Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Phone Call, To A Letter... To A Life Changing Friendship

My first full time job after high school was selling vacation packages via telephone for a well known company.  One day, the dialer connected me to a man that answered the phone and sounded a bit out of breath.  I started with my normal pitch, and expecting to hear the normal, "I don't want any," and be hung up on.   Instead he spoke in a faint, weak voice and began to tell me how he wished he could take a vacation like the one I was offering, but couldn't because he was dying of emphysema.  He explained how he was on oxygen, and it took almost all his energy just to get to the phone to answer the call.  I apologized, and my heart fell into my stomach.  He asked me if I smoked, which I did, and then begged me to stop.  He told me smoking is what was ... Read Full Story >>

A Gifted Meal Inspired by "The Wave of Love"

Visiting my father in mainland Hawaii was a wonderful gift of love from my church.  I met five incredible people during this time that I call "The Wave of Love".  They shared their stories of living in a gifting culture, with Smile Cards and much more. It was the most profound experience of this decade for me. One evening my father took me to dinner at his favorite eatery where one can purchase an entire meal plus tip for less than $9.  As we prepared to leave, my hand went into my purse for my keys (out of habit) and found, instead, my Smile Cards.  I had wanted to treat my father for dinner, but he wouldn't allow that, so I thought, “Hmmmm, how can I carry out an act of kindness?” After he left the restaurant (because I knew he would think I was crazy), I found the cashier, gave ... Read Full Story >>

A Gracious Gesture on an Incredibly Special Day

About a year ago, my husband had just come back from a 7 month tour in Iraq. My daughter and I had gone up to see him get off the bus at 6am, and he didn't get there until about 7-7:30am.   After a couple hours of work he had to do, we were ready to go home.  On the way home, my husband suggested that we go to International House of Pancakes (IHoP) to grab something to eat. We didn't have that much money left, as it was right before payday, but I decided it would be worth it anyway, since he hadn't gotten to eat anything like that for months. We went in and sat down in a crowded resturant. He was still wearing his ACU's (his army clothes) and I was clinging to him and still crying a little bit, just so happy to have him home. We sat ... Read Full Story >>

A Life Lesson From A Farmer

My dad sent me a nice story forward, and here's an attempt to paraphrase the gist..

A certain farmer with the best crop yield was known to give away his seeds to other farmers in the area. When asked why he would give away his assets, he responded, "Well, you see, the wind blows seeds from all over into my land. If my neighbors have inferior seeds, then I will get an inferior crop. Therefore, to ensure that the wind brings me the best seeds, I must share my best seeds with others.

This is true about farming, and true about life. If we have an exquisite seed of happiness, why not give it away, so the wind blows it back to us.

Answering Aggression with Kindness and Compassion

 I have been working in a Pupil Referral Center in Croydon UK.  This is a place where pupils go when they have been expelled from school.  Their behaviour is extremely challenging.  

I met a lady who works there and found that when she is faced with a stream of verbal abuse she always responds with kindness; when she is faced with aggression she responds with love and when she is faced with screams and tantrums she responds with calmness and compassion.  

I feel privileged to have met her.  I will never forget her gentleness and determination to help those children.

A Teenage Daughter's Good Deed Made Me Proud

My daughter Lizzie called all excited to share her experience with me.  "Mom, I did a good deed today and you'd be so proud of me!"   and of course I am.

Here's what happened....

After wok, Lizzie had to stop for gas.  She was at the station waiting in line to pay. It seems the lady in front of her was from out of town and really lost. The person behind the counter was trying to help her with directions, but the lady was so confused and afraid.

Lizzie knew exactly where the lady wanted to go and she offered to go there and let the lady Follow her.  The lost lady was soooo appreciative.  Lizzie said it felt good to help a stranger.

So when your teens seem to be nothing but sassy and selfish...remember,  they are watching you and learning. In a few years they'll be out in the world with memories of what they've seen you do.  I feel so blessed to see this happening.

