Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Paying Forward a Pre-Paid Parking Space

A few days ago, I pulled into a pay-by-hour parking lot to run a few errands. I stood in line to pay for my parking space and was intercepted by a woman returning from her errands. "Excuse me," she said, "but if you would like to use my spot, I am leaving now." At first, I hesitated. I knew that I only needed the spot for 20 minutes, and she had paid for 2 hours. Finally, I accepted her offer to use the remaining time on her space.

My errand took a while longer than planned, so I ended up being grateful that I had some extra time on my parking space. However, I still had an hour left on the parking time. So, I waited in the garage for the next patron to enter. I drove up to the woman and offered her the remaining time on the ticket.  It felt good to pass the kindness along.

1614 Reads

I'll Give Him My Teddy Bear

Nearly thirty years ago I was a trainee engineer based in Liverpool. I was hundreds of miles from home, but I had a nice place to live, wasn't overworked, had a good bunch of friends and plenty of money in my pocket. One Saturday morning I decided to walk into Liverpool city centre and buy myself something. I didn't need anything, I was just going to spend some money!  The walk was about four miles and took me through Toxteth, an area which two years later would erupt into rioting, largely because of the poverty of the place. I stopped into a newsagents/general store to buy myself some sweets for the walk. While I was making up my mind the door opened and in walked this "ragamuffin". She looked like she might have been four years old (at the most), was wearing a summer dress and sandals even though it was a bitterly cold day, ... Read Full Story >>

4629 Reads

Turning a Security Guard's Frown Into a Smile

I am new to helpothers.org and have been reading the stories on this site for the past week only.   They have inspired me to get over my hesitations and have transformed me into a lively and compassionate human being.  I find myself helping people in small ways which I had never thought of before. I live in an apartment and since I work night shifts, I usually come home late everyday around 3 o'clock in the morning. The security person typically opens the door in a gruff manner -- in fact, I had never seen him smile either to me or anyone else.  I said thank you everyday when he opened the door and he would just nod his head. Then one day, when I finished work, I felt hungry and decided to get some biscuits and hot puffs (I'm used to eating at unusual timings because of my work timings).  When I reached the apartment, he opened the gate as ... Read Full Story >>

1905 Reads

The True Nature of a Heart

John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month ... Read Full Story >>

1759 Reads

In Memory of My Brother Christopher

I lost my brother last April. For a few months, I felt that maybe life was not worth living anymore. But then a voice inside of me spoke up.

An idea came to me. My brother was such a giving and loving soul. In honor of his memory I decided each day to do a random act of kindness. Whether it was just a small note to a friend or a smile to a stranger. I know he is lookiing down with an approving smile. This site is so wonderful and creative. It gives and asks nothing in return.

1564 Reads

My 96-year-old Neighbor's Cookies

This afternoon my son was out playing with friends down the street and I had a bit of free time so I decided to pay a visit to our 96-year old neighbor.  I took her some slices of cake that I had baked and dropped in for a chat.  Well, guess what-- when I went over there I found her baking oatmeal-raisin cookies!  My neighbor is an amazing woman.  She grew up on a ranch in Montana, raised 4 kids, was a practicing nurse until 5 years ago, and gets around her house with just the help of a sitting walker because her knees aren't so good anymore. She is always positive, tells me that she "loves everyone and prays for everyone every day" because that's how she was raised. I just love her!  I love visiting her and giving her hugs---her positive spirit just radiates from her.  She insisted on ... Read Full Story >>

2984 Reads

Don't Just Hear. Listen.

Lately I've been trying to listen more. What does this mean? Well, instead of just hearing the conversation I actually take in every word of it no matter if the subject is interesting to me or not.

I had a conversation with my uncle, who is a bit eccentric and has "different" views on things. But i heard every word he said. Through our conversation I learned that calculators weren't being used in post secondary school in the 70's. He also said he wishes people wouldn't throw out items in good condition. He picks them up and gives them to those in need. I wouldn't have thought this would be something he did.

So the next time you have a conversation about something your not interested in, just listen harder. Maybe you are just not hearing what is being said.

