Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Chocolate Shake for a Dedicated Employee

I work with children in an after-school program & staffing is definitely a challenge.  As a coordinator in this program I supervise several staff.  Our staff are mostly college kids, many who call in to say they can't work for many different reasons. 

However, one of the staff I supervise is soooooo wonderful, enthusiastic and excited about her job and also very dedicated.  I talk to her quite often when we are working together.  This week she has been pretty sick, but not once did she call to say she would not be coming to work -- thank goodness!  She still showed up with the same enthusiasm as if she was feeling perfectly fine. 

I decided to bring her in a chocolate shake to thank her for her dedication to our program and to show her that I truly appreciate all that she does for us.  I honestly wish I could clone her because she is a wonderful, fun, caring & dependable employee!

Uplifting Kindness Quotes

I am a huge Quote person so I've compiled some I thought I would share...

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.  ~Jesse Jackson

A good character is the best tombstone.  Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered.  Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.  ~Charles H. Spurgeon

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.  ~Author Unknown

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.  ~Mark Twain

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.  ~John Wooden

Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree.  ~Marian Wright Edelman

Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out.  ~Frank A. Clark

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  ~Leo Buscaglia

Ready-to-Go Care Packages

About a week ago I was at the post office and picked up a bunch of extra "priority mail" envelopes, knowing that I might need one or two, but thinking they might come in handy.  

Well, lo and behold, just by having them around when I was baking up some muffins for a friend, I decided it would be easy to stick a few extra in an envelope and mail them to someone!   My son just told me we should send some to a friend who recently lost her beloved dog, so in the muffins and note went and we were ready to go. Now all I have to do is drop them off at the post office--the packages are all ready!

It just occured to me that it's a great thing to have these envelopes lying around so that you can fill them with goodies and send them off quickly without having to plan ahead.  Hope this gives some of you an idea you can use!  Care packages are always appreciated
by young and old and everyone in between! :-)

Turning Unwanted Items into Unexpected Gifts

Somebody had a LOT of samples of Dove soap and body wash, Eucerin Cream and lotion to get rid of so I said I'd take it.

I suggested to a group that I belong to that maybe we can make gift bags for the nursing home for Valentine's Day. It will cost me only about $13 for the tiny gift bags at the local dollar store (3/$1). The group said they'd repay for the bags and will add combs and things to make the bags nicer.

I think there will be many smiles at the nursing home from this unexpected gift. This just goes to show how unwanted items can turn into a treat for so many.

A Priceless Smile From An Old Lady

I was at a busy traffic junction waiting to walk over to the other side when the green lights come on.  There was a family, a man, his wife and an elderly lady, waiting to cross with me. Both the man and his wife were chatting endlessly while the elderly lady was engrossed in staring at a banner with a picture of a child and a mother, which brought tears to her eyes.  Then, the lights finally turned green and all of us rushed to cross the road.  The signal was very short, so the lights changed to red in no time.  I noticed that both the man and his wife had crossed along with me and the elderly lady was left behind.  She seemed to panic as the other two had already crossed and were continuing on without looking back.  I quickly realized what was happening and signaled the ... Read Full Story >>

Scouts On A Train To Scotland

Traveling back to Scotland from a holiday in England, my family was to board a busy intercity train in the middle of its run.   We thought we would be okay as we had booked seats, but the train was just chaos. The booking system had broken down and everyone just sat anywhere. Our family were scattered throughout the carriage.  The next stop was a busy one and a whole lot more folks got on. It soon became apparent there wouldn't be seats for everyone -- actually nowhere near enough seats. I had noticed we were traveling with a Scottish Scouts troop (neckerchiefs, brown shirts and kilts), and the boys were engrossed in the usual games and chat.  Then, all of a sudden, the leader stood up in the middle of the carriage. "Boys!" he shouted. "Let's be gentlemen!"  Without a scowl or a grumble, twenty young lads stood up and ... Read Full Story >>

Helping Others Know They Are Not Alone

For 20 years I have been a sufferer of IIH (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension), and for the better part of it had never known anyone with this illness. It wasn't until I lost my peripheral vision and some mobility in 2001 that I turned to the internet.

