Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Lessons From an Auto-Body Repair Shop

My husband and I have an auto body repair shop behind our home and we both have worked in it for the past 4 years.  He does most of the work and I help him when he needs me.  I must say that I HATE this kind of physical labor and have NEVER had an interest in this, but because it's what my hubby wanted to do, I begrudgingly agreed to it.  By watching him and learning about this type of work, I was able to help out a total stranger today.  I noticed that there was red paint scrapes on her white pickup.  I knew I had to speak with her about how to easily remove those marks off her white paint on her truck.  She finally pulled into a parking lot of a restaurant and I quickly got out of the car.  I told her that I noticed ... Read Full Story >>

When Little Doug Comes Home!

"When Little Doug Comes Home".  For as long as I can remember, that was the statement that my mother, myself and my two sisters shared.  My father was Big Doug, Douglas Senior.  And my brother was Little Doug, Douglas Junior.  My father passed away eight years ago, and my mother had always hoped for times "when Little Doug comes home."  After Little Doug was discharged from the Armed Forces, he was based in California and would always take all his vacation time to come home.  And then, on October 18th, 2006, my one and only brother, Little Doug, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. We were all deeply saddened by  his sudden passing.  I am hoping to one day retire and I will celebrate him and I trust that one day we will all be united together and Little Doug will finally come home. Since my brother passed so suddenly, I now value life and  I ... Read Full Story >>

Model In The Making

I recently gave away some of my most favorite clothes to a young girl who wants to be a model.  She has very little money to the point where she might go a day without eating.

I don't have much I can give but clothing is my gift -- I'm a fashion designer. 

For me, every day that I wake up and have something nice to wear, I feel good.  And if I could give her just a little bit of the self confidence I have every day, I may have gotten her a little closer to her dream. 

Power of a Blue Ribbon

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in High School by telling them the difference each of them had made. She called each student to the front of the class, one at a time. First, she told each of them how they had made a difference to her, and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon, imprinted with gold letters, which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference." Afterwards, the teacher decided to do a class project, to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a Community. She gave each of the students three more blue ribbons, and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were  to follow up on the results, see who honored whom, and report to the class in about a week. One of ... Read Full Story >>

Dinosaur Diner -- Just Because

I promised my children we would stop at the Big Dinosaurs off of  InterState-10 on our way home from a trip to Arizona.  On this trip, we had my children's charity money and a few smile cards. We were sitting at a table in the old run down diner. I admired all the old relics and someone's art on the wall. My son said, "They should not sell that.  It looks good right there."  "Someone might want it in their home," I tell him.  And so our conversations went. Then, I ask my kids if we could leave their charity money as an extra tip for the waitress with a smile card.   My son protested, "NO! They all have homes here ... we need to give some to the homeless or a charity." I sat there and smiled and respected his wishes.  I put their pouch back in my purse.  Then, in ... Read Full Story >>

'Happy Notes' For My Sister

My sister and I live on opposite sides of the US and it is hard for us to visit each other regularly. 

About 10 years ago, while visiting her, I was packing my things and getting ready to fly home when I got the idea to leave her some "happy" notes.  While she was out, I began cutting up little slips of paper and writing things on them like, "You and me, Sis!" , "You rock!",  "You are my best friend." and "I love you so much!".  I began putting the notes in places she where she would eventually find them like under her creamer in the fridge, in a silverware drawer, in her makeup case in the bathroom, in her favorite coffee cup, etc.

Every now and then, she would call me to tell me she found another one and that it seemed like it was when she needed to hear from me.  I know it made her smile, but it made me feel even better to know that even though I could not be there physically, that I WAS there when she needed me (and even when she didn't!).

At 5:20pm ...

Today, I was smile card obsessed. I had my son and friend take a flower arrangement and ding-dong-ditch the neighbor. Then, I realized I had a huge zucchini in my garden and I am leaving town. So I ran it to another neighbor with a smile card ... pounding on the door and running as fast as I could lest I get caught. I know how the grandma living next door loves cooking with fresh veggies, and it warms my heart and makes me smile that this will not be wasted.  Then, I was thinking I want to do more ... but why does it have to be about stuff?  I am feeling more and more materially withdrawn from our consuming nation.  A little voice inside me said, "Just allow it to happen.  Something will inspire you."  And it did. I walked into Trader Joe's and started to pickup some groceries for my family, ... Read Full Story >>

Man In The Rain

It was late one night my hubby picked me up to go out to dinner. It was late and raining. For some reason I asked him to go a different route then usual.

