Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Walk In The Sunshine

This weekend, Summer finally arrived in my town!  On Sunday Bigsi and Gangly Son and I went for a walk by the canal.   It is a popular spot and there were several brightly painted canal boats and small white cruiser boats sailing up and down the murky water. Happy families were out and about strolling with wet doggies, pink tongues hanging out, panting in the heat with the exhaustion of running backwards and forwards between interesting smells and exciting russling noises in the undergrowth.  We sat at the side of the canal on our blue stripey blanket, lazing under a shady tree, dappled sunshine warming us through the leaves, as we drank our cool lemonade. As the boats went by, most people waved and called hello, some raising their glasses in a cheery salute and the strolling families smiled and let us pet their dogs or had a brief chat about the lovely weather or how the dog had been for a swim. It ... Read Full Story >>

Homemade Rose Bouquets

I have ten rose bushes in my backyard. Every Wednesday, I take a bouquet to people I believe need some love and cheering up.  Sometimes I take one to church in a bud vase to give to someone. One lady mentioned she had mauve roses at her wedding, so the next Sunday I carried her a mauve rose.  Another time I carried a rose to a lady who was depressed and had mentioned she loved roses. On some Fridays I take some to a local store with instructions to give them to customers who desire them. 

Learning How To Live Happily, Again

One of my patients is a successful businessman and he told me that before his cancer he became depressed unless things went a certain way. Happiness was "having the cookie." If he had the cookie, things were good. If he didn't have the cookie, life wasn't worth a damn.  Unfortunately, the cookie kept changing. Some of the time it was money, sometimes power, sometimes sex.  At other times, it was the new car, the biggest contract, the most prestigious address. A year and a half after his diagnosis of prostate cancer he sat shaking his head ruefully. "It's like I stopped learning how to live after I was a kid. When I give my son a cookie, he is happy. If I take the cookie away or it breaks, he is unhappy. But he is two and a half and I am forty-three. It's taken me this long to understand that ... Read Full Story >>

Pushing Ourselves To Do Good

I knew my next door neighbor would be home alone for a few days, so when she stopped over with some cucumbers from her garden, I asked what she was doing later.  She said, "Nothing I'm all alone."  "Want some company?" was my reply. She was happy to have me. 

We spent the night chatting as we played a great game of Scrabble together.  The funny thing is that I was so tired I thought to myself, "How am I going to be any good company?"  But, when I got to her place, I was filled with energy and smiles! :0) I think sometimes we just have to push ourselves to do good and the rest will fall into place.

A Grand Gift From An Unexpected Friend

One day I went into a shop for a specific sort of metal polish. The bowl I needed to polish is made by Nambe, and I had inherited it from my mother. While I was in the shop, I saw an older woman looking around at things, and thought I would begin a conversation to liven things up. We hit it off and were showing some of the handcrafted items to each other. She said she was in the shop to purchase a wedding gift for a nephew, whose wedding she wouldn't be able to attend. We wandered off seperately and wound up together again at the cash register.  I commented on the beautiful bowl she had chosen, and how lovely so many of the items were. She asked what I was purchasing, and I showed her my tube of polish. I said I might buy more of the Nambe items when ... Read Full Story >>

Bed Sheet and a Blanket

Well, yesterday we had some visiters at my house and they spent the night with us. I went in their room and I found Nahida was going to sleep with a bed sheet instead of a blanket. I didn't know why she was doing that, bu, I told her that she can use my blanket if she would like to.  She smiled and said sure.  I was happy and I went to my room and gave her the blanket.

Today morning, when I woke up I saw something special.  I saw that my brother went to work and he covered me with his blanket.  I don't really know what to say about that because it can't be described in words!

Double Act With My Son

Today my son and I were doing our errands together.  While shopping in the grocery store, I noticed that the guy right behind us in line only had 3 items.  We told him to go ahead of us (since our basket was pretty full) and he was pleased. 

After that we noticed that the person who was now behind us had 2 antsy children and she also only had a couple of items.  So, I told her "you go ahead of us--you only have a few things anyway."  She looked at me with great relief and said "Really?? How nice!" and went ahead.  After she checked out, she touched me on the arm and said "Thank you so much!"  I could tell how glad she was to get out of there in a hurry! 

