Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Five Lira Pick Me Up

I'm a university student from New York and I am currently studying abroad in Istanbul.

Istanbul is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, but every now and then I get homesick or feel sad or left out. Today I was having an especially bad day because I was struggling with a history paper and finals are this week as well. I was also feeling sort of lonely and left out.

I began to get teary eyed and I decided to leave my dormitory for a walk in the night air. As soon as I had walked a few steps into the hallway, I found a Five Lira Bill (5 YTL) on the ground. I looked all around to see if there was anybody that had lost it, but there was no one there.

Finding the money on the ground made me so happy, I forgot about my problems for a minute. It really picked me up and made me realize how small my problems really are.

Tomorrow I will try to use the 5 YTL Bill to make someone smile. :D

I feel like it doesn't belong just to me, but to the world. It was a piece of happiness sent to me from someone else, even if by mistake.

2482 Reads

Re-keying a Home

A friend of my fiancé’s called in a bit of a panic.  She needed the locks on her doors to her home replaced or re-keyed that evening.  We drove over and checked everything out.  While the two friends chatted, I went to the local hardware store with her cash in hand and purchased a set of same-key front and back door locking knobs with deadbolts.  I purchased them with my check card.  I came back, installed the knobs and deadbolts, and handed her the new keys.   While I was installing the locks on the back door I thought it would be a good idea to take the cash she gave me for the locks and slide it under one of her fridge magnets along with a smile card.  I almost made it out of there before she found it.  Not so anonymous.   She hugged me for about a minute and she was weeping.  ... Read Full Story >>

1866 Reads

Eight People in One House

I work with a young lady that lives in a house she shares with 8 other people.  Two are children.  None of the other adults have a job.  She supports them with food and everything else they all need.  She earns a very modest salary and they struggle to survive.

Her mother lives with her too.  I have offered her mother domestic work at my house on Saturdays in order to supplement their income. I also supply all old clothes and shoes from my home that we do not use anymore.  I help with food sometimes when I can too.

I believe in helping where you can. I know that I have at least made a difference in the lives of 9 other people over the last few months.

1642 Reads

Splat!

One day I was walking out of Mcdonalds when a man  deliberately walked into a girl. The milkshake she was holding out of her hands fell on the floor with a SPLAT!                                                                                                                           I quickly went inside and bought a milkshake and went back outside and  gave it to the girl. She smiled and slurped happily while her mum was profusely thanked me!!                                                                                     I felt so warm and fuzzy inside. And yet I walked away as though nothing had just happened. :-) lol Angel4eva ... Read Full Story >>

1851 Reads

The Happiness Entrepreneur

"I have a package for Jonathan," Tom says. "Um, ok, let me page him," the person behind the counter says. This is an independent book store, and they generally don't get random deliveries like this. Wearing a buttoned shirt over a pair of jeans and black sneakers, Tom might've been taken for an errand guy. A closer look, though, and Tom's mystique is evident with the serenity on his face and the depth of his voice and the span of his geniune smile. On paper, Tom has a ton of accomplishments to his name, but in spirit, he identifies to something subtler -- "I grew up in love with stories of the invisible worlds that surround us, whispering to us of greater potentials than most of us ordinarily recognize. I have learned about silence and the world’s soul through years of walking in the woods, on mountains, and ... Read Full Story >>

8023 Reads

Embarrassed

I think I could live to 200 yrs. and still not understand what happened today. I was sitting infront of my little shop talking to a 6 yr old girl. In my 65 yr old mind I was trying to tell this little girl how important words were and how important it was to know how to use a dictionary. The word semantics came up and I went inside to get my dictionary, I wanted her to know the correct meaning of the word was.

However as I started to look up the word, I realized how hard it is to look up up word when you don't  know how to spell.  I went next door to ask her mother how to spell the word, she was of no help.  In the end all I could tell this little 6 yr old, was she better learn how to spell or she would end up like me, knowing a word, but not being able to prove it in the correct manner. The good news is I did realize words change from time to time and I am not able to change as fast. I think I might be happy being a good heart. I do not have the win a spelling bee.

