Stories of Kindness from Around the World

After Two Years Of ...

After two years of no lessons (covid), today found me in my harp teacher’s studio. We got a broken string restrung and new pieces fingered. Hospice called and asked me to play at a memorial in November. I said yes.

I am too tired to resume bedside playing at this point, but am happy to work on getting my skills back and to play for the crew of critters in my home.


457 Reads

Kindred Spirits 💕

The Storehouse recently held an open house to showcase the new addition with its extra storage, shelving, coats of sky blue paint, organization and a major cleaning. Sharing our volunteer spirit, we gathered around the photo display boards and cookie platters, commenting on how it all came together so beautifully. It took months, but with the helpful support of numerous folks, it got done! Many thanks to MisterM who not only insulated the new addition, but painted the floor (and I got to sprinkle the paint chip accents on it!) and put together some of the shelving along with our son - who helped while on his last visit. Not only does the Storehouse provide a food pantry and free-of-charge goods outlet, it encourages friendship and camaraderie. We are grateful to be developing deeper relationships with fellow team members  - such kindred spirits! Near and far, my friends, start where you stand and reach out a ... Read Full Story >>

474 Reads

Contributing To The Local Newspaper

Since moving to a new county, we have received a free fortnightly local newsheet called Bishop Press. In today's addition they talked about a membership scheme they have set up. People who can't afford to pay the membership will still receive a free copy.

We are blessed to be in a position where we can contribute more than requested. So I have set up an annual direct debit. They also asked if we could contribute in other ways so I have offered to write as well as photograph.

351 Reads

😊 Random Acts Of ...

😊 Random acts of Positive Post-Its made and shared as we journeyed.

The lovely autumn colors were an inspirational balm to my spirit.

Grateful to have had the time and opportunity to express my appreciation and then SHARE! 🍁


334 Reads

Lots Of Opportunities For ...

Lots of opportunities for kindness today:

Went to a cafe to meet a friend. We had some misunderstandings to talk through. She didn't show up so I texted her to see if she was ok and still coming. She had gotten distracted by life events and forgot. We got on the phone and talked things out, both admitting and forgiving mistakes. We talked about the power of positivity.

Saw two women sitting in the cafe that I have seen there before. So I went over and said hello. Gave them each a dove and quote cards. Chatted some more.

Went to get blood drawn and gave the receptionist and phylbotomist doves and quote cards. Both were really touched.

Gave my dog part of my sandwich 😁

It was a good and happy day!


462 Reads

Just one song

As the foreign English teacher at my school in Japan, I have a weekly English music broadcast where I showcase different English songs. I try to get the students to recommend songs to me for the broadcast. At the broadcast, I usually announce who recommended the song and then play it for everyone to hear during lunch time. I give everyone a chance to share themselves through their music, including one tough student of mine. This student constantly gets into fights with the other students, doesn`t study, and brings down the energy of the class. Most of the other teachers and students push him away. I knew though that he just needed a friend, or at least someone he can connect with. I could tell he was warming up to me over the last year. I told him to think of a song he likes that has some English words in ... Read Full Story >>

1653 Reads

Lil Bits For Oct 20

Handed out pairs of soap to sanitation and construction workers. They also asked for masks that I may provide next time. They are making fertilizers out of unused vegetable waste and food. I intend to buy their fertilizer and use it in the future. I also want to learn how to make fertilizer out of cat poop.  An altercation happened at the mobile payment office between an older man (customer) and a younger woman staff. I heard both sides calmly and tried my best to diffuse the aged person's frustration and the younger woman's distress. Patience is truly a virtue. Had my third round of the rabies vaccine yesterday. Waiting for the cat bag to arrive so I can carry my lil one around ... no point in her being home alone when she`s awake. After I get the cat bag, she can come with me for walks in the morning and the ... Read Full Story >>

445 Reads

Apples For The Soul

It is a long journey to become a giver after being a taker all of my life, but I believe in taking baby steps everyday, whenever possible, will bring us to where want to be.

