Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Forgotten Young Man

Some years back when I was growing up, we had a young couple who were our neighbours.  They had five children and were a fairly established couple, with a car and other amenities.  Since we were neighbours, their children were like my brothers and sisters.  I must say they lived a good life; their parents took them to better schools than us. In 1988, though, their father passed away.  Two years later, their mother died too.  All of a sudden, the children became orphans.  Some greedy relatives husttled the car and other valuables and the children became destitutes.  They moved out of the neighbourhood and went to stay with their grandmother in the village. Fifteen years later (early this year), I ran into one of the boys. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Somehow the boy remembered me and then we remembered the "good old days" as neighbors.  By the time I ... Read Full Story >>

Breakfast of Kindness Stories!

Hi Friends,

Since I have become a member of helpothers.org, I have made it a point to read stories whenever I log onto the Internet.

I feel so good and light at heart. I think I have become mild too, as sometimes I flare up in small things. But somehow I'm able to control my temper and be calm. I try and see the goodness in everyone and let go off things which I don't like.

I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for such wonderful stories and writing inspiring comments.

:)

Accidental Firefighters

Where I live, July 1st means firecrackers!   Last year, we had just finished lighting off a heap of firecrackers on the beach and had watched the show, so we started walking home. That's when we saw the smoke.

Near the museum (about 50m away) there was a bushfire. The dry grass and pandanas were burning away with no intention of stopping. The museum cafe staff were trying to put it out but they were only two women and having a hard time of it.

As we were leaving, one of the cafe chefs called out to my dad: "They're some great kids you got there, you know?" My dad just smiled and nodded.

I don't think anybody ever found out it was us that put out the fire. We weren't made honorary firefighters but what that cafe chef said made it all worthwhile!

40 'Left Over' Carnations From Graduation

Recently I graduated from high school, and as a gift I recieved a huge bouquet of carnations; 40 to be exact! I had so many that I didn't know what to do with them. The next weekend my niece and nephew came (ages 4 and 5) and we took every single carnation and tied a smile card to it's stem. We then went to our local Dillions Store and I gave each of them one flower at a time. I explained that these flowers would make other people smile, and then they could take the cards and do something nice for someone else! They loved the idea, but I wasn't sure if they fully grasped the idea. Furthermore, I thought that they possibly might get to shy at the last minute, but boy was I suprised! My nephew ran excitedly through the doors of the store and found the very ... Read Full Story >>

Just Listening

I've found that just listening to people, and their problems, and what they're going through, is a good way to show kindness. A lot of people just want someone to pay attention to them, to hear them out. I know I do.  And it's a wonderful feeling when someone actually cares enough to want to listen to you, your deepest thoughts and troubles, and help you dig to the roots of it all. 

I want to become a therapist someday, God willing, and although a lot of people think that are just "quacks" that don't know what they're talking about, that's not true. They truly want to listen to you and they care about their fellow human beings enough to actually help them. A lot of people think suffering is only physical.. more often it is psychological. 

Anyways.. I'm going off on a tangent.. so in a nutshell: really listen to people. God gave us 2 ears and only one mouth for a reason.

A Trunk Full of Goodies on Good Friday

My family and I have suffered some severe financial difficulties this year, and were struggling to put food on the table for awhile. We didn't share that information with anyone, not even family, so when we got our blessing, we were very happily surprised! I got a call on Good Friday asking if I could stop by the place where my sister works; she had a gift for me. Since we are a close and generous family, I didn't think anything of it. When I arrived at her work and she opened her trunk, I could not believe my eyes: the "Easter Bunny" had left a huge basket for my family, filled with food and goodies! In the basket was enough food to make a full Easter dinner, right down to pie for dessert, and some chocolates for the kids, eggs and coloring, even three precious little stuffed bunnies. Somehow, a ... Read Full Story >>

Twenty-five Dollars Isn't Much, Or Is It?

My 13 year old daughter babysits for a 2 year old and an 8 month old.  As it happens, she had a track meet on one of the nights she babysits.  So I volunteered to pitch in and babysit so they wouldn't have to miss work. 

