Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Homemade Halloween Treats

On Halloween this year, I decided that I wanted to do something for the kids in my neighbourhood. I am not married and have not had the blessing of my own children, however I am truly blessed by those in the co-operative housing complexes close by. So, I set off making "ghost pops", rice crispie shaped ghosts covered in a white chocolate coating with black licorice eyes. I wrapped each up and specially tied them with a bow. Then I set them out for parents and kids to see as they came by trick-or-treating. I cannot tell you the elation of the parents and the thrill of the kids around this treat.   For me it was far greater, as I grew up in a time that any and all 'homemade' food, apples or something not properly sealed was thown out - razor blades, pins and parents being safe.  I figured it would help if I ... Read Full Story >>

Joy From A Gift Card

I previously signed up with my local mall to fill out email surveys.  Recently, the mall sent me an email saying it would give me a free gift card if I printed the email and brought it to the mall at a certain date and time.  When I arrived, a young girl ahead of me was attempting to obtain her gift card, but they realized she had to be 18 years old, and her birthday wasn't for two more weeks.  I felt really bad for her, but she was polite, though obviously disappointed.

I took note of the direction she headed, and after receiving my card, I headed that way.  I saw her entering a store, so I walked up to her and handed her my card.  At first she turned down my gift, saying that I did not need to do that…but I just smiled and said "happy holidays" very quietly and walked off.  It was so nice to see the surprise and pleasure on her face.

I didn't have the $10 gift card before entering the mall, so it wouldn't hurt to give it away.  In fact, rather than “not hurting,” it brought me much joy!

I only regret that I didn't have a Smile Card with me to accompany the gift card!

Finding A Way To Offer Something

My doorbell rang and I opened the front door to find a man standing there holding an identity card.  He must have been in his late twenties. He said that he had been to a reform centre and he was trying to make good by selling things door to door.  

Unfortunately, I do have any money to buy things, but I did want to help this man.  I remembered that I had a small piggy bank full of coins.  I asked the man to wait and I went and got the piggy bank.  I emptied it into one of the man's pockets.

He was so happy.

A Regular Person's Christmas Compassion

This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:  I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.  When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something ... Read Full Story >>

A Penguin Surprise

I saw the cutest little penguin Christmas tree ornament, which made me think of a teacher at school who really loves penguins. It was inexpensive, so I was able to buy it.

I saw the teacher leave the room for her lunch break, so I was sneaky and left the ornament on her desk...with a little tag saying, “Just for You...I hope it makes you Smile!”

She was so surprised when she found it there. She told the faculty that she is going to figure out who put it there.  I don't think she will, but I do know that she was smiling as she walked up and down the halls that afternoon. :)

Six Hours to Help

Today, I went to the passport office to get my passport renewed. Even with doing some of the renewal online, I still had to wait like six hours to submit my application.  Feeling a bit frustrated by that, I decided that instead of getting annoyed, why not help people fill out their forms. Most of the people who were there were either elderly or not from the country, and needed extra time with the forms in their non-native language. I was happy helping them with their forms in any way that I could. All of them were very appreciative but the greatest happiness was seeing them smile when they were able to successfully submit their applications. 

The 6 hour waiting time turned out to be so much better than I expected because I had an opportunity to help others...I  walked out, passport renewed and a happy man!

Spreading Smiles During Cruise Ship Season

In New Zealand, our summer period runs from December through February, and during this summer/Christmas break, we have many, many tourists! Today was the first day of the Cruise Ship Season, and there were busloadsof tourists everywhere, most of whom seemed to be American tourists. During this year’s Cruise Ship season, we have 45 cruise ships from all over the world, which come into Mount Maunganui/Tauranga, New Zealand. During my lunch break, I noticed a few tourists (I could tell from the cruise ship passes hanging around their necks) who were standing there, looking extremely confused. So I walked right up to them and asked if they needed some help. They were rather lost and were looking for the nearest hotel. So I stood there for a few minutes, had a bit of a chat with them, and then showed them towards the hotel, after which they were very thankful. I  love the Cruise Ship Season because, as ... Read Full Story >>

