Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Small Gesture That Made My Day Brighter

I needed to stop by our local grocery store on my way home. As I approached the store, I could see  a little old lady was trying to get a young man's attention - but without success. I asked the lady if she needed something and she said yes.  She had parked near the shopping cart return area and was going to use a cart to lean on.  She needed it to help her balance.  There was only once cart there and it was from a different store so she didn't want to use it.   I walked to another cart area and retrieved a cart for this grocery store.  The lady was relieved and happy to have the right cart.  She told me she uses the cart to get to the store.  Once inside, she uses a motorized cart.  She thanked me and was on her way. A little while later, I saw the little old ... Read Full Story >>

A Child's Compassion For Animals

Our family has had many different pets over the years: Dogs, cats, frogs, lizards, turtles, and even a snake once. CC (our 7-year old grandchild) has always had a compassionate heart for all of them. When we learned about a shelter in the area that was ran by just volunteers she couldn’t wait to get involved. This was an excellent opportunity for her to learn and care for many different animals. What made this shelter different than most is their policy to never have any of the animals put to sleep. The animals they tended to would live at the center until they were adopted. If it took a week or a year for them to find a home, it didn’t matter. When CC learned that many of the animals were there because they had no home, it really bothered her. She couldn’t understand how that could be. When she ... Read Full Story >>

The Spirit of Random Kindness in Teenagers

I love doing Random Acts of Kindness.  I guess my enthusiasm sometimes rubs off on my kids and their friends. Yesterday we picked up my daughter's boyfriend. As soon as he got into our car he started to tell me about his ranom act of kindness.

"Wait til you hear this!" he said all pumped.  "I was walking home from school, and I noticed this little old lady on her porch struggling to untangle her USA Flag from it's post."  It had been a windy day and the flag was all twisted around and around the flag post.... "I called from the road, can I help you?" She was a little surprised.  He's a tall boy and had no problem reaching the flag and returning it to it proper state, waving proudly in the wind.  He was laughing as he said this... "The old lady said she never had such a good looking young man pay attention to her or help her out without her asking!"  He was very proud of himself! And I was extremely happy to see the spirit of random kindness spreading in our teenagers.

Helping A Friend At 6.30 In The Morning

A friend called and said that his truck had stalled and asked if I could come and jump-start his battery. I stopped what I was doing and I arrived where he was stranded in about five minutes.  We started his truck and I followed him to the nearest mechanic. He offered me money or something to eat for compensation but I declined and said, "No thanks, that's what friends are for." He called me later on and stated that the mechanic could not fix his truck at the time and asked him to bring the truck back the next day. My friend said he would need a ride to work and asked if  I would be able to take him at 6:30 am. I told him that I get off work at 5 am and I am usually so tired that I go right to sleep. He stated that he had taken ... Read Full Story >>

A Reminder of the Kindness in the World

I stopped at a huge yard sale and was looking for that hidden treasure.  A blouse caught my eye, and as I approached the "cashier" I heard her say, "Well, can't you get some more money from someone?"  I looked over and saw that her comment was directed at a child holding a nice looking pair of shoes in one hand, his other outstretched palm displaying a few coins.  I was instantly annoyed that the lady was witholding a pair of unwanted shoes for a few more cents.  I remembered my smile cards, and asked  "how much are they?" .  "Two dollars" she replied.  "Oh, here ya go," I said, handing the boy two dollars and a smile card.   As I walked away I heard her say to the boy,   "Can I see your card?"  I decided to buy the blouse and when I went to pay the lady was clearly chagrinned.  "Where did you ... Read Full Story >>

Sharing My Childhood Happiness With My Neighbor's Child

When I was 18, our neighbor married an Asian woman who moved in with her daughter who was ten years old. My mother went to bid them welcome and came back both surprised and sad. "They have almost nothing", she said, "and the girl has almost no toys. Do you think you could give her one of your dolls?".  When I was a little girl, I loved playing with my Barbie dolls. I  was more than happy to comply as I had a lot of them.  I found the box with my dolls and their clothes and shoes in the attic. As I looked through it all to find a doll and some clothes, it suddenly occurred to me, why stop at one? Why not give that little girl the whole collection? I knew I would never want to play with them again. So I dressed each doll in a beautiful dress and brushed ... Read Full Story >>

Compassion Cover in the Rain

 It was really raining hard here in London, as  I was walking my children to nursery.  We passed an old lady who was sat on her shopping trolley in the rain.  I asked if she was ok, she replied she was just a little tired and would be fine in a few moments. With that, I asked if she could hold my 'brolly' for me, which she did and I just walked away...

I just hope she isn't still there waiting for me to come back for it...

Buying an Elderly Couple Dessert

The other night when I was out to dinner with my husband there was a sweet, older couple sitting nearby. They were laughing and enjoying each other's company. When the woman needed to leave the table, her husband helped her get up slowly, patiently. The same again when she returned. I could see the man's love for his wife in his eyes.   When it was time for dessert, the server bent over the table to get close enough for them to hear and then took their order. As she walked by our table I told her that we'd like to buy the couple's dessert. When it was served to them, they found out about the gift. They tried to crane their heads to see where we were so I walked over to their table. I simply explained that they reminded me of my parents and that I hoped they enjoyed ... Read Full Story >>

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)