The parents of these precious babies have recently come across some hard times financially, with a job loss. Now he delivers pizza and she is a server at a nice restaurant in a nice hotel.  They are struggling. 

When the mom got home from work, I told her of the events of the evening with her kids (the 2 year old threw a plastic fish into the toilet and clogged it up) and she tried to pay me $25.00!  I told her that this one was on me.  I enjoy looking after kids and to me, after raising three of my own, spending four hours with her two wonderful kids wasn't a big deal to me. 

I saw her shoulders slump over with relief and knew that I had made the right decision. 

Thanks To A Veteran

NEXT TIME YOU SEE A CAR IN FRONT OF YOU WITH A LICENSE PLATE THAT SAYS RETIRED VETERAN OR P.O.W. thank the driver like i did!!!

WE WERE AT A RED LIGHT AND THE LICENSE IN FRONT OF US SAID VIETNAM VET SO I WENT,SO WITH PERMISSION FROM MY MOM CAUSE WE KNEW THE LIGHT WAS A LONG ONE I GOT OUT AND SAID TO THE DRIVER ..thankyou soooooooooooo much for all that you did for me and my family to keep us free.i am very proud to meet youAND THE ELDERLY MAN SMILED AND SAID YOUR VERY WELCOME YOUNG LADY

AND i think he had a tear coming out of his eye BUT MY MOM TOLD ME THAT WAS A GOOD THING.

Free Hugs -- Hug The World

Hug the World   Welcome to the planet Earth It can seem quite sad and cold Never fear there’s someone here With a heart of shining gold So let me tell you a story One that started with a hug And maybe by the end of it You’ll do more than shrug   Our story starts in Australia A truly sunburned land With ever stretching coastlines Of lovely, pure, white sand Now let’s zoom in on Sydney And a busy shopping mall Where people seem so distant Like they don’t care at all   At first he looks quite normal No different from the throng But as he stands with his arms raised His message is loud and strong FREE HUGS is all the sign says The people laugh and point Who is this man? They wonder Will he hug or disappoint?   But still he stands, the sign held high His message is clear as day And then the people realise He’s changing the world his way Then someone comes up to him Looking down and out “I sure could use a hug he ... Read Full Story >>

The Waffle House Waitress

I was recently traveling with a friend when we decided to get something to eat. Being a huge Waffle House fan, we scouted out the area we were in, and found one. If you have never been in one, or have never heard of it, Waffle House is kinda like a chain of diners that serve the best waffles around! They won't be found at the top of any Zagat's list of Fine dining, but they are my favorite! Our waitress took a while to take our order, asking the same questions a few times. We made a few substitutions and "complicated" the order, but she wrote it all down. When the orders came, they were not right. When the bill came, it was not right either. The only thing that was right was the taste of the food and the smile of the waitress. She may not ... Read Full Story >>

I'm Not The Only One

i think everyone tries to make some sense of this world.  no matter who you are, i believe that you have a part in this world.  everyone really does play a part in this world. it dosen't matter if you are the president, a king, or a soul living in poverty; we are all human and we all matter. i believe that if we can all use our heads and hearts as one, and we stop being so into ourselves we really can make a difference. i know people will say, that will never happen, nothing you say can change people, it will always be the same. but "never doubt that a small group of people can't change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." so i am challenging anyone who wants to, brighten someone's day, say hello to somone you don't normally talk to.  simple acts of ... Read Full Story >>

Community Involvement With Smile Cards

I recently requested 10 Smile cards.

Upon receiving them I handed 9 of them out to friends and asked them to Play "Smile Tag" with me. I set up a page on my personal website and asked card givers and receivers to share their stories. It is still in it's early stages, however; it is really creating a buzz around the town.

I personally sent a bouquet of flowers & a letter of appreciation to a woman who greatly influenced my life. It turns out she was going through a rough time and received the flowers on one of her especially "down days". It was so appreciated by her and special to her, to receive this gesture of kindness. Everyone who has joined me in this challenge has said what a positive, wonderful experience this has been. It feels wonderful to be a participant in spreading kindness. I am thankful for the opportunity. Thank you.

