Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Widening the Circle of Compassion

My friends and I are now going to part soon since my life as an undergraduate is coming to an end.  Today one of my friends told me that she would never forget the time she came along with me to a home for senior citizens near my college.

She wanted to make another trip before we left.  It was amazing.  As we listened to people like our granparents - just spoke and laughed with them.  It was amazing how much this little time seemed to lift their spirits.

The funny thing is never before in her life has my friend been into conscious acts of service, although her everyday kindness lights up people's lives.  So she truly said she felt joyful after this trip we made- widening the circle of compassion.

For the Children

My daughter was admitted into the hospital ward for testing.  During her stay, I noticed the very old VCR, movies, broken books, and old game systems with poor controllers. What really broke my heart was when they wheeled the VCR into my daughter's room and some of the videos were missing out of the cases.  The little boy who made friends with my daughter was upset because his favorite movie was missing. The Nurse went to find out if the movies were misplaced.  When she returned, she said the movies were missing. Missing I asked? "Oh yeah," she said "things go missing here all the time.  We just got a couple of new movies and they disappeared with in a couple of days." This made me very sad,  I knew it wasn't children sneaking out VCR tapes.  Parents  and vistors had to be behind it.  The few things they had to entertain the children were given by ... Read Full Story >>

Buzzing Around

My nephew  dreaded the very idea of entering the hospital and was required to have surgery. My brother likened his son's trauma to being dragged across the parking lot.

I was building costumes for a children's theater at the time and had access (with permission) to their inventory. With a smile and the blessing of the artistic director I borrowed a black bee costume complete with dilly boppers and a huge round tumbly with big wide yellow stripes running horizontally across it.

Knowing of my nephew's plight I quickly put on my costume complete with the belly touching the steering wheel and drove directly to the hospital. After dodging onlookers on the elevator I headed straight for little Paul's room.
The mood changed. Paul's frown was now upside down and I was required to buzz around and cheer up others at my nephew's request.

Touched by another's caring

We were recently married at our church, New Hope Hilo on Valentine's Day. It was a small service, a few friends, couple of family members and Pastor Aaron performed the service. We did notice that there was one girl who was taking pictures and we thought that they might be showing them to the congregation at a future service but we were way off base. The Pastor's wife, Carlen made a wedding scrapbook that words just cannot describe. The detail of the handmade items, the imagination, the love was overwhelming for us. At Sunday's service, Pastor Aaron was speaking about how at our church we have breakfast after all 3 services and he and his wife were eating. When they finished someone came up and cleared their table for them throwing away the rubbish. He was touched by the act and the love this person expressed.   After service, we shared how ... Read Full Story >>

A bag of kindness

Shopping is a chore, bagging the food is even worse. I personally have a system.  My daughter would grab an empty cart and start to make double bags to put the food in. By the time the food was paid for and I was ready to bag my food, we would have a giant pile of double bags which we always used up. One day behind me were two elderly women.  As I was bagged my food, I noticed how hard it was one for the woman to pull money out of her wallet.  How was she going to bag her groceries? I told my daughter to continue making double bags. Of course she looked at me like I was crazy because we had so many already.  But I told her to make more. After bagging my things, I just continued to bag the groceries for the elderly ladies.  At first she said "Oh miss ... Read Full Story >>

A trip to the grocery store

I was driving to the grocery store with my sister and her baby boy.  We had a long list of food to buy and knew that her son's patience was only going to last a short while.  We were in the middle of a fun conversation when I noticed that the car in front of us was not moving and the stoplight had turned green.  At first, I was somewhat agitated because we had been waiting for about 10 seconds and the car was not moving forward.   When it was safe, I proceded to pull into the other lane and pass the car in front of us that had not moved.  As I glanced over at the car, I saw a lady who was practically in tears she was so frustrated.  She was driving a newer SUV and it was obvious that she was embarrased and needed some help.  I ... Read Full Story >>

In memory of all the mother/daughter outings I miss

During National Random Acts of Kindness Week, I bought a $20 gift certificate at  a really nice breakfast/lunch restaurant.  I put the certificate in a gift card with a "just because"  message and a Random Act card asking them to pass on the kindness.  No addressee on the envelope, but in the return address corner, "A Random Act of Kindness." I prayed for Divine Guidance to be led to just the right person. At the end of the week, I was having Sunday brunch at another restaurant ( I don't cook, can you tell?!) and saw a mother and grown daughter walking in.  The elderly mother was bent over, using a cane, and walked very, very slowly.  The daughter patiently followed behind.  As soon as they sat down in their booth and got settled, I walked up behind the daughter and handed her the note with a smile and said, "I think ... Read Full Story >>

Just a Smile and a Wave

This just happened yesterday: I was driving from work to my daughters house a few miles away. I came to a stop light and out of the corner of my eye saw the driver in the car next to me looking at me and waving his hands.

