Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Gypsy Girl On a German Bus

While we were riding the old German bus in Tirana (Albania), a gypsy girl entered. Seven years old. Most gypsy kids have a 'dead' look in their eyes. Hardened by the world, by what they have experienced. The Albanian gypsies live in slums, their children beg on the streets so that the parents can afford to buy alcohol and continue their addiction. Girls as young as twelve wash car windows at the stoplight, holding a baby with their other arm. Little kids lay down on the sidewalks of Tirana to catch some sleep and rest their dirty limbs. Everytime we saw this hardened 'dead' look in their eyes. But not this girl. She was radiant. A beautiful smile across her face, sparkling eyes. She just stood there, in between me and my two friends. Flip flops, black t-shirt, short messy brown hair which matched her tomboy personality. A joyful presence. She ... Read Full Story >>

No Words Necessary

I recently had a friend tell me that she was missing my presence in her life and that she felt as if I was not around. As I was listening to her, I was wondering how this had happened. I began to realize we all have expectations within relationships, suggesting how much we should give before someone else should give back to us. This raised a big question in my head. How can I make my friend understand that I am here to serve not just her but anyone that needs it? I began to explain myself and realized that she was begging for attention in that moment. I tried to assure her that I was there for her, and that she could just ask anytime day or night. And then, right then, she accidentally cut her finger while cutting apples for her children. I looked at it and said, "we ... Read Full Story >>

The Bus Outside Walmart

Last week, while visiting Walmart, my 6 year old and I noticed a school bus parked in front of the store.  Before entering the store, a lady handed us a list of school supplies to put on the bus.  It was a program sponsored by United Way to donate school supplies to  under privileged children.

My son and I had a ball shopping for the bus!!  They let him take the supplies on the bus, and actually sit in the bus!!  This was such a thrill for my 6 year old because he's never been on a school bus, but has always wanted to. :)

Sometimes you give, and immediately receive!

Oh, and I made sure I sliped one of the smile cards in the bag before he placed it on the bus.  Maybe one of the kids, or a worker for the program will get the card. :)

A Tiny Gesture At A Local Fair

My husband and I had been sitting in a parking line for more than 10 minutes trying to get into a local fair when, I discovered I was in the wrong lane, and nearly to the gate! My husband waved to the van next to us. The woman driving, who I could see had several children with her, seamed happy to let us pull in front her after we asked if we may. I was so excited to not have to ‘go around and wait' again, I decided to pay for her parking.  

After paying, we parked, and entered the fair, not giving it another thought. Until, 20 some minutes later, when a small horde of people approached us to profusely thank us for our generosity.

Apparently they had been looking for us, just to thank us, and for such a small gesture. It choked me up quite a bit; after all, she was the one who had started the ‘generosity’.

That touching event has stayed with me all this time. To this day, it still amazes and thrills me that a tiny gesture could cause a ‘cascade’ of warmth and unselfish kindness.

If this is the result of a small gesture, what might a ‘medium’ gesture initiate?

Picking Up the Phone!

Last night my phone rang.  Seeing who it was on my caller-id, I did not answer it.  The guy calling is married to the neice of my ex-partner.  Just six months ago, I was separated and had a tough enough time getting over it without being reminded through visits by her relatives! The phone rang again this morning, it was the same person calling, and again, I didn't answer.  Then, I got to thinking, "Why would he call me?  We were never close friend or anything." Still, something inside me told me he needed to talk so I called him back. He told me he was going for a run and would love drop-in for some coffee.  I said, "Of course, it will be good to see you".  Within five minutes he was on my doorstep as he had been looking for my house and was not sure which one it was. ... Read Full Story >>

Smile-Card Surprise In The Mail

I have to say.  I had never heard of helpothers.org until today.  My oldest daughter just returned from her daily trip to the mailbox, waving a large envelope in the mail screaming THIS ONE'S FOR ME, THIS ONE'S FOR ME. Once I got her calmed down, I made sure she did not destroy the return address and let her continue ripping it open.  She was beyond excited.  A few minutes later she places an envelope on my lap and says it's for me.  Well, I opened it & inside was a Smile. You've just been tagged! card, a bookmark and a white feather.  I was flabbergasted.  I did not recognize the name of the person on the envelope but I have it saved to send a thank you.  I have to say, you don't know how happy you made my little girl this afternoon.  It could not have come at ... Read Full Story >>

