Stories of Kindness from Around the World

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 >>

A Smile Card For A Smile Coupon!

When I was at work yesterday I was cashiering, which I didn't mind because I guess I needed the interaction with the positive people who walk through our door.

There was this one woman, older in age, white hair and just full of smiles that came in. I greeted her and as she walked through our store she would find little things and wanted to know the prices, so she would bring them up to me and I would let her know.

When her shopping was over she came up to check out and with a gentle smile told me that I was an angel and wanted to give me something, and when I saw here digging through her purse I told her that I had something for her to and when she pulled out a card that read, " COUPON GOOD FOR  FREE "UNLIMITED"  SMILES AND HUGS, THANK YOU" I also handed her one of my smile cards.

She laughed and told me that I was truly an angel and wished me a good day. Even now sitting here I can see this angels face because she too was an angel who walked into my life if only for a moment.

My day was better after that and the rest of the day seem to pass by, but her card I will carry with me until it is my turn to pass it on.

The Little Things Add Up

I have been receiving smile cards for quite some time now and take great pleasure in leaving them randomly for people around my town.  This town is such a great contrast from where I grew up. The people are so friendly and always go the extra mile to be personal with me.

So every now and then I will tell certain public workers (the lady at the bank, post office, etc...) thank you for being so kind to me, then give them a smile card :) It always makes me so happy to see them blush! Communication is sacred to humanity and so few of us REALLY communicate anymore.

I love being able to use something like the cards to connect with strangers. I also like to leave them in random places for people to find. Some examples: When I do taste test for the university I always leave one in the booth for the next person to find. I like to leave them on the counter at the post office, in random spots at the grocery store and other places. I have also been known to stick one under the windsheild wipers of a car I have noticed has bumper stickers I agree with :)

I love random acts of kindness!

The Hungry Cat

This is my first story, it's a random act of kindness.

It was 9:30 am when I was walking around campus shooting pictures. While I was walking in the Courtyard I heard a "Meow". It was the University's cat. She was very hungry. When I saw her I immediately ran to the canteen to buy a milk for her. Then I went back to the courtyard, spilled the milk in the dish, and I gave it to her. It was my pleasure to feed the hungry cat :)

You Can Change The World

There is a poem out there about how to change the world. I couldn't find it exactly so I put what I could remember here. Everyone here IS changing the world with their focus on kindness. Thank you all very much!

Baggging Groceries Unexpectedly

I snuck out at lunch hour to pick up some groceries so had very limited time. I had made a list and was going to pick up only those items. When I entered, I noticed the store was pretty empty and heaved a huge sigh...now to grab the essentials and pay and be back within an hour. Had my watch on which I glanced at occasionally and was making good time....found a line with only one people ahead of me and started dumping my goods on the conveyer belt to be rung up.... There were limited cashiers, maybe three open and one was the "15 items of less" option (not me) and I noticed only one bagger. The woman ahead of me was sighing as the cashier had to bag the goods after ringing up her purchases  (slowing her down) and by this time there was a good 3 people behind me.... My turn, I gave the ... Read Full Story >>

One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure?

I gave my assistant at work a chance to look through all of the things I didn't want.

She took it all because she can't afford to buy new things right now.  She thought everything was all so cool.  

It felt good knowing where my old things went and that they found a new home that they are need in.

Its Just The Way Its Supposed To Be

All my life, I didn't realize that there was a choice to be kind or not. I have always thought that that was the way everyone thought!

After a few life changing events, I have searched my soul for who I want to be when I grow up (lol I'm 40!) I want to continue being kind, even when those who don't understand attack me for it.

I don't have an ulterior motive, it's just who I am. I wish to spread kindness everywhere!

WHEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Icecream Sundae Smile

The weather is finally warming up and so off we go to the local icecream shoppe for some yummy icrecream sundaes.

It was crowded but we finally got our turn to order. My daughter and  I watched as the girl made our desserts. It's hard to scoop the icrecream and she was getting tired, I could tell her hand hurt from scooping all night. Then I thought of the Waffle House Story that Paul wrote earlier...and I told my daughter I was going to give her a nice big TIP...which nobody was doing, not even a tip period!!!

Well, :) When she handed us our icecream, I handed her $$$$ and She said "You already Paid the other lady." I said "I know, but I want to thank you for working so hard and for service with a SMILE!!!  This money is your tip. " The biggest smile came across her face and I felt like a million bucks myself.

Giving feels good...  :)  ~Aurelia

Be Like A Bird

this is a song i learned from a good friend and teacher of mine in vermont. it is sung in a round, and the lyrics have truly changed the way i face situations.

be like a bird
who halting in her flight
on a limb too slight
feels it giving way
beneath her
yet sings
sings
knowing she has wings
yet sings
sings
knowing she has wings.