Stories of Kindness from Around the World

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!

Small Change Can Make A Big Change

I was in the line at Dunkin Donuts.  The couple in front of me had ordered their food and stepped to the side. I proceeded to order mine. Quick and simple. Then I noticed a young man. I could tell was not having the best of luck and it showed on his face. He walked in carrying his belongings in a torn plastic bag. The couple ahead of me turned, looked, then turned away. The lady grabbed her purse tighter and her husband quickly stood in front of her. I moved over so he could order. He looked at the board, checked his pockets and didn't seem to have enough for anything. So, he turned around and walked out. I picked up my coffee and followed him out. He had gone maybe five paces when I shouted, "Hey! Do you want a donut?" A little embarrassed, he said, "I dont have any money." I told ... Read Full Story >>

Mom and Son Make A Small Grocery Store Difference

Yesterday I was shopping for a few items. My son who is a young adult came with me to keep me company. As I wheeled the basket towards the register I scanned my items to see how many I had thinking I might go to the Express Line where the sign said, "Ten Items or Less."   I start to go to that line and my son said, "Mom you have twelve items!" I said, "I know, but it's close." He said, "Why are you in such a rush to get home? You should go to the regular line because you are over ten items."   Knowing he was right, I said, "Ooookayyyyyyy," and pushed the basket to the next line. So there I am waiting my turn and then finally unloading my basket to pay for my items when a  young man comes up behind me in line with two items. I just left the express ... Read Full Story >>

An Extra Special Holiday Gift

Many years ago, I was a struggling single mom starting up a new business. It was the holiday season, and my boyfriend and I had decided that we would splurge for just one evening, and go out to dinner. We went to the Red Lobster and it got me thinking about my college waitressing days and how much I enjoyed working during that time: people shopping, feeling joyful, and tipping big. I was in the holiday spirit and wanted to give the waitress a big tip, though I knew it wasn't going to be a big Christmas for us that year.  When we had picked what we wanted, I did a quick calculation in my head to make sure that I had enough money before we placed the order. At the end of the meal, when we asked for the check, the waitress replied "It's already taken care of." I didn't understand? She ... Read Full Story >>

Being A Friend

I've done good deeds throughout my life, but today I want to write about the most important one for me. And it is actually really simple - I am a friend!

Mother Teresa said that the biggest hunger is for love, not food. I have very few friends but I support each and every one of them. I give them my love when they need some help because the most important thing is to share the love, not to keep it to yourself. Only by giving we can receive.

Today a friend of mine texted me on my cellphone, "I've been really lonely. Thank you for being there for me." That made me smile! It's that easy to make someone happy. Just be a friend!

Hot Soup and Uplifting Stories

I'm feel I am coming down with a cold.  And have been feeling sorry for myself and not feeling very generous today. 

When I arrived home after work, I learned that my hubby had prepared some homemade turkey and rice soup.  He has been "taking care" of me all evening.

As I sit here and read the wonderful stories shared by the members, I realize that I am feeling so very blessed at the moment.  The generosity of others all around me has created a huge internal shift.

This is what giving is all about. :)

Serving with Love

I am a person disabled by a variety of chronic conditions but I am seldom actually sick.  On a recent day though, I was really sick and stayed in bed, moaning and throwing up! I live with my dear husband (who was on a day trip with motorcycle buddies,) a 30 week pregnant daughter (who is both high risk and pre-term) and our sweet dogBoo who is nearly two years old and very active.  During this day, nothing unusual happened. I wasn't showered with flowers or feted on a pillow or anything of that sort but the love that was bestowed on me that was a gift of help.  Between my daughter and I we were able to see her Dad off on his trip, unaware of how sick I was. Then my daughter took care of the house, me, Boo, the errands and the meals. You name it she did it.  She smiled, she didn't ... Read Full Story >>