Holding The Hand Of Life

Last summer, I was working as a tour guide at a cave and there are about 230 stairs round-trip so it made it pretty difficult to walk for older people or younger ones.  This is kind of two stories in one. On one tour, you know the tour guide has a flash light and leads the way, well.. there was an elderly couple on my tour, the only two. He had a cane and had trouble seeing the bumps and stairs, so the entire way through the cave, I walked backwards with my flashlight right in his path. It felt good because I knew that I was doing a nice thing, it also hurt because since I was walking backwards ... I'd hit my head a few times, but it was totally okay! Also there was this one where this little girl just was like attached to me! She was so ... Read Full Story >>

Why I Just Love Smile Cards!

I was recently transfered from one department to another. So I decided to give a token of appreciation to my old boss. Then, I realized that I still have some smile cards and decided to make their day in a slightly more elaborate way. As a thank you for everything she had done, I made some jewelry for my old boss -- a beaded colors stones necklace!  Then, I gave the secretary a gift as well -- a brown beaded necklace.  And finally, the volunteer recruiter, a brown beaded bracelet and matching earrings. All ladies were so pleased and grateful that I made their day. The recruiter was so touched with the gesture that she now wants to incorporated the smile cards into the volunteer department, so other volunteers can do random acts of kindness too. I am so happy to have given the gifts to the ladies and attach the smile cards. Because ... Read Full Story >>

Love Thy Neighbor, For He Is Me

[Originally from Ode Magazine, June 2007] Two thousand years ago on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho, a lonely traveler was attacked. No one—not even the priest who happened by—extended a hand to help the man. But just before he lost consciousness he saw a friendly face hovering over him and felt two strong arms lift him up and put him on a donkey. When he woke up the following day, he was at an inn; his wounds were dressed, his thirst quenched. His benefactor had moved on, but had paid the man’s medical and hotel bills. “Who is this man who spontaneously took pity on me?” asked the traveller. The innkeeper smiled. “His name is Samaritan.” What we’ve known for 2,000 years has now been scientifically proven. Samaritans are rare. But here’s the good news: Altruism can be learned. Of course Samaritans are scarce because—according to the research—they come ... Read Full Story >>

Cell Phone For A Construction Worker

I was in a convenience store the other day and overheard a man asking the clerk about using a telephone.  He was dressed pretty rough ... he was a construction worker. 

I left the store before I heard the clerk's answer, but I saw the guy leave the store and stand there looking around.  I called out to him and asked if he needed to use a phone?  He said yes, that he had left his cell phone at home and needed to call his wife.  I told him he could use my cell phone. 

From his surprised reaction you would have thought I had offered him the moon, not just the use of a cell phone!  I gave him my phone, he called his wife, and gave my phone back along with a big Thank You!  I smiled and gave him one of the Smile Cards.  He read it and loved it!

I have to say it was a little sad that he was so surprised by such a small act of kindness, but I'm so glad that I got to be the one to remind him that there are nice people in the world!

D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S Crab Meat!

Each week I’m at the Farmer’s Market manning a table. Typically, I have to make sure I have cash in hand to buy my goods.  And recently, I’ve been on a smoked  salmon kick and just about each week I buy a small package of it to satisfy the palette. Last week, just as I was going to pick up my treat, a man came up next to me and asked how much the crab meat roll was. The fellows working told him it was $4.00. He looked at me and asked,  “Have you ever had one of these from here?” My reply was, “No.” He  said they were, “D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!” I smiled at him and proceeded   to pay for my fish. Just as the worker placed my change in my hand  the crab roll guy bumped my arm and said, “Here, this is for you!” I looked at him with my mouth ... Read Full Story >>

Do Something: Story of DC Central Kitchen

The first thing you've got to know about me--all I ever wanted to do was open the greatest nightclub in the world. At age 12, after watching the movie Casablanca, opening a nightclub was all I thought about, day and night. Much to my Marine Corp pilot father's chagrin, I landed a job at the Childe Harold, a Washington, DC, nightclub, and eventually worked my way up in the business to manage and book bands at several clubs in the city. I was having a great time preparing to use the power of music to take over the world, when, on a night off, I found myself tagging along with my wife, Claudia, and others from a church group to feed people who lived outside, on the streets of DC. Up until that point in my life, I had admired, but managed (purposely) to avoid, volunteering. . .which is why I still ... Read Full Story >>

The Most Important Body Part

My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is.  Through the years I would take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy."  She said, "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon." Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer.  So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes."  She looked at me and told me, "You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind." Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years, Mother asked me a couple ... Read Full Story >>

Helping Others, Even When We're Down

My wife and I, we like to help wherever we can.  We may be down and out on a lot of things we really need badly, but you can't away us helping others. 

