Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I Am Thankful For ...

I am thankful: For the wife Who says it's hot dogs tonight, Because she is home with me, And not out with someone else. For the husband Who is on the sofa Being a couch potato, Because he is home with me And not out at the bars. For the teenager Who is complaining about doing dishes Because it means she is at home, Not on the streets. For the taxes i pay Because it means I am employed For the mess to clean after a party Because it means i have Been surrounded by friends. For the clothes that fit a little too snug Because it means I have enough to eat.   For my shadow that watches me work Because it means I am out in the sunshine   For a lawn that needs mowing, Windows that need cleaning, And gutters that need fixing Because it means i have a home For all the complaining I hear about the government Because it means We have freedom of speech.   For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot Because it means i ... Read Full Story >>

Two Women Who Taught Me Kindness

This is a story about a wonderful little snippet of life I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in. I write about it here, not to toot my own horn, but to give others an idea of how easy it is to perform a simple random act of kindness, and what a positive effect it can have. I was standing in line at our local Wal-Mart with one item in my hand at the express lance check out. The lady in front of me was a fragile looking senior citizen. Since I had been widowed fairly recently, and was still walking around in that pervasive fog that is a combination of ennui and sadness, I was so self-absorbed in my own little world of gloom that it wasn't really registering in my brain that the little old lady was having trouble getting her items out of her shopping cart ... Read Full Story >>

The Simplest Acts Count The Most

I was completly lost and so frustrated. I couldn't bear to stand around for ten-minutes waiting for the bus, hoping it would be going in the right direction, so I started walking. I walked quickly, almost marching. I followed the main road, glancing periodically at the bus stops I passed for navigation. I rushed past the crawling rush-hour traffic, my legs hurt with the effort, but  my heart welcomed the rush of adrenaline. I needed to walk off my panic. When I eventually came to a landmark that looked vaguely familiar I breathed a sigh of relief. No bus had passed me, so I'd made a good decision to walk. I glanced at my watch, it was so late. I scanned the street up and down. I needed to catch another bus, but from which side of the street I couldn't tell. I moved up the street, darting between shoppers, trying unsuccessfully to ... Read Full Story >>

Removing Road Hazards On A Rainy Day

Nearly everyday, I drive on this road.

Today, however, it was storming and the wind was blowing and suddenly without warning there were several large branches in the road!

Many cars were just navigating through them (which was hard and dangerous) but one van stopped to move them.

Seeing this, I couldn't just keep driving.  So I pulled over, turned around and went back to help.  As I was walking back, I saw 3 other cars navigate not only around the branches now but also the man who stopped to help, just narrowly missing him!!! UNREAL!   He was doing a kind , civic deed, but people didn't seem to have patience for that too! 

Anyhow, both of us together quickly got the trees off the road.  Before we went on our way, he made sure to tell me to be careful up ahead since there may be more hazards on the road.

This young man and I got soaked, but it thoroughly warmed my heart to know that there are people out there who will do the right thing even if no one is appreciating them!

The Law of Garbage Trucks

[ Original story, by David J. Pollay ] Sixteen years ago I learned an important life lesson, in the back of a New York City taxi cab. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station.  We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by mere inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and started yelling bad words at us.  My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.  And I mean, he was actually friendly! So, I asked him, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and could've sent us to the hospital!" And this is when my taxi driver told me ... Read Full Story >>

Dust In The Wind

It happened so suddenly.  She said she wasn’t feeling well, so she took a shower, drank some tea, and went for a nap just before dinner.  By 5PM, she had passed away. “That’s insane. I just saw Sushila Auntie last week. She’s fine. I mean, she’s my mom’s age. There must be some sort of mistake,” I thought to myself. No mistake, unfortunately. Sitting in the living room at Narayan Uncle’s house to pay our condolences for the passing of his wife, the thoughts in my head wouldn’t stop.   That’s my Narayan Uncle sitting there. He’s been around forever.   And next to him would always be Sushila Auntie.  I just saw her last week. All I gave her was a perfunctory, “Hi”.   Why?  Because she was always there. Yet, there is so much more to the being “there” than one realizes, because once that’s gone, things seem strange and askew. I knew nothing ... Read Full Story >>

