Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Braving the Cold to Warm Up Hearts

In my city, it was a bit on the cold side this week.  I have several elderly neighbors who are always very nice, so I wanted to think of a way to help them. 

I noticed that on the colder mornings their trash cans and delivered newspapers usually stayed out near the end of their driveway until later in the day.  I've watched them go out and get move their trash cans and pick up their newspapers some mornings, and it doesn't look like an easy task for them.  On colder morning, I they have to wait until it is warm enough to go out and get them. 

As I was preparing to leave the house this morning, I decided to  place their trash cans by the garages and put the newspapers by their front doors.  It only took me a few minutes and now I've decided to make it a part of my daily routine! :) 

Carrying a Neighbors Boxes

   This morning as I was coming to work, (on time for once!!!!) I saw the lady that works next door to us in the plaza where my office is located.  She was carrying in box after box after box from her car.

   As she went inside with yet another one, I started walking over to her door. When she came outside, I had a big grin on my face, and a box in my arms.  "Need some help?" I asked her.  "Oh! Well, thank you," the woman said.  "No problem. I just saw you struggling with all these boxes.  I couldn't resist the chance to help someone in need," I said, grinning wider.

   The woman smiled in thanks, and I helped her carry the remainder of the boxes into the store.  When we were done, she told me to have a nice weekend, and I told her the same.

   At lunch, I left a smile card on the windshield of her car. :)

Simple Common Courtesies in Life

This morning I paused to hold the door open for a lady rushing up the steps too the coffee shop we were both entering. A small gesture I have always done throughout my life at every opportunity. Her smile and thank you was a refreshing change from what I feel has become the norm in today’s society. I can’t believe how many times in a day the simple act of holding open a door is met with indifference or barely a sideways glance. I believe it is the simple common courtesies we afford each other that are the kindest acts of all. How often we forget to give thanks to each other for the simple things we often take for granted and how wonderful it makes us feel when we do.

Three Little Things That Made A Big Difference

This week I was reminded that everything we do matters in life. I did 3 small things this week that I found out made a big difference to someone else. 

I waved to a new neighbor who was intensely watching her little boy in the yard. She broke into a smile and a few days later told me that I had changed the rest of her day for the better with my small gesture.

When I was in the drugstore, the woman stocking cold medicine dropped one. I picked it up and handed it to her, thinking nothing of it.  She thanked me and told me her back was hurting and she appreciated what I did.

I found that a few kind words can touch someone more deeply than you ever could have known. “Thank you” does matter and can make someone feel appreciated.  A sincere “I’m sorry” does make a difference and can lighten a difficult situation.  And a few thoughts from the heart grow larger when they reach someone else’s heart.

I barely thought much about it when I did any of these things. But I was reminded yet again that everything we do matters. Never underestimate the impact you may have on someone!

New Sneakers and a Milkshake

My  15 year-old daughter needed new sneakers. She wears them every single day to school and they seem to wear out quickly.  So, we went to the mall to a place called Journeys to look for her shoes.  The guy behind the counter looked a little "scary" to me. Dark hair, piercings, but smiling :) thank goodness. (Never judge, I remind myself!)

He helped my daughter find the 'perfect' sneakers and she was happy. When I saw they weren't laced, I commented. The sales guy (about 18years old) says, I can 'bar lace' them for her, no problem!!! I can even lace them in 2 colors if she wants!  She was thrilled and it took him about 5 minutes to do it (would have taken me 5 hours to do and not in 2 colors either!).  

The salesman was so helpful that we walked over to McDonalds and got him a milkshake.  When we returned with it, he couldn't thank us enough.  We were all smiles -- a good trip with my teenager.

Art of Giving

"Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do tree eat their own fruit, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others?      Even after accepting that giving is good and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.      The first question is when should one give?  We all know the famous incident from Mahabharat. Yudhisthir, asks a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. On this, Bhim rejoices, that Yudhisthir his brother, has conquered death! For he is sure that he will  be around tomorrow to give. Yudhisthir gets the message.      One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give!      The time to give therefore is now. The next question is 'how much to give?   One recalls the famous incident from history. Rana Pratap was reeling after ... Read Full Story >>

"What Color is the Sky?"