It was the least we could do, and didn't cost us a thing except a few minutes of time which we were happy to spare! It was nice to have a "double" today! :-)

Lifetime of Gratitude for a Biology Teacher

It is wonderful to be in the moment and thank those around us for helping.  Sometimes, it is nice to reflect on those who have been in our lives a long time ago and whose actions or words shaped us and influenced who we are today. One such person for me was my 7th grade biology teacher.  His class was "the one" that sparked my interest in cell biology and literally determined the course of my career from the tender age of 12.  I will never forget him.  Well, fast-forward many years later (about 20 actually), and I was at a crossroads deciding what to do... and I decided upon teaching college biology!  I wrote my teacher a long letter, describing my career path, life choices and what I was going to do, and of course the letter was a BIG thank you note to him for getting me started.  He actually ... Read Full Story >>

One Happy Lady in London

This afternoon on the train to London a lady came by asking for money.  She said she had had children spitting at her and she had tried so hard to do the right thing. 

Normally I would have given her £2 but today I gave her £20.  The joy on her face was lovely to see.  She said she couldn't believe it.  She would be able to get a room in a hostel, have a meal and a shower. 

This made me feel happy, but really it is all of you who should feel happy because all your stories and comments you made on mine and each others' that has had such an impact on my life and changed my attitude so much.  

I sincerely thank you all, and if that lady knew she would too. 

Reflections on My First Humbling Act of Kindness

Today I did one small random act of kindness. A few days ago, I read about RAK and felt an urge to do something...today I did it!  I paid for the person behind me in the drive thru line at Taco Bell. His/her bill was less than $5. And I felt like I should pay it. It took some time for me to make sure that I did not feel ashamed. Even doing a kind deed, I felt people will laugh at me and I felt self-concisous.  And then I thought no I should really do it. So, I did it.  Now that I am thinking about it... I feel really happy. It is a different feeling which comes after you do something different. I think there is more behind the feeling I have right now. It is a feeling of unknown. When you help somebody randomly, you do not know what the outcome will be. ... Read Full Story >>

Because Being Nice Matters

I always try to teach my children that being nice matters.  I have signs hung in their rooms and over the front door about kindness and do unto others as you'd have done to you.  And we always talk about how important it is to be nice to others. 

When we are out shopping I always suggest that they go help an older person, put bags in their cars or help them reach something on a shelf at the store.  At first they were a bit shy about going up to people, but now they ask if they could go help without my suggestion.  They say they like to help people because they would want someone to help their Mom-mom if they where not with her.  It is nice to know that my kids have been listening to me all this time.

Teaching Kindness in Health Class

I teach health to 7th grade students and I always inculde a unit on Kindness.  Each student is asked to perform random acts of kindness during the health program.  They are told to perform some at school and some at home and after they are to record them and hand in the paper with all their acts on the paper.  They start out with small ones like picking up someone's pencil but then they really start to get into it and they end op doing things for their parents without being asked.  I really enjoy seeing them get so exctied about what they are doing and the reaction they get from the people they do a random act for.  I even get notes from parents asking who is this child and what have I done with their child.  It is so nice to see my students from years ago and when they tell me they are still doing random acts and how much they still enjoy the way they feel after a random act of kindness.

Life Is An Untiring Teacher

Life seems to be an untiring teacher. At every turn, in every twist, it holds out a lesson. Is it because we are the typical, indifferent, happy-go-lucky students who forget the lesson the moment the class is over? I wonder. But, whether we like it or not, the teacher teaches us constantly. It is up to us whether we learn or not. The other day, after my morning walk, I stopped my car at a roadside teashop in Secunderabad in India. I like to patronize the small vendors, whether it is the local grocer or the vegetable hawker who sells vegetables from house to house carrying the basket on her head. Or the flower seller on his cycle. My conviction is that my business with them goes a long way for them. The personal relationship built up through daily interaction goes a long way for me. Therefore, the stop at the ... Read Full Story >>

The Flight of a Little Girl

There came a frantic knock at the doctor's office door, A knock, more urgent than he had ever heard before, "Come in, Come in," the impatient doctor said, "Come in, Come in, before you wake the dead." In walked a frightened little girl, a child no more than nine, It was plain for all to see, she had troubles on her mind, "Oh doctor, I beg you, please come with me, My mother is surely dying, she's as sick as she can be." "I don't make house calls, bring your mother here," "But she's too sick, so you must come or she will die I fear," The doctor, touched by her devotion, decided he would go, She said he would be blessed, more than he could know. She led him to her house where her mother lay in bed, Her mother was so very sick she couldn't raise her head, But her eyes cried out for help and help her the doctor did, She would ... Read Full Story >>

The Giving Tree

Many of you may have read Shel Silverstein's classic story "The Giving Tree" about a tree which gives everything of herself to a boy she loves. (If you haven't read it, please do and share it with a child!) During my childhood, my mother's friend gave the book to me and my brother.  Many years later, I discovered a card that accompanied the gift--it said "The tree reminds me of your mother".  I was so touched by this that I taped the card to the inside of the book. Over the years (like in the story) I have watched my mother give selflessly, to her kids, family, neighbors and friends.  Even when she had a serious illness earlier this year, she continued with her volunteer work, cooking for sick friends, and walking for various causes.  She does it all without any fuss and everyone knows they can always count on her--because she ... Read Full Story >>

For Your Time, Effort And Smiles, Thank You!

