Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Transforming a Bill Into a Gift of Gratitude

I got my bills for the month and you know what that usually feels like.  I just first looked at them sitting on my counter and pretended they didn't exist. I left them sealed in the envelope, untouched and abandoned. Yet, I still mentally kept track of when they most likely were due, so I didn't incur a late fee and compound the problem. Today was the day I decided to pay my therapy bill since I was going to see my therapist. Instead of quickly scribbling down the check amount after analyzing the itemized break down of his billing rates to make sure there were no financial errors, I rushed out of my open front door into change.  While I still was in a hurry to make it to my 6:00pm appointment in downtown Palo Alto, I was hurrying to reach something new… Inspired by the spirit of those Karma Kitchen cooks, ... Read Full Story >>

The Amazing Rescue of a Mouse

A few years ago as I was walking round the park, I threw some rubbish in a waste bin.  As I thre it in, I saw something move.  I looked in a saw a little mouse.  It was trapped. I tried to encourage it into a paper bag so I could lift it out of the bin, but it would not have it. 

I went home and told my husband.  We got a shoe box and went back to the park.  We put the shoe box in the bin and the mouse climbed into it.  We lifted it out and let it run free into the bushes.

It is surprising how good we felt inside just for that little act.

Making Friends in a New Country

One day I went to meet my friend inside of Victoria Station in London.  When we went outside, two guys came to us and they asked, “Where are you from?”  My friend asked them, "Where are you from?", but but they did not understand the English.  My friend said, “We are from Afghanistan.” They were very excited because we could speak their language. They straight away started to talk in Farsi with us. They asked us for some help because they had just arrived in England. They first of all asked for a phone to make a call, so my friend gave him the phone. One of the boy's called his friend, but his friend did not answer. He was very upset about that. My friend said to me, “Remember Iranian, people hate Afghan people and Afghan people hate Iranian too."   After my friend said that to me I replied, “Not everyone is ... Read Full Story >>

Little Presents to Take Friends a Long Way

I thought I would have a go at doing an anonymous random act of kindness. My friends have been miserable a lot lately because we are doing all our end of year tests at school so I thought they could do with some cheering up.

I went home after school that night and made them pretty little cards that tells them how wonderful I think each of them are. The next day when they weren't looking I slipped them into thier school bags and when they found them they were really pleased. This made them so happy that I went home to make little letters to tell them to enjoy thier little cards which I will slip them tomorrow. I have also made them more little cards that have poems on them about that person which I will give them on Friday.

My little presents have made such an impact that everyone is a lot happier and being a lot more positive about school. (I haven't yet quite worked out when I am going to stop giving them things and tell them it is me!)

Grocery Store Commotion Turns Into Kindness

"Some people!" snorted a man standing behind me in the long line at the grocery store. "You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line," said a woman. I looked to the front of the line to see what the hold up was and saw a well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine to accept her credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it. "It's one of them welfare card things. Damn people need to get a job like everyone else," said the man standing behind me. The young woman turned around to see who had made the comment. 'It was me,' he said, pointing to himself. The young lady's face began to change expression. Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line ... Read Full Story >>

The Promise Proclamation

While we often tell others we love, such as our family, friends, and relatives, those comforting thoughts to warm up their hearts inside, we forget that this gift of friendship and affection we give to others is something we can give ourselves too. Remind yourself that as you help others, you are also allowed to help yourself along the way. Here's a gift to give yourself as you get started. Make the following promise proclamations to yourself today: 1. I will become friends with myself and realize that it is a  worthwile friendship just as are the friendsips I have with others.   2. I will look for sunshine in everything, so optimism becomes my reality not an elusive dream. 3.I will create thoughts of the best in mind, give my best to meet my goals, and expect only the best results, so that the best is manifested in my life.  4. I will understand ... Read Full Story >>

In Flight From San Francisco

Airports, even familiar airport, are very difficult to negotiate alone, when you have lost a good deal of your eyesight, as I have.  Boarding a recent flight out of San Francisco, I sank into my seat with relief and belted myself in.  I was seated at the bulk head on the aisle.  The window seat was occupied by an elegant older man.  There was an empty seat between us.  Looking to escape the tension of the past half hour, I put my purse on it and took out a murder mystery and began to read.  When lunch was served an hour later, I was deeply engrossed, the book inches from my nose.  We were given a salad, a bagel, and a pint container of yogurt.  Times have changed. Continuing to read, I tucked into my plate until my seatmate gasped in dismay.  Turning my head slightly, I saw that he had ... Read Full Story >>

So You Want to Win?

