Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Purple and Orange Haired Girl

While grocery shopping the other day I came across an odd looking girl.  She was at the end of the isle I was walking down. She had Spikey Purple and orange Hair, wore a  black leather jacket with silver chains, tight pants and then combat boots. As I got closer to her I noticed wild black makeup and piercings on her face.  I have to say, she was a little scary looking!

I tried to clear my mind of her appearance. I did and then I looked right in her eyes, smiled and said "How ya doing?"  I think I shocked her, she was silent for a moment and then said "Pretty good, it's a nice day out there isn't it?"

Small chit chat, but I'm glad I was able to see beyond her appearance and just say hi to her. It's strange how this generation is dressing, but then I guess I might have looked odd to the elders of my generation too...in my poofy hair, blue eye-makeup, tight pants and baggy shirts!

Optimist's Creed

I recently received quote by Dr. Carlson and was so moved that I memorized it within the week.  I attempt to live every day by this simple, yet powerful creed. I Promise Myself.... To be so strong that nothing will disturb my peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person I meet. To make all of my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet. To give so much time to improving ... Read Full Story >>

Lo(o)se Change

Last week, I was out at the beach with my friend and her sister. We had a great time wading right into the ocean, going on the merry-go-rounds, shooting water balloons and eating popcorn and cotton candy.   It was like being back in one of our high school carnivals! That was when I saw two little boys in grubby shirts. They didn't have shoes on and their hair looked totally dishevelled.  Most likely they were popcorn of candy vendors, but one can't be sure. I saw them emptying their pockets, looking at some food stalls, starting to count the spare change in their pockets. Something about this scene really went straight to my heart.  Just across the beach is this really big mall where people spend thousands of rupees buying branded goods.  Man, the inequality in the world is enormous. I didn't want to offend the small boys by handing them money.  So I ... Read Full Story >>

From One Dog to Another

My dear friend has 2 little maltese gal dogs. She got the first adorable one a few years ago and added the second for company. For the dogs, it was "love at first sight" ... they play together, sleep together, and share everything! Soon after, the first little angel went in for tooth surgery. It went well.   She had been wrapped with a heated towel and brought her home.  Nothing unusual. Next day, when they had company over at their house, the second dog would not stop barking and tugging.  They tried their best to get her to stop barking, but she wouldn't stop creating a major scene! Then, my friend got up and started to follow her dog.  They went to the master bedroom and to the bed -- no dog!  So she bends down to peak under and there is her first beloved dog shivering, whimpering and curled in a ball in the center ... unreachable! Immediately, ... Read Full Story >>

A Twenty In His Hands

This past weekend my daughter and I were at a grocery store shopping for some goodies in preparation for visiting my mom and grandmother.

As we were standing at rack trying to decide what to get, I looked up an saw an elderly gentleman pick up a tomato  and weigh it. He then began counting coins in his hand to see if he had enough.

My daughter and I both looked at each other.  We understood and smiled.  She said, "How much?"  I said, "Um, about 20?"  She agreed, so I pulled out a $20 bill,  walked over put in the gentleman's hand and closed his fingers. 

He looked at me astonished and speechless, as his eyes began to water. 

I looked him and gently said, "Enjoy.  And have a pie on us."

We picked up our shopping goodies, left the store with big smiles, and felt blessed to have run into that old man.

The Next Door Blessing

When we moved into our new home in January, we didn't really know what we were getting into.  We just knew that we were getting the deal of a life time and so when our offer was accepted, we couldn't refuse!  We jumped on it and thought that, that would be that. Our next door neighbors weren't exactly part of the deal but they ended up being the best blessing! Since that day, we have now become family.  With every little special occasion or event in our lives, they are there to share the joy with us and they have helped us in so many ways that we some times find it hard to believe. I've never had my license and even though I wanted to get one, the thought of the cost of a car, insurance and all that just over whelmed me, but with the help of our new family I ... Read Full Story >>

Kind Words At Walmart

While I was at  Walmart with my mom, a very young mother came in strolling her little girl.  The little girl  had been severely burned.  Most people stared, whispered or looked away quickly as the young mother tried not to pay attention.

My mom bent down to the little girl in the stroller and said  "what a beautiful dress you are wearing" and touched the frilly little dress. 

You should have seen the young mother.   She was so proud and was beaming with a huge smile.   We walked away, as she said, "thank you so much" to my mom with her full heart.

Finding Nemo On the Cricket Grounds

On Thursday, I volunteered to go down to my local sports youth training night, and was doing the usual things: chasing around looking for different-sized and different-coloured cones, and throwing balls at the smallest five-year olds who couldn't catch them. 

