is the epitome of kindness and I just wanted to tell you all about her. 

A Small Gesture That Made My Day

My husband, my four-month old daughter and I set out on a five day driving journey from California to Washington. We had to stop frequently because oure little one needed to stretch from the car seat.  One of our stops, once we crossed the Oregon border, was at a Black Bear Diner. Walking towards the front door we noticed a gentleman standing to one side. He was seriously dishelved, without shoes and wearing tattered clothing.  We passed right by him and opened the restaurant door.   Then something told me to go back. Holding my four-month old daughter I turned around and said to the gentleman, "Sir. Are you hungry?"  He said, "Yes."  I then asked, "May we buy you a bite to eat?" He responded with, "Sure, I can order something to go." My husband opened the door and the gentleman went straight to the counter. I told him to order whatever he wanted. The manager ... Read Full Story >>

A Simple Kind Thought Is More Than Enough

As I am writing this I am thanking my lucky stars for having a best friend in my husband. Unfortunately we have been going through a rough time due to his illness and sometimes it seems the whole world is covered by a big dark cloud. Then, by looking for kindness, I found this site. It really has made me think about how to help each other as well as others. I am truly grateful for what we have been through as it has brought my husband and I, our family and his family so much closer. If we hadn't been through the last ten years dealing with the illness I would have not learned so many lessons. I belive we are never given more than we can handle. A hug when someone is low or a ear to listen to a problem can sometimes be the biggest gift we can give. We don't have lots ... Read Full Story >>

Slowing Down To "Thank You" Speed

I was in a bit of a hurry this evening as the stores were about to close.

I wanted to find a refrigerator light bulb as ours had gone out a few days ago. In the aisle where all the light bulbs were was an employee who was part of a program for 'mentally challenged' folks. Often they are doing nothing more challenging than restocking the shelves, etc.

I asked him if he knew where I could find a refrigerator bulb. Meanwhile, my eyes were rapidly scanning the display trying to find what I was looking for.

He was taking his time and looking around to find one for me. My eyes were drawn to a package that had a picture of a fridge on it but I stayed quiet and let him find it for me so that I could thank him for helping me.

I consciously was aware of trying to slow down and be still so that I could thank him for his assistance. A very small thing to be sure, but I am glad that I didn't just plow through there without this interaction.

Sometimes It Just Takes A Penny

On the street, outside a restaurant door, my wife and I are chatting with friend about some good news in her life.  Right then, a woman comes up to me and asks, "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but I'm really hungry and I'm wondering if you could spare some money?" In our city, there are many pan-handlers, so I typically would just share a kind word and move on.  But somehow I feel moved to do something this time.  Perhaps it was because we were just conversing about some good events happening in our friend's life and I had a sublte sense of paying it forward.  I don't know. "Yeah, sure.  I'll take you to eat dinner today.  Where do you want to go?" I ask the homeless woman. With a surprising smile, she says: "Oh, there a Taqueria just down that street.  I'd love to get a burrito." So the two of us ... Read Full Story >>

Two Packets of Buscuits And Two Smiles

I was at the dollar store the other day and saw an elderly lady picking out things to buy. She kept going back to the Animal Crackers and looking at them. She touched the package a few times before walking on.

I saw that she had mainly household items; paper towels, toilet paper, storage bags, juice, biscuit mix and a couple cans of vegetable soup. I was getting a few things and so I picked up the animal crackers. I usually get some for myself too since they're my favourite.

I got two packets this time.

She was behind me  in line and so I paid for my stuff and whispered to the clerk to slip the cookies in her bag in secret. She kindly put them in a bag before she rang up the ladies stuff so she didnt see what was happening.

As I was leaving I told the lady to have a nice day and she smiled. I heard her say to the clerk that she would get some cookies next time but the clerk said, "You can have them today because the lady ahead of you wanted you to have them for your afternoon tea."

She was happy, I was happy and I know it made her day - all for the price of some crackers! 

A Banana Bread Thank You

We live in a circle of giving in my neighbourhoood; neighbours sharing and looking out for each other.

So, the other day when a plate of banana bread appeared on our doorstep without a note I didn't know who to thank.

Was it Leslie? We often exchange fruits and vegetables from the garden and swap baked goods. I called her. She said it wasn't her.

Was it Carol? She loves our garden veggies! Nope.

Was it Helen? I had stopped by her house with a bag of freshly picked tomatoes and although her daughter had just given us some apple cake a few days earlier she said it wasn't her either.

