A New Easel
y wife, Jane, and I have been married for 36 years so we have heard each others stories many times. We are both artists so many of our retellings revolve around our challenges in becoming and sustaining our artist selves. Jane has told the story many times of her parents birthday present of an easel for her to do her art work when she was still a child. But it wasn't an artist's easel, rather it was the kind of "easel" used typically to display a poster on foam-core board. Hence, flimsy, and unsuited for artists' work, and undeniably cheap. Jane never used it for her art work but she got the message loud and clear that mom and dad did not support her efforts. For an artist the work you do is intimately connected with who you perceive yourself to be, so the mess
- Posted by PeterAllen
- Apr 25, 2018
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Global Postcard Kindness
belong to a group called postcrossing.com that maybe some of you KindSpringers know about. It is a group you join on-line and the organization connects you with people all over the world for sending and receiving postcards. If someone wants a card in an envelope, I will include a peace dove and a KindSpring message. The photo is of my effort to collect cards for my mother's birthday. In my bio I asked people to send me a card for my mother's birthday. She turned 85 and it was a challenge to get that many cards for her -- I collected 76 of them and it took a year. But was she ever surprised at the warm words from all over the globe! She took this photo and put it on her Facebook page. I like it so much that I had to share it with you. Postcrossing is a swe
- Posted by SissyLee
- Nov 18, 2019
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Buttons For Benjamin (update)
65 Small Acts of Kindness in Honor of My Missing Son, Benjamin Morse Archer I'm still keeping my promise to do small acts of kindness for 365 days. I began on February 21st of this year, Ben's birthday. I haven't missed a day. The hardest part I knew would be documenting everything, and I was right. I was getting really overwhelmed and stressed by this. I didn't want to break my promise, so I compromised. I wouldn't write anything down or post blogs, but I would keep my promise by checking in with myself each night before bedtime. At first, I felt like a complete cop-out. I had promised to do this publicly. I was so ashamed, I changed every blog that talked about Buttons for Benjamin into a private admin-view only. I don't think
- Posted by DotMatrix
- Dec 20, 2019
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Cake Anyone? :))
ŸŽ‚ Sunday is my husband’s birthday. I wanted to surprise him with a birthday cake, but since we are “sheltering at home” I can’t go out to the bakery. So I just thought it would be a nice surprise for him and “lighten” what’s going on with all the pandemic concern going on around us. I texted my neighbor and asked her if she might be able to pick one up for me, but only if she went shopping for herself before Sunday, not to make a special trip for it. (She is younger than the 70 and over mandated shelter-at-home folk and does go out to shop.) This was her reply: “Of course! He must have a cake 🎂” When I mentioned about the possibility bakery might be closed due to city virus regulations, she replied:
- Posted by mish
- Apr 19, 2020
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Birthday Sharing
n my daughter’s birthday I packed several cake slices in bowls and drove around, distributing them to those experiencing homelessness. One person asked how old my daughter was, which led us to engage in a small conversation. It was more about an exchange and acknowledgment of the Light within each and every one of us.
- Posted by Butterkind
- Jul 6, 2020
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Gifts Of Food, Time, And Joy In Celebration
visited the supermarket to buy some groceries for a homeless family living across the supermarket, as well as for me. While the cashier was scanning my cart full of groceries, a man came behind me in line with one item. I asked him to allow me to pay. He agreed. I paid, thanked him, and gave him a birthday card, Smile Cards, and bookmarks. Before all my items were scanned, a second man arrived in the line with two small cookie packages. I offered to pay for his items, too. He agreed and gave me his items. After the cashier rang them up and gave them back to me, I returned the cookies to the man. He tried to reimburse me. I asked him not to pay me, but to pay it forward to people in need. I gave him a birthday card, Smile Cards, and bookmarks, too. I gave the g
- Posted by Rajni
- Oct 23, 2020
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Sneaky Gift
drives my mother places she would otherwise not go to – including family events up here in our neck of the woods. Recently, Clara has been undergoing a lot of stress on the home front but she still takes the time to visit my mother and make her feel well cared for. So when I realized that a yoga and meditation retreat was being held up here on the very weekend of my mother’s birthday I immediately contacted Clara and asked her if she would consider driving my mother up for the day. I figured they would both benefit from a yoga retreat. It is also a sneaky way of giving Clara a gift – but that’s because she always refuses anything in return for all the kind and wonderful things she does for my mother! Clara had been struggling to find a good gift
- Posted by guetv
- Jan 9, 2021
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Zest For Life
y aunt's 80th Birthday is coming up and she will have to spend it in the hospital. Fortunately, just a small procedure this time, and she doesn't mind as she does not want many 'official' visitors. But she has had several stays in the hospital during the last months and - while she's usually fairly positive - had to fight very hard to stay positive this time. Even though I know that her daughter and son with their families will call her and welcome her back home two days later I want to make sure she has a nice day and knows that she is loved so very much. So today I packed her Birthday parcel and wrote a card for her. I had a faint memory of a poem I once read which I wanted to include and fortunately found it online. I want to share it with you as wel
- Posted by Balou
- Jul 10, 2021
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Crocheted Hug For 100th Birthday!