2003 Reads

Pass The Buck!

Few months ago, a friend of mine handed me an envelope. Intrigued, I opened it and found a dollar bill.. A dollar? For what? My friend launched into an animated articulation of how he received a gift of $20 and he decided to split it up and give a dollar to 20 of his friends to do random acts of kindness. Multiply all the goodness that comes with an offering twenty-fold! Last week I was walking in a nearby downtown to keep a baby entertained while the  rest of the family watched a movie. The downtown is really small so we ended up pacing up and down the same street many times over. There was this small ice cream shop, half-way between 2 blocks, that kept drawing me. I saw two girls, about fifteen years, doling out cones and cups with a great smile and attitude. The line was long and so ... Read Full Story >>

16.2K Reads

Best Buds

When my new neighbour moved in I did not want to meet her as I am shy. So I just watched her move in hoping that one day my shyness would go away and I would be able to meet her because she seemed so nice.

One day my neighbour told my mum that she was having a barbecue. My mum told me and I said I would go. While I was getting changed I started to have second thoughts about the barbecue but I reminded myself that this would probaly be the only chance I would have to get to meet her  properly. So I went  and bonded with my neighbour and had a great time.

So the week after I decided to make her some jelly . But when I gave it to her I ran back to the house because I was still a bit shy but before I got to the door she thanked me. A week later I decided I would make her some biscuits and this time I didn't run away instead I stood there blushing.

And now a month later we are like best buds!!! 

1511 Reads

The Benefits Of Kindness

I thought I would share this passage from a lecture by the Buddha on the benefits of kindness :One sleeps Happy! One wakes Happy! One dreams No Evil dreams! One is Liked & Loved by all human beings! One is Liked & Loved by all non-human beings too! One is Guarded & Protected by the divine Devas! One cannot be Harmed by Fire, Poison or Weapons! One swiftly Attains the Concentration of Absorption! Ones appearance becomes Serene, Calm & Composed! One dies without Confusion, Bewilderment nor Panic! One reappears after death on the Brahma level if one has penetrated to no higher level  in life! ... Read Full Story >>

1256 Reads

Brownies for the Doctor's Office

I had a doctor's appointment a few days ago ... nothing wrong with me, just a physical.   My doctor and her  office staff always treats me so well on the phone and when I'm at the office. It is always a pleasant experience. 

To show my appreciation, I baked a batch of brownies and gave them to the office staff when I went in.  Their faces lit up and they really appreciated them.  They said they usually only get treats brought in by patients during the Christmas Holiday.  It was a little thing but it meant a lot to them.  : ) 

~Aurelia 

1492 Reads

Two Patients in ER

I was at home and my back started to hurt very badly so my mom took me to the emergancy room. I waited there for quite some time while they tried to get me a room, all the while the pain in my back was getting steadily worse.

There was only one other person in the waiting room so I wondered what could be taking them so long. The nurse came in and called the other person, by this time I was crying and breathing so fast I almost passed out. The other person, seeing that I was in extreme discomfort told the nurse that I could go in and she would wait a while longer.

When I was there I didn't realize what they had done, all I could think was pain. I was diagnosed with kidney stones and after I got out of the hospital I realized they had to be a very nice person to give up their hospital bed to someone they didn't even know!

1376 Reads

70 Pence to Charity

I went bowling and was thirsty so I bought a drink and donated the 70 pence change to charity.

When my  dad found out he was furious  and told me off. I don't think that's fair. The children in hospital need the money more than he does. But even though I got told off I think it was a kind thing to do.

Sophie

Age 10

1408 Reads

Neighbourly Bond

My neighbour is disabled so every Saturday I buy her some dinner and she tells me all about her sons and that one of them only visits at Christmas. 

I felt so sorry for her. So I am making some home made biscuits for her today and I hope she will like them. I can't wait to  see the look on her face and feel the warmth inside of me.

1635 Reads

The Wall Outside the Window

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end.  They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon,  when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with ... Read Full Story >>

56.4K Reads

Meeting A Couple That Was Living In A Tent.