Eventually I managed to connect with other sufferers of this dibilitating illness, and when it became so bad that I had to be early retired, the groups I had found became a comfort.  One such group I am now a moderator in, and I'm able to share my experience of IIH with the many members in it, and especially with the newly diagnosed. I try to help motivate and inspire them, and where possible to help them smile. Most of all I try to give them optimism and to show them that despite this illness, they are still capable and worthwhile people.

I keep in touch with them through the group, and email, and several in the UK by phone. Knowing that I am helping these people from my own experiences with IIH, however big or small. It's the least I can do!

Walk My Path: Love, Respect and Compassion

I am a male who has been egoistic, dominating, angry, jealous, suspicious, and have had a lack of respect for myself and others around me.   I have been on an emotional roller coaster.  I participated in various transformation workshops, however it made no difference, I remained stuck in my life. As a result, I became separated from my family and reached rock bottom in my life. Having reached there, I resisted transforming myself . After some time I realized the law of  universe: what one resists, persists.     I then thought to myself, start believing in yourself and it will make a difference in you life.  I first started loving myself and then all those around me.  I started respecting myself and then others around me.  My self worth increased. The  universe supported me and the law of attraction started working for me.   In my life I connected to people with similar energy.  One such energy was ... Read Full Story >>

A Classroom's Kind Acts Campaign

I am a teacher in an urban school and many of our students have a very difficult life. You can see and hear it in their voices. I've been working with many of them on becoming more giving of themselves without expecting anything in return -- kindness. I think it is working.

I have several former students who have come back to tell me that they want to help in my next community project or bring kindness ideas of their own that they want to do. I never tell them no and watching their smiles is all I need in payment. We have painted murals, collected items for shelters, planted flowers and read to the elderly.

Now, we are expanding it to every part of our lives. The students are going to make a committment to do acts of kindness. We will start with 2 a week and build on it. It is called our Kind Acts Campaign. I look forward to posting many stories about my students in the coming months for all you to enjoy.

$20 Miracle

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.  He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.  He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. "My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.  No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20." "Many times in our lives, we are ... Read Full Story >>

Smile Stones, Mile Stones

Here's an idea that brings lots of smiles-- go to your neighborhood crafts store (I went to Michael's), pick up some polished colored stones, hand-draw some smiles, and leave those smile-stones with the following poem at coffee shop tables or just about any public venue. Look a Smile Stone straight in the eye and you'll smile back not knowing why It's something about their lopsided grins, their lack of noses and of chins A twinkling something that's not-quite-art touches your heart Like snowflakes and fingerprints no two are the same But why? You ask- What's the point of this game? Somebody's hand drew those smiles for you To find and to keep and to give away too For when the smile fades from the stone Then you'll find it within And this is where you get to begin To share that smile where there's a lack All ... Read Full Story >>

Anonymous and Unknown Favours for Neighbours

We had a bit of a storm last night and a fair bit of damage has been done around the country. Out early this morning I stopped at a couple of neighbours gardens and picked up their plant pots, garden furniture etc, putting them back in place before owners even knew they were OUT of place.

I've done anonymous RAOKs before, but these were acts of kindness for people who would never even know what had been done. And, you know what - they still felt good!

Archive of Kindness Quotations

Here are some quotations archived from the weekly newsletters on this site: "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do." --Edward Hale Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver. --Barbara De Angelis Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. --Albert Schweitzer Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness.  Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. --Scott Adams Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that has. --Margaret Mead Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind. --Eric ... Read Full Story >>

Children Practice What They See

Last week I was in the store paying for a purchase with my kids. The cashier handed me back the change, which I started to put back in my purse. My son stopped me and asked if he could have the change. I gave it to him, with some suspicion thinking that he just wanted to fill his piggy bank a little more. But to my delight, he took it all and put it in the little bank to help those families who can't afford to heat their houses this winter. This is something I usually do, but didn't see the bank. I gave him lots of praise for his generosity of thought, especially since he thought if it himself :-)

It's good to know that the example is being passed on and that the small acts of kindness are working in many ways, beyond those who directly experience them.

