Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Donuts at the Gas Pump

Yesterday morning on my way to work I stopped at our local gas station to fill up my gas tank.  While paying inside I also picked up a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts and a handful of napkins.  I then went outside and offered donuts and napkins to everyone who was pumping gas into their cars. 


If they took a donut I also gave them a Smile card.  It was so much fun!  One truck had a couple of burly construction workers inside. The driver apparently was inside paying.  I offered donuts to the two guys who eagerly took one and then asked if they could take one for their buddy -- nice of them to think of him, too, huh?!  The only downside was that I ended up with three leftover donuts and guess who ended up eating them?  I couldn't let them go to waste! :)

 

1325 Reads

A Smile For Ice Cream

I received my Smile cards and was looking for a chance to use them.  I was in the Albuquerque airport on my way back to Colorado and decided to get some ice cream.

As I was paying, a young woman came up and placed an order.  I pretended to count my change and generally waste time until the clerk told the woman how much she owed.  I quickly fished out the money, gave it to the clerk, handed the very surprised woman one of my new Smile cards, wished her a good day and left!  The smile on the clerk's face and the confused/changing to surprised face on the woman was so much fun and I hope the Smile card is now out there circulating!

2562 Reads

The Conspiracy Of Blessings

Hi,

I'm new to the site and just wanted to share my current kindness project. I have an anonymous blog through which people can request artful blessings for themselves or others. I send a variety of original art postcard prints (mostly mandalas), poems, inspirational quotes, and nearly always something handmade.

I also send blessing packages as an act of gratitude to people who inspire me through their own generosity.

This is my most consistent practice of kindness, although the project has motivated me to bring acts of kindness into my every day life as often as I can remember.

Blissings, Artmystic

1461 Reads

An Unexpected Light

"As I waited at a busy intersection in our city  for the red light to change to green,  I glanced left; seeing an elderly man groping about on the curb. He had fallen off of his motorized cart which had lurched a few yards ahead of him, and was crawling off the sidewalk onto the road to pick up his front basket ( which was now in the path of oncoming traffic). Without a second thought, I rushed over to help him to his feet, and although unsteady and shaken, I was able to walk him to his cart, and help him back onto the seat and reattach his basket. As he glanced up at me, he smiled and said, “Thank you.” I made sure that he was OK to continue on and then I returned to my car, which I had left at the intersection. Nobody was honking. They just stared at me. ... Read Full Story >>

3240 Reads

Lessone From a 3-year Old

My three year-old got into helping me give out the "smile you've been tagged cards" to everyone she sees. She got people laughing right out loud , even the cashiers and baggers were laughing so hard. All the other workers stopped to laugh too when they read the card. Even other people shopping in the grocery store laughed,saying my daughter was so adorable.

My three year old said "have a nice day" to everyone she handed the card to. That's when everyone that wasn't yet laughing joined in too, making her even more proud and happy. She had even more confidence to make a world a more lovable place.

They thanked her and gave her a handshake , some of the older ladies and gentlemen asked me if they could have a hug from her.  They just wanted to say thank you personally to a beautiful little lady who jsut made their day a lot more better. She even got a couple of people in tears saying nobody has ever been so nice to them.

1402 Reads

Stage Hand

Been very busy lately helping out with scenery, costumes and props for the school play.

I asked one girl performer  what night her mother was coming to watch, she looked rather down and said she wasn't.  I know that her mum is single and would not have much money, so last night on the way to the opening we called at her house and said we had a spare ticket, she jumped at the chance to come.

The beaming face of her daughter when she saw her mum sitting next to us was worth a million pounds.

Love and Smiles

Afriendlysmile  

1588 Reads

The Kindness Of Children

I often write about how amazed I am to have such great kids.

Well at 5 and 10 I am almost always surprised at what sinks into their minds.

I knew  I have made an impact when I heard my 5 year old say my mommy says it's nice to be important but more important to be nice.

My soul beams.

So often kids repeat what they hear.

Criticism and swear words are not what they should hear.

Today I am proud of my 5 year old.

1336 Reads

It's Time To Help

As I said last week, a very good friend of mine is going through a difficult time. Her dad had  bypass surgery on both legs and also a colostomy and her mom had to be put in a nursing home until he recuperates and is able to care for her again.  She loves her parents so much and has been spending so much time in the hospital with her dad and then off to her mom at the nursing home at night. They are 30 miles apart and my friend is so tired.  Please Pray for both parents. Thank you.

