Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Lesson In Receiving Graciously

I often walk from work (near Pier 39 in San Francisco) to the Embarcadero BART station, where I catch a train back to the East Bay. Several times, I passed a gentleman who I presumed was homeless.  He had a lot of his possessions tied down to his bike and held a cardboard sign that said he was a vet who doesn't drink or do drugs, but would appreciate anything that could be given.  He usually has headphones on and is listening to the radio. He is always minding his own business, often reading as well.  I've never seen him actively "panhandling." Several times, while I was passing him, I realized I had some food with me, so I turned around and offered him that food (most recently, a blueberry muffin).  He took off his headphones, and said "Umm, blueberry muffins are my favorite!" with a big smile and a gleam in his eye.  ... Read Full Story >>

A Track Meet Encounter That Inspired An Idea

While attending my 16 year old's high school track meet, I noticed that one of his teammates was running the events in regular sneakers.  So, I asked my son about it later on and he told me that the kid couldn't afford "spikes".  I'm a single mom and being able to afford equipment for sports has been tough at times.  My son and I are very fortunate to have a very supportive family that always pulls together when one of the kids needs something.  It was obvious my son's teammate needed the help of some extended family.  So, my son and I came up with a plan that would allow us to help the kid without embarrassing him.  The next day my son approached his teammate and told the boy that his uncle bought him a pair of spikes that were the wrong size.  My son asked his teammate his size and when he told him it was size eleven, my son said coincidentally ... Read Full Story >>

Carrying a Load With A Big Smile

It is a terribly rainy wet winters day here in Tauranga. While I was walking from the library after getting together my University applications for next year at the end of my lunch break, a man was walking towards me with two HUGE boxes of pamphlets. I thought, "What on earth is that man trying to do? Carry all that stuff?"  Then all of a sudden he dropped it all!!!!!!  It was a terrible mess with hundreds of brochures all over the path in front of me! "Oh no," I thought. The man sat down and started trying to pick all of the brochures up. I couldn’t believe how many people walked on by without even caring in the least. I thought, "I’m not going to be one of those people who don’t care about this man. I’m going to help him."  So, even though it was the end of my lunch break ... Read Full Story >>

My First Smile Card Experience

I just recently found this site and spent a few hours reading the stories. A lot of them were so touching that I cried a few times. While I normally do things like open doors for people and help out when I can, I knew I wanted to do something more.

I had just recently started a class and on the first day the professor apologised because she is usually much more full of energy than she was on that particular day. Her mother had just gotten diagnosed with terminal cancer and so she was very down.

I didn't even think about it until right before the next class, and then suddenly an idea dawned on me. I printed out a few smile cards, grabbed a few quarters and headed to class early. Once I got to the school, I went to a vending machine and purchased some M&M's. I then went into the class and put the M&M's along with a smile card on her desk.

I know it wasn't much but she was obviously more happy than she was just a couple days before and I hope I helped ease her pain a little.

Investing Love In Young Children

My childcare job allowed me to positively impact children from a young age while staying at home with my own children.  One single mom found my fees beyond her reach at times when she was short of cash and/or between jobs.  She brought her daughter to me as often as possible but sometimes had to resort to less expensive babysitters. Upon returning to me after a lapse of attendance, the daughter acted withdrawn, timid, and scared.  Realizing that childcare from multiple babysitters was negatively affecting the child's emotions, I reached an agreement with the mother to give her child a consistent caring environment under my watch.  Accordingly, the mother paid when she could.  When she was short of cash and/or between jobs, she dropped off her child under the guise of being my daughter's friend for the day. This arrangement paid off abundantly.  As the children I babysat reached school age and ... Read Full Story >>

Coupon Kindness in the Checkout Line

I recently went to a craft/sewing supply store to purchase a few things that I needed.  I had saved up some coupons for the store and brought them all along with me.  I'm usually quite a shy person, but as I was waiting in the long checkout line, I worked up the nerve to ask the lady ahead of me in the line and the couple behind me if they would like a coupon, as I had extra. 

Both were really pleasantly surprised and grateful for this (it was so nice to see their faces erupt in thankful smiles!). I also left several coupons on the counter for others to use if they wanted them.  :)

I highly recommend this action - it doesn't cost you a penny and saves others some ;)!  Just save some coupons - you can find them in store flyers, or get on the store's mailing list and some stores offer coupons online that can be printed out for use in their brick-and-mortar locations.  Just keep an eye out on expiration dates, and enjoy surprising people with kindness in the sometimes dreary hassle of a checkout line! 