He was smiling so big and waving so enthusiastically I thought he must be someone I knew. I rolled down my window, as did he, and he leaned over his wife/girlfriend/friends shoulder and just said to me, "I'm just saying hello! You're a beautiful person!" and drove off. 

I drove away thinking, "Wow." And then when I signed on here for the first time today, I thought about him and wondered if he belonged to a group here! Anyway, I know I'm supposed to write about kind things I do for others, and I will, but I just had to share this one. It's amazing how a simple, sincere, smile and hello can brighten someone's day!

100 Qualities I Love About You

I have a friend whom I talk to a lot and love to share things with. Since she is a bit smaller than me, I'm usually giving her the clothes I outgrow. She doesn't have much money so she really appreciates them. Anyway, she had a horrible past, her parents were abusive to her both mentally and physically. As a result, she has very low self esteem and is very fragile. 

A couple of nights ago, her fiance and his friend came up to bring her an early valentine's day present, and then without warning, his friend calls her ugly! The poor thing was heart broken, and her whole past came rushing into her head, making her sob for hours. I felt sooo bad. I didn't do well trying to cheer her up over the phone... but what can you do?

So I thought of something. Everyone loves hearing that they have good qualities in them, especially when they don't think they have any. I decided to write 100 qualities I love about her. To show her that she is loved and beautiful.

 I finished it today and decorated it with colored pencils and crayons. I'm going to give it to her tomorrow morning. I hope she likes it. :)

Inspired

The reason I came onto this site was because I was inspired by an an article and I am glad I did. Now I am making cards for a hospital near my town. They are basically just get well cards.

I made two cards, one of them are for girls and the other one is for a boy.  I will then copy them and hopefully give them personally to the kids. 

Also I am going to donate my hair to Locks of Love.

inspired!

The Wondorous Oragami Man

My friend, Gayla and I were traveling to Phoenix from Chicago. I misread the ticket, and we missed our flight. I was busy being upset about my failed plans when Gayla suggested we just fly wherever we want instead, since we had the time. I think about missing my flight to Phoenix and going to San Francisco instead. It taught me a lot about being open to what is, not attached to what I want, and how things unexpected can happen. Long story but while Gayla and I were in San Fran, this strange thing happened. It made me think maybe I should start to trust the natural course of things more, instead of always thinking I know what is best and trying to control things. Did I see an angel or go or santa while in San Francisco? I don’t know what he was, but he was not of this ... Read Full Story >>

Thanks for the lift!

Our son Ben had just graduated from the Army Reserve in Kapooka - Wagga Wagga New South Wales Australia. My husband and I flew down from Queensland to see his march out . When I booked our accommodation, I asked the receptionist if this bed and breakfast was central to everything and we were reassured it was a little "walk" into the shops etc. When we arrived at Wagga Wagga and caught a taxi to our destination, imagine our suprise when it wasn't near anything!! The next day we taxied to Kapooka - it was proving to be a very expensive exercise as Kapooka was also 20 minutes drive from Wagga. As we were walking our of the front gate after the event , we had to meet Ben in Wagga Wagga, a kind couple pulled up in their car and offerred us a lift.  Jane and Michael  had a hire car and heard us talking about booking a taxi. They ... Read Full Story >>

The gift that continues to give

I have always believed that people come into your life for a reason. With this in mind I met a man at work who had a drug problem. I knew because I used to.

Over the next 2 years we became closer and had long talks about his addiction. I knew I was supposed to help him, but I didn't know how. I had talked him into rehab and even took him to the center but every time he got out he would relapse. I thought long and hard until "IT" came to me.