Lesa  ( Newfoundland & Labrador)

How to Find Compassion For Family?

I have recently been doing some work at a homeless shelter. I am also involved in many other service activities. I seem to be able to find compassion for people who I see are struggling, but I find it so difficult to exercise that same compassion with my own family. I find it difficult to exercise forbearance or to turn the other cheek or to hold back my angry reactions when they surfance. I am always reacting and not acting out of compassion.

Why is it so difficult to do with my family what I can do with others?

I hate upsetting my family and I wish I could be more patient with them sometimes.

Please help!

A Customer Service Call

I am pretty new to this site and so have been trying to russle up some ideas for acts of kindness recently. Today I realised I have been thinking too hard and all I needed to do was look at what I do on a day to day basis and try to make improvments. this came to me after a call I took at work. I work in a call centre and deal with sales enquiries, technical support, operational assistance and of course complaints. It can be a difficult job at times because you get a lot of abuse and not so much thanks. Becuase of this it can be easy to lose sight of what you are there for - to care for customers. I received an email from a customer today quite irate that nobody had been able to help him. His product was well out of warranty ... Read Full Story >>

Listening to God's Voice

Several years ago, while on the job, I heard one of my co-workers saying that even after we would get our paycheck on that Friday, she would not have enough money left to buy groceries for her two boys and herself.  (Like me, she was a single mom at the time.)

When we got our paychecks that Friday, I counted up all my bills and had $30 left for my two children and myself, to last till the next week's paycheck.  God told me to give her $20 of my $30, but a part of me worried, "What will I do for my two children?"  Well, I listened to my inner voice and placed a $20 bill in an envelope, sealed it and put it in her van driver's seat, without her knowing it (to this day, she still doesn't know where it came from!).

About two years later, I needed money "very badly" and had been praying for the Lord's help and when I went out to my car one day, there was an envelope in the driver's seat of my car.  It had $50!

God is faithful to those who take the time to listen to that subtle voice inside us.

Leaving Little Smiles At Work

I continue to leave Smile Cards along with a little gift...a special pen, cute note pads, a little picture frame, a favorite candy bar, etc. on co-workers desks in hopes of brightening their day. 

I don't usually get to hear their responses because it is a fairly large office and no one has a clue who is leaving these gifts, but I enjoy doing it just the same!! 

Politeness To Combat Rudeness

I went to a nearby hardware store to get some locks for my home. The shop owner just had a quarrel with someone before i entered the shop.

I waited for my turn and gave my list of things. He was a bit angry and slammed the things which i needed on the desk. I went numb for a second. But without loosing my patience I politely thanked him, smiled, paid and left the shop.

He must have realised that he was a little rude with me. He immediately came behind me and said sorry and also gave me discount for the things i bought and gave me some cash back.

I was delighted and wished him good wishes for the rest of the day. And we both departed with smiles on our face.

A Rejected Smile Card

As I passed through the toll booth of the bridge I pass many smile cards on, the toll booth attendant refused to forward my card to the car behind me. 

I then tried to give the smile card to the attendant because it was obvious to me that a smile is what she needed.  But she also refused to accept it. 

So I politely took my card back and wished a wonderful and happy day.  I hope she had a better day after that.

What Goes Around Comes Around?

I was a Kindness/ Karma Recipient this weekend and wanted to share my story with you all. I went to the grocery store to pick up some essentials....I had placed my purse in the baby carry-on chair and had turned my back to add some loose spinach into a bag for supper. The cart was right next to me one minute then gone the then! At first, I did not panic....thinking that someone had taken my cart  instead of theirs by mistake.... As I looked around, I did not see an abandoned cart  nor mine...I searched the fruit and veggie area, and every cart but with no luck, no purse!  I ran to look out of the store but saw no one running....my heart started pounding as I realized that someone may have taken my purse ...I just couldn't quite believe this... I grabbed a clerk  explaining what happened..he ran to get the manager....she listened ... Read Full Story >>

Advice From An Old Man

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and face shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. "I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait." "That doesn' t have anything to do with it," he replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't ... Read Full Story >>