Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Terrible Ex In Need

So, I have a boyfriend of two years. We live together and love each other. We try to help people as much as we can, and he is a really good guy. Sometimes too nice, because often, his kindness is only repaid with bad things from those he tried to help. A few days ago my ex boyfriend showed up. A little background on him: I am the only person in the world who sees an ounce of good in him!  And even I probably shouldn't. But what can I say, first love etc. etc. So he shows up at my house. His girlfriend just dumped him and he's sad. On top of being dumped, his parents kick him out. I offer to let him stay the night in our spare room (after asking my boyfriend if he minds of course) and X did. I go to work the next day leaving the ... Read Full Story >>

A 'Grave' Situation

On my way into the city of Orillia today, the sun was shining bright.  It was a very hot, gorgeous day.  For me, it wasn't a very easy morning, but everything was falling into place and I felt good. Just then, I noticed some peculiar activity in a small graveyard just off the road.  As I got closer, I noticed that an elderly man was attempting to pick something up.  With a car parked on the small laneway in the graveyard, he was crouching beside one of the gravestones.  Upon closer inspection, it was clear that he was sobbing. After all that had gone on so far in my day, it was time to give something back.  I pulled into the small graveyard behind the lone car that was parked.  As I approached the fellow, I called out to ask if everything was ok. I noticed then what the fellow was trying to ... Read Full Story >>

Saying Grace In A Restaurant

Last  week, I took my children to a restaurant.  My  six-year-old son asked if he could say  grace.  As  we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!" Along with the laughter from  the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!" Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the  table. He  winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great  ... Read Full Story >>

Changing Course Of One Life

Our maid's younger son had just passed school final exam with no capacity to pursue higher education. Before his parents could decide what to do with him he had already found ways to waste his time and energy.

That's when my wife and I suggested we would like to talk to him. 

The boy was indeed interested in doing things with his own hands rather than in academics.  We found out details of vocational courses and persuaded the father to take the boy to one of the institutes. 

The boy immediately fell in love with the course contents of bike repair & maintenance.  Part of the fees were given by us to make it more affordable.  The youngster is taking lot of interest in the 'hands-on' training and, we are told, is the coach's favorite student. 

We are overjoyed that a little guidance, a little support is all that was needed to change the course of the boy's life.

A Nice Tip at McDonalds!

Last week, I decided to visit our local McDonald's where my friend works. 

That day, in particular, she seemed to be having a really difficult time, so after she finished taking my order, and I received my food, I decided to give her a $5.00 tip (with a smile card of course!). 

The smile, on her face told me that she would have no problems making it through her shift!!  Just thinking about her smile for the rest of the day made things a little easier for me too!

$100 Pay-it-forward Award

I recently received a $100 pay-it-forward award from Karma Kitchen, where I volunteer occasionally.  It's a gift-economy restaurant where everyone pays what they want, for the person after them.  On nights when more money is received, it is distributed as pay-it-forward awards from which we have to do something good in our community. So on Labor Day, I invited my two friends -- Hafeez and Mita -- to Berkeley to put $100 to good use. I placed the order at Southside Bongo Burger, but then restaurant owner called me back.  "You want what?  $100 worth of Burgers?" the owner queried me on the phone.  I suppose he wanted to confirm it was a real order and not some sort of fraternity prank. :) "Yes, yes," I explained. "We recently received $100 gift to pay-it-forward.  So three of us wanted to give a personalized, gourmet treat to our homeless brothers and sisters ... Read Full Story >>

Beautiful Music To My Ears

My husband and I recently made a visit to see his mother, Gladys, who is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's.  I don't know a whole lot about this terrible disease but I am learning how quickly it can take over the memory.

We traveled many miles to visit Gladys and she was glad to see us but within just a few minutes, she even forgot that we were there!

My husband spotted a piano on the other side of the room and walked over to it and began to play a piece he had written many years ago hoping his mother would somehow recognize it.

I wish I could end this story saying she did but Gladys just contnued to eat her lunch.

The music was so beautiful!  Even I had a hard time believing that it was my own husband playing it.  Other people came out of their offices to watch him and one resident even remarked that she wished he would continue playing for a bit longer.

In the deepest of my hearts, I like to believe that Gladys heard the music.  I felt so proud of my husband.