I decided to get together with another girlfriend and make dinner for her Family at Home (a husband and 2 sons).  So after work today, I made a Potato Salad and lemon cake, and my other friend made Sloppy Joes and Macaroni Salad. We both delivered the dinner items together. The family was so happy to have a home cooked meal and couldn't thank us enough.  I know my friend will appreciate our kind act of helping her keep her family well fed while she's unable to be home and cook.

1219 Reads

Front Porch Surprise!

Well, it was the weekend and I love to sleep in....I woke up late (knowing I need not rise early for work) with the sun streaming thru the blinds and my cats like bookends, each claiming one side of me to cuddle against. I stretched and breathed in the wonderful smell of coffee wafting up from the kitchen....its aroma coaxing me downstairs for  some java and breakfast. The house was quiet except for the bird song which could be heard thru the sliding glass doors....such a wonderful sound to hear first thing of every day! I never get tired of listening to their sweet music, much better that the radio or CD. I searched for my hubby ...he was not in the garage  nor the backyard either so peeked out front where I usually  find him chatting with our neighbor. To my great surprise, there was a brand new oak glider and 2 large terra cotta planters brimming with a colorful selection of flowers ... Read Full Story >>

1333 Reads

Doggie Treats

When I went to volunteer at the animal shelter yesterday, I saw one of the dogs had a bandana wrapped around his neck and I thought that it was very cute and added a little personal touch.

Today, I passed by a discount store and I saw they sold bandanas for 99 cents each. I decided to buy one of every pattern. I plan to bring it with me the next time I go and put it on the dogs I walk. Certainly, it'll appeal to people who come in looking to adopt a pet.

I also bought a box of milkbones to give to the dogs as treats. They absolutely deserve to be loved.  It is really really important they they get adopted. Sadly, the shelter I volunteer at is a kill shelter and they put dogs and cats asleep because we have very limited space and because we're funded by the city, we cannot refuse to take in an animal that is found or surrendered.

I hope getting them treats and spending time with them would make them feel better. Sometimes, I feel like I have very limited power to help but I'm going my best. Still, I remain hopeful.

1543 Reads

Yardsale Freebies

This weekend in our community there was a community yardsale and fundraiser. I thought maybe I would try something a little different.

I collected all the books I had around that I no longer needed (as I have been collecting books for 20 years). I had almost 200 books. I took these and other items, radios, stickers, toys, etc, and put them on a couple of tables and propped up a sign marked FREE and walked away.

I think this is a great idea, some people come with little money in their pockets and all kids love free toys.

1572 Reads

Six year old Adam's Gift To Us All

A story that made me appreciate how precious life is. While recuperating from her second open heart surgery at Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, my six-year-old daughter Kelley was moved from the intensive care unit to the floor with  the other children.  Because a section of the floor was closed, Kelley was put in the wing reserved for cancer patients. In the adjacent room, a six-year-old boy named Adam was fighting a battle with leukemia.  Adam stayed at the hospital for a portion of each month while receiving chemotherapy treatments.  Every day Adam sauntered into Kelley's room to visit, pushing the pole that held his chemotherapy bag.  Despite the discomfort of the treatments, Adam was always smiling and cheerful.  He entertained us for hours with his many stories.  Adam had a way of finding the positive and the humor in any situation, however difficult. One particular day, I was feeling tired and anxious ... Read Full Story >>

1879 Reads

Cooking, With Love

My cousins wife is expecting a baby and she has been feeling very tired and sick. My cousin had returned from a long trip abroad and was feeling jet lagged and tired too.

I went over to visit them and spent the evening making a large, fresh, wholesome meal for them from scratch (I just hate using precooked food).

They were really happy at the end of the day to eat the healthy food and we all sat outside near the garden and watched the rain fall and ate hot food.

I have been through a very rough patch lately, and doing something like this physically for someone other than myself really lifted my spirits.