They were too proud to take the offer of shelter.  They said they were doing fine.  We visited their tent and realized that there was much they still needed to stay warm in the coming months. 


Having been homeless ourselves, in the past, we knew from experience what they would need.  We came home and went through all of our stuff.  Socks, blankets, long underwear, sweaters, coats, a plastic tarp, a large plastic container that would seal. The list goes on but you get the idea.  We took the items to them and gave them rides to the Social Security office to get their cards, helped them get their photo id's.  That in turn allowed them to get work.

I'm happy to report that they no longer live in the tent.  They just moved into their own apartment here and we live just a jog from his work. 


We see them every Sunday at church.  It's a thrill to see the pride in their faces and am so blessed to have been a part of it.  It never fails to amaze me that the human spirit can accomplish so much more when it is given a hand-up rather a hand-out.

1844 Reads

Perfume And A Smile

A friend of mine is going through a rough time. Her husband is struggling with addiction and away from home for some rehab. It's been very difficult for her to be home with the children and alone.  I try to put time aside from my work day to spend time with her each day.  We were talking and sharing thoughts and she got on the subject of not having extra money for herself  lately. She said "Yeah, I miss being able to spray 'TommyGirl' (a perfume) on myself and feeling so good." I decided that I would go without extras & fast food to come up with the extra money to get the perfume for her. The next day I went to the store and bought it for her and wrapped it up pretty and left it on her desk at work!  She called me to her office and said  "YOU Didn't, did you?" ... Read Full Story >>

1371 Reads

Mystery Muffin Giver - Part 2

I just wanted to let you guys know that I have followed suit and left muffins along with a smile card in our lunchroom at work. It was so hilarious to see co-workers trying to find out who left them.

One just passed by my cubicle saying loudly to everyone in the room,  "Thank you whoever left the muffins. They taste great." She had a big grin on her face. It made me feel happy seeing her so happy. I really hope they pass the joy along.  Thank you to the original Mystery Muffin Giver for your wonderful story, which motivated me to pass a little happiness around. Giving certainly is fun! 

1332 Reads

Naomi And Harry Potter

Today is the beginning of my annual holiday here in the UK. A friend  and work colleague is a single  mum of 2 and struggles financially at times.

She mentioned the other day that her eldest really had her little heart set on the latest Harry Potter but she didn't know where the extra money would come from!

I got the  book last night - gift wrapped it and put it on my coleagues' desk while she was at lunch. I dont know who will have the best holiday this fortnight ...

Naomi or me !! 

 

1751 Reads

A Dime for a Folder

I have recently thought about an incredible act of compassion extended to me many years ago.

In fourth grade we were suppose to bring in a dime for a folder to use in class. My parents were divorced and money was in short supply. Watching my mom fend off creditors, I did not have the nerve to ask her for a dime. When I got to school, I really wish I had asked my mother for the dime because everybody else in class had the dime ready on their desk for the teacher. I was embarrassed and felt silly.

Somehow, A girl named Karen, sitting next to me, saw my personal suffering and waited until the last second to put a dime on the corner of my desk. Even though I never said a word, she saw my quiet anguish and only wanted to relieve it. She said nothing and I was too embarrassed to say thank you. It was the most genuine, authentic act of kindness I've ever experienced.

10.5K Reads

Preseverance

A lady staggered across the road in front of me.  She was crying.  Pedestrians stared but no-one helped.  The light turned green and there was a line of cars behind me.  I pulled away but became anxious for her.  I felt God was asking me to go back.  When I got back, there were so many people everywhere but she was nowhere to be seen.  "Lord, if You need me to help, show me where she is” I prayed.  As I turned into the direction she was headed, reality hit me.  This was one of the most unsafe areas in town and I was on my own.  I began to feel angry at myself. “Is this really God or me being over-emotional” I wondered.  After all, someone would surely help her.  I decided to turn into the next road that would lead me out of there.  I did and there she ... Read Full Story >>

3099 Reads