Ÿ§¶ Back in September I posted about a “hug” I crocheted for a very special elder, Betty Peck. (see link) https://www.kindspring.org/my/feed/index.php?sid=210680 â¤ï¸Yesterday, she was presented with the hug on her 100th birthday, along with a proclamation from the City of Saratoga, while surrounded by The “Magic Mirror” sisters (and their girls, the next generation of Magic Mirror enthusiasts), who visited her in the nursing home. Photo shows Anne presenting Betty with my hug & card 😊 Grateful for the opportunity to have crocheted this for Betty, thanks to noble friend Anne, one of the Magic Mirror sisters. 🙠(Video link in my Sept. post about the Betty & the Magic Mirror)
- Posted by Mish
- Jan 20, 2022
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Good Neighbors Who Touch The Heart
always tell you how wonderful our neighbors are …..one of them just brought this birthday bundt cake over for my husband that she baked. She came in singing happy birthday 🎶 She’s the one who very often brings over her home-made dinners to us on Fridays. My husband was so touched by her kindness that he started to quietly cry. â¤ï¸When he told her how amazingly kind she is she humbly replied “friendships are the most important things in life.” I had something I had put aside to give her the next time she stopped by, so was able to give them to her as she was leaving 😊
- Posted by Mish
- May 1, 2022
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We All Have Abundance To Share
friends. Seeds harvested from our garden with two different people. Time and energy - for a student who needed to cry (on Friday); for volunteering all weekend. Flowers for an elderly neighbor who is coming home from rehab! Books - I bought a few copies of a book recently written by a friend and have gifted it to several people who will enjoy it. An idea - for friend's birthday is tomorrow. Her young daughter helped me chalk up their sidewalk with birthday message/decorations/artwork while she is out. Stealth kindness is the best!
- Posted by cabbage
- May 10, 2022
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Birthday Celebration By Serving
n my birthday, I visited the Gurudwara with my husband and son and spent some time sitting quietly and listening to the uplifting kirtan sung by the musicians. We then did sewa (service) by serving food to the visitors. Finally, we enjoyed the langar (food) and gave some donations, and then returned home. I am grateful that this serving opportunity is so close to my house as I enjoy serving and so does my family. It is really a blessing.
- Posted by Butterkind
- May 12, 2022
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Birthday Gift #10
produce. Oscar's page on Twitter is @MyHomelessMeals. More than anything, he shows gratitude for every single person who helps him on a daily basis. He always shares what we send if he can, too. He recently joined Service Space because he said their Mission Statement is aligned with his values. He's quite an exceptional young man. ____ About the 62 Gifts. I started giving 62 gifts for my 62nd birthday on March 29th. I'm not doing daily gifts, like Lewski. Instead, I plan to take the entire year and do a total of (at least) 62 gifts. But I have to say, I'm so inspired by Lewski's April RAOKs. And every story here that's about kindness. Thank you, my tribe. ♥.
- Posted by dotmatrix
- May 31, 2022
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I Am Only An Instrument
Gave many more quote cards. Gave money to one lady to continue fruit selling business. Gave donations to needy people. Their smiles are deposited in my heart. June 14 Visited Shakti Mela. Shakti means strength and Mela means Fair. The fair was organized by state to help women sell their products, like clothing, cosmetics, purses, jewelry, food items, etc. Gave more than 150 quote cards, birthday cards, bookmarks and Mindy’s peace dove quote cards. Talked to a boy and his mother about positive thinking and told story and gave booklet on positive thinking. Little later I repeated the same with one girl and her mother. Received smiles and thanks. Complimented some about their nice products and received many smiles in return. Bought a purse and gift envelopes t
- Posted by Rajni
- Jul 24, 2022
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Birthday Gift To Myself
for the gentleman walking in. I reversed direction and followed him back into the store hoping he would place his order at the counter...more and more often people are ordering through the mobile app. As luck would have it, he stepped up to the counter. After he ordered his drink I stepped in and said, "may I buy your drink for you?" He asked why. I replied, "it would be your birthday gift to me." The barista looked a little confused, but he got it and gladly accepted. Giving and receiving...it's a lovely dance.