The Gypsy Flower Boy

In 2000, I was on holiday with my friends on the  island of Corfu, Greece. One night we were walking along the main road that was lined on both sides with bars and nightclubs and it was very late maybe 11:30pm.  I noticed that there were children walking along in front of me and I thought, "It is late for children to be up and about," but then I noticed that they were gypsy children, young girls and boys selling roses, or trying to sell roses to drunk tourists and gangs of girls out for the night! I felt sad when I saw one boy, probably no older than 8 or 9, trying to sell theflowers to the passers by and getting polite and sometimes agressive responses from the people that thronged the street. "Where were his parents and what was he doing out at this time," I thought.  I just ... Read Full Story >>

Unexpected Warmth At An Airport Counter

One important meeting lingers in my memory for  a long time through which I learned an unforgettable lesson.

Way back in 1991, I was traveling for the first time from India to another country. I was at Mumbai airport , not familiar with all the formalities of flying and reasonably anxious, and was standing in the queue to collect my boarding pass.

A Lost Kindness Opportunity

So today was a monday Morning and like millions of others,  I left home to get to work. The slight difference today from most Mondays was that I was running half hour late and I was feeling stressed about it. 

Just near a major bridge, a car in front of me broke down and I panicked and shifted gear and went ahead, as I was driving past the car, I noticed it was a lady in the driver's seat and the look in her face was quite helpless. I saw her and yet I did NOT stop.

The 'being late' thing was on mind and the fear that my boss will have a comment or two was in my mind and that made me decide to not help the lady. Now I have reached office and feel so miserable.

I am a person who always helps others and this time I did not.

Should I have stopped to help the lady? While I knew the right thing to do was to help that lady at that time, why did the being late to work created such a havoc for me. 

What should one do when faced with a similar situation next time?

For Children, Kindness Is Impulsive

Yesterday while I was busy doing my housework, my daughter ran up to me and said, "Mommy there's someone at the gate."  I told her to ask who it was. It was an old man beggar. I heard my daughter yelling, "Mommy he wants money."  For a second I ignored her, but then it hit me what she just said. I found my daughter taking out money from her Dad's wallet. Instead of stopping her, I stood there amazed at her action and the realization: kids give without hesitation and their kindness is impulsive.  Then I murmured a little prayer to myself, "God, let my kids never outgrow such a value and let that value grow on us adults." Sure, we all want to do kindness acts as much as we can, but let's also be honest -- how many times have we acted on it in reality? How many times have we ... Read Full Story >>

A Restaurant Check Connection

We were eating at a restaurant some time back having a wonderful meal together.  Close to the end of our meal, we received the check, which, as good fortune would have it, was not ours.  However, having just been reminded of the many ways our lives are connected through a recent reading, I chose to pay this check as well as ours. 

We left following this encounter and weren't around to see the other people respond or react. Which is just as I prefer it - anonymous. However, the next time we were at the same restaurant, we found ourselves showered with unexpected kindness and gratitude from the staff there. 

Random act...karma...whatever, the whole adventure of it was beautiful and special  just knowing we'd brightened someone else's life...

Clean Clothes and an Unexpected Gift

I was at the laundrymat and overheard a young family who were washing their clothes.  The woman wanted $20 to get her hair done at the beauty palor for a big event in their lives.  The man said "no"  and off they went next door for a cup of coffee while their dryer was running.

I overheard this conversation and wanted to help.  As I was leaving, their dryer went off and I placed a $20 bill on top of their laundry inside the dryer so the woman could get her hair done.

Helping others makes your soul smile !!!

Kindness - 'Just Because'

Everytime I go to a fast food 'drive-thru' - I pay for the car behind me.  The person at the till usually asks me 'why?' and I respond, 'just because!'.  

I have always wondered if they understood or appreciated it or thought I was just strange?  I continue to do it, because I hope it will make the car behind me happy.