1518 Reads

Remembering the Feeling of Being Lost as a Kid

I was in Macys a few days ago with my mom, aunt, and my sister. Usually, I am one of those people who does not like to go shopping with my family.  I get all grumpy and get in a bad mood. However, I decided this time to suck it up and join them. My aunt and I were looking for some things to buy for our family when I noticed two chairs on the side.  One of them had a little girl sitting on it with her family nearby and the other one was empty.  So, I decided to sit down.  While I was doing my own thing, I noticed that the family was not in front of the girl anymore. I saw the girl get up and look around for her family. She came back and I saw her in tears, crying. I knew that she lost her family and ... Read Full Story >>

4234 Reads

Angel Cards For My Sister

It was recently my sister's birthday and I wanted to make her a pack of homemade "Angel Cards". I painted a picture on one side of some small blank business cards. On the other side I wrote words of encouragement. I made her a pack of 29 cards, as it was her 29th birthday.

She lives far away from me and as I was about to post them, I got an idea. I decided that each day, I would post one of the cards to her. That way, she would receive one Angel card each day.

So far I have sent 15 of the 29 cards. At first she thought I had just sent her one card, because I didn't tell her what I was doing. Then she started getting more and more cards - one each day. She does not know how many are coming. But when I send the last one, I will let her know what has happened.

Just wanted to share. People love getting mail. This way she is getting an extended birthday gift, lasting for 29 days after her 29th birthday!

2122 Reads

Smiling With the Eyes

I thought coming up with acts of kindness would be easy but sometimes I don't have the opportunities simply because I am busy. But now I look at going out to lunch during work as an opportunity to do something kind for someone else. And it's exciting!

I stay especially busy because I have a parent living with my husband and I and she has Alzheimers. I have a closer view now of how some older people must feel. Every time I see an older person I smile at them, not with just my mouth, but with my eyes. Its not fun getting old. My mother-in-law and I used to go shopping and out to eat together. Now it's a long process to go anywhere.

We went out one night recently and ordered a dessert to share. I was loving our apple-pecan dessert! She couldn't get any on her spoon and so I quietly got up from my side of the table and went over to her side and I helped her eat. Everyone on this website is right. It's the simple things that matter.

1273 Reads

Life's Little Treasures

About a week ago, we were having record high temperatures (almost 80 degrees!!!) so I thought it would be nice to take my 6 year old son to the park to play since it would be a while before he'd be able to play outside again. The playground is covered in little pebbles surrounded by a chain link fence and they had just re-spraypainted the fence silver a few days earlier. At the bottom of the fence, all the pebbles had gotten spraypainted silver also and when my son saw the silver pebbles, he instantly called them "treasures" and started scooping them up into his pockets. I told him that they were pretty and then forgot all about it. On the way home, we stopped by a gas station so that I could get myself some coffee and get some juice for my son.  As we were walking away from ... Read Full Story >>

1820 Reads

"My main focus was helping ..."

My husband and I were on our way home from Christmas with my family when I noticed a lady, probably in her early 40's, standing in a church lawn near the highway holding a sign that read, "will work for food." When I see these type of things, my heart breaks. Living in a small town, seeing these types of things is rare, despite the terrible economy and unemployment rate. It was Christmas and all I could think about was how this lady should be at home with her family, enjoying the season, but instead, she was begging for work, just to be fed. I know there are people out there who do those type of things for free money or free food, but I didn't care. My main focus was helping this lady however I could. My husband drove us to ... Read Full Story >>

1872 Reads

A Homeless Man's Honesty Changed My Friend

Carlton is a middle aged black homeless man with schizophrenia, who lives in our beautiful, suburban community.  Many of my friends and I have known him for over 20 years.  He refuses medication and will not live with his family, so he sleeps in the woods and  is fed by the local community and business people.  We bring him food and try to help him anyway that we can.  He rides his bike throughout our little town and is able to survive in a way that I don't think I would be able to. 

One day a friend of mine was on his way to the bank.  He stopped at the Quick Check to purchase coffee and accidentaly dropped three hundred dollars on the ground.  As he approached his car, Carlton said, "Excuse me, you dropped this," and handed him the three hundred dollars.  My friend was overwhelmed by his honesty .  He wasn't sure he would have done the same thing if he was in Carlton's position.  Carlton changed my friend. 