If you want to be a winner, then start with being a winner in life. Let's begin with some intense life cross-training. The first life exercise prescribes us to develop our muscles of life by completing the following list called the   "21 More Than" Challenge: 1. You have to listen more than you talk. 2. You have to give more than you get. 3. You have to smile more than you frown. 4. You have to think "we" more than you think "me." 5. You have to agree more than you disagree. 6. You have to compliment more than you criticize. 7. You have to laugh more than you cry. 8. You have to clean up more than you mess up. 9. You have to be positive more than you're negative. 10.You have to be fascinated more than you're frustrated. 11 You have to "walk the talk" more than you "talk the talk." 12. You have to be accepting more than rejecting. 13. ... Read Full Story >>

Random Act of Consciousness

Just before Christmas of 2007, almost exactly a year ago, I steered into a Starbucks drive-thru line for a cup of tea on my way to teach a morning tai chi lesson. There were a few cars in line, and I got in behind them. When my turn came I gave my order at the billboard menu and moved up as far as I could while waiting patiently for the cars in front of me to get through the cashier line. While the South Florida weather would probably would have felt tropical to much of the rest of the country, I was a bit chilled and was looking forward to my hot drink. The fellow in the SUV behind me reached the menu. Dissatisfied with the alignment between his mouth and the microphone, he laid on his horn, leaned out his window, yelled an insult and exhorted me to move up. ... Read Full Story >>

Appreciating a Neighbor's Garden

I have discovered the joy of speaking to strangers and now that I have crossed the age of 50 there is less danger of being misunderstood. The best thing about it is seeing the surprise and happiness of others when they are addressed or are included in the sharing a thought. Invariably, one kind gesture is returned with more kindness.

During my morning walk one day, I noticed a bush in front of a house that had half-opened buds of my favorite flowers that reminded me of my childhood. I went close to the bush for a better look and noticed the house lady looking at me curiously. I smiled and told her that I loved the flowers for their fragrance. She reciprocated. “I plucked them all for my morning prayers. You can have some,” she offered. I was touched by her generosity and blessed her in my heart for making  my day. 

From I to You

I am free, like an angel

that opens her wings

I take on many forms

I laugh and listen

I am never far away

I am never gone at all

I am a friend, a good book

or a pink and golden sunset

I am a Mother's touch

And  a Father's helping hand

You know Me,

Because I am You

You are Me through and through

I am unconditional love

And You are too!

21 Ways To Celebrate Life

After Nancy Rothstein's son, Josh, passed away unexpectedly, she was seeking a way to offer a tribute for family and friends to honor his birthday. With each passing birthday, she adds one more item to the list. Last April 16 would've been Josh's 21st birthday, and true to her tradition, Nancy shared these 21 ways to celebrate life: Smile. Smiling makes you and those around you feel good. If you don’t feel good, a smile can trick your brain into feeling better.   Eat ice cream.   Run on the beach. If you can’t physically do this, use your imagination.   Call someone who is ill or lonely. Listen to their story. Take the time. Tell them your story, if they ask.   Listen to music that touches your heart and soul.   Sing in the shower, or out loud if you are comfortable.   Visit the grave of a loved one and celebrate your continued BREATH. And tell your loved one what’s on ... Read Full Story >>

A Tin of Cookies for the Eco-Bus Driver

Somebody on this site suggested giving anonymous cookies to the people who clear away our waste, and I found that a good idea. So this morning I baked my favourite Chocolate-chip-and-peanut cookies, filled a tin, wrote a Thank you card and had everything ready.

On Wednesdays, the so-called eco-bus stops in our street for 15 minutes so that people can bring their separated recyclable waste (cardboard, aluminium, tins, glass, plastic bottles and other plastics, batteries, styrofoam), and the two or three people working inside this bus are always so helpful, taking your bags to empty them into the appropriate containers.

So today I waited until there were some other people on the bus and the workers would not pay attention to me, I got on through the front door and simply put my tin of cookies with the card sellotaped on top of it on the little ledge by the windscreen, and went on to put my waste into the containers. I was so proud that nobody had noticed. I'd love to have seen the face of the driver when he sat down to drive on and found the tin.