   I go to a private girls school which is filled with daughters of doctors and lawyers.   We are all very privileged teens.  It is always strange for me when i see those around willing to give to a worthy cause, or even to show thanks for the world around them.    I always make a point of trying to see the beauty in life, especially the sky.  The sky is such an amazing sight, and so big but we never seem to notice it.  Once I was eating lunch with my friends and I was staring up into the sky on a wonderful sunny day. My friend asked me what i was doing and i said, "I just can't get over how blue the sky is." My friends all looked at me like I was crazy.  Later that day we had just finished a math test and my friend ... Read Full Story >>

A Chain of Kind Events, Started By a 3rd Grader

Lucia is 8 years old and in November '05 she wrote a contract for the whole family to sign. "We will all agree to getting a puppy dog on April 15 2006." She had been asking for a puppy for about a year already!  It was inevitable now! We signed, the five of us, but did inform her that she needed to start saving money to be able to buy the puppy and so she did. At least once a week she would sit down to count, penny at a time, how much she had collected. In change she raised about US$80 dollars. April came, we had a few adorable options in mind but on the first week of the month, we received a communication letter from her school about a girl needing multiple organ transplant and this letter made Lucia change her mind. She informed us she was taking her ... Read Full Story >>

Love is the New Religion

On the surface of the world right now there is war and violence and things seem dark But calmly and quietly, at the same time, something else is happening underground An inner revolution is taking place and certain individuals are being called to a higher light It is a silent revolution From the inside out From the ground up It is time for me to reveal myself I am an embedded agent of a secret, undercover Clandestine Global operation A spiritual conspiracy We have sleeper cells in every nation on the planet You won't see us on the T.V. You won't read about us in the newspaper You won't hear about us on the radio We don't seek any glory We don't wear any uniform We come in all shapes and sizes Colors and styles Most of us work anonymously We are quietly working behind the scenes in every country and culture of the world Cities big and small, mountains and valleys, in farms and villages, tribes and remote islands You ... Read Full Story >>

Delivering Mail; Leaving a Smile

   At work, there are four  large open ended mail box slots situated at each side of the building and on each floor. The slots are alphabetized for letter carrier distribution ease. There must be 50-100 boxes and slots now that the mailroom consolidated them and reduced staff. Gone are the days of hand delivery direct to your desk.     To save time and money by keeping employees to a minimum, the new process requires each person to pick up their mail.     Our manufacturing manager and his administrative assistant have recently moved from downstairs to upstairs, across the aisle from my group. While I was pulling my mail this morning,  I noted the administrative assistant's slot was jammed full.     I carefully pulled all her mail and took it to her desk thinking maybe she had been too busy or forgot with her move. My intent was to just leave the stack of mail on her ... Read Full Story >>

Paid in Full with One Glass Of Milk

One day, a poor boy  who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.  He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However,he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for kindness."  He said, "Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in humanity grew stronger as well.  He had been ready to give up ... Read Full Story >>

A Special Family Birthday Wish

My birthday was January 8th.  I usually do not talk about my birthday, but this past one was very special to me, so I wanted to share it here.     My family is from the other side of the world and I wanted them to try random acts of kindness to others.  So, I decided to email my brother, my sister-in-law and nieces.  For my birthday gift this year, I wanted them all to do a random act of kindness - secretly, without them sharing it amongst themselves.    It was amazing to hear about what they came up with.  My brother took some old clothes and shoes, gathered some canned goods and left them at 4AM at the door of one poor neighbor.  The following day, he was so pleased to see the children wearing some of the clothes he had left at their doorstep.    My niece, with the little allowance money that she had, ordered fried chicken ... Read Full Story >>

Auntie’s Surprise Travel Bags

Happy Memories... Ding-Dong.  “YEAH!  Auntie’s here! Auntie’s here!” scream my hubby’s niece & nephew in unison. "Let me get the door!” “No, let me!”  They continue shouting as they charge off together, hurdling themselves at the front door, each one’s goal to get there first and open the door for their Auntie. Me! I can’t get enough of them, of their enthusiasm, their youthful zest for life, their excitement every time I visit!  Their faces aglow, their exuberant welcomes & sincere eagerness (which to be honest is partially due to the Surprise Travel Bag they spy me carrying in).  It’s a tradition I started when they were all young.  I bring a large bag filled with toys, games, coloring books & crayons, paper and magic markers, candy, books and more. The contents vary but the rules don’t. They include: each gets a turn picking what activity we will ALL do, each takes a turn going ... Read Full Story >>

In Giving I Connect with Others

I have lived with passion and in a hurry, trying to accomplish too many things. I never had time to think about my beliefs until my 28-year-old daughter Paula fell ill. She was in a coma for a year and I took care of her at home, until she died in my arms in December of 1992. During that year of agony and the following year of my grieving, everything stopped for me. There was nothing to do -- just cry and remember. However, that year also gave an opportunity to reflect upon my journey and the principles that hold me together. I discovered that there is consistency in my beliefs, my writing and the way I lead my life. I have not changed, I am still the same girl I was fifty years ago, and the same young woman I was in the seventies. I still lust for life, I ... Read Full Story >>