I was scratching my head in confusion when Helen started talking about how nice it was that my husband and two other neighbourhood men had helped her neighbour move a big mattress into their house the other day.

Then her eyes sparkled and she said, "I know who baked a lot of banana bread! It was Ellen! She wanted to thank your husband for his help with moving the mattress!" 

Mystery solved - and more friends to bake for!

The Joy of Anonymous Giving at Christmas

For Christmas, I suggested to my 12 year old son, that instead of trying to think of gifts for family members who dont really need anything for Christmas, maybe we should spend our money on gifts for people who have very little.  He really liked the idea.

We decided to give gifts to the K-Mart wishing tree and present our family members with the cards from the tree explaining what we had bought for whom. My son was very excited about anonymously giving gifts and I think the meaning of the season came home to him as we searched K-Mart for gifts that others would appreciate. We got a couple of school bags, and some clothes from the ladies wear section, had them wrapped at the wrapping station in the mall and gave them to the wishing tree.

I believe that actions like this are the best way to teach our children the art of compassion and kindness.

I know that next Christmas we will do the same and maybe extend to other family members/friends that really do not actually need more stuff so they can share the great feeling of anonymous giving.

The Simplest Act of Kindness Can Be Priceless

I was 12 years old and sewing my graduation dress by hand.  In those days, you didn't make an appointment with the doctor -- you just sat in the waiting room (her living room) until it was your turn, and it could be a long wait.  So, I brought my dress to sew while waiting. 

I was having trouble making a knot, and a young woman with a foreign accent offered to help me.  The reason this simple act has stayed with me all these 62 years (I'm 74 years old now) is because I came from a very unhappy family situation.  Although I excelled at school, the teachers didn't like me because I talked too much!  I had no loving relatives.  Only my dog loved me, I thought. 

It may seem odd that this event impressed me and its memory has stayed with me all these years...but it exemplifies how the simplest acts of kindness can be priceless!

Even A Simple Act Can Take Your Breath Away

A little over a year ago, a good friend of my mom's passed away, and it was only when I tried to reach her to let her know of my mom's passing that I was told this sad news. My mom's friend was a big part of my childhood and I remember her fondly. I hadn't spoken with her in many years, but I knew I was still her "Sunshine." My mom's friend had a sister, whom I only met as a child, but to whom I felt an instant connection. I knew immediately that I wanted to reach out to the sister. We have corresponded a few times during this last year, and her kind words and caring thoughts have brought much comfort to me in my own time of need. On September 7, 2010, the day before the first year anniversary of my mom's death, I received a card from ... Read Full Story >>

A Bus Ride To Happiness

I have had a number of revelations about myself this year. One of which is that whenever I'm feeling sad or down, a foolproof way to cheer myself back up is to help someone else.

One day I was having a horrible time and nothing was going right. (I bet everyone knows how that feels.) So I just hopped on a random bus, wanting to just get away. Right when I got on I saw this sad dejected looking lady. I decided to sit beside her and try to start up a conversation.

When I talked to her she seemed very suprised but she chatted with me anyway. We talked about love and kindness and how there wasn't enough of either in the world. She told me about her deep struggles.

As she was walking off the bus she said that I was her angel and that God brought me to her. In that one conversation, in that one statement, I felt complete contentment and peace with life.

People can be in search of happiness all their lives and never find it. But I truly believe that loving and helping others is the perfect way to find it.

Learning From Some Strong Women

I volunteer at a shelter that helps women and children who have been abused by their husbands or family by giving them a place to stay, food and counselling. It also tries to help them get back on their feet by helping them find a job. I go there  once a week to spend time with these women, usually just talking a being a friend and I also try to see if I can help them to get a job. When I started helping out here I thought that these women would be the ones being helped. I didn't know that I would also be at the receiving end. I have met so many women who have had the courage to live their lives, even after all the abuse they had gone through. I have seen mothers, who want their kids to have a better life, leave everything and go into hiding with their kids. There are so many strong, beautiful souls there. Looking at ... Read Full Story >>

Homeschooled in Kindness

We homeschool our children so we sometimes have the flexibility of adjusting our schedule to fit in special things. Today, as part of our 'Kindness Klub' we decided we would head out for an afternoon of giving back. Each of my kids chose from a list of kind things that they wanted to do. I ran down to the local store, picked up a few potted  flowers and attached Smile Cards. We then put a few dollars in a plastic bag with a Smile Card.  Before we set off on our mission, we read a verse from the Bible about kindness and said a prayer that our efforts would be well-received and help brighten someone's day! First, we stopped off at the local bus stop. We taped the plastic bag to a post inside the bus stop and quickly left ;) Second, my 10 year old daughter said she had seen a house she wanted to drop her flowers off at.  She directed me to it. ... Read Full Story >>

A Small Message Of Appreciation

Today I am pleased to be able to say I sent an email to my aunt!

