Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Clearing Out The Heart

I'll be moving soon so decided to clear out my cupbaords before moving.  I was amazed at how much stuff I had stored away.  I decided, with the rest of the staff at work, to collect for the Red Cross Children's hospital.  We just recently took 4 boxes of goodies to them and what a wonderful feeling.  These children, some of them terminally ill, are from the poorest of the poorest, and did they enjoy all the toys, videos and clothes that we collected. I truly believe that we carry or keep too many material things in our lives.  And that hogs up a lot of energy.  I can't tell you how great it felt to a)  give to those less fortunate and see the joy on their faces and b) to learn that I don't need so many material things in my life, that I don't use.  Its been extremely ... Read Full Story >>

A Simple Card For a Beautician

This week I felt I wanted to treat myself to some ‘beautician treatment’. I am house bound, so knew that I’d have to pay for the beautician to travel to our place, but that was okay by me, after all this was a treat.   That day I had an appointment made, and was expecting at least a 2 week wait, but to my surprise, was told she’d be here at 3:30 that same day. She came by, and spent an hour with me, when she was finished, I handed her $50; $30 for treatment, $20 for petrol and traveling time. She turned to me, and handed me back the $20 and said ‘don’t worry about the travel’.   I am unable to talk, so was left to convey my gratefulness and appreciation with my eyes and a warm smile. She politely left, smiling, but I didn’t feel satisfied. Did she really know how grateful I was ... Read Full Story >>

First Time I Did Something Kind

Many times when I see a needy person on the roadside, I feel like helping them in someway but this always remains in the thoughts and could never turn it into action. Donno what stops me from taking that one step further to extend my helping hand to those people whom I could have surely helped. After signing to Helpothers.org, I have changed a bit :) I made up my mind to utilize any opportunity to do something small but beautiful thing to help someone in need. On a sunday evening, I was out with my kid and wife, spending our time enjoying playing in garden and going to temple and eating ice cream. This is sort of our every week routine as I get little time with my child. There as we parked our car and stopped to have icecream and other stuff, a poor girl comes close to our car ... Read Full Story >>

An Old Man's Can of Oil

Wherever he went, he carried it with him.  If he found a door that was squeaking, he would put a spot of oil on the hinges; if a neighbour's sewing machine wasn't running smoothly, he was always ready with his oil can; and all the boys in the neighbourhood knew where to go if their bikes were needing attention.

As the old man went through life, he and his oil can were always there to make life pleasanter and easier for those with whom he came into contact.

It is only a story I've heard, but perhaps some of the folk we meet have problems that make their life difficult and irritable.  And perhaps, like that old man, we can lubricate it with the oil of kindness, gentleness and thoughtfulness.

If we have our own can of oil ready for such occasions, what a difference it can make!

Grocery Store Flower Bouquet

Many years ago, my husband and I were at a neighborhood grocery store with our two sons.  My elder son has Downs Syndrome and his baby brother was  also diagnosed with mild autism a few years later.

Right as we were passing the floral department, a lady who worked there, handed me a bouquet of flowers.  Unexpectedly.  "These are for you," she said.  "I've been looking for someone to give these to!"   She said she would tell the cashier at the checkout  that they were free.

The gesture brought tears to my eyes. 

My son with Downs Syndrome is now 12 years old and my "baby" is 8.  I draw on this kind incident to give me strength when people have given me rude and even verbally abusive comments, when my children have had problems being in public. 

Receiving those flowers has really made a deep impression on my life.  Thank you, to that kind lady in the floral department that day!

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 >>