Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Oprah's 24 Acts of Kindness

January: Adopt your new coworker, take her to lunch and make yourself available for any little question she has. If someone says flattering things about your friends, don't hesitate to let them know they have fans. February: On Valentine's Day, call your single friends just to say, "Hello." If a waiter or a manicurist or plumber does an especially good job, let them know.  Even better, let their boss know. March: Honk your horn only to prevent a car accident. Resist the temptation to lash out when you're in a bad mood. April: Get back in touch with someone who once meant something to you, if only to tell her she made an impact. Offer to share your cab from the train station on a rainy evening. May: If you come across a funny childhood picture of you and your brother, send him a framed copy. If you're out of gift ideas for a friend's birthday, making her favorite dessert will always trump a ... Read Full Story >>

The Wise Woman's Stone

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

Blackberries From An Old Lady

During a day at work, a nice old lady walked in with her dog. She's a regular customer and usually very kind. I always imagine her to be the kind of lady who gets along with everyone, her dog even seemed to like the fact that she talked to him all the time!

As she walked over to the counter she asked me: "Do you like blackberries?" And she held out a plastic sack filled with blackberries. She told me she just picked them nearby, and told me to go get a napkin. As I put the napkin on the counter, she shook some blackberries out of the plastic sack, put them on the napkin, and heartily said, "Enjoy".

It was such a small gesture, but what a great way to spread some joy! I really enjoyed those berries, and the lady's kindness was also very refreshing.

My Friend, Howie

Actually, he started out as my step-dad's best friend since they were 5 and 6 years old, respectively.  They grew up in New York City.  Howie's home life was not good, very troubled.  Still, he grew up to be a fine man, worked hard, married, and had two children.  His wife divorced him when the children were small and he kind of drifted through life, working, but no real focus. I was almost 6 when my mother and stepfather met (again) and decided to make a life together.  Howie said to my dad, "You are going to live with her (meaning my mother)?  She has a kid, the kid will be an anchor and slow you down." Howie would come over our house and eat dinner and spend time there.  I guess I kind of grew on him.  He taught me how to play checkers and we got along just fine.  At ... Read Full Story >>

Father and Son Getting Home

A few months ago, while driving home from work, I was thinking about my long tiring day at work and worrying about my other half, and would he be OK when I got home. My partner of 6 years, was lying in bed at home, sick and facing a long illness and possibly death. That day several clients had paid for thier jobs and one of them even paid extra, since he was very pleased with our graphics & photography work. On the way, I stopped at a gas station (slightly out of my way) to gas up my car before heading home. When I went in to pre-pay for my gas, I saw a man with his his son ahead of me in the line. They were a little dirty from working & painting at a local job site. The clerk behind the counter seemed annoyed and not interested in ... Read Full Story >>

In The Middle of Nowhere

I was driving home from school one hot summer day when I realized that my car was not working right. I kept driving and prayed that it would hold out the 3 hours that I still had to go. Seconds later, everything in my car died and I barely made it off to the shoulder.  Knowing absolutely nothing about cars, I popped the hood and proceeded to check the oil (since that's the only thing I knew how to do). As I was doing this, two older men in a truck pulled behind me and asked if I needed help. Of course, I couldn't turn them down since I was so far from home. They could see that I was shaken up and told me to get back in the car and they would take a look to see what was wrong. After some investigating they informed me that it ... Read Full Story >>

A Camera With Baby Pictures

I was walking in my neighborhood and found a very nice digital camera on the side of the road. 

To find the original owner, I put up signs in the neighborhood hoping someone would claim it, but nothing.  So I began looking through the pictures (luckily, it was digital). There were a year's worth of baby pictures, of an adorable little boy. And then on June 16 (they were date stamped) there were wedding pictures from a local park.  Lucky find -- I called the park office, and they had received a call from a bride that one of her brides' maids had lost her camera with wedding pictures on it!

The park arranged to get the camera to the bride so she could send it to the owner.  In the camera bag, I placed a "Smile" card.  I hope the owner finds a chance to tag the next person with a smile.