This brings me to today`s baby step:

I passed out local apples to my coworkers that I originally bought for myself. Not sure if anyone noticed or cared after saying "thank you," but it felt good to get my mind off of myself, even if just for a split second.

544 Reads

Balloons For Happiness!!I Saw ...

Balloons for Happiness!!

I saw a child on the road
He had some balloons on his hands
His eyes were searching for a hand
That can fulfill his demands
But no one was looking at his hands
As he was wondering around
Finally, I crossed the road
And held both of his hands
Asked him what he needs
He didn’t have any greed
Wanted to finish his deed

I bought all the balloons and gave him some chocolate and mango drinks. He thanked me with a beautiful smile.


530 Reads

Being Heard…..

We have a neighbor, who became a friend, who comes over at the end of each week…she stays about 30 minutes or so. She’s a good talker, lol, & always interesting. An extremely kind person & very generous to others on a regular basis. Very positive energy 👌🏻 Over time I’ve noticed she has opened up more & seems to need to share about anything might be causing her some stress during the week. I’m glad she trusts us enough now to feel safe & knows we stay fully present & listen without judgement. When she finishes sharing I give her any thoughts about her stressor that might be useful for her to consider. We all need a safe place to share & am grateful for my friends who truly listen without judging & often help me see things differently, who are supportive & often make me feel comfortable with how I might be ... Read Full Story >>

607 Reads

Yay, A Cinnamon Roll!

Our recent journey thankfully transformed our previous “road of woe” into a new one of "yay, a cinnamon roll!” Cost cutting, broken supply chain, whatever the reason, every morning I’d wake up hopeful of enjoying a warm cinnamon roll at the hotel we were presently staying in, but alas, no special treat. Always grateful for the hot coffee and other complimentary offerings, I’d tuck a tip into an origami dove as an appreciation for the breakfast hostess, plus a tip for housekeeping. Our last morning on the road, I stepped out into the hall and ah…I could smell the fragrance of cinnamon! Could it be??? Yes! A whole trayful of delicious warm cinnamon rolls! I only needed one, but oh, was it good! And Linda - the best breakfast hostess we’ve had in a long while, cheerfully greeted everyone, asked if anyone needed anything and made us all feel like we were enjoying breakfast in ... Read Full Story >>

462 Reads

Purchased Calendars From My Favorite Charity

Today I purchased a few calendars as gifts for friends and family from my favorite charity, where every dollar goes towards rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming greyhounds in need. As the great Mahatma Gandhi said, "[The] greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated". Greyhounds are incredible dogs, but they're horribly misunderstood. While yes, they are lightning fast, they are actually lazy, 40mph couch potatoes -- or 65kmh for our metric measuring friends :) They are loving, curious, intelligent, and just as deserving of warm, loving homes as the rest of the canine world. I was once told that greyhounds are proof that dragons once existed --they're still just as magical, they simply lost their wings. https://greyhoundrescue.com.au/ is the non-profit group that I frequently donate to, and all of their loving, altruistic work helps these amazing dogs transition from the tracks to people's couches. I'm ... Read Full Story >>

675 Reads

Portland Friend Struggling To Breathe

Sent my friend Oscar in Portland more masks. The air quality there has been really bad and he's gone through the 3m masks we sent.

He said his lungs, eyes, and chest hurt but now even his saliva tastes like smoke. So we sent more n95 to replace them. There's an inversion happening that is trapping the air there. If you believe in prayer or sending light, please do so for Oscar and all those who have no homes during this time. Thanks so much.

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2022/10/air-quality-is-unhealthy-even-hazardous-in-parts-of-portland-metro-limit-time-outdoors-for-now.html

492 Reads

Forgiveness

Last Sunday, I was standing still and watching traffic, so I could cross the road. Traffic was coming from right side. When I saw it was safer, I moved just a step forward. All of a sudden a scooter driver came from the wrong (left) side. He slightly brushed me on my right leg. Thank God, he came from the left side (wrong side, so he has to drive against oncoming traffic which is why he was driving slowly). I had open bleeding wounds. The driver drove me to a nearby drug store to buy cotton bandage and alcohol wipes. Driver tried to pay for my purchase, but I did not let him. Letting him pay may create inferiority complex in him and also make him feel guilty as well. I gave some quote cards to the driver and told him not to worry. I also gave quote cards to the shopper. Nothing in ... Read Full Story >>

1153 Reads

For The Kids

I`m an American that teaches English at a public school in Japan. The job is easy and not much is required outside of the classroom. Oftentimes, the other foreign English teachers complain about being left out of the school community and not feeling like they contribute much to the students lives. I decided to challenge that.