- Posted by cyctw
- Sep 24, 2022
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Daughter’s 6th Birthday Surprise!
omorrow is my daughter’s 6th birthday, and I am surprising her with this little mailbox, along with a card and some treats and her party of course. It’s really cool, the storybook comes with the kit about a magical fairy and mailbox that parents are welcome to use. I am hoping to use this throughout the years to keep us writing ✍️ on pen and paper. Old school rocks!
- Posted by Scully
- Oct 15, 2022
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Some Things Don't Change
ur kind next-door neighbor (on occasions she brought us home-made soup, chocolate and some of her party food not long ago) celebrated her birthday recently and although I don't feel well due to my treatment, I brought her some flowers to say happy birthday and thank you for her kindness. We also left some muffins this week for them on the wall between us to enjoy as a thank-you treat. It's so wonderful to be reminded of kindness in the world. Our worlds can change, but sincere kindness stays the same.
- Posted by petroskryf
- Oct 17, 2022
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Giving And Receiving
❤️ Two unexpected kindness gifts came in the mail Saturday…a sweet handmade little elephant that is so adorable, and a quite informative & interesting book. Both gifts came with lovely notes from two kind friends. 🧶 I finished crocheting a baby blanket & began a new hug. Part of my crochet joy is the giving away part 🎈 A good friend was celebrating her 64th birthday Sunday & we were invited to join her & her husband at a lovely little Greek restaurant for her birthday dinner. Unbeknownst to us, my husband had arranged to pay the bill when he supposedly left the table at the end of the meal to use the rest room. When our friends asked the waiter for the bill he smiled & said “it’s already been taken care of” 😊
- Posted by Mish
- Apr 16, 2023
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Ripples And Ripples
that most people greeted him but could not spare a little change to buy his magazine... Bought a copy of his magazine and told him to buy himself a cup of coffee with the rest of the change from the banknote I gave him. Have promised him an old bicycle as well which is just basically lying around. Perfect for his wife or daughter. He appreciated that very much. Also bought some chocccies and birthday flowers for my lovely 80 year old neighbour and gave the florist a tip. Smiles all round. Got a lovely card from my neighbour today. (HE was absolutely thrilled to get his birthday flowers 😊)
- Posted by 4abetterworld
- Apr 27, 2023
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A Good Day
️ Kindness makes EVERY day a GOOD day ❤️ Received: Our kind neighbor baked a birthday cake for hubby & brought it over with her weekly Friday night dinner that she generously gifts us. 🎂 She walk-in in singing 🎶 Happy Birthday! 😊 Given: I surprised our next door neighbor with a little gift for her 10 year old grandson who is often there (a Pez dispenser with a few packs of Pez…can’t believe they are still around…they were popular when I was a kid decades ago, lol) & a bag of good Jelly Beans for the family. I also brought them some bananas 🍌 & a two peppers 🫑. They came out to thank me & we had a nice chat. She told me they always have jelly beans around Easter 🐣. (I almost kept that bag for myself, but knew
- Posted by Mish
- May 4, 2023
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Supporting Environmental Projects
hen the repayments come in at the end of the month from lendwithcare - I usually find I have enough funds to lend to four more people or groups. Today was no exception and I immediately lent the minimum amount to a lady entrepreneur who was expanding her farm to help with her family. Then I noticed four groups of people who wanted loans for solar panels. I decided as it is my birthday in the coming week, I would make a loan to all four groups using some of my birthday money as well as the credit I already had. I'm really glad when I can support environmental projects especially when it helps them to improve and help their own community.
- Posted by Helenconnell2
- Aug 7, 2023
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Birthday Gifts
gifted cupcakes on my birthday to the therapists I work with. I comforted a friend who was anguished over circumstances in his life. Chattered with the squirrels in my front yard...thank TH for that inspiration. I started putting together a basket of bracelets and peace doves to leave at the YMCA for people to take one. Gave a good friend a load of asiago chibatta bread
- Posted by drjoybug
- Sep 11, 2023
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Birthday Festivity
ur foreign language teacher's birthday was yesterday. She is such a lovely person and I wanted to do something to help her celebrate. I baked an apple tart with heirloom apples purchased from the farmer's market. It was the first time that I made this recipe and it was hit all the way around. One more happy celebration for her!