A Generous Gesture That Made A Dream Come True

I had a dream for over a year, to attend the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. I had even reserved a hostel room a year in advance  because I so wanted to be there. I had worked very hard to arrange things, but was having trouble raising money for the trip. I asked one of my MBA professors who is connected in investing circles to ask, if I were to write an appeal letter, would he please send it to his contacts? He apologized, because he said there is not much money available right now because of the economy. Then he paused, and asked me where I was flying from. When I told him, he asked me if he could help me out with flight miles to Copenhagen for the trip. I was awestruck by the offer. I hurried to tell him that I had not mentioned this to ask ... Read Full Story >>

A Small Act - But A Big Impact

I am the mother of three little ones all under the age of five. One of my children has Celiac Disease, I have Multiple Sclerosis, and other members of our family have various food intolerances. None of these titles or limitations has ever stopped us from finding a balance and being creative in our thoughts towards happiness. We help out bodies to be their strongest, and happiest, through the foods we eat. This means getting creative in the kitchen to make all bellies happy but I have to be especially creative because our food budget is very stretched. My hubby took a brave journey and switched careers about five years back and went to medical school. He graduated this past spring and when he finished the finances, or lack there of, really began to be felt. We have kept on smiling because we know in the end it will all be worth it ... Read Full Story >>

A Moment of Purpose

Lately, I've been trying to listen more to the messages I send myself.  Having some extra time the other day, I thought: "I've got an hour to kill." I winced; feeling the word "kill." So I changed my thought to: "I've got an hour to live."  Wow!  My mindset completely changed.  And then, out of nowhere, I found my self leaving a "smile card" on the table behind me. As I sat, my insides started to giggle, I couldn't help but laugh like a little kid.  It was euphoric just knowing that I could benefit some else, even a little bit.  I literally felt, in real time, my value as a human being. At that moment, I felt that I had found my real purpose.

I never did see who picked it up, but it didn't matter. I had gained so much. My soul had spoken.  I learned that when I am unaware, I am nowhere. But when I am "purposely aware," I am now here.

Learning The Happiness In Giving

I was in a local grocery store this afternoon, standing in line at the checkout behind a young woman.  There were two little boys with her who were very patient and well behaved. I saw a lot of store-brand items in her order.  She held a number of coupons, was watching the subtotal carefully.  She had placed the things she didn't "need" at the back of her order.  I knew what she was doing, as I've done it myself.  When the total reached a certain amount, she asked that the clerk to ring up the coupons before she continued.   When that was done, she added the two left-back boxes of cereal, but told the clerk she definitely could not afford the last item - a jug of pure maple syrup.  She paid using an EBT card for the qualified part of her order, and thanked the clerk for helping her.    I was really impressed by the effort ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Girl's Lesson in Love and Compassion

I was traveling in China a couple of years ago. We were touring some very rural areas - the particular location was the Ancient City about 40 miles outside of Wenzhou. I was the only brown skinned person in sight. People where quite fascinated with me, and would stare, and sometimes photograph me. I was getting a little annoyed, but I thought why not send my fellow travellers love in my thoughts. As we walked through this village we came upon a family making rice wine. They appeared to have very little but had such radiant smiles. As we got closer, I saw a small little figure dart into their little home and dart back out. Their little toddler, all of 3 years old, approached me. She was an adorable little thing. She wore quite tattered clothes and had dirt smudges on her face. As I bent down, she reached out and gave me ... Read Full Story >>

A Chocolate Treat for Grocery Store Patience

We've all seen it - one of those monster tantrums a young child throws in the middle of the grocery store - in this case it was happening in the checkout aisle next to me.  A harried mom was trying to buy her groceries whilst one of daughters was grabbing at her legs/ankles and howling.  She resembled a sprawling blob rather than a beautiful little girl she was.  In fact, it was the little girl's birthday (and apparently it was all too much for her at the end of this long day!).  The store clerks offered balloons and stickers, but it was all on deaf ears --- this little girl was having none of it. I felt bad for the mom, I offered a sympathetic smile and tried to engage with the child to no avail. After they left the store the checkout clerk commented "poor woman!" and I agreed that it was indeed tough. I ... Read Full Story >>