On a Kindness Mission with my Smile Cards

My second lot of Smile Cards arrived last week, and I have been trying to think of uses for them. Today, before I headed into town for a job interview, I decided to grab a handful and try to use as many as I could throughout the day.  The weather was awful, it was pouring with rain, and I would've loved to buy umbrellas for people.  But being unemployed, I didn't have the money to spare.  So instead, I decided to think of free or really cheap ways to make people smile -- after all, even the little things count.  I knew I'd also have to deal with my shyness, or just create anonymous acts of kindness, but it was a challenge I was willing to accept! Before leaving my house, I filled a bag with some items that I no longer use and prepared to drop it off at a charity shop in town.  ... Read Full Story >>

A Second Chance To Help

Yesterday I was returning from Boston by bus. My wife was planning to leave work to pick me up from the the bus station. I called her to say not to bother, I would just take the local transit bus to her. This was the first time I had ever ridden the local bus system. While I was sitting on the bus a young woman with a dog got on. She was carrying several bags of heavy books. I noticed the dog was an emergency dog, one that is trained to warn the owner of a possible seizure. I heard the young women mention to someone else that she still had two miles to walk with the heavy books after she got off the bus. I thought maybe I should ask if she wanted a ride but I wasn't sure which stop she was getting off at so I hesitated and  didn't ask. The bus dropped ... Read Full Story >>

Anonymous Christmas Gifts

I work within an assisted living complex, and I truly love it! Words can't describe how much the people I care for have changed and enhanced my life. I feel blessed to care for them.  Anyway, this isn't something I've done, but one of my residents. I was so moved when she told me that I wanted to share it. I was telling my resident how I had my handbag stolen at a local mall and, sadly, never got it back. She told me she had lost her wallet many years ago. A young woman called her a few days later and said she had found it. So my resident said she would come over and pick it up. She drove to this woman's house and said it was obvious the woman was struggling and she had three small children.   She took her wallet and everything was still in it. From then on for ... Read Full Story >>

Homemade Christmas For My Grandchildren

My hands (along with my mouth ) have been non-stop! I love Christmas!!! My favorite part is watching the children opening their gifts!

This year with so many grandchildren plus other friends' children, I had to be extra frugal when it came to gift giving because I had so many gifts to give! I busied myself making scarves and hats for 18 children. About the time when I thought I was finished, I would hear of another child coming to the family celebration, then another.  Seems like they were coming out of the wood work!! 

I made sure no child would leave empty-handed, so I made several more scarves and several more hats. I have been baking cookies almost every day and stuffed candies inside of small stockings.  It's not much, but I added the Love and Prayers for each child and I hope they feel it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY !!!  THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS WORLD A BRIGHT ONE !!!!!

A Schoolbag Full Of Love Makes A Difference

I must share a heart warming experience I enjoyed this week, both as a parent and a human being. My daughter, Emma (in 7th grade), started back to school last week. There is a young boy in her class (call him Jake) who is quite overweight. As you might expect  he is the butt of many jokes and is treated very badly by other kids (and even by the teachers). Jake gives the impression that he's not a nice guy, mostly because of the fact that he's constantly picked on. For several nights this week Emma came home from school upset about the fact that Jake gets picked on so much. She also mentioned that he had no school supplies as his family could not afford them. He was constantly asking to borrow paper, which just gives kids even more reason to pick on him. One night Emma was extremely upset about this situation, not only because ... Read Full Story >>

Don't Be Too Busy To Do What's Right

Today I was sending out the last of my Christmas packages. As I was leaving, I saw this lady with two huge packages marked "fragile" piled high coming into the Post Office.

I was ready to go right past her and jump in my car.  I had so much to do and I was focused on getting those things done.  But then my brain/heart kicked in and said, "Aurelia...she needs help.  Why didn't you ask her if you could help her with the packages?" 

So, I turned back around and asked if I could help her carry a box and also open the door to the Post Office. She was delighted and told me how her Mom was busy baking cookies for special people and that's what was in the boxes.  That made me smile. 

Don't be too Busy to do what's right....