Pizza on the Beach

My wife and I sat at an outdoor cafe on the boardwalk in Hollywood Beach, vacationing and enjoying the evening beauty of the ocean's sights and sounds. As we finished our yearly traditional large pizza and pitcher of beer, we noticed the arrival of a group of eight adults with varying disibilities along with their caregivers.  While they sat on the wall that separates the beach from the boardwalk, each was handed a small sandwich, pack of crackers and a bottle of water.  They too were enjoying that beautiful Florida evening. I realized that we had four large pieces of pizza left.  I asked our waiter if he could cut each piece in half.  I then talked to the caregivers and explained my offering.  They told me that money was short, and they only had enough to provide a meager meal that evening.  As I offered a piece of pizza to each of these individuals, I was rewarded with ... Read Full Story >>

Watching Kindness and Feeling the Ripples

Yesterday evening, as usual, the company van left me a distance away from my home so I had to walk. On my way, I saw something really interesting which I wish to share. I saw a boy riding down on his bicycle with a broad smile on his face. He stopped by the house of our neighbour and left a bag with the neighbour's wife and some money. I could not help myself overhearing their conversation and I understood that the lady had requested the boy to go on an errand for her, which he did. He went to buy something for her and in appreciation, the lady was giving him some money, but he refused politely by saying, "No, that's alright." All the time, he had this broad smile on his face.
I was touched and relieved to see thisl. That boy helped the neighbour, but I felt so happy and full of gratitude. Full of gratitude for that woman ( like if I received the help), full of gratitude for this boy who gets the opportunity to get elevated in God's esteem, and full of gratitude that I witnessed it all. It also shows how just a little act of kindness can create a great impression, not only for the receiver, but for the doer and also to other people around.

A Professor's Lesson 30 Years Ago

One winter semester during college in upstate New York., I took an 8 AM history class to fulfill a requirement.  It was hard to get up for that class, but about 15 of us met 3 times a week to brave the cold winds and trudge to that lecture in a nondescript classroom. The professor for the class was an odd fellow.  He had flaming red hair, usually looking slept on, and wore galoshes with one pantleg in and one out.  He would creep shyly into the room wearing his hooded winter coat , once not even removing the hood during the lecture.  He was terribly ill at ease with the class and clutched the lecturn barely looking up at all through his gold rimmed glasses at his students.  I felt that I needed to do something to stem the boredom that woud ensue in his lecture, so I created a little game for myself.  ... Read Full Story >>

Shoveling Snow at the Airport

For some reason I love to shovel snow. I believe it stems from growing up on a farm where we didn't get an opportunity to shovel our driveway in the conventional way - a shovel and sweat. My dad just got out the tractor with the huge plow on it and away he went. I also like shoveling snow because I like being active, especially outdoors. Doing this for others only doubles my pleasure. So yesterday after a good storm that brought 5 to 7 inches of snow, I found myself at the airport unburying my car. I wasn't dressed for the task but the sun was shining, the sky was blue and I became inspired to bring some unexpected sunshine and relief into the life of another fellow traveler. So I proceeded to clean off the car next to me, even lifting the windshielf wipers and getting all the ... Read Full Story >>

An Uneven Exchange Late-night

I worked as a waitress for a few months. I was not a great waitress and I worked in a restaurant that served mostly older people who, bless them, haven't learned that 10% is no longer a tip waitresses can live from--let alone a college student packing on 20 hours!

One night, when I was still working two hours after my shift was supposed to finish, all I wanted was for my last table to clear out so I could clean and go home.  My last customer caught me on her way out and asked if I had change for a twenty.  I dug through my apron and turned out my night's earnings... a measly $14.

She smiled at me and said, "That's enough."

My eyes welled up as I made the uneven exchange. "Thank you," I whispered.

I heard her little boy ask why she did that and she explained that I'd had a hard night and she just wanted to help me out.  Not only did her kindness touch my hurried, hassled life, but she also taught her son an important lesson that night.

I don't know her name, but I will always remember her.

David Copperfield on Kindness

I believe in kindness. But it's hard to be kind. We're not trained for it. Kindness is for sissies; we learn that early. "Nice guys finish last." If they even get invited to the race. Kindness is taken for weakness, rube-ishness, stupidity. No one seems to respect the kind. They respect the killer. We're taught to value competitiveness, strength, cunning, Darwin. I work in the entertainment business, where kindness just never seems to be "in." It's not macho. It doesn't sell tickets. In the movies, the hero never kills the bad guy with kindness. But I believe Economics 101 is right. The value of a thing is determined by its scarcity. Which makes kindness spiritual gold. I am writing these words a few weeks after my father's death. He was a fervent Republican. He preached an eye for an eye. He was a hawk. But he practiced ... Read Full Story >>