How Heavy Is Your Bag?

One of my teachers had each one of us bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes.  For every person we’d refuse to forgive in our life, we were told to choose a potato, write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag.  Some of our bags, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.

We were then told to carry this bag with us everywhere for one week, putting it beside our bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to our desk at work.

The hassle of lugging this around with us made it clear what a weight we were carrying spiritually, and how we had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places.

Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty slime.  This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity!

Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and while that’s true, it clearly is also a gift for ourselves!

So the next time you decide you can’t forgive someone, ask yourself… Isn’t MY bag heavy enough?

 - from www.pravsworld.com

Helping an Orphaned Black Cat Find a Home

When I started working at a local pet store, I fell head-over-heels for Jenny, a little black cat. She had been in the store for over three months, with no prospective families looking to adopt her. Unfortunately people are superstitious about black cats, and since we currently have three black cats at our facility, it meant that Jenny would probably remain with us, unadopted for quite a while.   At the moment I am unable to have any more pets due to apartment restrictions, but I felt a real connection with this animal, and wanted her to go to a good family rather than being cooped up in her cage any longer. To improve her chances for adoption, I took her back to our grooming salon and paid for her to get a bath, brushing, and haircut. The ladies in the grooming area were so wonderful. Not only did they give ... Read Full Story >>

Snail Mail Surprises

I was very busy yesterday snipping coupons, cartoons, gathering inspirations, stick-em's, jokes, good reads, music and other goodies for my snail mail treats.  Usually I send my snail mail surprises out monthly but with the holidays I haven't. Seems many of my friends , a few widows and a few family members are really down.  I believe its a combination of life challenges, the weather and the holidays. I want to do my part to spread cheer, goodwill and smiles to let them know I am thinking about them and sending them hugs, since I can't be there in person.   I wrote several short letters and cards then filled them with all sorts of goodies depending on the recipents and what I thought would cheer or inspire them personally.  These goodies included an inspirational book, a little mystery fun book, poetry, a spa coupon and a Birdsong DVD. I also held each card/letter in the palm of my hands infusing it with ... Read Full Story >>

Hiker Joe and The Circle Of Life

I work in a bank and have lovely relationships with many of the customers.  Its not one of those banks with long lines -- its the kind of bank when you walk in, everyone says hi, we know when your husband has surgery, or the grandkids are coming for the weekend, we know your name and speak like friends.  One of my customers in his 70's owns and runs a barber school in East Baltimore.  He is connected with several nonprofits and I have 2 nonprofits of my own - we are like kindred spirits!  One days, he said to me that I really had to meet his niece in Florida -- Dee.  The next day Dee called me and we talked about her projects of gathering blankets for the homeless and pitching in the community wherever there is need.   We spoke for over an hour and found out how much we ... Read Full Story >>

Who I Am Makes A Difference

Here is a great photo story about "Who I Am Makes A Difference" that you guys might enjoy!  The movie is originally featured at http://www.blueribbonmovie.com and was created by Mary and Craig Reynolds. ... Read Full Story >>

Putting Yourself Second

Life is so busy and there just isn't enough time in the day to do it all, it seems. As much as I often think of my older relatives, some of which I adore, I do tend to procrastinate when it comes to visiting them. There just always seems to be more pressing things that I feel need to be done. I tell myself my loved ones will be there tomorrow, but sadly I know that isn't necessarily true. Nothing is ever guaranteed.

Today, instead of catching up on my housework, or working on the computer, or shopping for a new pair of pants, I dropped in to see a dear great-aunt of mine. She doesn't always remember us anymore, and I miss the vibrant person she once was, but she is always so grateful for our visits and I feel good about putting her first today.