Happy coupon hunting :)

Paying Forward a $500 Gift

Every Wednesday for 2 years now, a group of us ladies goes to a special thrfit store to look for some bargains. At this store, you could buy anything you could put in a bag for  only $1! I bought a few bags and came home to sort it all out on my kitchen floor, as I usually do. As I was looking at a men's leather coat, I started to check it for any flaws.  I felt something in a hidden inside pocket, so I pulled it out .  It was store purchase receipts, but I did not think much of it until I unraveled it and suddenly saw a $100 bill!!!! OH MY! Well, when my husband and I finished counting it all, it ended up being $500!  My husband and I were in shock! Unfortunately, there was no way to find out who the original owner was as these were clothes we bought from a ... Read Full Story >>

An Act of Kindness Beneficially Impacts Health

 I came across this passage in the book "The Power of Intention" by Wayne Dyer and I wanted to share it with all of you:
 
 
"The positive effect of kindness on the immune system and on the increased production of serotonin in the brain has been proven in research studies.

Serotonin is a naturally occurring substance in the body that makes us feel more comfortable, peaceful, and even blissful.

In fact, the role of most anti-depressants is to stimulate the production of serotonin chemically, helping to ease depression.

Research has shown that a simple act of kindness directed toward another improves the functioning of the immune system and stimulates the production of serotonin in both the recipient of the kindness and the person extending the kindness.

Even more amazing is that persons observing the act of kindness have similar beneficial results.

Imagine this!

Kindness extended, received, or observed beneficially impacts the physical health and feelings of everyone involved!"

Cukes, Zukes and Smiles

My parents live in a semi-rural area, and are fortunate to have some land to plant a garden.  This year, they planted some cucumbers and zucchinis.  They grew extremely well so they had an abundance of 'cukes' and 'zukes'.  They decided to give the extra produce away. 

I thought maybe my family could sell the extra food (they certainly could use some extra income themselves), but they wouldn't think of it - sharing the produce is something they've done their whole life. For my parents, giving the food away is part of the fun of growing a garden.

My parents took some of the cukes and zukes to some elderly friends they knew in the town, and to a building complex in a really poor part of town, where people rarely can afford to get fresh veggies. 

Hopefully they made those people's days a little brighter ;)

A Profound Sense of Joy in Giving

It was 7 in the morning. I was on a train to another city when I struck up a conversation with a young professional sitting next to me. I gathered that he came from a farming family and was now doing exceptionally well in the IT industry. He also revealed that he was stressed and disconnected from his roots. He was kind enough to give me a window seat, help a co-passenger when he dropped his coffee, etc. Just small acts which showed what a good person he was. I was pretty involved in reading my book - a biography on the Dalai Lama. Anyone who knows me well knows that the Dala Lama has played a huge role in my life although I haven't met him. In fact he is one of the main sources of inspiration I have and reading a book about him which my Dad had given to me was just ... Read Full Story >>

87 Year Old Woman Named Rose

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned round to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze. "Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..." "No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. "I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told ... Read Full Story >>

Helping a Soldier Helps Gain Perspective

I recently started a new job and it hasn't been a good match. 

I was on my way home from a stressful meeting with my boss and I was worrying about how my family will get by once I am fired.  In these economic times it scary to contemplate being unemployed. I was thinking that it can't be good to focus so much negative energy when I saw a soldier enter the gift shop in the airport. 

I took this to be God's way of telling me to stop focusing on myself and trust that he will provide for my family and help me find the right job.  I followed the soldier into the store and asked if I could pay for his items.  He agreed and thanked me, but of course I was busy thanking helping to keep us safe. 

When he left, the cashier told me that he was just getting off a plane returning from war.  I was so grateful for his sacrifice and for the opportunity to say thank you.  This opportunity allowed me to turn the focus away from myself and on the people who have real challenges like this brave young man who was risking his life.

A Detour in the Journey of the Kindness Checkbook

I am writing this post following my earlier post 'The Journey of a Kindness Checkbook'. In reading many of the stories here I have come to a realization that had not previously occurred to me.  Not everyone is comfortable doing random acts of kindness.  Post after post people talk about how worried they are to take that step. After learning this I went down to the little bird store where I had given the lady who works there the smile transaction register.  I asked her if it was something she was comfortable doing.  She asked me to take it back, she said "It was not working out".  I did and apologized for not realizing that it may make some people uncomfortable. I have now passed it on to a coworker who said she would love to do it!  I am waiting for the emails to come in to the designated email account I set up so ... Read Full Story >>

Three Hours and Three Beaming Smiles

It was a hot weekday afternoon and I was on my way to volunteer at a reading session with visually impaired girls. I got in to a rickshaw and immediately struck up a conversation with the rickshaw driver.  The rickshaw driver started telling me the story of his life.  He related that he had grown up very poor and he and his siblings didn’t have much. He said he worked very hard so that he could make sure that his children had the opportunity to attend a decent school.  He said that there were many nights when he would skip dinner to make sure that they would have enough money to send the daughter on a class trip or to pay for his son to attend the computer lab.  I was profoundly moved by the simple and matter of fact way in which this man was relating this heart-melting story. When we ... Read Full Story >>

Lollipop Smiles

I recently started a project called "Operation Smiley Face" with the simple goal of spreading smiles.