Why is that such a big deal? Well, there is some bitterness in the extended family because of her  (she is my uncle's wife) but today was their son's movie launch. My cousin had invited me to the event.

I was there in time to share the happiness and it moved me to tears as I remembered my dad who was the inspiration for all my cousins who forayed into the film industry. 

I just sent her the email appreciating her for standing by her family and doing her best to help them achieve their dreams.

And here comes the best part! I feel at peace and all the bitterness has disappeared. I know she will smile when she reads the message!

Thank you all for being so supportive and inspiring me to change for the better - always!

The Magic of a Sincere Apology

I work in an office that registers and runs classes for parish children wanting to take religious education classes. Over 800 kids register each summer for classes in the fall.  I try to make sure that children return the next year, maybe giving them one year off occasionally if they need it. This Fall I received a registration form  for a girl in 5th grade and noticed that her mom didn't register her brother last year, nor again this year. I called to ask why the boy wasn't being put in a class. She explained that a few years back we couldn't get a volunteer for her son's class and she had had to teach him at home. The mom said he felt rejected because his friends were allowed into classes but he wasn't.  The person who told her there was no teacher for his class just gave her a book to teach him ... Read Full Story >>

Smile Cards are a 'Super Cool' Thing

Hello my kind friends! Every so often I like to post adventures of one of my little kindness kids. Little Rachel (6 years old now!) is a kind hearted little girl who often accompanies me on my kindness adventures. Well, this week she is a 'Top Cat' in her 1st grade class. It is her special week at school and she gets to have lunch with the principal and teacher. She is very excited. But although I am proud of her, that is not why. Part of her being Top Cat is that she has to complete a big poster about herself. She colors it, answers the questions about herself on it, etc. There is one section that asks her to name 3 supercool things about herself. Well bless her heart, one of her supercool things that she wrote is that she gets to hand out Smile Cards! :) We taped a Smile Cards underneath where she ... Read Full Story >>

An Unexpected Gift of Spices from Grenada

Our office's cleaning lady went through a lot of difficulties last year.  At one point, she had even been hospitalized two times.  So prior to Christmas, I bought her a box of cookies covered with chocolate, which I left on my desk with a note for her.  The next day, I got a thank you note from her.  A couple weeks later, I left her some specialty candies with a little note, and the next day, I got another thank you note from her.  Afterward, we continued to go through these routines a few times.  Over the past month, she took vacation to go back home to Grenada.  Two weeks ago, I took my own vacation and just returned to work yesterday.  As I was walking up the stairs feeling kind of sleepy and stressed because I knew I was going to be swamped with work, I walked to my desk and ... Read Full Story >>

Flowers And Hugs At The Senior Center

Today, being close to Grandparent's Day, I thought I would go to the Senior Center and hand out flowers. 

I brought my  four year old son with me and he wanted to hand out the flowers. I think that made it extra special because they were getting flowers from an adorable little kid. 

The seniors were all so happy to get a flower and it really seemed to make their day. I felt so good seeing all of them smiling. 

I think I will do this again sometime even if it is not close to Grandparent's Day, just because it felt so good.

Some of them wanted to give my son hugs and cookies after we handed the flowers out and he liked that too! 

1,2,3 Smile Cards!

Smile Story #1

Yesterday was the first day of school for my elementary school kids so I gave them each a Smile Card and explained it was to help make their teachers extra happy and and have a special first day. Since I walk my kids to school, I was able to see each them get a big hug from their new teachers after presenting the cards =)

Smile Story #2

Another smile card story that my 10 year old daughter and I performed was quite sneaky. We would wait for our neighbors, who have a young daughter, to leave the house and we would run across the street and tape a smile card to their door =)  The couple that lives there work long hours and have a 2 year old child, and I know times are tough for them, and so we thought we would try and make them smile, even if it is only for a second.

Smile Story #3

I also sent out a second letter today to my mom with a smile card and the poem "Don't Quit" anonomously. She should be getting the first one today =)

Fun! Fun! Fun!