Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Coffee Break

Every month I make up product that we ship to our customer. In one of the drums I always tape $2.00 to the inside of the drum with a note to whom ever would open the drum to use the money for a cup of coffee.

A Tank Of Gas

Many years ago a kind farmer bought  a tank of gas for a stranded mom with 2 children.  He wouldnt accept any money and just smiled, waved and said pass it on to someone else.  And so a few weeks ago as my husband and I were filling up our car with a coupon for 99 cents a gallon, I went in to pay and got into a long line.  I could see up ahead a young man who was having some kind of problem and realized he had misunderstood the coupon and thought it was 99 cents to fill his small truck.  Everyone was saying, "99 cents a gallon is unbelieveable - they cant give the gas away."  He was embarressed and was just calling his wife when I got to the counter.  He said to his wife, "Just come down cuz I dont have that much on me."  I ... Read Full Story >>

Turning a Traffic Violation into a Smile

I know we have all done this at some point or read of people who have - but this story still makes me smile.

I am very bad at wearing my seatbelt.  I was at a traffic light when a police man pulled up next to me.  As we proceeded through the light, he got behind me and followed me into the drive thru as  I was going to get breakfast.  I was sure he was going to give me a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt.  But, it appeared that he was just there to order food. 

I ordered my food and then thought I would pay for him.  As I pulled forward to pick up my food and he realized I had paid for him, he got on his loudspeaker from inside the police car and said, "Thank you and have a great day!  Please buckle up."  

No-Violence Week to Spread Smiles

At my high school, we have yellow ribbon week. It supports no-violence. I told my school advisor about the smile cards, and she got all excited and decided to make a bulk order of 1,000 cards for our school to pass out when people come to the table and get their wristbands and pledge no-violence. It made me smile that I am now going to make a difference by helping these cards be spread around my school. Hopefully those people will spread it around to other people and their friends as well.

Music Truly Soothes The Soul...

A co-worker of mine was really feeling down, going through a rough time. I mean she was really having the worst of luck not to mention her long and arduous commute to and from work in the morning. An avid "road rager," to mention. I have a very lengthy commute in the morning as well and I play my favorite music rather than listening to the radio and it is my little form of meditation if you will, in the morning before I go to work. Music puts me in a good mood and actually has the affect on me to perform kind acts all day. Music also makes me forget about all the negative factors that affect my life and simplify things. I figured since music from my personal collection creates this "soundtrack to my life" and really soothes my soul why not someone else's, more specifcally my co-worker that ... Read Full Story >>

Coffee on the House

I was sitting in a cafe with my wife on a rainy afternoon when the pleasant, cozy atmosphere changed. A man came in. A man came in, unshaven, unsteady, soaked through with some blood on his face. He seemed drunk or stoned and hardly able to walk.   Still, he managed to get himself to a table and sit down, almost falling asleep before the waitress took his order. The cafe fell silent. Everybody waited to see what would happen next -- would the man create a scene, could he even pay for the coffee he'd ordered, would the owner have him thrown out? Meanwhile I was making a rookie Good Samaritan mistake. I stayed in my seat regretting that I didn't have any money to help him, forgetting that money was not the only way to help. Then instead of the waitress returning to the table, ... Read Full Story >>

Spontaneous Gift for My Co-worker

A co-worker of mine has commented on this pink stone necklace that I wear occasionally...she really likes the color and design.

I happen to be wearing this necklace today and when she complimented me again on it, I asked her, "You really like this necklace, huh? Want it?"

Her eyes opened wide and her mouth dropped open into a big, "Oh!"  She hesitated ....

I reached to unclasp the necklace with a big smile, "It's yours",  I said.

"THANK-YOU!", she exclaimed as I settled in around her neck. 

"How does it look?", she asked.

"Great. ...Better on you than me. ENJOY it and wear it in good health! Have a great day", I replied.

"Oh, I AM!", she stated and thanked me again heading back to her cubby with a new bounce in her step. I too, had a perkier walk as I headed back to my cubicle.

I wished I had carried a smile card in my pocket to give her with the gift ...next time ..you just never know when a kindness opportunity will present itself so got to be prepared.

Where, O Where, Did the Smile Cards Go!?

