Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Kind People Are The Strongest People There Are.

Most of the world view kindness as a weakness.  I am here to say that this is not so! 

Kind people are the strongest people I have ever had the honor of meeting.  Kind people are taken advantage of on a daily basis.  I take pride in the fact that I am considered kind.

To reach the age of 42 (or any other age) and still remain kind is indeed a testamony of kindness!  A weaker person would become bitter and hard-hearted and lose the ability to be kind.  I want to leave this world a better place than I found it. 

My Grandma used to tell me, "Live your life like you want to be remembered on your tombstone."  I know what I want remembered on mine.  Do you know what you want written on yours?

Gift Bags Are Awesome. ^_^

My friend usually runs out of money for food at the end of the month, she doesn't make that much money, and her sister is staying with her the next two weeks. So as I was filling up a bag of boxed foods I know she likes, I thought, hmm... I should add some surprises! So I added a couple books, envelopes with stamps and paper because they like to write letters, bracelets, necklaces, and some other random things. They loved them, yay! It actually made me a heck of a lot more excited just giving the bag to them than if I had gotten a bag myself.

Sometimes I feel bad writing these stories, because I don't believe it's right to talk about your good deeds. But I know it's a good way to give ideas to people (and I know myself how hard it is to think of nice things to do sometimes), and it's nice to be able to read a story and say, "Hey, there's something I can do!" lol. Yeah. So continue writing your stories, even if you feel bad, because it gives the rest of us kindness ideas!! =D

Will You Be Johnny Today?

I am a Sales Manager at a large company. I absolutely LOVE my job, and I do my job to the best of my ability. However, I sometimes forget that it's not always about just "doing your job" - but it's about doing things in your daily life that make a difference.  Yesterday, I was motivated to do something a little different.  Someone sent me the link below, and after watching it I realized that I had once again fallen into the weekly routine, and needed to do something to spice up what I do.  So I researched quotes. I researched some really fantastic quotes.  And then I printed them up and have decided to include one in every piece of literature and every gift bag that I give to a client.  That way, the client is not only getting something that says our company's logo, and they are not only getting ... Read Full Story >>

Compliments Because of a History Teacher

A few days ago, my history teacher suggested that since it was getting to be the end of the year and the weather was crummy outside, we try an indoor activity.  She asked everyone to take out a piece of paper and a pencil and asked everyone to write something nice about 10 random people in the class. Later, she typed them all up and everyone got a little slip of paper with a bunch of compliments on it! When I read mine I felt so great about myself that I decided to bring this wonderful idea to our local community service group, Minga.  It is a completely student run group -- which is great most of the time but also means that we quarrel a lot, especially when we plan things like yard sales and it rains. :)  Anyhow, I thought that it would be a good idea to ... Read Full Story >>

Happy Birthday And A Gold Coin

While eating lunch with my 4 year old daughter this afternoon at a fast food restaurant, i noticed an old man walking to the table with a cane. The manager kindly carried his food for him. During the meal I overheard the man tell a woman it was his birthday. So I whispered what I heard to my daughter. She loves when people have birthdays. I told her it was ok for her to wish him a happy birthday. He obviously was spending this special day alone. At first she was shy and decided against it. No problem. As I was emptying our tray into the trash she turned to him and quietly wished him a Happy Birthday.  I could tell he was touched by the way he looked at her. I came up behind her and gave him my own wishes. He was grateful. As we walked away he called my daughter back ... Read Full Story >>

Garbage in, Garbage out

One early morning, I woke up to the sound of a garbage can being dragged on a driveway. I come out later to discover that my garbage cans, in their regular spot, are now empty.

No knowing that in this town sanitation workers pick up the cans from your yard and drop them back, I draw in my mind the only plausible picture: My neighbor, aware that the newly moved in family next door hasn't yet figured the garbage pick up schedule, did it for us and brought them back.

5 years later, my neighbor on fixed income cannot pay for this service now optional, and his limited mobility makes the garbage chore a struggle. It is especially painful for him to bend down and pick up the lid lying on the curb at his feet.

So each time I have the opportunity, I return the favor I imagined him doing 5 years ago, and discreetly bring back his empty can from the curb to his yard.

Unwarranted positive thinking begets kindness. Its opposite would be unwarranted negativism.