1514 Reads

Love

today i saw a white dove

today i think im falling in love

today i smiled and had a laugh

today i spoke to the best friend i have

today will be like tommorrow so feel the love

because i have been sent an angel from above

there is an angel out there they will shine in your life dont look for the angel the angel will find you   

hugssssss for all with love

1868 Reads

Miracle Man's Wedding Proposal

Three events, five hours. That was my Saturday evening schedule. It would've been nice to thoroughly enjoy one event, but how can you pick between a high school friend's first baby shower, cousin's i-am-turning-five birthday party, and a suprise proposal between two friends who met at your house?!? So my wife and I zoomed in Fred's beamer, from Milpitas to Santa Clara to San Francisco, and the excitement was building as we landed at Buca di Bepo at 7PM. We had no idea what the evening would hold. The plan was for Pete to propose to Linda, and bring her to a restaurant where Pete had gathered their closest friends, including Linda's four-grade classmate whom he had flown in from Salt Lake City! And it was executed perfectly. Pete had taken Linda to the spot of their first date, struggled to find a private spot with his "binoculars", got down ... Read Full Story >>

5218 Reads

A Helping Hand

I volunteer at a charity on fridays. I take calls and assess needs and then find churches to fill those needs. Everything is done over the phone. I have been wanting to make a connection and today I got the chance. Someone called in about a developmentally disabled young woman who had a one year old son.

She used her whole check to pay a deposit on an apartment and had no money left to feed her son. He had been eating tater tots cooked in a microwave for three days. She literally has nothing but an apartment, a bed and a microwave.

My friend and I decided to try and reach out and help this woman. We rounded up food and diapers, pots pans, utensils, toilet paper ---  a whole truck load of donated stuff and went to meet her. Tomorrow we are taking her a sofa and chair that someone donated.she was very shy because she stutters. The baby was so cute. She was very happy to see us. Hopefully she is going to be open to us mentoring her. We will be trying to build a relationship with her and her son.

It is very fullfilling to help someone in this way, to actually see a face and know that we helped.

1826 Reads

Go Ahead Of Me

Just a simple Act, but it was appreciated.

I was in line at a department store. It was very busy and lines were long. I over heard the conversation behind me in line. A man was apologizing to a lady, saying he should have got in line sooner. She had already gone through the line and had her packages in her hands. I guess they must have been traveling together.  As you might have already guessed, I had a full basket of items. I could see that that lady wasn't happy with him so I asked him if he'd like to go ahead of me in line since he was in a hurry to leave.

He was so pleased and thanked me many times. I SMILED and said pay it forward someday. He said "I sure will , I sure will" THANKS.

That was so easy and felt so good to do. I wasn't in a hurry so it was the perfect opportunity.

~Aurelia

1509 Reads

Ex-husbands

As far as ex-husbands go, I can put up with the father of my kids to a point.  About 4 years ago, he had been diagnosed with throat cancer.  I don't usually say much about things because I don't want it to sound like I'm bragging,  Throughout his treatment and hospitalizations, I was there for him.  I even took off work to take the kids to see him in the hospital.  I didn't think anything of it, I just did what needed to be done.  The point of my story is this.  Today, I had to have surgery on my right hand, of course I'm right handed.  When I spoke with my ex-husband one day, he said he could pick me up and take me home.  He had to open and close the car door for me.  I live in a community where the mail boxes are all together, with locks.  He got ... Read Full Story >>

1849 Reads

The Begger By The Masjid

The saint, Shaykh Sa'eed ibn Musfir tells the following account... I was walking out of the Haram (the Ka'bah in Makkah) when I saw a man begging from everyone that passed by him. Just then a man who had parked his tinted Mercedes excessively close to the Haram in a designated VIP parking walked passed the beggar on his way to his car. As he pulled the keys out and the alarm did the 'whup whup', the beggar raised his finger to the sky and said, "Please, for the sake of Allah!" Trying to end the moment and avoid a dip into the pocket, the Mercedes man said back, "Allah will provide!" The beggar said back, "What! Did you at any moment think that I thought YOU were my provider! I'm not asking for your provision, I KNOW Allah will provide for me." Shaykh Misfir continues. The two stood there staring at one another ... Read Full Story >>

41.0K Reads

Gentleman at the Terra Linda Jamba Juice

Life has been stressful lately due to recent financial constraints among other things, so I decided to treat myself at Jamba Juice near Northgate on my lunch hour. Ahead of me was a 30-something, tall, good looking chap who, after putting in his order, turned to me and said to the cashier "and put this lady's order on my tab." Talk about knocking me over with a feather! I was speechless and open-mouthed for a moment but quickly revived, thanked him and put my order in. He said that he just felt it was the right thing to do and every once in a while you have do something nice for a stranger. No, he wasn't flirting or trying to pick me up. He was just a nice person who was feeling good and wanted to pass on his good energy ... Read Full Story >>

4169 Reads
  • Posted by Michele Genevieve
  • Sep 30, 2007
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