By the 3rd stop sign, we saw this man who walked up to our car wet and shivering. He asked if we had 10 bucks so he can fix his flat. He also told us he was out of town and did not have a spare.

As my husband questioned him, I looked in my purse and saw a $20. With out a second thought, I just gave it to him.

My hubby looked as if I was crazy, and asked if I had anything smaller. I said, " No, I've been saving this for a rainny day. And I guess this is why."

That was the best feeling ever. (And fear not, we also gave the man a ride to the gas statin to dry off.)  

The Day Star Trek Came Alive

When I was about five or so my favorite television show was Star Trek. Dr. Spock was clearly my favorite character and I listened to his advice with great seriousness. When I found out that  he was going to be signing autographs at TSS, I begged my mother to take me. To continue this story, you have to understand a little about my chaotic childhood. With rampant abuse, television, movies, and books were my only escape. I delved into them and  found places, people, and situations  both like my own and not. It gave this little girl hope. It helped to save me from the messiness of growing up in a dysfunctional household. So I hope you can imagine how important meeting "Spock" was to me. When the day came, I couldn't wait to get to the store! I dressed up in my favorite outfit, green of course, and waited, very impatiently, ... Read Full Story >>

A Cold Lime For My Mom

I have been feeling so down lately I have been totally neglecting my mom.  I hardly talk to her these days and don't respond to her worried enquiries about how I feel and stuff.

So the other day, I decided that maybe I should start doing something nice for her.

For starters it's really hot in my city right now, so I began to make cold lime juice for her every day. I left it in the fridge and left a note saying it was there when I went out.

I also made her meal and coffee when she came back home from work.

Helping a Hummingbird

My daughter and I were removing dead blooms off our lilies a few summers ago when we came across an exhausted and "beat up" young hummingbird.  It was so hot outside that we brought it indoors to cool off.  We put some nectar we already had for our feeders into a bright yellow bottle cap and put it near the tiny bird.  It was so hungry and it lapped the red liquid up furiously.  It drank so fast that the nectar was running down its breast.  My daughter made it a "bed" in a tiny box where it rested for about 4 hours.  We periodically gave it more nectar during that time frame.  Innocently, my daughter wanted to know why the other hummingbirds were attacking this one.  I explained to her that just like us, other animals may pick on weaker ones to ensure that the strong get what they ... Read Full Story >>

Clearing Out The Heart

I'll be moving soon so decided to clear out my cupbaords before moving.  I was amazed at how much stuff I had stored away.  I decided, with the rest of the staff at work, to collect for the Red Cross Children's hospital.  We just recently took 4 boxes of goodies to them and what a wonderful feeling.  These children, some of them terminally ill, are from the poorest of the poorest, and did they enjoy all the toys, videos and clothes that we collected. I truly believe that we carry or keep too many material things in our lives.  And that hogs up a lot of energy.  I can't tell you how great it felt to a)  give to those less fortunate and see the joy on their faces and b) to learn that I don't need so many material things in my life, that I don't use.  Its been extremely ... Read Full Story >>

A Simple Card For a Beautician

This week I felt I wanted to treat myself to some ‘beautician treatment’. I am house bound, so knew that I’d have to pay for the beautician to travel to our place, but that was okay by me, after all this was a treat.   That day I had an appointment made, and was expecting at least a 2 week wait, but to my surprise, was told she’d be here at 3:30 that same day. She came by, and spent an hour with me, when she was finished, I handed her $50; $30 for treatment, $20 for petrol and traveling time. She turned to me, and handed me back the $20 and said ‘don’t worry about the travel’.   I am unable to talk, so was left to convey my gratefulness and appreciation with my eyes and a warm smile. She politely left, smiling, but I didn’t feel satisfied. Did she really know how grateful I was ... Read Full Story >>

First Time I Did Something Kind

Many times when I see a needy person on the roadside, I feel like helping them in someway but this always remains in the thoughts and could never turn it into action. Donno what stops me from taking that one step further to extend my helping hand to those people whom I could have surely helped. After signing to Helpothers.org, I have changed a bit :) I made up my mind to utilize any opportunity to do something small but beautiful thing to help someone in need. On a sunday evening, I was out with my kid and wife, spending our time enjoying playing in garden and going to temple and eating ice cream. This is sort of our every week routine as I get little time with my child. There as we parked our car and stopped to have icecream and other stuff, a poor girl comes close to our car ... Read Full Story >>

An Old Man's Can of Oil

Wherever he went, he carried it with him.  If he found a door that was squeaking, he would put a spot of oil on the hinges; if a neighbour's sewing machine wasn't running smoothly, he was always ready with his oil can; and all the boys in the neighbourhood knew where to go if their bikes were needing attention.

