Search Results for 'popular' (3486 matches)

Visiting The Orphanage

My aunt  took me to visit the local orphanage and I spent some time with the children. I couldn't sleep that night for thinking about them.
 
I have made up my mind to do something for them. I would like to go there every month and spend some time with them. 
 
I went back there on my birthday, distributed sweets and spent some time with them. The last time I had gone there they asked me my name and they talked very well. A month later, on my birthday visit, they remembered my name which really amazed me.

They prayed for me that day and I cried like anything. They don't know much about me but their concern made me feel very cared for.  We have many things from children. I am glad I got to give a little back by helping the orphanage. 

School Children Play The 'Appreciation' Game

My favorite teacher plays a game with us at least once a week called "Appreciations".  In this game, one person throws a ball to another person in the class who he would like to appreciate.  Usually, we thank other kids for saying "hi" in the halls or hanging out on the weekend. Today, however, the first appreciation was very deep, and the receiver began to cry.  Afterward, we continued to go deeper and deeper, and our teacher decided to hold off on the lesson we were supposed to learn today.  Instead, she had us all make envelopes to put on our desk (like on Valentines Day in grade school)  :)  After that, we spent the full hour writing a note to every single person in the class about anything we wanted to tell them. The comments made me smile so much that my mouth hurt and some of then even made me cry!  It just ... Read Full Story >>

Teaching English In The Holidays

A Romanian family just moved into our neighborhood and a friend introduced me to them. They are a young couple with a twelve year old daughter. 

Knowing that both parents worked and the girl is going to be on her own a lot, and knowing that she is really keen to improve her English, I offered to look after her and teach her English during the summer holidays. 

It turns out that she gets on well with my daughter and they have a great time together!

Finding a wallet in a Ferry to Cape Cod

About 2 weeks ago, my husband and I went to meet with our Bostonian daughter in Provincetown, Cape Cod. When we took her to the ferry to go home, I found a wallet, filled with credit cards, driver's license and cash. I looked at the license photo to see if the person was in the line for the ferry, but no luck. My husband suggested that I leave the wallet with the dock master, but I was apprehensive. We then went to a nearby post office and mailed the wallet back to the owner (with my return address on the label). My joy came yesterday when I received a card from the owner, thanking me for my thoughtfulness and wishing me blessings.

3 Bunches of Flowers

I was at the store yesterday and bought some lovely flowers. One bunch for me, one bunch to thank a friend for welcoming me into the community that I have just moved to, and ibe for a stranger. I left the store, bought some beautiful wrapping paper, wrapped two of the bunches and as I strolled through the mall, a lovely old couple were walking the other way hand in hand. I noticed on the lady's badge the words "school cleaner", so I walked to her and presented her with one of the bunches of flowers.

I said, "These are for you, have a wonderful day!", smiled and kept walking. I did glance back for a moment only to see her filled with joy looking at the flowers and smiling with her husband. I felt so happy I almost cried! So wonderful to give daily. Great for you and the recipient. I hope I made her afternoon. Have a beautiful day.

Doing Something Good for 40 Days

Usually for Lent, I give up chocolate or coffee or something like that. This year, I decided that instead of giving something up, I would do something good each day for the 40 days of Lent.  I came up with an idea someone once mentioned on this website. 

I bought two boxes of note cards and each day I am sending a card through "Snail Mail" to someone with a little quote and a short story in it along with a SMILE CARD. 

I come in contact with many parents at my job (I work at a school) and lots of them could surely use some encouragement and kind words.  I hope this puts some smiles on their faces.

First Thank You in 50 Years

In my keynote speeches and workshops, Care is an acronym I use for the elements of a caring, creative, joyful workplace and home.  The “A” in CARE stands for “Appreciation for ALL.”  As I speak about appreciation, I use this quote by Albert Schweitzer: "Sometimes our light goes, out but is blown again into a flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light."   Then I ask my audiences to please shut their eyes and think about someone, who at some time in their lives, has rekindled their inner light. I leave the room in silence for several minutes, and it is always a profound experience as they remember the Joy they received from being appreciated by someone when they needed it the most.  Afterwards, I ask them to write down the name of the person they thought ... Read Full Story >>

The True 7 Wonders Of The World

Junior high school students in Chicago were studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the lesson, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following received the most votes: 1. Egypt's Great Pyramids 2. The Taj Mahal in India 3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona 4. The Panama Canal 5. The Empire State Building 6. St. Peter's Basilica 7. China's Great Wall While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World ... Read Full Story >>

