Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Heart-Shaped Treats from the Heart

Today my work day won't start until after lunch. By the time I get to work most of my colleagues will have already had their coffee and treats.  I still decided to make these cute heart- shaped Brownie treats.  I saw the heart-shaped foils at the store weeks ago and got them before I realized it's my late day to go in.

I am going to leave the brownies in the faculty room, each treat wrapped in a baggie and tied with a red ribbon. I'll leave a note saying to take it home and eat it later or give it to a loved one instead.  Some people are so busy or strapped for money that I know they'll appreciate a homemade gift to give tonight.

I pass a nursing home on the way to work, and I plan on leaving some there too.

Secret Santa for a Family in Need

I have always hated how Christmas has become more about the commercial side and less about the giving.  So, a few years ago, I was without a job (between jobs, but not working none the less)  but knew I wanted to give something to someone that needed things more than I did.  I searched around and found a local community centre (this isn't my home town, so I wasn't familiar with the area yet) and asked if there was anything I could give to help someone else.  Well, it was just a couple days before Christmas and the lady there told me that there was a family in need, who had submitted their names, but had somehow gotten lost in the system.  They didn't know what they were going to do about it, so, my boyfriend and I decided to take them on and be their Secret Santa.  All we ... Read Full Story >>

First Thank You in 50 Years

In my keynote speeches and workshops, Care is an acronym I use for the elements of a caring, creative, joyful workplace and home.  The “A” in CARE stands for “Appreciation for ALL.”  As I speak about appreciation, I use this quote by Albert Schweitzer: "Sometimes our light goes, out but is blown again into a flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light."   Then I ask my audiences to please shut their eyes and think about someone, who at some time in their lives, has rekindled their inner light. I leave the room in silence for several minutes, and it is always a profound experience as they remember the Joy they received from being appreciated by someone when they needed it the most.  Afterwards, I ask them to write down the name of the person they thought ... Read Full Story >>

A Pocketful of Hope

Here's a quick reminder to all of you when you get stuck in a moment --- that, somewhere out there, someone always comes along with a pocket full of hope. Today I spent all my coins and dollar bills on little deeds. I had skipped breakfast because the clock was ticking away too quickly.  On top of the mad rush, I forgot my lunch. I was going to buy my lunch along the way, but a person in need asked me if I could spare them some cash, so I decided that moment, to put them first. So, then later, that evening, I was heading home anxiously awaiting dinner, when I got a call from my Mom saying that she was stuck working the late night shift and wouldn't be able to make it to the market to pick up groceries. Even though there was no food in the house, I took a step back for a second, and I told my Mom not to worry as I would surely find myself something on which to munch. :)  While I was ... Read Full Story >>

Bus Fare vs Milk

Yesterday morning I was in an exceptionally good mood despite the fact that I had been out of milk for a while and could only find enough change to get a small carton of it (which would last only a day or two). The air was crisp, the weather lovely, and my morning commute to work was perfectly timed with the sunrise so I got to watch the red hue of the sun light up the snow covered trees and buildings. I was on the bus to work when I saw a little "Donate a Ride" envelope up front. I had just read the other day, while researching abuse centers looking for volunteer work, that some of those donations go to women at abuse shelters so that they can get to doctors appointments and court dates, etc. I had just about decided to give the three bucks I had in my pocket to ... Read Full Story >>

Tomorrow's Good Old Days

We get so into the habit of sitting and watching television that we sometimes forget there's a world out there.  We were having the first touches of spring here, so one evening I asked my daughter, Amy (12,) if she wanted to go for a walk. It's a habit we've had for a while and I love the fact that it gives us a chance to really talk. Her step-brothers, on the other hand, couldn't be budged from the TV with a crowbar. The walk started along a busy road, but we were walking towards what Amy called an "African" sun. Big, orange and hanging over the horizon. We stopped by a supermarket and bought a bag of "seconds" apples. (I never knew they did such a thing.) Then we circled away from the main road towards a riding school where, with much squealing and excitement, Amy fed the horses. Then, hand in hand, we walked ... Read Full Story >>

All for Under $5

I am not in the habit of giving money to people asking for change. Not because I have no compassion for them, but because there is a good chance they will spend it on drugs, alcohol, or whatever it is that has them on the streets in the first place. However, I will have a chat with them. Some of them, that's all they want.  Sometimes they speak to me and instead of ignoring them or averting my eyes like many people, I respond and then take a few minutes to chit chat. Many of them asked for anything, they just wanted someone to chat with. One day I was walking to pick up Amanda from her work at sobeys and there was this elderly couple looking run down. The woman came up to me and asked if I could spare some change for food because they'd been travelling all night to visit ... Read Full Story >>