As part of this effort I decided to do a "Lollipop Drop" in and around my neighborhood :). I started out by purchasing a couple of bags of lollipops. My son and I then attached a Smile Card to each one.

We then went out and placed some of them in locations where they could easily be spotted, and others  where it would be more of a surprise (like in the pick up area of a vending machine). We  had so much fun doing it, and it has become a regular practice now.

I carry prepared lollipops with me so that 'mready to do a quick "smile drop" wherever I go.  :)

Gratitude for the Chance to Help at a Children's Hospice

Yesterday was my first day as a volunteer at a childrens' hospice. When I arrived, I was made to feel so welcome by being introduced to everyone, given a cup of tea and then shown round.

The job they needed doing was a pile of ironing, which I was more than happy to do.  The lady in charge of volunteers kept apologising but I was thrilled to be able to help and it felt so good to empty the basket.

I was given a badge and next week will have one with my name on it and I'm so proud of it. I came out feeling as though I had re-entered the outside world. I have been at home for 30 years, first as a foster mum to babies in care then as mum to my own kids and although I have health challenges, I really want to get back to work. Who knows, there might be a vacancy for a nursery nurse at the hospice one day.

I am so gratefull for the chance to help there and for everyone being so kind. There is so much love there.  

A Gesture of Generosity that Healed a Life

I was in church one Sunday when my husband’s ex-wife requested the pastor and the church to pray for her.  She said that she was a drug addict and she wanted to stop using drugs.  She was crying and said that she needed God’s help because she knew that she couldn't do it alone. She was a beautiful woman with four children and they were all crying with her. After church I went to her and introduced myself. She said that she had heard about my marriage to her ex-husband. We talked for a little while and she told me that she did not have a car and that they were going to catch the bus home. I offered to give them a ride and we continued to talk in the car. She began to open up about how bad things really were in her life. I had heard rumours from ... Read Full Story >>

A Clean Out Creates An Opportunity To Help Out

My oldest daughter, Leslie,  recently moved into a smaller apartment and had lots of furniture, nic nacs and tons of clothing...about 10 garbarge bags filled..that she had no room for in her apartment. Guess where it all ended up - in my garage.  As I looked at it all piled in there, I started thinking of people who could really use the stuff. I called Leslie and asked her if she minded if I went through the bags of clothing. At first she was hesitant saying there are things in there she's keeping for sentimental reasons. I said "I'll go through and have a pile of things I want to donate and then you come over and give me your 'okay'". To my surprise, when she came over yesterday afternoon, she gave her okay to everything I picked out and then she went through the rest of the things and really let go of some of the things she loved but ... Read Full Story >>

A True Blessing Received At Notre Dame

This spring, I was lucky enough to be able to go on an amazing trip around Europe. One of the things I got to see was the Notre Dame Cathedral which was an amazing experience for me.

As I was taking pictures outside and waiting for my turn to enter, I noticed a woman begging by the main door. She was kneeling with a coffee cup, covered in a multitude of old and worn shawls. She seemed to be in pain and didn't even have the strength to ask each of the thousands of people who walked by - she just held up her little cup.

I watched, utterly shocked, as tourist after tourist totally ignored her. She was so tiny and frail, I wondered if people even saw her among the rich beauty of the church they were about to enter. So as my turn approached, I slipped a 20 euro note into her cup.

As I entered the church, I barely heard a quiet "God bless you." Her blessing meant more than all the stained-glass beauty of that Cathedral. To this day, when I am down, I remember the woman who had so little and who gave a wonderful blessing to a girl who already had so much.

Whole-Hearted Generosity From Those With Very Little

This is a story about the kindness of the rickshaw pullers in North India.  Rickshaw pullers are some of the poorest people in India and they work extremely hard.  People sit on a carriage and the rickshaw pullers transport them by pulling the carriage manually (or sometimes with a bicycle).  I recently suffered a knee injury and needed to go to physiotherapy every day. I was unable to walk much, so I had to use a rickshaw puller to take me there, wait for me and then bring me back.  This was usually the only time I would leave the house each day and so I would use these trips to get all the stuff I needed like medicines, milk, fruit, etc.  As I couldn't really walk much, I had to ask the rickshaw pullers if they could take care of these errands for me.  Everyday, on the way back from physiotherapy, I would ask the rickshawpuller to stop by the market and request him to the get ... Read Full Story >>