As the old man went through life, he and his oil can were always there to make life pleasanter and easier for those with whom he came into contact.

It is only a story I've heard, but perhaps some of the folk we meet have problems that make their life difficult and irritable.  And perhaps, like that old man, we can lubricate it with the oil of kindness, gentleness and thoughtfulness.

If we have our own can of oil ready for such occasions, what a difference it can make!

Grocery Store Flower Bouquet

Many years ago, my husband and I were at a neighborhood grocery store with our two sons.  My elder son has Downs Syndrome and his baby brother was  also diagnosed with mild autism a few years later.

Right as we were passing the floral department, a lady who worked there, handed me a bouquet of flowers.  Unexpectedly.  "These are for you," she said.  "I've been looking for someone to give these to!"   She said she would tell the cashier at the checkout  that they were free.

The gesture brought tears to my eyes. 

My son with Downs Syndrome is now 12 years old and my "baby" is 8.  I draw on this kind incident to give me strength when people have given me rude and even verbally abusive comments, when my children have had problems being in public. 

Receiving those flowers has really made a deep impression on my life.  Thank you, to that kind lady in the floral department that day!

Purple and Orange Haired Girl

While grocery shopping the other day I came across an odd looking girl.  She was at the end of the isle I was walking down. She had Spikey Purple and orange Hair, wore a  black leather jacket with silver chains, tight pants and then combat boots. As I got closer to her I noticed wild black makeup and piercings on her face.  I have to say, she was a little scary looking!

I tried to clear my mind of her appearance. I did and then I looked right in her eyes, smiled and said "How ya doing?"  I think I shocked her, she was silent for a moment and then said "Pretty good, it's a nice day out there isn't it?"

Small chit chat, but I'm glad I was able to see beyond her appearance and just say hi to her. It's strange how this generation is dressing, but then I guess I might have looked odd to the elders of my generation too...in my poofy hair, blue eye-makeup, tight pants and baggy shirts!

Optimist's Creed

I recently received quote by Dr. Carlson and was so moved that I memorized it within the week.  I attempt to live every day by this simple, yet powerful creed. I Promise Myself.... To be so strong that nothing will disturb my peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person I meet. To make all of my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet. To give so much time to improving ... Read Full Story >>

Lo(o)se Change

Last week, I was out at the beach with my friend and her sister. We had a great time wading right into the ocean, going on the merry-go-rounds, shooting water balloons and eating popcorn and cotton candy.   It was like being back in one of our high school carnivals! That was when I saw two little boys in grubby shirts. They didn't have shoes on and their hair looked totally dishevelled.  Most likely they were popcorn of candy vendors, but one can't be sure. I saw them emptying their pockets, looking at some food stalls, starting to count the spare change in their pockets. Something about this scene really went straight to my heart.  Just across the beach is this really big mall where people spend thousands of rupees buying branded goods.  Man, the inequality in the world is enormous. I didn't want to offend the small boys by handing them money.  So I ... Read Full Story >>

From One Dog to Another

My dear friend has 2 little maltese gal dogs. She got the first adorable one a few years ago and added the second for company. For the dogs, it was "love at first sight" ... they play together, sleep together, and share everything! Soon after, the first little angel went in for tooth surgery. It went well.   She had been wrapped with a heated towel and brought her home.  Nothing unusual. Next day, when they had company over at their house, the second dog would not stop barking and tugging.  They tried their best to get her to stop barking, but she wouldn't stop creating a major scene! Then, my friend got up and started to follow her dog.  They went to the master bedroom and to the bed -- no dog!  So she bends down to peak under and there is her first beloved dog shivering, whimpering and curled in a ball in the center ... unreachable! Immediately, ... Read Full Story >>