Service With A Smile at the Sprint Store

Yesterday I upgraded my cell phone at the Sprint store and got the new Rumor.  I love it.  While I was standing there, I was thinking to myself, "These people are providing GREAT customre service, I wish I could tip them or something."  I was so geeked about my new phone, it didn't even dawn on me that I could tip them with a smile card and some cash and say "Go get yourself a coffee or something."   But another very happy customer in the store did it for me by leaving $5 on the counter.  The employee said, "Sir, we can't accept tips," and the customer responded, "I'm not taking it back, it's yours!." So, like Wonder Woman, I swooped over and said, "Here, have one of these!" and I whipped out a Smile card.  I handed the card to the other customer and said, "Give them this. It's an experiment in anoymous acts of kindness. If they can't ... Read Full Story >>

The Old Man And A Quarter

My sister told me a really inspiring story about what happened to her yesterday.  As she was leaving a small grocery store, she was pushing the shopping cart and trying to put the change into her pocket at the same time. She dropped a quarter. Carefully she bent over to grab it before the next person came out pushing a cart into her. To her surprise this elderly man who pushed his cart into her came out slowly and he had another quarter in his hand. He said, "Here's a quarter you dropped young lady."  My sister replied, "Oh I found mine, that must be yours."  "No I think it's yours, I found it on the ground back there," he assured her. "It's not mine, why don't you keep it. I have plenty at home, I collect quarters." "You do?" my sister asked. "What are you going to do with them?" "I have over ... Read Full Story >>

Feeling In Rhythm With Life

What an amazing week I had and it was all as a direct result of Saoirse setting off on his journey to walk from UK to India.  The day after he left I had my own eureeka moment when "i got it" -- the giving is recieving message he talks about -- and I made a decision to follow his example and dedicate each day to living the philosophy of "how can I help you?" Since then I have not only become more human and considerate, by doing the little things like picking up bits of litter in the street, but I’m having loads of fun by going that one step further and I feel so connected and in rhythm with life that its unreal. The other day when asked to give directions to a driver who was lost I offered to get in the car and take the journey with them to ... Read Full Story >>

Doing What You Naturally Think You Should

I was walking home with my cousin from a Lebanese restaurant.  My cousin and I were holding a doggy bag full of yummy falafel, pita bread and hummus. 

On the way, I saw an old man , with a sign saying "Save Me Give Me Money" at the signal crossing.  He was sitting in a wheelchair, and looked like he might have been on drugs.  It was such a cold night, my heart went out to him.  I remembered my doggy bag with all the warm food and gave it to him. 

Before he could react, the signal turned green and I began crossing the road.  I thought this is how acts of kindness should be - when you can't even be thanked but naturally do what you think you should.

An Unexpected Thank You from 3 Years Ago

“You probably don’t remember me,” she began, “but I have come back to file for Graduation with Distinction.”  And then she pulled out a piece of paper from her wallet and gave it to me to read.  It was my handwriting, but I didn’t remember writing it.    As the Assistant Director of the Honors Programs at the university, one of my jobs was to review student transcripts to make sure they met requirements for continuing in Honors.  It was not uncommon for freshmen to have a rough start and be notified that they could no longer continue in Honors after their first semester.  Sometimes second trimester report cards would be sent to us anyway, even though students were no longer in the program.   The note she handed me read, “Congratulations on your terrific second semester.  While I know you may have been disappointed from your fall grades, you should feel wonderfully ... Read Full Story >>

A Bouquet of Flowers When I Least Expected It

As many of you know, my lover of 5 years left me 2 weeks before Valentine's Day.  What you don't know is that he has three wonderful daughters whom I've come to love over these years.  They are all teenagers now.  Beautfiul loving girls ;  I will miss them as much as I do him.

On Valentine's Day, I came to work and there was a bouquet of Valentine flowers on my desk along with a card signed by all the girls and their mother.  A very loving supportive card that expresses how each of them will always love me and be there for me.   I couldn't stop crying.  How touching.

I'm so thankful to have been a part of their lives and so thankful that in some small way I can remain so. 

Will That Lady Be On The News?

When I was about four or five, I was walking down the street with my Mum one day.  Ahead of us, an elderly lady was walking slowly when suddenly she tripped and fell off the curb and couldn't get up. My Mum made a call to an ambulance to come help her and we waited with the old lady until they arrived. She thanked my Mum and we continued walking. I turned to my mother and asked, "Will that lady be on the news? Will you be on the news for helping her?" My Mum explained to me that people fell down a lot and that it wasn't the sort of thing that appears on the news. She also explained that no one from the news was there to see it. She asked me if I understood, and I said yes, but I didn't! That night I remeber watching the news and all I saw was a man-in-a-suit talking.  I asked my Mum,"Is this man more ... Read Full Story >>

A Helping Hand, And Sore Shins!