Wear Smiles

In the middle of lunch, we get a phone call. "Sir, I've got a special package for you." "Special package? Um, ok, I'll come down to get it." "This is for you," the slim, twenty-something guy says with a mischevious smile. "Who is it from?" "It's from an anonymous friend." Actually, in all my excitement I couldn't tell if he said "friend" or "friends" but it didn't matter. With radiant joy for having kind friends, I took a peek inside the box. "Thank you." The kid rushes off as if his 007 mission is accomplished. Inside the box -- guess what? T-shirts. Lots of them, I think about 25-30 of them. Each t-shirt had the same kind of "smile" written on it, the way each smile card has, and a happy face. ... Read Full Story >>

Magical Powers!

I was looking after a beautiful child called Jake; Jake would only ever wear his Spider-Man pajamas and would often get his face painted like Spider-Man when ever we passed a face painter on the street.

One day when we were out walking and Jake was in his Spider-Man outfit with his face painted, a lady walking by said “Oh look, its Spider-Man.” 

He looked up at me and said “See La (that was what he called me), they know who I am.”

I thought I would share this with you today as I wanted you all to remember the superhero inside of you all and let others really see your magical powers!

Spread the magic! xxx

Cut Moving Expenses, Make New Friends!

A little while ago, I was packing to move away from Los Angeles. I had dragged tons of boxes with me when I moved, things I hadn't worn in years, art supplies I never used ... while there I accumulated so many things specific to LA that I found no need to take them home -- roach spray, local detergent, even packs of mid-range toilet paper!

I put up signs in my apartment lobby that all things on the 20 foot long counter were absolutely free, and it was a "Moving Sale." I had to make several trips to fill the counter, and everyone coming in stopped to see what was for "sale."

A young couple took the detergent, some kids took the pad of construction paper and markers, a neighbor I actually did know took the roach spray. And while they all couldn't believe it was free, and most offered me money, even a dollar or two, I just couldn't take it.

I loaded up the counter twice before I left, and even left my little wheelie grocery cart down there for someone to snag. I hope maybe when it came time for them to move, my neighbors continued the idea of cutting their costs, making people happy, and doing it for free!

Small Gesture For An Airplane Passenger

I was recently returning to Vermont  from Calgary, after attending a workshop with some old friends and colleagues.  The workshop was truly transformational and I was in a heightened state of appreciation.  In fact, I was desperate to offer my love to the world in some way, as I sat in the window seat of a plane that was taking me home. The only thing I could think of doing was to make some name graphics for my two daughters.  I took out my calligraphy pen, wrote each of their names in block letters, and filled in the letters with beautiful, stylized designs.  It felt good to be working on a gift for my daughters, although I would have preferred to connect with someone right then and there. Next to me was a sweet girl, about ten years old, who was working on her homework.  She sneaked a peak at what I ... Read Full Story >>

A Cookie Gram On Mother's Day

My son is my world and I love everything about him. When he was 3, he was diagnosed with a terminal brain-stem tumor.  Doctors gave him a 50% chance of surviving the first year and 10% in the second year.   I am proud to say that it has been a little over two years now since then.  About a month ago, though, we were told that his tumor was active again and that we really dont know what going to happen from day to day.  It's tough on us.  But the saving grace has been the unexpected kindness of so many wonderful strangers who comfort and give words of advice.  No one claims to have a cure for the pain and sorrow you feel when dealing with the loss of a child, but many people offer their warmth that helps us heal. In particular, there is this one nurse who has ... Read Full Story >>

Finders Aren't Always Keepers

Today I had an appointment.  When I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a wallet laying there between 2 parked vehicles. I went over and picked it up and took it straight into the Health Authority offices. I told the receptionist where I had found it and told her that I didn't know whose it was but as the lot is a usual short cut for kids going up town, I figured it was safer in the building. She asked me to watch her look thru it to find a name.  When she found the name, she tracked down the owner. The lady didn't know she had lost it but was surely  relieved to get it back. After my appointment, the receptionist caught me before I left the building and thanked me for bringing it in.  "The lady checked her wallet and found everything where it was supposed to ... Read Full Story >>