I had to give more of myself, go on a leap of faith. I convinced him to try rehab one more time and when he got out I moved him into to my apartment, against the advice of those around me. Getting him out of his  earlier environment was the key. He never relapsed again. We just celebrated his 2 year clean date in January, after 23 years of abuse. He is still my roommate and has since helped me more than any friend I have ever had.   

Tagging inspirational quotes at Seva Cafe

We meet at Seva Cafe in Ahmedabad (sevacafe.org) every Thursday morning for meditation.  After the sit this morning, I had an idea to start tagging inspirational quotes to friends. The topic that came to my mind is "Smile therapy".

I need some smile quotes from the Universe. Please help. The ones I have already are: "Smile, it improves your face value" "smile, it is free!" "smiles are curves that set things straight"

I have already tried it out on three people today and they loved it. In a synchronistic way they said it was exactly the boost they needed to get through the day. One lady even wrote me one quote that I found beautiful, "My body is a scrapbook, dancing dusts off memories of my life."

If people out there can send in some more quotes, we can have a compassion group sit and write them out. 

Giving Grapes For Bottled Water

Where I live, it is highly unsafe to drink water from taps; so most  people buy packaged water when they run out of their own.

The other day I did a really tiny kind act: this lady who seemed kind of poor (she wasn't wearing shoes) sat next to me on the bus home.  She mumbled something to herself in a cross way about not having water, how the bus fare has been increased, and about how she needs to buy water now.

Generally passengers never interact with each other, but I thought I could make an exception.  I reached into my bag and gave her a packet of mineral water I had bought.

After receiving this unexpected gift, she looked quite happy.  We chatted for a while and before I left, she gave me some grapes that she was carrying with her.  She wouldn't let me leave the bus until I took the grapes! 

It reminded me that sometimes those who have less are so much more generous than those who have a lot. :)

Mistaken For A Priest

As a science student at the University of Western Ontario, I was delighted when offered the use of the ground floor of a church rectory for very modest rent.

To show my appreciation, I shoveled the snow from the walks and driveway so that the choir could practise in the basement. One particularly blustery winter day I was ready to concede defeat to the blizzard when I noticed a pickup truck drive by, reverse and enter the drive.

Lowering his plough blade, the driver cleared out the entire parking lot in just a few passes. The cab window opened and the cheerful driver shouted out: “There you go Father!” He had noticed my black T-shirt under my coat and mistaken me for a priest.

I could only chuckle and shout back “Bless you, my son” as he pulled out. Every storm thereafter I was sure to wear my black T-shirt in hopes of a repeat performance and will be forever grateful to the church and the unknown stranger that made my day.

Five Dollar Bus Fare

A bunch of us carpooled in a van to go to the holiday prayer at the convention center and the celebrations afterwards.

After visiting for hours, we were on our way home late that evening. (We live about an hour away from where we were going.)  Before we dropped off someone, we noticed he didn't have enough money for the bus.  He only needed 50 cents, so he kindly asked if anyone could spare some change.

While everyone looked in their wallets, I remembered I had 5 dollars in my purse I was saving for coffee. I wanted to help, so I gave him all 5 dollars.  And it made me happier than coffee does. :)

my best friend and I

My friend and I are always together-this includes going to the mall and the spa.

One day we had a terrible disagreement and I didn't know what to do!

I was sad and also really mad at her, but in the end we made up. Then we went to donate some money to a food pantry and a clothing closet.

It made us  feel so good to do that.  Something about giving, it solves all our problems in unthinkable ways.

My First Use of a Smile Card

I had some cards printed up and now am looking for ways to use them.  My first use was this past Sunday.  I recently started attending a Melakite Catholic church in my town after years of not going to church at all.  I found some things similar and some different to the Roman Catholic Church masses I remember from years ago.

Wanting to learn more about the Melakite history, I purchased a book they had in the reception hall area after mass.  I paid the father, twice as much as asked for, for the book and handed him a smile card and asked that he place it in one of the books left and if a person wants to buy the book that it is placed it, he just give it to him since it was already paid for.  He liked that idea. :)

An Unforgettable Dinner Date

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said I love you but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you. The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.   "What's wrong, are you well?" she asked.  My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news."I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you," I responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, ... Read Full Story >>