And I'm not talking just money.

An elder lady lives next door to us and I shovel her driveway and mow her lawn when her kids can't do it -- which is almost every time because they live out of town. 

Do I get paid in cash?  No!!  What do my wife and I get for it?  Just a big thank you and a great friend.  And this friend sometimes bakes us something and what does she say -- "I just bake too much today.  Would you like some of this?"

Tire Blowout On the Road

I was just away for a few days vacationing with my teenage daughters. On  our way home on the highway going about 65MPH, my tire went flat! I was scared and managed to move the car to the slow lane and then off the highway to the shoulder of the road. I was so surprised to see right in front of me and van pulled off the road also and then back up to me. This kind man got out of his truck and came to my window to see that I was alright and then he waited until I got through to AAA. He asked me several times if I was OK and was I sure that he could leave me to wait for AAA. I felt so good that he did that for us. The 40 minutes after he left,  I waited for AAA to arrive, no one ... Read Full Story >>

Oprah's 24 Acts of Kindness

January: Adopt your new coworker, take her to lunch and make yourself available for any little question she has. If someone says flattering things about your friends, don't hesitate to let them know they have fans. February: On Valentine's Day, call your single friends just to say, "Hello." If a waiter or a manicurist or plumber does an especially good job, let them know.  Even better, let their boss know. March: Honk your horn only to prevent a car accident. Resist the temptation to lash out when you're in a bad mood. April: Get back in touch with someone who once meant something to you, if only to tell her she made an impact. Offer to share your cab from the train station on a rainy evening. May: If you come across a funny childhood picture of you and your brother, send him a framed copy. If you're out of gift ideas for a friend's birthday, making her favorite dessert will always trump a ... Read Full Story >>

The Wise Woman's Stone

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

Blackberries From An Old Lady

During a day at work, a nice old lady walked in with her dog. She's a regular customer and usually very kind. I always imagine her to be the kind of lady who gets along with everyone, her dog even seemed to like the fact that she talked to him all the time!

As she walked over to the counter she asked me: "Do you like blackberries?" And she held out a plastic sack filled with blackberries. She told me she just picked them nearby, and told me to go get a napkin. As I put the napkin on the counter, she shook some blackberries out of the plastic sack, put them on the napkin, and heartily said, "Enjoy".

It was such a small gesture, but what a great way to spread some joy! I really enjoyed those berries, and the lady's kindness was also very refreshing.

My Friend, Howie

Actually, he started out as my step-dad's best friend since they were 5 and 6 years old, respectively.  They grew up in New York City.  Howie's home life was not good, very troubled.  Still, he grew up to be a fine man, worked hard, married, and had two children.  His wife divorced him when the children were small and he kind of drifted through life, working, but no real focus. I was almost 6 when my mother and stepfather met (again) and decided to make a life together.  Howie said to my dad, "You are going to live with her (meaning my mother)?  She has a kid, the kid will be an anchor and slow you down." Howie would come over our house and eat dinner and spend time there.  I guess I kind of grew on him.  He taught me how to play checkers and we got along just fine.  At ... Read Full Story >>

Father and Son Getting Home

A few months ago, while driving home from work, I was thinking about my long tiring day at work and worrying about my other half, and would he be OK when I got home. My partner of 6 years, was lying in bed at home, sick and facing a long illness and possibly death. That day several clients had paid for thier jobs and one of them even paid extra, since he was very pleased with our graphics & photography work. On the way, I stopped at a gas station (slightly out of my way) to gas up my car before heading home. When I went in to pre-pay for my gas, I saw a man with his his son ahead of me in the line. They were a little dirty from working & painting at a local job site. The clerk behind the counter seemed annoyed and not interested in ... Read Full Story >>