Reno Winnings

Some years ago there transpired a single event that changed my life to do this day.  Rarely do I share this story.  My ex and I had gone on a Reno gambling bus tour.  We took what we could afford to lose and successfully lost every penny of it.   We had a nice dinner at the hotel before we boarded the bus and returned home to El Cerrito, CA.  As part of the bus package, we were each given a bag lunch on the return trip (in case we had lost even our shirts, I guess.)  However, we were not hungry and did not eat them. When we got  off the bus at the shopping plaza, I noticed a young mother pushing a shopping cart with a little girl in it.  As we walked on to our car, I overheard the child state in the saddest little voice, "Mama, I 'm ... Read Full Story >>

Not Walked In Their Shoes

As I look back at life, I have good memories and painful ones, like all of us.

I remember when I heard events on the news about certain individuals and what crimes they have committed, and at times have thought they should bring back the death penalty and so on.  I feel embarassed when I think back to those  days. Why? I have a son who is in prison and remember at his trial all the things that were said about him and thinking to myself, "You are so wrong. I know this person.  He's a part of me."

Since that heart breaking day, I vowed never to judge someone for what they have done, for I haven't walked in their shoes.

I've learned so much from my heartbreak.  I'm now an official prison visitor and visit a young man who receives no other visitors.  I realize that people are not always what and who we judge them to be.  There's a bit of good in everyone!

A Simple Wave, Many Years Ago

Last Christmas I was given a great gift.

As I checked out at a local Walgreen's pharmacy, the teen cashier asked me, "Are you Mrs. Peres?"   With a curious smile, I replied, "Yes."  Then he asked me, "Do you remember me?"  Being the joker I am, I looked at his tag and replied, "You're Josh."   This young man's face brightened up with such a smile that I had to tell him the truth -- I did not remember him.

He continued to tell me that when he was about 5 years old he would sit with my daughter on the school bus.  With a pause, he added, "You were the only person that waved at me each and everyday."

The minute he said that my heart sank and filled at the same time.

At first, I felt so very sad and wondered if his childhood was not a good one that a simple wave made his day. Then I filled with tears at the thought that that simple wave made him feel good and stayed with him all this time.

I was sooooo happy to be me at that moment and it was truly the best gift I received last year.

Teaching Kindness, Staying Kind

The other day I decided to teach my son about the power of small acts of kindness.  He had won some lollies in a prize machine in the local supermarket, so I asked him if he would like to share his win with the next child that walks past.  He was hesitant because he is a shy young man but said yes after I encouraged him a bit. A father and his child were nearby.  I approached the father and asked if my son could give his daughter a lolly that he had won.  The father looked at me sideways and was unsure what to say.  I further explained how I was coaching my son about the power of kindness.  Eventually he said it was okay. We approached his daughter ... who wouldn’t accept the lollies!  She too was looking at us sideways with uncertainty!  At this stage my son was rather ... Read Full Story >>

Remembering Birthdays

I have this habit of remembering birthdays of all the people I know, whether they're my friends or foes.  Birthdays are the days when we can make the other person feel that they are really special and making them happy is my motive.

Last August 6, it was one of my friends birthday and I remembered and sent  her an SMS text message and also spoke to her.   She was stunned and surprised to hear my voice even though I hadn't spoken to her in four month or so.  She was too happy and said that she dint expect my wishes.. and that I had made her feel really special.

I know I didn't do anything big but that little phone call made all the difference. Birthday was hers but I was the one left feeling happy!