A Letter of Thanks to All Social Workers in the World

 A social worker played a huge role in my life when I was young. It's a field where the pay is low and many are at ground zero of humanity's dark sides. I wanted to share a letter I wrote thanking them. This was sent out to over 80 agencies across the midwest. If you know someone who could use this please do send it. It does matter. Dear Social Workers, The work you do matters. On the days when you are burnt out, and questioning if it does, take a few moments to read this letter. I was 12-years old when I first met Dale. I was lost in a world of institutions and dormitories for the last few years. The reasons why I didn’t understand. At the time I thought I was broken and no good. I later learned it was my home that was broken. My father was an abusive ... Read Full Story >>

A Toll Booth Pick-Me-Up

I was in my car waiting in line to pay the toll charge.  I had just had some sad news about a family member being sick so I was feeling very down as I pulled up to the booth.  When I rolled down my window, the toll collector told me that the car in front of me had paid my toll fare for me.  He must have seen that I was upset and said that he hoped I felt better – even though he didn’t know me. 

They are just a small things but they really meant a lot to me.

If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking

I came across this lovely poem by Emily Dickinson that I wanted to share: If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.       ... Read Full Story >>

A Profound Urge To Do Something Outrageously Kind

Yesterday, I wasn't having the greatest day. I lost my wallet, and luckily I found it, but the whole mishap messed up the rest of my day. In the evening, I was reading stories on My Life is Average, and then switched to Gives Me Hope. Reading about so many positive experiences and contributions to society from so many different people made me feel very cheerful. After reading, I was getting ready for bed in an altogether happy mood, and as I was getting out of the shower, I had a wonderful idea. I had this profoud urge to do something outrageously nice for someone whom I don't feel like I've ever done anything explicitly nice, my mother. That's not to say that I don't love her and tell her as such, but doing the little acts of kindness, those usually escape me. And it's not just me that forgets to do ... Read Full Story >>

A Big Grocery Store Smile

My daughter and I were shopping at Safeway in Bend, Oregon.  We had a lot to get and I noticed that the cost was starting to pile up.  Then out of nowhere, a lovely kind Asian Lady came up to us and gave us a coupon for $10.00 off our purchase (since we were spending more than $50.00).  How wonderful! We were so so happy.  It just made our day.  We told her that we would find a way to pass her kindness along when the next opportunity arose.  Thank you to that special lady!

What a good idea sharing coupons with other people that you aren’t going to use!

The First Day Back To School Starts With Smiles

Today was the first day back to school in my area. This time of year it's chilly in the morning, but hot in the afternoon. My daughter wore shorts, so I decided to drive her to the bus stop and let her wait in the warm car. Everything went smoothly and she was all smiles when the bus arrived and she jump on board.

Then I drove home and as I parked the car, I saw my neighbor taking a photo of her 16year old twins! Some  things never change...photos on the first day :)  I said good morning and told them the bus had already come. I saw that the mom was still in her PJs and offered to take the girls to a bus stop in the development down the road.

She was so thankful for my offer ... so off we went. They too were all smiles when they saw some of their school friends waiting for the bus. They hopped out of my car and joined them.

Another school year, another year of hectic morning routines and SMILES :0)

Smile Deck: Ace of Spades

I recieved my new Smile Deck (a deck of cards with a unique kindness idea on each card) from HelpOthers.org.  I have distributed a few of the cards (asking, of course, that they be returned to me as soon as the mission on that card is completed).  I have not yet heard back any stories from the cards I sent out but I look forward to hearing them and to sharing them here with all of you. :) I drew one card myself.  It was the Ace of Spades.  The task on the card was to make signs about conserving water and distribute them in public places.  I used 'Word' to make the signs.  I put a pretty picture of a leaf with water droplets on it at the top and then listed 5 easy practical ways YOU can conserve water and then printed off a few copies.  I posted one in the laundry matt near where I ... Read Full Story >>

An Extra Smile with Lunch

I have a soft spot in my heart for the young and the elderly.

A few days back, my husband and I went out for lunch. We sat across the way from what I assumed were a father and daughter sharing their time by having a meal together.

Before returning to the car, I stopped at one of the many gumball and candy machines located near the exit. I placed two quarters in the machine and out came a plastic ball containing a toy. With toy in hand, I stepped back and placed the toy in front of the little girl and said, “Have a nice day!” She smiled big and said, ''Thank you!”

I hope that made her time with her father a little more special. :)

Car Kindness

One of my friends needed practice to prepare for her driving test to receive her learner’s permit.  She did not have much practical experience because no one would let her borrow a car to practice.