Getting a Taxi At the Mall

I live in a rural area but sometimes we go to the city to check it out at the mall.  One day, my daughter and I decided we needed a day of it.  We sure made the most of it.  For anybody that likes to go shopping, you know what I'm talking about.  After a full day of the mall, it was time to go.  On the way to the exit doors, there was a lady by the pay phones that wasn't able to talk English very well.  She tried getting help from people but she kept getting ignored.  Seeing the frustration in her face, I stopped to see if I could help.  I didn't really understand much of what she was saying but I finally got the idea that she wanted a taxi.  She gave me the coins and I called one of the taxi companies.  I explained that the ... Read Full Story >>

Helping A Child In Need

About a week ago, my 4 year old cousin and I were playing basketball at our local park. The weather was warm, and many other children were outside as well. As we played, I noticed a small group of boys picking on a smaller, skinnier--and possibly younger--boy. They were calling him names and even pushed him to the ground and kicked dirt in his face. When I saw that, I grabbed my cousin by the hand and walked over to the group. I stepped between them and the smaller boy, and asked them politely what this boy had done to deserve what they were doing to him. One of the boys replied, "He's weird." At that, I asked them if they thought I was weird (I have black and pink hair and quite a few piercings, but I'm also an intimidating 5'11"), and their response was a semi-frightened "No." I then ... Read Full Story >>

Survivor Flowers

A few weeks ago, my mother, brothers and I went to Wal-Mart to get some things for my upcoming trip. It was pretty late, and the store, although huge, was very empty. However, as we approached the checkout lane, I noticed a lady wearing a baseball cap over her bare head. She looked tired, and it was pretty obvious that she was going through chemo.. .that, and my mother approached her and asked her. You see, a few years ago, my mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. It was really hard for all of us, exspecially since we were in the middle of my parents divorce. But she got through it...but I always remember how stressful that time was. So when I saw that lady, I turned around, back out of the check out line, and headed to the flower section! I found the prettiest bouquet of pink (breast cancer survival ... Read Full Story >>

Families Are Forever

Once there was a little boy named Jamey. He had some great friends, but his greatest friend was his mom. Not in some sissy way or anything like that. She was just different than the other moms. While they were busy going to their fashion shows and their bridge parties, she was home with him. They'd play in the backyard together, go on bike rides, have long talks. She was the best football player on the whole block. At least that was what the other guys said. They really thought she was special. You know, they wished their moms were more like that. Then one day Jamey was called home from school. There was a big white ambulance in the driveway. When Jamey walked in the front door his dad was talking to the doctor, and Jamey was scared. They said he could only talk to his mom for a minute, and when ... Read Full Story >>

Who's Thirsty?

A group of us walk dogs every week at our local Humane Society.  It's a fun thing to do and the dogs always express their appreciation! 

But it can be grueling in the hot humid summer here.  It's not quite summer here yet but we have had some hot days ... and many of us wish we had some cool refreshing water to quench our thirst in the heat.

But this is something that I can change -  I decided that I will be the water point person and try to keep my team cool so that they can stay committed.  So I've brought a cooler with water bottles for the last two weeks and intend to do that the entire summer.  It's a small and easy thing to do.

Last week everyone had some water and I think it helped us all physically and mentally!   Just look around - it's these little things that count!  :=D 

Sharing With Tots

After visiting  my daughter at the daycare where she works I noticed the tots where playing with little toy horses and blocks. Some were having a hard time because they only had a few horses and others wanted to play too. 

Then I remembered how much my daughter loved to play with her toy horses when she was little and I mentioned to her that I think we still had a bag in the basement at home with her horses it in.  She said it was ok to look when I got home and I could donate them to the daycare if I found them. 

The next day when I emptied the bag of horses on the rug at daycare the little tots were so happy to have some new toys. Their faces were beaming and they immediately started playing.

Both my daughter and myself felt good to share the toys that brought hours of happiness in the past and would  now continue to do so once more.

Sending Smiles And Support

I  just heard from a dear, old friend that after getting laid off her last job several months ago, she finally landed a new one with benefits. She is relieved but oh so weary and sound very sad.

She is in her 50's and it is getting tough for her as the last four jobs she had were outsourced and she was laid off each one.

She told me her nest egg is now depleted, she qualified for a low rent apartment and she has special health insurance til the benefits from her new job kick in after 3 mths. No money for any extra and she's staying close to home due to gas price increases.

I decided to send her an inspirational card, book and $100 today to provide a lift of spirit and hope.  I do not want her to know its me and feel beholden so am mailing to another buddy out of state who will forward to her....did not sign the card and no return address.

I am cheered this Wed AM knowing my RAOK will bring her some needed sunshine!

