Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Star Wars Valentine

I work in a school and see happy little faces each day. (Kids from age 3-14).  On Valentine's Day last year, Valentine cards and candies were being passed out left and right. I  smiled and said "thank you" to the kids and I gave a Candy Kiss to them.  Later in the day, this new face came to my door.  He was a bigger kid, probably about 10 or 11. He was shy as he walked up to me and handed me a "star wars valentine". He stood there, waiting for me to open the card and of course I did open it to find out his wishes and name. I smiled and said "Thank You Zack". Something told me that I should hang this Valentine on my office door along with my other festive decorations.  Later when classes were dismissed, I got a visit from Zack's Aunt. She said that I really touched Zack ... Read Full Story >>

Kneeling With a Bouquet of Flowers

My cousin Heidi was stricken around age 16 with a debilitating disease, which took her life about 20 years later. As the disease progressed, she became wheelchair bound and unable to easily communicate (I'm not sure of the disease -- it may have been a combination, including Parkinson's). When she was in her late 20's, she would often have her mother take her out into the front yard when the weather was nice so that she could sit in her wheelchair and watch the cars pass by. One day, my aunt was doing dishes and looked out the window to see a car pulled to the side of the road and a man approaching Heidi. In a panic, she ran outside, wondering who this person was that was approaching her daughter. When she arrived where my cousin was sitting, the man was kneeling before her placing a bouquet of flowers in her lap ... Read Full Story >>

Growing Seeds in Silence

Sometimes you read a story that just takes root in your heart. Many stories on the helpothers.org website have been like that for me: "I Wish You Enough" by BrightEyes and "An Unforgettable Fishing Experience" by Mike Delyria to name just two. Well this story I'm about to share with you has been growing in the heart of many people on Cape Ann, where I live. It is the story of Jude, a young deaf man with green thumbs and a big heart who recently opened a plant store in our community called The Silent Seed. I first heard about him from my friend Nana who had noticed the new store during one of her walks and was so inspired by the owner that she felt called to draw the whole neighborhood's attention to his work. A few days later, my friend Loretta who lives in a totally different part of ... Read Full Story >>

Remembering a Name Makes All the Difference

Today, I needed to ring the helpline of my internet provider -once again!  I have had problems with disconnecting and called the line to ask them to reset my connection.  I was put through to a young man, who gave his name and asked what the trouble was. He tried his best to help, but it took a long while and I was on the phone for quite some time.  He apologised to me several times for keeping me waiting.  It was as frustrating for him as it was for me I am sure. 

Finally - to his relief - I was reconnected.  I thanked him for his help, using the name he had given to me at the beginning of the call.  He was very surprised and I could hear the smile in his voice as he said, "Thank you for remembering my name - we are not often thought of as people, just technical assistance - you have made my day!"

Small acts - big differences.

Doggie Day Care

One of my pleasures has always been to make friends out of people I encounter on a regular basis.  This has sometimes led to wonderful unexpected gifts beyond the obvious happiness of setting up outposts of friends.  10 years ago, I was a "career professional" working as a programmer in a bank.  Like many people, I was unhappy in my job, feeling completely unfulfilled, and occasionally having anxiety attacks about my life passing by without meaning. Banks have a strange corporate structure, doling out the title of "Vice President" rather liberally to miscellaneous positions of middling authority.  My job had been bestowed with this aggrandizement.  It not only seemed ridiculous to me, but became a source of irritation when I'd watch someone greet me respectfully, then turn around and respond dismissively to a fellow employee.  In reaction to this obvious inequity, I made it a point to be even more respectful towards ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift of a Hot Coffee

I work in a place were small random acts of kindness seem to be easily found, if one is looking.  In a place where "regulars" are the norm, a new face came in. He fixed himself a coffee and picked up a few small grocery items.  When he came to checkout, he handed me a food stamp card.  I don't understand the logic behind it, but hot foods can't go on the card.   I lowered my voice as I told him the coffee couldn't be paid for with his card, hoping he would have a small amount of cash to cover the coffee.   But he responded, "I didn't know.  I don't have any money and I've already made the coffee, so would you throw it away for me?"   I pulled a dollar out of my pocket discreetly and told him I had it covered.  The only person that overheard us was the next person in line, who seemed strangely put off and said in a loud voice "you can't be from around here." 

 I found it sad that being kind, can sometimes set one apart.

All I Did Was Smile

One day I was going home and jumped on the LRT (train). There was one seat compartment that was empty except for a 'dirty' run down looking man obviously coming down off of something. Although there were two empty seats across from him, and one beside him, and the train was jam packed, no one would sit there. Me, being me, waltzed into the train car, sat directly across from him, looked him in the eye and smiled. The look of shock, shame and amazment on his face is a look I will never forget. He was obviously shocked that someone would sit across from him when a train full of people had done their best to avoid him so far. After he got over the shock, you could see the shame on his face, and you knew it was because of his appearance and how his problems, addictions, whatever they ... Read Full Story >>

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.