Once a week, I`ve been volunteering for the schools Judo club. Everyone gets something out of this: I get to learn judo, the students get to practice their English/ interact with a foreigner outside of the classroom, and intercultural connections are made.

It only takes an hour and a half out of my week, but I can see a difference in the students when I enter the classroom. They`re genuinely happy to have me there, they`re more interested in what happens in the rest of the world, and they`re making life long memories with me. Seeing this change has also helped me enjoy my job more and inspires me to be even better at what I do.

It`s amazing how such a small commitment makes a difference in students lives.

595 Reads

Friendship Kind Acts

The day last week when Mindy was in town was a day that provided so many opportunities for kindness...

As I was going to meet with Mindy and friends it was raining. A woman loaded down with groceries was walking. She waved me down and offered to pay me to take her less than a half mile away . Of course I told her to get into the car... No payment needed

Shared some give away blouses with a friend and drove her home after our lunch

Gave Mindy tomatoes and more

We all chatted and laughed. Realized how strong we all are

Tipped out table bus lady

Received as much or more than I gave in kind friendship

Such a great day

643 Reads

Kind Bits

Handed out a Holi gift box to my security's family for Deepavali so that the kids can try their hand on Rangoli (beautiful geometrical designs on the ground). We use rice flour in my town but since I am not able to do these, I handed out the organic colours for the lil girls of the security try then with the help of their mother. I buy snacks and sweets from my elderly caterer to give business to his relative? I hope to connect with the plant guy and fix plants in the city shortly. This is how I wish to give back to my hometown. Hopefully next week 🙏

552 Reads

Survivors 🙏

Seems every ONE of us has a story, and considering the challenges of the last few CoVid years, the connecting thread is, drumroll please…SURVIVAL! We survived! Hardships, sorrows, health challenges, lessons learned, and things we are still trying to figure out, it all adds up to a sort of bewildered state of being that has left us teetering on the edge of a new balance. I cannot begin to tell you how each HUG felt as we reconnected with old friends. Scattering gifts, books, Peace doves, Rajni quote cards, tips to hotel housekeeping and receiving gifts of home-grown tomatoes (thanks Mr. Joy!), a woven bracelet (thank you Joy!), canned tomato juice, restaurant meals, bookmarks…it is ALL a beautiful circle of friendship. And you know something, as awful as some of the challenges our friends have faced in the last few years, their focus of kindness and giving back is stronger than ever, putting into action ... Read Full Story >>

575 Reads

Remember The Butterfly Release ...

Remember the butterfly release issue at my local hospice — the release I have spoke against for the last three years? I just got news that it no longer will happen!

I am so happy. It was first my lone voice. Then the next year a letter in the paper. Last year I wrote on their facebook page and referenced my researched letter about these releases and other people wrote in asking them to stop it.

Finally, they did. Only one person was still in favor of it — the person who began it. I am so glad this event is over.

May the factory farming of butterflies stop everywhere.

My marigolds say hi to all of you!
 

289 Reads

And the Gifts keep Giving

Some recent 62-gifts update though I'll probably just call it something else. I don't ever want to stop doing this.

Created a poster for a friend.

Did some volunteer biographer transcription last week and will again tomorrow. Also some for service space on Monday.

Gave to NaNoWriMo (small amount).

Listened deeply and with all my heart to a family member and a friend, both going through difficult times. I've learned it helps to ask first, "Are we problem-solving or do you just need to vent?" I tend to want to jump in and fix things, and that may be the last thing they need.

Volunteered to be a reader for Recording Recreational Reading for the Blind.

♥.

347 Reads




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