When I looked over to the Cricket nets (yes, I'm English and I play Cricket :)) at the other side of the field, there he was -- a tiny young lad called Nemo, half Sri Lankan and half German, who was trying his heart out to compete with the better players on the grounds.

The ridicule that he suffered reminded me of myself a couple of years ago, when I was at that age (I'm16 now).  Worst part is the torment of being bad at something that you love with all your heart and soul.

So I went over to him, and had a small one-on-one coaching session with him for about half an hour.

When I saw his little face light up with delight as he got it right, I realised the reason why I was volunteered in the first place -- not to help because it made me look good or impressed everyone, but because an act of kindness is in itself rewarding.

Turn Your Lights Off!

While I was walking into work, I noticed someone had left their lights on. I noted the car, the color, the make, the license plate and provided that information to Security who has our cars, license plate and employee numbers on file.

They immediately  contacted the car owner to go turn his car lights off. It was a simple, easy thing for me to do. It saved that person finding his car battery dead and having to re-charge it in the cold rain that evening.

Welcome Gift For A New Neighbor

A new neighbour has moved into the bungalow that an old friend used to occupy.  He was always popping over with fruits from his garden, films of  his world travel and sometimes just  for a cup of tea and a chat.  He suddenly died and it was so sad to see his empty property.

Now a lady has moved in.  So I went over and introduced myself -- she is a lovely friendly person.  While she was out, I went over and popped a  "welcome to your new home" card through the door, left a bunch of flowers and a smile  card on her doorstep.

When I returned later that day she was laughing and chatting with another neighbour about who could have left the gift.   We all ended up laughing and smiling.  And it looks like the start of a happy friendship.  It is so important to create relationships with your neighbours.

A little thought is often all that's required.

Giggles For Breakfast :-)

I had a job that started at 5 a.m.and one morning left early to get gas.  As I was walking in to pre-pay, I noticed this eldery gentleman, dressed kind of scrufffy and sitting next to a bike.  My first thought was he was homeless and I watched him while pumping gas -- he seemed just to watch everyone coming in and out of the mini-store.  I filled up and went back inside to get my change and he watched me enter and was on my mind in the store.  I looked around for something that would be appropriate to give him to eat at 4:30 in the morning.  They only had cooked hot dogs, so I bought 2, put some toppings on them and went to him outside and said, "Good Morning" and started to hand him the hot dogs.  He looked at me kinda puzzled and said "What are those for?" ... Read Full Story >>

Whales of Gratitude

On Thursday, Dec 14, 2005, a female humpback whale became entangled in a web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat.  She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, binding her tail, her torso, and a line tugging in her mouth.  A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralone Islands (outside of the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.  Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was in such bad shape, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her--a very dangerous proposition.  One slap of her tail could kill a rescuer.  They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say, she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and ... Read Full Story >>

Not All Skateboarders Are Hooligans!

Last week I went with my boyfriend to visit the first town that he lived in -- a very small town along the Oregon Coast, when he moved from Korea to United States as a child. We went to the skate park that he had helped the city build as a teenager. While we were there, there was a 10 years old boy who really took a liking to my boyfriend. For some reason, they just got along.  Maybe because he was older and skating, it gave the kid someone to look up to. After they rolled around on the crappy cement for an hour or so, we were getting ready to leave. My boyfriend noticed that this boy's skateboard was in very bad shape.  So as we said our goodbye he handed the kid his skateboard, which was pretty much brand new and expensive.  With that childlike awe, the 10-year-old ... Read Full Story >>

Signs Of Life

  As soft as a newborn’s cooing,  silence was broken, my ears tingling with joy from life all around me.   I heard the birds singing, and the cicadas humming.   An occasional car passing on the highway, its tires whirring against concrete.   A dog barking somewhere close by and the “bob-white” of a quail in the distance.   My telephone jingling on the base, awaiting my greeting to the caller.   The good morning meows of my cats as they anxiously awaited breakfast of crunchy nibble.   I smelled the freshness of soap and water wafting out from the bathroom door.   The sweet tartness of applesauce as it simmered on my stovetop.   I smelled coffee brewing in the kitchen, the aroma taking my memories back to my days of youth and evenings spent with my grandparents.   Flowers sporting their sweet scents each proudly reaching up toward the sunny sky.   Freshly laundered clothes tossing and bouncing around in the clothes dryer.   I watched my brown and white puppy chasing flies around and around in his kennel.   I watched in amusement as my yellow kitten bathed himself, meticulously caressing his paws and tail.   I ... Read Full Story >>