A Content Homeless Woman

My neighbors had collected some clothes, care kits, and sleeping bags to directly give to the homeless.  So we loaded up a truck one day, and scoured the streets for the homeless. Now, interacting with the homeless isn't an everyday thing for most of us and what amazed me was they were all so thankful, appreciative and would only take what they needed!  One amongst us even remarked, “They are so happy. Why are they so happy? They do not even have a home." Then, a woman walked up with her husband and said they were celebrating their 17 year anniversary. I asked her, while she kept digging for clothes for her husband, "Do you need anything?"  She said, "ME. No, I have enough...too much actually.  My husband is the one who needs clothes, not me."  She went on gushing with excitement about their anniversary. I was in state of ... Read Full Story >>

One Care Package At A Time

When I was pregnant with my second son (2005), I suffered from major depression (hormones raging, stressful job, unresolved childhood issues, you name it) and when I slowly got better (it took a few months and meds), I needed to reach out and help others. I did not have time to go to soup kitchens or other places to help others since I just had a small baby so I had to find something that I could do at odd hours.

Then I found a website (booksforsoldiers.com) where I could send some books and make care packages for our troops. While I have no interest in the war nor the politics behind it, I wanted to support the people who were there away from their loved ones and familiar surroundings.

Since that summer, I have made over 60 care packages to people whom I have never net but hope to bring a smile to their day if only for a few minutes.  Right now I am waiting for my set of smile cards to come and I will be including them in my care packages.  That ought to bring a broader smile or two.  From the packages I sent out, I only got a handful emails and even notes back but I do not expect them to.

The Mani Man

A prayer wheel, or mani wheel, is a wheel filled with innumerable mantras and inscriptions wrapped clockwise around a central axis. Some prayer wheels are tiny, like tops; others are huge, filling an entire room, and one turns the wheel by holding its handles and walking clockwise around it. Others are attached to running streams or waterfalls so that they can harness the natural energy and spread benedictions throughout the land. The faithful believe that spinning these prayer wheels or hanging prayer flags in the wind actualizes the inscribed prayers. The Tibetan province of Kham is akin to America’s Wild West. The people of Kham are great equestrians, and like all who ride regularly, they love their horses.  Until about a century ago, Kham was carved into dozens of smaller kingdoms, each of which had its own army, raised by forcible conscription. There was once an old man in far eastern Kham ... Read Full Story >>

Do We Even Know What's Important?

Today as I walked around the local park with my huband and doggie, I had a rude awakening. The smells of the BBQs, the happy conversations, kids running around the picnic areas and families gathered and enjoying the day.  It looked like many extended families were together. This wasn't a fancy park...and most people who go don't have much money.  The funny thing was ... there were lots of picnic tables pushed together to accomodate the families and everyone was having such a good time. It looked like they were just having hotdogs and hamburgers, nothing fancy to out do the 'jones'. ... you know the expression. They were happy and content to be together and enjoying the beautifu day outside. I thought about my family and how I've had to move away because of my husband's jobs and how it became harder to get together with family for just a BBQ ... Read Full Story >>

Do The Unexpected And Get Smiles

We have a lot of new neighbors lately and today while we were cooking our supper (pork souvlaki on skewers) on the BBQ, we were exchanging casual banter with our new neighbors below as they were teasing us what time they should come over to eat (as in inviting themselves), etc.

Once we got inside with the cooked food, I told my husband to continue setting the rest of dinner while I prepared a container with a few of the skewers meat cut into small bite-sizes, some tzatziki sauce on the side and a few pieces of pita bread. 

I walked down the road to the neighbors and I told them that I got them some appetizers before they started their dinner, then handed them the container (still warm!). They were totally taken by surprise and were supper thrilled. 

(They invited me for a glass of wine but I had to hurry home to help hubby with the kids; however I took a raincheck for another day when I can relax on their sunny porch.)

Comfort For A Much Loved Person

Some months ago I went through a breakup of a long term relationship. It was not my decision but hers. I have felt very sad and deppressed about this situation and have on more than one occassion asked if the relationship can be resumed. I feel angry at times that I am alone again and at times also bitter towards my ex partner. Last week we had some dialogue which was not pleasant and it led to me making some remarks that on reflection I should not have. My ex partner was greatly affected by my comments and the guilt she was carrying over the split. I got a message the other night that she was considering harming herself. I phoned but no answer, again, no answer. I jumped in the car and drove to her house. What I found was this normally strong woman crying uncontrollably and in a terrible ... Read Full Story >>

A Big Gift From My Grandma

My 16th birthday is in 18 days. I went to have brunch today with my grandma and she handed me an envelope and wished me a "happy early birthday".

I didn't open the envelope until I got home and discovered a hundred dollar bill in it!

I was in complete shock. Suddenly, feeling a wave of awe, I started tearing. As a retiree with no income and little retirement funds, my grandma barely has enough to pay her own rent and feed herself.   I wondered why she would do this; I would've never asked for anything for my birthday but for her love. My mom tells me that because she gave me the gift because she loves me and wanted me to buy something for myself to remember my 16th birthday.