1858 Reads

One Small Treat For Three of Us

I've seen a rich man beg I've seen a good man sin I've seen a tough man cry I've seen a loser win And a sad man grin I heard an honest man lie I've seen the good side of bad And the down side of up And everything between I licked the silver spoon Drank from the golden cup... -Everlast -What its like - Being in a developing country, I take care to make sure I don't lose my compassion with those around me, but I also understand the frustration of other foreigners, as people of the land ask for their change. Today, as I finished a delightful meal with a friend, we wandered into a busy square full of locals. My friend suggested that I try a local dessert from the street. I had my fill from dinner but never pass a chance to try something, especially when someone suggests it!  It was the most delightful thing I've tasted!   As we continued walking along, a ... Read Full Story >>

1734 Reads

Coffee With A Professor

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite -- telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.  While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.  The cup itself doesn't add to the quality to the coffee and in some cases even hides what we drink and yet you consciously ... Read Full Story >>

14.2K Reads

An Empty Wallet Gets A Refill

It seemed to be an ordinary crazy busy Saturday at the restaurant I work in.  Then, all of a sudden, all the staff started turning the kitchen upside down, going through the garbage, looking and looking for something.  As it turned out,a fellow server had lost her wallet full of money from the day.  It was really moving to see so many people (including the caring management team) digging through garbage and taking the time to help this girl.  She was beside herself in tears. Then, out of nowhere, the story took a turn for the worst.  They found her wallet in the staff bathroom, empty.  Long story short there is no doubt that another employee stole her money and left the empty wallet in the restroom while everyone else was busy trying to find it.  Jaws dropped to the floor, hearts sank, people were hurt and angry and everyone was ... Read Full Story >>

7178 Reads

Making the "Big Issue" Magazine Seller's Day

In Britain we have a magazine called The Big Issue which homeless people sell. Half the money raised goes towards their next batch of magazines and the other half is theirs to keep. One day I was out walking with Julie, my wife, on a bitter cold day when I came across a Big Issue seller. Poor guy looked frozen. I bought a magazine without looking at it and gave him a little extra money.  Further down the road I realised that I had bought the same issue a few days earlier in Glasgow. When he saw me turn back and walk towards him the poor guy looked a little worried (I'm a big fellow).  I think he thought I was going to complain about something.  Instead I gave him the magazine back and said, "I've read this one. Why don't you sell it again to someone else?"  The way I saw it he ... Read Full Story >>

2525 Reads

Gift of Motherhood, Gift of Kindness

Two days before Mother's Day, I was at a Walmart with my wife, getting some gifts, and I saw a nice gift set of lavender-scented lotions and other stuff (Hey, I'm not supposed to know exactly what all comes in those sets :-)) And so I thought what the heck, I'll get one and we'll find someone to give it to. So we're paying for everything, and the woman behind the counter is this cheery, middle-aged woman who remarks "Getting a gift for Mother's Day, huh? Nice set," or something. Somehow that set showed up for only half of the price, $5 instead of $10. Strange, I thought. We finish paying, and we move over to the side, and I'm thinking I should just give her that set! We pull out a smile card and as she's helping another customer, I tell her, this is for you, and give her the set ... Read Full Story >>

4172 Reads

From a Child to the "People Without Houses"

About a year ago, I was packing to move myself and my son in with my fiance and his daughter.  My son was finally weaning off baby foods, so as I was packing up the kitchen things, I packed up his old baby food. My step-daughter came into the kitchen to see what I was doing. When she saw me packing up her little brother's food, she squealed!  Why was I taking away all his food???!!! I laughed and told her that her little brother was big enough now to eat big people food, just like she does. I then told her that I was going to give all his jars of baby food to the shelter up the street. I explained that some people don't have jobs, clothes, food or houses and that she and her brother were very lucky that her Daddy and I make enough money to give them ... Read Full Story >>

4671 Reads

Gifting Yoga

Ok... so I'm suddenly addicted to this site - yippee, no more facebook!!  :)  I've been reading the smile stories one by one, mixing it up and going into some older stories.  I'm just having a blast on this very cold afternoon!!  Also, I am warmed by all the karmabuck giving, it's fabulous!! 

My mind is going a mile a minute with the same question that everyone keeps asking themselves, "What else can I do?" When suddenly, it hit me - YOGA!!  I am a yoga teacher, so why not gift my yoga classes?  And not just to anyone - people who need some extra love.  So, I immediately called a local woman's shelter and talked to someone about it and I think it's going to happen this year!!  Yippeeeeeee....

Thank you to all of the people in my smile group for motivating me to share my love with other people.  For years I have wanted to do something with women's shelters - THIS IS FABULOUS!!

Hugs and peace to all!!

1546 Reads