Today I received my very own set of Smile Cards from HelpOthers.org. Yay! I opened my envelope with great excitement and found my promised ten cards along with a larger card with ideas printed on it. Immediately I started planning my next kind act – the cards truly have an inspiring effect! It was then I realized the value of these cards and of websites such as HelpOthers.org. Not only does it inspire you, but receiving these cards, knowing that there are others out there with the same aim to be kind to others as I myself have, really made me smile! And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? In other words, the Smile Cards have already done a great deal: they made me smile! And in the future I hope each and every single card I hand out will make someone else smile too. I’d like to thank HelpOthers for offering ... Read Full Story >>

Smile Cards, Notes and Little Surprises

I have a little book of 'sticky notes' I purchased at a card shop at Christmas time, not sure who I would give the notes to or if I would use the individual funny notes at work. Well, I finally figured out how to use them.

I selected about 10 different notes, added my own little messages to them and placed them in envelopes w/ a smile card. One says how everything tastes better with hot fudge on it, so I will buy a jar of hot fudge to have ready to pass on to someone. One mentions a relaxing bubble bath so that will go with a nice bottle of bath bubbles. One jokes about popcorn so of course I will attach some microwave popcorn to the envelope. A couple envelopes have money in them for a treat which the sticky note mentions and so on.

On the backs of the envelopes I have penciled in what is inside or what should go with it so I can easily give them out when the occasion arises.  On some envelopes I wrote things like, "If you found this, it's for you," or "Finder's keepers... this is yours."

An Unexpected Welcome Home

We just got back from enjoying 10 wonderful days of our vacation in Idaho with our daughter Amy & son-in-law Mark and grandbabies Sarah & Gracie-cakes. Amy, last month had our 4th grand-daughter, Grace Eliza (better known in our family as Gracie-cakes). We came home very late last night to find an area of our front yard under our large orange tree, planted in beautiful flowers and a handmade "Welcome Home" sign that after an almost 500-mile trek home was a welcome sight to see indeed. Denise & I had one of our friends, Pat, make sure that our yard was watered and cared for while we were on vacation. Well, it appears that she or someone else (we still don't know who as of this writing) had taken upon themselves to plant several dozen flowers and liven up our front yard, and we were soooo happy that they did! It looks awesome. This random act of kindness ... Read Full Story >>

A Drop-In-The-Bucket Act

I was entitled to a free burger because I had 10 stamps on my Smart Alec's card. Awesome, I was pumped!  I liked the burgers, was on a tight budget, and had enjoyed accumulating the stamps on my card (the cashiers had been very nice about it, providing extra stamps here and there : ). I was really going to saver this burger. It suddenly dawned on me: the thing to do with this card was give it to someone who needed it more than I did. I plotted to leave the free burger card along with a smile card under someone's sleeping body on the street or something...it sounded like a good plan. But, as time went on and I did not find what seemed like the right opportunity, I went through a period of cashlessness and I thought maybe I will get myself a burger with this card. ... Read Full Story >>

Helping a Lost Dog Find Its Way Home

I saw a beautiful sunset today. It reminded me of a special favor I did not too long ago. I was driving home and noticed a small dog on the side of the road. Oddly, it just didn't seem to belong there. It was a busy route and an 18 wheeler was coming.

I stopped the car and dotted across the street.  The little mutt looked at me and came right over. He had a collar around his neck but no name, nothing. There was nothing but woods on this road, but about 6 homes on the other. So, I put pooch in the car and drove up one of the long driveways.

I knocked on one door and asked, "Do you have a dog?" The lady who opened the door said no, so I showed her the dog and asked if she had an idea whose dog it could be.  She immediately recognized it as the dog from four houses down.  I thanked her and went over. The owner was outside looking for the dog when I pulled up the driveway. She was so happy to see her dog, knowing how dangerous the road is. Well, I missed the sunset that day, but today's was really cool.