They went on top of my dresser.  About four weeks ago.  Some went in the console of my car.  A couple were swallowed up in my wallet which I'm quite certain still has my high school ID card.  I'm 35. And there they stayed, all around me yet somehow completely hidden.  Which, of course, they weren't.  I just wasn't looking.  I had forgotten to look.  More truthfully, my "looking" had shifted from "how can I help?" to "what do I need?"  I need more money.  I need gas for my car.  I need a job.  I need some clothes.  Some new running shoes.  I need fulfillment, dammit!   O, Happiness, where have you hid?   Just when I am most in need, most lost, most miserable, you go and hide, Happiness!  How dare you!  I NEED these things, material and otherwise and they will deliver unto me joy, freedom, ease and happiness for all ... Read Full Story >>

A Fabric of Comfort

I have a non-profit called "Kidz KLoakz to Komfort Kidz." We use new, fun patterned fleece fabric to make, pillows, blankets, poncho's and hats and scarves, for kids in need of comfort, no matter their circumstances. The items we make go to hospitals, shelters, life-line helicopters and social service residential programs. We have simplified the pillow making to use all our scrap materail. NO sewing is required. We just take two identical size pieces of fleece fabric and fringe all the edges - the fringe shoud be two to two-and-a-half inches long. We then tie the top and bottom together on three sides, and stuff and tie the remaining open side.
In the three years since we were founded, we have given away over 7,000 fleece gifts. All funds are donated and all work is done by a group of 20 -40 volunteers of all ages. It's a beautiful example of lots of people doing a litte bit. My foundation provides the fleece. If anyone is interested feel free to let me know. Also, if anyone knows a place that could use them let me know - we ship all over!

Anger Management Gift Economy Style

Several years ago I wrote a book entitled “Anger Work: How to Express Your Anger and Still Be Kind.” I am a clinical psychologist working in private practice and wanted to help people who struggle with emotional pain and trauma. Over years of working with children and adults, I had learned that anger, if expressed correctly, could help people to heal instead of causing more pain and suffering. After I wrote the book, I decided to offer to send it out for free to anyone who couldn’t afford it. Then, a couple of months ago, someone e-mailed and suggested that I offer my book for free as a download from my website. Last month, I thought I would try and see if I could create an unabridged audio recording of my book and offer this for free from my website (so many people prefer audio to print books). The company ... Read Full Story >>

Less Is More When It Comes to Spring Cleaning!

It was a very cold, windy and snowy day so hubby and I decided to clean and re-organize the basement, closets, etc.  We had moved from CA to CO 5 years ago and I cannot believe how much we accumulated in that time as we gave away, donated, recycled and threw away as much as possible before our move. Recently, my hubby found a box filled with toys, clothes and other goodies with the price tags on.  I used to buy things on sale for my nieces and nephews that I knew they would enjoy, sometimes a size larger, and then gift them on their birthday, Christmas, etc.  I had forgotten about this stash when we moved and now our nieces & nephews are in their teens.  So we decided to gift the items to others! I immediately  called my friends and a few co-workers and I have given away many of the items.   What is ... Read Full Story >>

Airport Smile Kit: Notebook, $2, Pen and a Smile Card

As I was traveling during the holidays, I wanted to try to spread some airport cheer via a smilecard.  While I was waiting for my luggage at Oakland International Airport, suddenly an idea flashed across my mind as I was looking around.  I saw one of those "Smartcart" dispensers where you pay $2 to rent a cart to wheel around your luggage.    I noticed the SmartCart dispenser took dollar bills. I took out a small notebook, a SmileCard I had saved for my "airport tag," two $1 bills and a pen.  On the paper, I wrote in block handwriting, "HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  PLEASE HAVE A SMARTCART ON US.  -- YOUR ANONYMOUS FRIENDS."  I carefully packaged the note, the two $1 bills, and the SmileCard.  I went to the other side of the baggage claim where there was an identical SmartCart dispenser and deposited my "treasure" on it after looking around to make ... Read Full Story >>

30 Acts In 30 Days for My 30th Birthday

As some of you know, my 30th birthday party is coming up and I have themed it a 'Random Acts of Kindness' party where we will be doing various things to bestow kindness upon others. My best friend, who cannot attend because she lives in South Africa (I'm in Australia) has chosen to participate in the event anyway.  She has given me the best present possible!  I felt so good when I received her email.  Not just because of the beautiful comments she made, but also to see that my random acts of kindness idea has even reached the other side of the world and will make a difference to people so far away. It's absolutely inspirational. Here is her beautiful email that I would love to share with you: To my dear friend, Jackie, Since we met in July 2003, you have been a wonderful inspiration to me and a great friend.  ... Read Full Story >>

Nothing Works? Improvise!