Raisinettes With My Daughter

At the local Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in my city center, one thing's for sure -- I will find a young anxious teen fundraising. It's the hub for school teams and local organizations.  At anytime day or night, you can find children of all ages, selling processed nuts, candy, cookies or popcorn.  It's not so easy to sell those to ATM clients, and I feel their uneasiness as they look at you with big pleading eyes.  Everyone dodges eye contact with the kids and that only makes it worse. Today was no exception.  My heart began to skip a beat or two, as I approached the ATM.   It was getting dark and the young boy had a box half filled with chocolate covered raisins. I asked him, "How much for each box of raisinettes?"  He said, "Two dollars".  I said, “I'll tell you what.  I will buy the rest of the box, ... Read Full Story >>

An Unexpected Dollar

Our department took the day off and went to the ball game together as a team building activity. We had a ball (pun intended). I made sure to pack sun tan lotion, extra gum, raw almonds, a second hat and some water so I could share with those that forgot.  And some did forget, so I felt good to lend or give away what I had brought. Later during the game, a group of us made a bee-line for the concession stands as they wanted beer and some other mixed drinks.  I was drinking water so did not buy anything but I did notice that there was no tip jar for the two women manning the crowded drinks booth. When I went up later with another co-worker who ordered a margarita (and the line was snaked around the stand and outside), I saw the 2 older women behind the booth.   I pulled out ... Read Full Story >>

If You Were Their Mother and They Were Your Child

[ A meditation on loving kindness. ] Please put the attention on the breath for just a moment. Think of yourself as your own mother and your own child. The child that wants entertainment and distraction is looking for pleasure, and the mother who loves the child completely, no matter what the child does, and has enough wisdom to guide the child along the right path. Feel the love of a mother for yourself; all-embracing, all-encompassing, always helpful, caring, concerned, soothing and supportive. Now think of the person sitting nearest you as your own child, and you are the mother, embracing, supporting and caring, wanting to help, being concerned. Now think of yourself as the mother of everyone here. Embrace each person with a feeling of warmth and care, support and helpfulness, the completeness of love, just as a mother has. Think of your parents reversing the roles. You are the mother; they are your ... Read Full Story >>

An Old Habit and Ten Bucks

As I was sitting outside on the bench in front of the thrift store, a car pulled up and a woman stepped out with donations for our small mission. I got up to help her carry in her gifts.

As I helped her, I noticed two $5.00 bills laying in the street.  You see, it has become a habit of mine to always for trash around my small space because I like things neat and clean.  I think it shows respect for the people who shop at our thrift store.  But as a result, I always look to the ground and that's how I saw the the two five dollar bills.

In a flash, I remembered a yound woman who had went into the beauty shop next door and I remembered her because of her shoes. So I just opened the door and asked if anyone had lost some money.  This yound woman looked down and asked if I had found two $5.00 bills?  Sure enough, she claimed it.

The young woman thanked me and told me it was her lunch money. 

I was really  glad I had this habit of keeping an eye on the ground. :)

Brief Serendipitous Moment

A few weekends ago I went to a Christian women's retreat with my church. It was held at Montauk Manor and I received my own smile and kindess as the church women sponsored me so that I  could attend myself.

After breakfast one morning, I went outside to have a cigarette. I saw a woman standing there, a little disheveled, and seemingly upset. I immediately went over to speak to her.

In a flash she was sharing things with me I am sure few even know. For some reason she felt compelled to speak and I compassionately listenened, offering occasional advice and a promise of prayer.

As I  prepared to say goodbye, I put my arms around her and gave her a hug. When I released her she had tears in her eyes and said, "God sent me an angel today." I had my own tears then.

Even if I don't know her name, I still pray for her and think of her often. I want to perpetuate the kindness for such a troubled soul. Just thinking about the bonding of two souls for a brief  serendipitous moment makes me smile. :)

Jacqui's Ring of Generosity

During one particular hospital stay in November 2006, I met an incredible lady, who I will always remember. Her kindness, and big heart, touched me in a life changing way. I was lying in bed in my room, gazing mindlessly at the bustling people pacing past my door in the corridor. I quite enjoyed this. I’d see all sorts of people; elderly patients walking slowly but intently, their eyes focused on the ground that their feet would soon walk over; frazzled nurse’s striding past clutching their paperwork, cheerful bubbly children. Quite often some one would cast a glance my way and smile, but no one ever came in. However, this one afternoon, a patient who was heading back to her room next door to me, caught my eye and stopped. She came to my door and smiled. I greeted her with a friendly smile and she came in. She sat by my ... Read Full Story >>