My Daily Creed

The Eight-Year-Old Flower Seller

Last night’s mass transformed my life.  Since we arrived late for the homily, we positioned ourselves near the door.  It was during the offertory, though, that I saw a sight that changed my life in an instant -- a young boy ran up, took out a coin from his pocket and offered it to the collector.  I didn’t see the denomination, if it was a peso or five-peso, but it wasn't the amount that caught my attention. It was his way of giving gratitude to God for all the immeasurable blessings that he might've received.  And it was from a kid who was humbly selling Sampaguita flowers!  He who has little knows how to give back.  Watching his selfless act, I was totally speechless. Minutes passed and I was still trying to process what I had just witnessed.  Before me was a humbling experience -- a boy of young age, ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Karma on a Hot Summer Day

It is so often true that "what goes around, comes around," and that life lessons often walk in through the most unexpected doors. One hot summer, several years ago, my son and I were taking a trip by train. But first we had to take a bus into the city to the station to catch the train. I was a single Mom and as usual, since times were hard and money was very tight, we simply could not afford any extras. So we packed a large lunch bag of snacks and sandwiches, and had a small cooler filled with sodas to get us through the trip. We were still many miles from the train station, out in the middle of nowhere, when the bus suddenly completely broke down. The poor driver was mortified, and after calling ahead to the station, assured us, apologizing over and over, that they were sending another bus to rescue us. We ... Read Full Story >>

Keep Saying Thanks

"Thank you" - these are but just two words but mean so much to a person to whom it is spoken.

I have a habit of thanking every person, right from a salesman in a shop to the teachers in my class. Maybe habit is not the right word for when I thank them I really mean it. Often my friends mock me saying, ' Why are you thanking them, it's their job. They are paid for it. You needn't be obliged for that.'

But my take is different. As a person I love if someone thanks me for a good deed I did or if I helped them in any way. It fills me with happiness. So I thank those who have helped me.  

So I request you all to take a few minutes to thank a person today because just these two words can make him/her happy.

Grandma Like A Swan?

My granddaughter is studying totem poles in school, and she had to make one, using her family, for the animals on the pole.

The first one she said was her mother ... that she was a dog  because she was so beautiful.  The next one was for her baby sister, and she said a fox, because she was so sneaky.  Another one would be her Papa, an eagle, because he was so brave, and fought in Vietnam to serve the country.

She was trying real hard to figure out one for her older brother.  Eventually, she said she needed an animal that was annoying and decided on a rat!

Then she needed one for me. My grandson said, "Grandma is a swan."   Boy, did that make my day!    ME.... A SWAN!!!!!?????

First Experience In Giving Blood

Today, I gave blood for the first time.

I hate needles, so I was terrified going in, but I was determined to go through with it. I was worried I might faint, which would have been so embarassing!

I can't say the experience was enjoyable, but it wasn't half as bad as I had expected. There was only a slight pain, and my nurse was so kind and friendly. I felt a bit light-headed when I stood up, but the orange juice and biscuits I was given soon sorted that out!

But once it as all over, the realisation that the simple little thing that I had just done could save somebody's life in the near future made it 100% worth it.

I would encourage everybody to give blood, or at least inquire about it, because it is such an easy way to make a huge difference for somebody...maybe even the difference between life and death.

A Slice Of Love In the Supermarket Aisle

I was working in a supermarket promoting a new variety of bread.  My job was to hand out slices of bread; it was very monotonous and at times very hard to keep motivated saying the same thing over and over again.

So I decided to change it up, and alter my perspective on the situation.  With a piece of bread in my hand, I started to say, "Would you like to try a slice of love?  And I'm also giving away free hugs today."

And so I started hugging complete strangers, as they passed by my aisle.

The reactions of the people absolutely blew me away!  An older lady said she had not been hugged in two years.  I was so moved by our brief conversation that I decided that I'm always going to be ever-ready to share my hugs freely – you just never know who might need them!

A Question to A Four Year Old

During dinner, we had a 'small talk conversation' when we asked our 4-year-old Lola:  "Lola, who do you love the most?  Mum, Dad, or someone else?"

She promptly replied, "I don't want to make a choice.   I love everybody! Sometimes people do things I do not like, but I like them still."

I'm usually the one to respond very quickly, but I was speechless after this major lesson.

Sometimes there is a great teacher, an avatar, very near me but when I'm not really paying attention, I miss the opportunity for a very precious lesson.