Weekend Rule: Smile at Everyone

Well...I decided since I had many errands to run this weekend that I would  smile at everyone. Isn't it interesting the reactions one gets when you smile at strangers? Some looked back startled with big doe eyes, others smile back immediately, some continue frowning, others ignore you and some greet you with a "Hi, How do?". There is much construction around our neighborhold so I planned best route to avoid the detours and ended up waiting at a train crossing...a long one...almost 6 minutes.....thank God the car next to me had a small child in the back seat.....we exchanged smiles, waves and then a series of funny faces.....he had me laughing and I , he too...the wait passed quickly and I was energized by the antics of that sweet back seat boy! Later at the stores,  a Mom & daughter passed by and I said "Hi" smiling and cracked a joke, the daughter ... Read Full Story >>

A Blazer, Red Scarf, and Fifty Bucks

I have this college friend, Eric.  One thing used and still does always intrigue me about him is how he deals with the poor.  We have a lot of poor homeless people that come walking around our neighborhood day in and day out, either collecting stuff from our trash to recycle or physically coming to the door to ask for anything.  Walking to and from class you pass by at least 4-5 of them daily.  Most of the time, the constant rush against time makes me pass by them without noticing, but Eric would always take the second (even if he's in the middle of an important conversation!) to take out his wallet and give him/her a dollar. This may not seem like a big deal, because most students are USC have a dollar to give away.  Sure, Eric also isn't dead broke, but like all of us film school ... Read Full Story >>

Not Lost In Translation

I was recently walking the streets of my home town in Australia, when I an African man looking at a street sign.  As I got closer, he was still in the same spot gazing at the sign.

He looked around to see if anyeone might help, but since the streets are quite busy, no one had time to stop.  And instead, some people were looking strangely at him.  I walked up to him and with all confidence and said, "Are you ok?" He looked at me and said "No Enlglish" and smiled politely.  I pointed to the sign and said "Lost?" and he nodded.

He had a map of the area and an adress of where he was to go, so I asked for the map and got out one of my pens from my bag.  I looked it up and drew a North sign on the top and a red line for him to follow.  And he finally understood.

With smiles all round, he even offered to give me money. But I just said its ok and pointed where to start off at.

The next few days I saw him again at the local shops and he recognised me immediately.   He smiled and it was till that moment that I realised how much a smile can really say!!!!

Time With A Friend

My friend is grieving over the death of her 8 year old daughter. I took your advice, feeling helpless on what I could do  for her and you all said give her your time.You supporting me helped me to support her...this is what I did:

Tonight we picked up a coffee and headed to the cemetery to visit Lindsay's grave. We sat and chatted about Lindsay's short life and how we missed her.  After an hour visit we went to 7pm mass that was being said for Lindsay.  

I felt good being of some support to my friend. It's so hard because I didn't know what I would talk about with her at the cemetery, but the words just started flowing...God working through me.

I think I might have helped in some small way, and am glad you all encouraged me to spend time with her.  God Bless you all.

The Elderly Couple At a Bus Stand

It was a Saturday in late January, and very cold day, as you might imagine. My husband, son and I had an decided to go shopping, so off we went in our nice warm car.  As we drove along, I noticed an elderly Asian couple sitting at a bus stop. The elderly woman had a very thin Salwar Kameez (Indian clothing) and flip-flops on and the man had a light coat.  We drove past them but I turned to my husband and said "Wouldn't it be such a good thing to do if we were to give them a lift to where they were headed, rather than being stuck in the bitter cold waiting for a bus?"  I think my husband looked at me thinking I was kidding but when he saw that I wasn't, he turned the car around and we headed back towards the bus stop. We parked up ... Read Full Story >>

Just One Class Rule

I taught primary students for 28 years.

Although most of my colleagues had charts full of classroom rules, I limited mine to one: Be Kind. 

Absolutely every example of inappropriate behavior can be eliminated with this simple rule. 

I never had any real behavior problems.  I too followed this rule when dealing with the children.  We had a loving, caring environment.

Lighting A Little Candle

Once upon a time a little candle stood in a room filled with other candles, most of them much larger and much more beautiful than she was. Some were ornate and some were rather simple, like herself. Some were white, some were blue, some were pink, some were green. She had no idea why she was there, and the other candles made her feel rather small and insignificant. When the sun went down and the room began to get dark, she noticed a large man walking toward her with a ball of fire on a stick. She suddenly realized that the man was going to set her on fire. No, no!! she cried, Aaaaagghhh! Don't burn me, please! But she knew that she could not be heard and prepared for the pain that would surely follow. To her surprise, the room filled with light. She wondered where it came from since the ... Read Full Story >>