- Posted by gardengal10
- Jan 6, 2024
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Twice Is Nice KindnessI ...
wice Is Nice Kindness I celebrated November 30, my father's Birthday and December 1st my brother's Birthday by giving away Groceries, slippers, T-Shirts, pants, biscuits packets and milk to needy people. Shopping Kindness image posted yesterday shows some items, but not the groceries. On November 30, I gave stuff in Navrangpura. I live in that region of Ahmedabad. On December 1st, my divine sister, her husband and son took me to Thaltej town about half an hour drive by rikshaw. All the needy people were thankful to us. I went there for the first time. We bought groceries in Navrangpura and took them with us. I am grateful to my Divine sister and her family. I am grateful to Sri Sathya Sai Baba for all the opportunities sending my way and His help and guida
- Posted by Rajni
- Mar 30, 2024
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Veras Birthday
have returned. we went to see her sister Vera in the nursing home. I missed her birthday but my son had bought her a McDonald cake. she really liked it. and we left the rest of it for the other residents and staff. I asked first if i could leave it and they said it would make people happy and of course i told them that is our mission. Have a wonderful day! :)
- Posted by michelelpurce
- Aug 22, 2024
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Kindness At The Utthan Picnic
dove quote card and bookmarks to the manager to share with others. We exchanged phone numbers. I gave him one large Quote card that he hanged on the wall immediately. I also told intensive positive thinking story and Fatemah story to a family and gave bunch of quote cards and bookmarks. I gave many quote cards to other Utthan family members. We celebrated one Utthan family member’s Birthday. I made personalized Happy Birthday card for her. I also told intense positive story to Utthan staff in the bus. I gave a box of homemade Date-Nuts Sweets that they enjoyed eating. I am grateful to Sri Sathya Sai Baba for all the opportunities sending my way and His help and
- Posted by Rajni
- Aug 22, 2024
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Birthday Cake
are so much more blessed to give than those who receive from us. I have a friend who lives in Nigeria. A mother of four beautiful girls who I met online. We chat often. Have never met. But she is a fellow sister in Christ of mine. A year ago I made the decision to give to her whenever I can. She never once asked for money but wept when I offered to buy her children a cake every year for their birthday. This is such an extravagant treat for them. A cake. Something which my boys receive yearly. She sent me this photo of her daughter with the cake. And get this ... she took the cake to her daughter's school and church group so she could share with others who are underprivileged.
- Posted by brindlegirl
- Jan 25, 2025
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Kindness On The Ground And In The Air
three quote cards to a lady seated near me. I give them with firm understanding and remembering that God residing in me is giving to the God residing in others. I showed and gave fer the quote card that changed Fatemah's life for the better. I talked to her about KindSpring. org and told her intense positive thinking story. She was listening to me with interest. I rewarded her with a homemade birthday card and gave her some more cards to share with others. I was guessing that a lady would occupy the seat near me in the plane. My positivity found its way. I welcomed her with a smile. She reciprocated the same. I gave her quote cards and told her Fatemah story, intense positive thinking story and talked about beautiful website KindSpring.org and encouraged her to visit it. I as
- Posted by Rajni
- Aug 10, 2025
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PB&J On MLK's Birthday!
here they were; three people yearning to connect with the folks who live in Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta. They chose an interesting day--grey, overcast, cold, rainy but something in their souls stirred them to connect with people whose faces we try not to see, whose lives and circumstances would make us cry and ask why in a world of full of so much surplus do so many have to go without? So, they set off--the three musketeers hell bent on providing some hot chocolate and pb & j sandwiches. In the week before, rapid email fire was sent between anywhere between 2 and 5 people--different ideas were thrown about, flying kites with kids in honor of India's National Kite Flying Day or making home baked cookies to hand out. In the end, we always come back to the basics--mouth watering hot
- Posted by Bindi
- Jan 14, 2006
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Surprise Party...
rom my friends for my 9th birthday. i could not have a party; so my friends gave me a surprise party. it was so kind of them. they picked the food , friends of ours, place (one of the girls homes); and all chipped in to get me a gift. i thought me and my mom were going to cry. my mom has leukemia
- Posted by Mary Ellen Rush
- Mar 30, 2006
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