A California Town Turns Strangers Into Friends

California town decides to put kindness on the agenda By Susan Herendeen Wednesday, April 22, 2009 WATERFORD, Calif. — This little town in eastern Stanislaus County may be known for the orchards and dairies that dot its rolling hills, but this week city officials are reminding the 8,100 residents to pass on some good cheer by doing something thoughtful for a stranger, mentoring a youngster or simply being a good neighbor. Thanks to a push from the Waterford Ministerial Association, the city has declared "Random Acts of Kindness" week, which began Sunday and ends Saturday, at the close of a community clean-up day. City leaders may not find a cure for the ills of modern life, like road rage or bullying or the angry remarks that can demoralize a community. But they hope to remind people that kindness can turn strangers into friends. "It's a goodwill kind of thing, to draw attention to the fact ... Read Full Story >>

A Child Forgoes Firecrackers to Help Other Children

     Hi friends. I would like to share an incident with you.     Just as Christmas is celebrated by Christians, "Diwali" is celebrated by Hindus. On that day people wear new dresses, eat sweets, and set off firecrackers.      A little girl of 10 in my neighborhood is a good friend. Every year she  celebrates Diwali in a grand manner,  buying at least two boxes of firecrackers and two new dresses in order to have a grand feast on that day.     But last year I was amazed to see her. She was in a simple dress playing with her younger brother without setting off any firecrackers. I asked her the reason. She said she had seen a documentary film on the making of crackers in her school which explained the process of making them, the child labor involved in the industry, their sufferings, their lack of education, and the pollution created ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift of a Special Dinner Together

My wife and I went out to dinner this weekend since we have had crazy schedules and have not had much time to just sit and relax. We went to a nice restaurant and were having a good time. We saw a very young high school age couple who looked like they were on one of their first dates. We smiled and talked about how scary that is when you are young. My wife noticed that the couple only ordered a chicken breast and water, which was a little unusual for this steakhouse. We guessed the young man wanted to take his date to a nice place but might have had some sticker shock once he saw the menu so they ordered what they could and skipped the side dishes. We had a gift card we were going to use for our dinner, but decided they could use it more. When our ... Read Full Story >>

A Child's Response to Life's Unexpected Gusts

Last spring I was walking in a park. A short distance ahead of me was a Mom and her three-year-old daughter. The little girl was holding onto a string that was attached to a helium balloon. All of a sudden, a sharp gust of wind took the balloon from the little girl. I braced myself for some screaming and crying. But, no! As the little girl turned to watch her balloon go skyward, she gleefully shouted out, "Wow!" I didn’t realize it at that moment, but that little girl taught me something. Later that day, I received a phone call from a person with news of an unexpected problem. I felt like responding with, "Oh no, what should we do?"  But, remembering that little girl, I found myself saying, "Wow, that’s interesting! How can I help you?" One thing’s for sure - life’s always going to keep us off balance with its unexpected problems. That’s a ... Read Full Story >>

A Lesson in Generosity from a Woman in Tatters

I live in an Indian city and at every traffic signal there are women and children who beg.  Once, while I was driving by, I noticed a woman in tatters.  So, the next day I brought along two used garments we call 'saris' which are five-metre pieces of cloth that we wrap around ourselves. She was happy and so was I.

Some days later when I stopped again at the traffic signal, I saw the same woman. When she saw me, she called out to another woman and said, "Say thank you to this lady, say thanks..she's the one who gave us the saris."  This woman, who had no clothes worth wearing, had shared with another equally deprived woman one of the two saris I had given to her!

It is a lesson in generosity I will never forget. How often  do we share although we have so much? Yet this woman with almost nothing didn't think twice about giving away half of her gifts!!

Would You Help A Little Lost Robot?

In New York, we are very occupied with getting from one place to another.  On the way, imagine you encounter a tiny, cardboard skinned robot making its own way down the streets of New York City, asking for help.  Would you help this lost little robot?  Tweenbots are human-dependent robots that navigate the city with the help of pedestrians they encounter. Rolling at a constant speed, in a straight line, Tweenbots have a destination displayed on a flag, and rely on people they meet to read this flag and to aim them in the right direction to reach their goal. Given their extreme vulnerability and the possibility that no one would be interested in helping a lost little robot, I initially conceived the Tweenbots as disposable creatures which were more likely to struggle and die in the city than to reach their destination. I set out on the first test with a video ... Read Full Story >>

Setting a Good Example

We all either set examples or follow examples. Often both. Recently, I was walking away from a primary school, having delivered my Godson safely to the playground. A mum and her young son were walking towards the gate in happy conversation. "I'll soon be six, won't I, Mum?" the boy said. His proud mum agreed that, yes, he would. "And then I'll be allowed to say bad words. Won't I, Mum?" Imagine the mother's face! It wasn't so much what the boy said, that caught my attention, it was the complete confidence with which he said it. Someone he trusted had obviously told this little lad that once you get to be six years old you could say bad words and it would be okay. So okay he could happily tell his mum about it. Supposing that same person had told him that six was the age when you started helping those younger than you, or six ... Read Full Story >>