Although I'm supposed to buy something for myself, I plan to save the one hundred dollar bill until I feel the time is right to use it.  Whether to save a polar bear or feed a homeless family, the $100 will not go to waste.

All my life, my grandma has cared for me and been there for me. Now, I will pass on everything she has given/taught me.

So, Is It A Grind?

I am sharing my Smile Card story which I used at a local coffee shop today. It is presented in the form of a poem.

"So, is it a Grind?"

It's a grind is the name of the place,

and perhaps the name of your life sometimes,

but when you stop and take a chance,

and make someone else on the inside dance,

it may be different and feel weird at first,

and it might sound a bit like work,

but all it took was a few dollars, an exchange of words,and a little white tag,

to produce two coffee drinks,

which made a mother and son glad,

So, next time when you think your regular routine needs some spice,

maybe you could think about doing something nice?

Feeding Three Puppies

Earlier this month, I woke up to see a breathtaking view outside my balcony.   The monsoon was full blown, the far off mountains showing their shades of green, the skyscape glowing in its majesty.  It all looked like a celestial art gallery displaying  unique colors in pastel shades, peppered by a rays of sun. In morning prayers, I asked, "God, this day, I feel to do a good turn."  That day was my fifty third birthday and I wanted an opportunity to share my gratitude. My friends were after me to share the natures beauty with them, on this special day.  And so I went with them, down a sloping trail, to descend in the company of beautifully flying crickets as I saw one settle on a rundown brick shack. Suddenly, at the gate, appeared 3 puppies, hardly 3 weeks old.  They were adorable, in white with random black dots uniform, but their faces showed despair.  Perhaps they ... Read Full Story >>

The Empty Seat Next to Mine

I've been holding on to a good bunch of Smile Cards for some time now and decided it was about time I started using them more often!  Any opportunity I get, no matter how big or small I am going to do an act of kindness and encourage the pay-it-forward idea. The other day I attended a large business event.  I was seated in a row of seats where all chairs were taken except for one chair next to me.  It was the only good viewing spot left in the room.  There were other chairs available, but they were a distance away and to the side of the room.  A few minutes later, two young men stood near me gazing the auditorium for the best seats they could find.  "How many seats do you need?" I inquired.  "Two," one of them replied.  I flashed back to my Smile Card resolution and immediately got up.  "Here, you can my seat and the ... Read Full Story >>

The Case of the Reappearing Blanket

Several years ago our oldest son was in a terrible car accident.  The head-on crash into a huge tree claimed one life and left five others critically injured. I still remember each mind numbing day we spent in the critical care unit watching him cling to life. Hoping and praying he would come through the TBI and resulting coma.  Trying to get any sleep in that enviroment was nearly impossible.  I went into the family only waiting area to rest while my husband accompanied him to imaging for another CAT scan. The air conditioning had made the small room like a freezer, but as I looked around I saw a plaid blanket draped over the arm of a chair.  I tossed it across my lap and fell asleep. When I woke, I took the blanket to the nurses station lost and found basket. The next time I went to take a nap I noticed it ... Read Full Story >>

Flower Power

This morning one of my co-workers was quite agitated over the use of  our company cars. .... the result of  misunderstanding.  This work environment is very high-stress for all of us, however, I was shocked when she was actually raising her voice.  

She left the office in a huff  (our job requires outside visits.)  Some of the other employees mentioned that she hadn't been "quite herself" lately .  I got to thinking that maybe there was more going on than a dispute over who should be driving the company car today, so while I was out, I picked up a bouquet of flowers and a nice vase and just left them on her desk. 

I didn't see her until later in the day and when I did her overall attitude was quite sunnier!  She asked me if I had the left the flowers for her and I neither affirmed nor denied.  They seemed to have made her day! 

Kindness Ideas For Kids?

My aunt just asked me for some kindness ideas, so I tossed together this list ... Free Car Wash: I saw this story for a 10th birthday and it seems like a grand time! Miles of Smiles: stand on busy street intersections with "smile" posters.  Non-stop fun. :) Clean-up Public Places: help clean a beach or a local park, adopt a highway.  Extra credit if you can take some of that waste and create a public art piece (see garden-art from trash). Balloon stand: hand out free balloons with smiley-art on the balloons and perhaps even on your faces. :) Plant trees: visit Arbor Day Foundation -- "We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees" -- to find local organizations that can help you plant.  You could also volunteer ... Read Full Story >>