Two years ago we took the kids to see a pantomime (Christmas show) at a local theatre. It's only a little place and the balconies are piled high on top of each other so that you are practically hanging over the stage. Great fun! Anyway, there is an elevator but it stops short of the highest two balconies and the stairs are tight and steep. Once the show was over we all headed out. Of course everyone else was also trying to get out so it was really crowded. At the top of the stairs stood a mother with a teenage boy in a wheelchair. She seemed upset, insisting the theatre staff had assured her they would have someone there to help her and her son down to the elevator level. I offered to help and picked her son up in my arms while she followed with the folded down wheelchair. All the ... Read Full Story >>

Only a Phone Call Away

Serving as a Moderator for an online IH (intracranial hypertension) support group has allowed me to share my knowledge and experience of living with IH with others. The group is predominantly American, and I have to say, the most caring and friendly people I've ever spoken to and one day hope to meet.

Recently some British members have joined the group, many of whom have recently been diagnosed and are finding it hard to get to grips with their IH. I've been lucky enough to get to know these members and have empathised entirely with their situations and feelings. So much so that I gave them both my home number and mobile number, in case they should ever need a shoulder, or just a friend to listen.

We often text now too and I would like to think I've taken some of their feeling of being isolated away from them -- they now know that I'm merely a phone call away. How fantastic are these technologies, when they give you the opportunity to be able to connect with people, and know that you are not only helping them in some way, but you are also helping yourself too by becoming a better person.

Offering the Gift of My Skills

I am a professor at a local community college.  Many of the professors here have been around for a long time--20+ years or more.  Currently the latest venue for college classes is the hybrid and online course.  Although I am 43, I am very technology savvy.  I learned the software for online courses very easily, but that wasn't the case for my counterparts.  Yesterday, on my day off, I had invited one of my colleagues to come to my house and worked with her to place her course online.  Well, since then, word has gotten out, and now I have others coming to my house for help rather than going to the "classes" set up for faculty by the college!  I am thrilled that what comes easily to me can help someone else.  That is the joy of teaching!

Signal to Help a New Mom

While shopping at my local Walmart  I noticed a young girl ahead of me.  She had with her what looked like a newborn infant in the cart along with diapers, formula, and other food items.  This young mother wasn't the average mom shopping at Walmart.  The pierced nose and tongue might have discouraged others from helping her.   The cashier rung up her items and the girl gave the cashier her credit card.  The credit card was declined and the girl looked at the cashier embarassed and horrified.  The cashier gave the girl the option of keeping her items in the cart while  the girl went to get the necessary money.  I wasn't sure if this was the person I was supposed to help, after all there seemed to be a lot of stuff in her cart, and I am a single parent myself.  The girl left, supposedly to go get ... Read Full Story >>

Turning My Giving Up a Notch

This week I decided to up the smile-card notch a bit.  I usually affix a $1 dollar bill to a smile card prior to tagging the recipient, but this week, I felt moved to increase the monetary value and see if that increased the value of good feelings that arose within me when I give! On my way home from work, I cruised up the onramp to 880 South and looked for the homeless man who stands alongside the cars right before the traffic signal.  There he was.  I rolled down my window, connected with the eyes of this middle-aged latino man, and handed him a $5 dollar bill.  Then, in the middle of the week during lunchtime, as I was leaving Le Boulangerie Cafe in downtown San Jose, I headed back to my car to go back to the office.  However, when I saw anti-war sentiments smacked onto a neighbhoring car in the form of two bumper stickers, I felt compelled to express my resonance with this driver's thoughts through a tag.  Making sure the coast was clear and the driver was nowhere in sight, I took ... Read Full Story >>

Need A Jump?

Not sure if its the cold weather or what but there have been quite a few cars and trucks that have had dead batteries lately including my hubby and his truck.

While leaving the parking lot the other day, I noticed a gentleman who could not start his car.  I have jumper cables in the trunk so I stopeped and asked, "Need a Jump?"

'Definitely!", he replied.  "OK", I said as I pulled up next to his car and popped open the trunk.  Then I told him, "You will have to help me to set up and charge. I carry the jumper cables just in case, but I'm not comfortable hooking them up to the battery."

It feels so good to be able to help someone out in their moment of need.