Desiring to give, I offered to help teach her using my car, and she accepted.  However, to complicate things, one of her friends told her (as a joke) that the driving test would require her to drive in reverse in a straight line at 30 MPH! Thinking this was true, she attempted to do so in my car and hit the curb in a parking lot, causing one of my tires to pop and go flat.  She offered to pay to replace it, but I insisted that this was not necessary.

Notwithstanding these challenges, my friend passed her driving test with flying colors. Even though I came out of the situation with a flat tire, I am glad this helped her achieve her goal.
 

Blessings From A Special Lunch Guest

Today I had a special person over for lunch. I returned home this morning, after a week long trip to Pondicherry. I had come down with a fever and was resting. I woke up with a knock at my door and realised my land lady had come over.  While she was entering, I heard her asking someone,"Why are you sitting here?" An old frail voice replied, "Madam gives me food, so I am sitting here waiting for food."  My land lady came inside. I went out and wished the old lady "Amma" well and enquired about her welfare. My land lady was giving me questioning looks whilst watching my interaction with Amma. When lunch was ready, I asekd Amma to come inside to eat, but she refused, she said that she sits out daily and that was okay for her. I told her that as I was at home today and that she was a guest in my home, she should come inside.  Amma came in and had lunch. I told her to rest in the room. ... Read Full Story >>

Paying Forward A Little Bicycle

A couple of weeks back, my friend had a yard sale, and she offered to sell some of our stuff for us.  I thought it would be a good opportunity to clean my 7 year old son's room and get rid of some toys that he had long outgrown.  We agreed that whatever we sold in toys would be his money. The night before the sale, we loaded up the truck with toys and a little bike that he was now too tall for.  He had taken the bike for a final spin before we left home but happily put it on the truck for the sale.  This little bike had had at least 2 previous owners that we knew of.  It was not in the best shape and it certainly was not shiny new but it was still a bike, and the tires were still good.  We put a price of $10 on it but it didn't sell.  So, after the ... Read Full Story >>

An Opportunity to Offer A Little Bit More

I have been learning sign language, and was on my way to my sign language class.  I was running late so I skipped dinner to make sure I made it in time.  I stopped at my local corner shop to pick up a snack, on the  way to the bus stop.  When I was waiting for the bus, I noticed a homeless man sitting under a doorway. It was really cold and it was raining and I realised how lucky I am to know I can head home and have hot food and a warm bed and a hug from my mum... I went up to him and started chatting to him.  I didn't have any change so I gave him my chocolate, drink and some  other stuff I'd picked up at the store.  It wasn't a massive donation, but it was pretty cool to be able to give something to this warm and friendly man that wasn't the last cents at the bottom of my pocket. And it was great to have a smile to return. So I was pretty happy!

A $5 Kindness Journey from the Harbor Tunnel to Walmart

The other day I was driving through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel.  I was about 2 minutes away from the toll, and somehow I managed to get myself in the E-Z pass only lane, and of course I didn’t have an E-Z pass.  I was trying to switch lanes and no-one was letting me through, so I did something very unlike me - I cut the car behind me off, to spare me the E-Z pass ticket that I seemed almost destined to receive. I noticed that the driver of the car I cut off was a maybe late 30s male, who just looked like the world was on his shoulders. As I approached the toll booth, I handed the lady $5, and told her I was paying for the car behind me as well as mine. So the guy gets to the toll booth, and next thing I know, he’s speeding ... Read Full Story >>

Spreading Love on Labor Day

On Labor Day last year my husband went out for a meal at a restaurant.  After we had finished, I asked him if he'd ever given a waiter/waitress a 100% tip.  He gave me this funny look (probably because he was thinking about how much our dinner added up to be!) and said he hadn't. I said that since it was Labor Day and our waitress was working this holiday, it would be fun to give her a 100% tip and see what her reaction would be.  He told me I was crazy but agreed anyway! Our dinner bill came to $32.18 so that's the exact tip we left, $32.18.  We tried to hand her our dinner bill folder but she kept telling us to leave it on the table and she would get to it.  So we left and we never got to see her reaction. I wondered off and on, and still do to this day, what ... Read Full Story >>