Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Instant Pay It Forward!

We drove over to a friend's place to load up our car with boxes full of books. After driving a short distance, my husband realized that our rear tire was flat! After some labor to set up the tire change, I went over to the garage sale next door for some entertainment -- a teenager was doing tricks on a short bike in their yard. He was really good. While watching him, something caught my eye -- a beautiful blue painting with lots of fish and dolphins. "My little son would love that," I thought, considering that he had just seen dolphins in Sea World. Seeing my interest, the lady said, "A dollar for that."  I looked at it again.  It was surely worth more to me.  So I gave her the two dollars I had and when she was surprised, I told her the buck would travel farther if she wants ... Read Full Story >>

A Happy Home For Kids

I used to run a day care in my home.

Most of my parents were single or they were struggling to just pay the bills. So I watched their children for whatever they could pay me. Sometimes that is just R50 a month. Sometimes more. There were even been times when they could not pay at all. But with me watching the kids they could keep their jobs and that meant a roof over the children's heads and food on the table for them.

In return, I got lots of love from the kids and thanks from the parents. I loved all the kids and took care of them like I did my own.

That was my part in helping to do small acts of kindness --  my happy home full of kids!

Dont Worry Be Happy

This is one of the happiest songs I have ever heard -- Bobby McFerrin's Don't Worry, Be Happy.  Every time I'm down, I listen to this and I wanna share my happiness with you all.  Here's the video and below it are the lyrics to the song: Don't Worry, Be Happy Performed by Bobby McFerrin Here is a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note Don't worry be happy In every life we have some trouble When you worry you make it double Don't worry, be happy...... Ain't got no place to lay your head Somebody came and took your bed Don't worry, be happy The land lord say your rent is late He may have to litigate Don't worry, be happy Lood at me I am happy Don't worry, be happy Here I give you my phone number When you worry call me I make ... Read Full Story >>

The Casual Day

My daughter goes to a special needs school and every year they are involved with Casual Day.  This year I helped the school sell approximately 9000 tickets, with all my contacts, friends and family.

The smiles of appreciation, the children's laughter, the rewards .... enormous.

Today I decided my daughter had to look special on this special day ... I stuck gorgeous star stickers all over her face and put a T-shirt on her that says, "I may not be a STAR right now but I will be someday!"

The theme today is "Be a Star".  She is a star today, my star, my special, loving,gorgeous, angel child.

Here's to you today Brittany! We love you in unmeasurable quantities!

Proper Attire For A Stranger

My friend Robert started a new job this week and he's been in training class for two days.  The employer has a very strict dress code --- dark blue shirts and khaki pants. On the first day, an older gentleman in his class did not have the proper attire and he was sternly told that he would be dismissed if he didn't have the right attire the next day.   He explained, "Sir, I had not been told about this.  Because of my larger size, it's sometimes difficult to find the right clothing for a price I can afford." Last night, Robert and I decided that this old man shouldn't lose his job simply because he couldn't afford the clothes.  I had some cash on hand at home and  Robert  took it with him this morning just in case it was needed. When training started this morning, the trainer was ready to fire ... Read Full Story >>

Ti Kanis?

As I was walking down the frozen aisle section of our grocery store, a little old lady comes up to me.  There was  no one around so she asks me softly, "Do you shop here often? Do you mind if I ask you something?"  I said, "Sure."  "Well, I am looking for the frozen pastry sheets and I cannot seem to find them".  Aha, I told her to follow me as I took her down to the frozen desserts aisle.  On the way, she told me that she did not want to impose but there is no way that  I was going to leave little old lady wandering on her own -- supermarkets can often feel overwhelming! As we walked, to make small talk, I asked her what she was going to do with it and she replied that she was Greek and that her grandson is on leave from the military ... Read Full Story >>

A Newborn At My Doorstep

Nearly 6 years ago, a little boy was brought to me to look after in my day care.  He was a mere two days old.  After being with me for some 3 months, we realized that the "Mother" has disappeared, leaving this helpless little boy.

I could not get it over my heart to leave this child to his own defenses and decided to adopt him.  We come from different backgrounds and cultures, but I was will to endure everything in order to love this child unconditionally.

I adopted him and am proud to say that he is today a real blessing in my life!

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 >>