The Best Dollar I Ever Spent

I am a resource officer at a school district.  Last year I met one little boy in particular to whom my heart just went out to.  He would talk to me every single day, and always seemed to have a smile on his face.  He has a problem with stuttering extremely bad when he tries to talk.  It's really hard sometimes to understand what he is saying, although he loves to tell you big tales!  Well, this morning, I was talking to a couple teachers who were running the school store.  He stopped by and said hello to all of us.  They told me after he left that he stops every day they are there and asks them if they will be there the next day.  But of course, he never has the money to be able to buy anything.  I decided I would get him a little something just ... Read Full Story >>

The License Plate Of A Car

What is a hero but someone who helps us feel safe, however that is done.  Sometimes by an act of bravery, sometimes by giving their life, and sometimes by an everday gift of welcome.  However one is described, where heroes are concerned, bacause of each one,  the world is inevitably a safer place.  She did not draw attention to herself in any way, it just is not who she is.  But she gives attention daily in doses sometimes that go unnoticed, except that you always feel better having simply been around her.  Her name is Lucy.  She came up to me and introduced herself and asked if I knew the time of day.  Funny, but even as she asked, I suspected she meant more than the hour on my watch.  I had just finished teaching a class for the summer.  I had taken the job to fill in for the regular ... Read Full Story >>

Late Night Dinner With Scott, Maia and the Host

Last week, while visiting my Dad in Washington State with my daughter, we went to a local restaurant for a late dinner.  When our host seated us, my dad asked him if there were any military having a meal in the establishment.  The host said there was a soldier eating dinner with his friend.  My dad told the host to tell the soldier and his friend that their dinner was paid for and that we should get dessert too!  He also stated that he did not want to be identified as the benefactor. Our waitress, who witnessed this as well, commented on my dad's thoughtful "thank you" to this soldier, saying that she hadn't seen anything more profound.   At a local college, she was an Opera Major and as her humble way to thank my Dad, she performed a small piece of "The Pearl Fisherman."   Her voice brought me to tears ... Read Full Story >>

A Young Man and the Starfish

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.  One day he was walking along the shore.  As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.  As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.  As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean." "I guess I should have asked, ... Read Full Story >>

Lost & Found On the Streets of Turkey

I'm a study abroad exchange student from New York studying in Turkey. A few days ago, I was feeling really down and homesick when I found five lira on the ground (the Turkish currency). The five lira cheered me up so much that I decided to try and spread the wealth to make people smile. Around the corner, is a little boy who sells bottled water all day and has a bathroom scale that you can pay to use. I'm sure he works for his family so I wanted to bring him something that could be all his. I bought a candy bar at the store. When I passed him, I tried to give him the candy bar. He smiled, but he didn't understand. I don't speak much Turkish, so my friends told him in Turkish that I didn't want it anymore and asked him if he wanted it. He looked ... Read Full Story >>

Nails in the Fence

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper.  His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.  He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The ... Read Full Story >>

An Antique Coke Bottle

Some 20 years ago, I went to a huge antique show at the local fairgrounds. After perhaps an hour of shopping, I found a nice collectible Coke bottle and since it bore no price tag, I asked the older gentleman behind the table how much he wanted for it.  He told me it was $5.00, and since that was a good price, I bought it, and put it in my bag with my other purchases. This antique show was the largest in the state, boasting thousands of dealers, and 7.2 miles of tables. Perhaps 45 minutes later, I had shopped most of my way through the next exposition hall, and spotted another item which caught my interest.  I wanted to ask the seller about it, but he was talking with another customer, so I stood and waited for him to finish. He was speaking with a young lady who sounded quite upset.   "I ... Read Full Story >>

The Neighborhood Flower Lady

When I was an at-home mom, there were times I wished I could buy some beautiful flowers, but money spent there was needed in the home. I remember when walking into town with the family, as we often did  when we didn't have a car, my youngest daughter would always carry sticks when we walked. One of her many nicknames as a toddler was Stick Girl. One day when passing the Flower Lady with Stick Girl, The Flower Lady smiled at her and said, "Come here, I have something for you." She handed my daughter a beautiful long stemmed flower. My daughter dropped that stick and carried that flower from Grant Circle to the Boulevard and back home. We placed it in water and enjoyed the beauty of that flower along with the feelings of warmth and kindness from the Flower Lady. Folks in our neighborhood would just run to her ... Read Full Story >>