I can laugh at this today. Hopefully it will give you a chuckle too. Yesterday I was getting ready to go to a support group that I attend once a week. I have recently gotten into the habit of picking up $5 gift cards at a local coffee shop, putting a Smile Card in the envelope with the gift card and slipping it into somebody's purse or pocket while at the meeting. While I was getting ready to leave for the meeting I started looking for a Smile Card. I checked some of my pockets several times because I just could not believe that I did not have a single Smile Card!!! Finally I decided I had to leave because I still had to pick up a gift card before the meeting. I decided to stop at Starbucks ... Read Full Story >>

A Judo Instructor's Generosity

Last winter, my daughter became friends with a sweet little girl.  Soon after they were friends, it became apparent that this child's family was having financial difficulties.  She was always asking to come over and would tell us how much she wished that she could take judo classes like our daughters.   One day, at the beginning of the summer, my husband offered to take her along to a judo class to see if she liked it.  She did!  So, he spoke to the instructor and explained that she really wanted to attend the class but probably wouldn't be able to afford it.  The instructor agreed to let her come to class as long as she liked.  My husband picked her up, took her to class along with my three daughters, and dropped her off, twice a week for roughly 4 months.  She loved it!  When there was a little money ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Karma for a Waitress at an Italian Restaurant

This is my first post here as I have just joined and what a wonderful way to start off! I was working as a waitress in an upscale Italian restaurant where the majority of the patrons were the sort who pay little or no attention to those around them. One evening, I had been having an absolutely horrible day as I had just received an unexpected bill that was already past due. As I was standing in the entry way to the building, a young man appeared. He walked up to me and asked if there was any work that he could do to earn twenty dollars because he needed to get home.  Having recently moved and being from a small town, I had never really encountered something like this before, so I asked him to wait while I went to the back of the restaurant to ask my boss. As I ... Read Full Story >>

A Worried Trip and a Helping Hand

My dad had a heart attack seven years ago and was rushed to a specialist hospital 200 miles away from where we lived. My mother, sister and I were travelling there by train. It was touch and go. His heart had been seriously damaged and doctors were warning us that by the time we reached the hospital it might be too late. We were a fairly sombre group.
Suddenly the train swerved and a suitcase came crashing down striking my sister on the shoulder and banging into a lady sitting nearby. This initiated a conversation. The lovely lady listened to my mum's concerns about my dad and knowing that we had nowhere to stay when we needed it most offered us accommodation at her daughter's flat, which was just a few miles from the hospital. Her kindness touched us all and although we didn't take her up on the offer because we were advised to stay in the hospital itself, my mother has kept in touch with her.
My dad made a full recovery, undergoing a triple heart bypass, and subsequently my parents have visited the lady at her home. It's amazing how such a simple gesture like offering someone a place to stay can be like a candle in immense darkness.

Stone Soup for an Entire Village

Just a timeless classic told in my own words.  If you've heard it before or not, it's a gem for our times.  There was a weary traveler coming upon a poor village.  The people had seen him coming and hid all the food they had, knowing that the traveler would ask.  Sure enough, he approached asking for food and everyone said they don't have enough to share.  He then said he would make some stone soup if only he could borrow a large pot.  He would make enough for everyone to share.  This intrigued the villagers. They watched in wonder as he boiled the water then took three magic stones out of his bag.  As he started tasting the soup, he said "Mmmmm, this is good, but salt and pepper would make it better."  One woman got him the spices.  "Ah, yes," he said as he tasted again, "I've had stone soup with cabbage before ... Read Full Story >>

A Homeless Man's Gift

On New Year's eve my husband and I stopped in San Francisco for dinner on our way back from a retreat. While eating we felt that we should do something different this year. I took a $20 bill and asked the restaurant owner to give me $5 bills. After dinner, we headed out on the streets to find homeless people. The first guy we came across was sitting with a paper cup in his hand. We dropped in a $5 bill and moved on. Right across the street we saw another man sitting outside a a club with his guitar. We requested him to play some music for us and he obliged, after which we dropped a bill in his cup. Then my husband asked me if I would pose with the man for a picture. Initially, I hesitated although I thought that was a great idea. After some more ... Read Full Story >>

Driving Home our New Neighbors on a Cold Day

In the fall, a new family from Africa had moved to my area.  Their children go to school with mine and we have had the chance to get acquainted while waiting for the school bus.  Because they are originally from a much warmer climate, they are not accustomed to our cold weather -- even our mildly cold weather seems extreme to them!  They have no car and mostly get around by walking everywhere.  

One cold day, I noticed the family from a distance at a parent/teacher meeting being held at the school.  Before leaving, I made a point of walking to where the mother and her daughter were speaking with one of the teachers.  I felt ackward interrupting them, but I knew that they must have walked and wanted to offer to drive them home.  They gladly accepted! 

This wasn't any trouble for me because I was driving right by their place anyhow, but they were grateful and I felt better knowing that they wouldn't have to walk that distance in the cold.