A Mother's Surprise Response To an Act of Kindness at The Dollar Store

I went to the dollar store to get some balloons and some wrapping paper to wrap a present for my daughter's 27th birthday. I went to stand in line and saw a lady trying to get her kids to come to the register, rushing them as they were taking their sweet time picking out whatever they were getting. I offered to let her go before me, but she politely declined. She tried again to get her 3 or 4 children to get a move on. I could hear the frustration in her voice. As I was paying for my items I asked the cashier if she could hold my balloons for a second. Then heard the sigh of the lady as I guess she thought I was taking too long. What she didn't realize is that I asked the cashier to hold the balloons for me so I could get a $20 ... Read Full Story >>

Releasing Books Into the Wild

Most of you probably know about bookcrossing - an online community working towards making the world a library.  Well I have been a member since the beginning of the year and have released about 15 books into the wild (that's were you leave a book somewhere as a random gift for the person who finds it).  Today was the first time that someone actually registered that they had found one of my books and her message was a great reminder of the power of simple random acts of kindness.

The young women who found it was off to the doctors and so the book not only kept her company and took her mind off her troubles while she was waiting for the doctor and on her trip home but put a great big smile on her face!

Imagine how you would feel finding a free book when you were feeling a little down and in need of something to take your mind off things...so get those books off your shelf where they are gathering dust and out into the hands of people who will enjoy them as much as you have!

The Smiley Rocks Get Famous

Today I spent some quality time with one of my cousins. We decided to go for a walk at a nearby beach.  

I brought a permanent black marker with me and, as we walked and talked, I occasionally picked up stones and wrote positive words or drew hearts and smiley faces on them.  

On the way back, we could see the original path we took marked by love and smiles. It was beautiful! 

Well, I told one of my sisters about this. A few days later day she, excitedly, called me up to her room. She showed me some pictures posted on a local association's Facebook page. They included two of the rocks I had left behind, one of a heart and the other of the message "Love wins."  

It looks like a couple of the rocks have been found and have reached a wider audience! I hope these messages of love continue to spread.

A Gift for a Sleeping Stranger at the Airport

I have always lived in India, and was recently traveling from Mumbai to Jaipur for work. Arriving at the airport early, I was asked to hang out in the waiting lounge where, without much else to do, I decided to check out the gift shop. As I walked around the store, I saw two American women having a nap on a recliner outside. It looked as if they had been at the airport for hours, and I felt compelled to do something to help ease their wait. I looked around the store for a few moments, and ended up purchasing a medium-sized stuffed toy which looked like the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants (though it was orange instead of the normal yellow). I asked the owner of the shop for a note and a pen and wrote, "When you get up if this makes you smile, it would mean the world to ... Read Full Story >>

It Started With A Bunch Of Anthuriums

My first job out of high school was at a geological facility and as a youngster, I was pretty intimidated by the Ph.D.'s that worked there. But no one intimidated me more than the administrative supervisor. She was only about yay high, pretty petite but with a scowl and gruff exterior that made me wish I didn’t have to pass her desk every morning. In the first month there, I don’t think I ever saw her smile or treat anyone less than curtly. I am not sure what prompted me but one day, I decided to bring her flowers. They were bright red anthuriums. As soon as I walked into the office, I handed her the flowers (mind you, I was shaking inside). But then, came the most beautiful smile. It spread across her face slowly and I swear, it seemed the room got a bit brighter too. I remember my ... Read Full Story >>

Found Before Lost

On my "Lifelist" is the goal of visiting all the states in the U.S. Several years ago, my husband and I were traveling in the Northwest.  While we were enjoying Portland, we were staying in a Bed and Breakfast there. While carrying in some of the luggage, a cash belt containing over $300 fell onto the pavement on the road.  There was no identification in the pocket and no way for us to be able to claim it, either.   We went off to drive around and enjoy the city, totally oblivious to our loss. Later on, when I checked my phone, there was a voicemail message from our host at the B&B: "I have something that belongs to you, and you're going to be mighty happy," was the message. What???  We got back to our room and there was the money belt on the bed with all the cash in it.  My husband ... Read Full Story >>

Special Delivery

I left a package of sunflower seeds in the mailbox this morning with a note to the mail carrier and a "Smile Card". I remember when I was delivering mail and one customer always left a cold drink in the mailbox for me.

When I returned today, with my mail was a thank you note. :)
#AprilRAoK

My dad and I were grateful for unexpected gifts

I have to tell this story. It's actually about how this guy blessed our family last year, but I'll always remember. My dad had to get a whole new transmission on his truck and he was just venting to this guy we know at church. "How much is it for?", he asked. My dad told him. Two days later we received a check for the total amount he needed for a transmission, which was over $1000! I couldn't believe it. Me and my dad were so grateful. We gave him a thank you card with a gift card saying we can never repay your kindness, you made our Xmas, thank you from the bottom of my heart. But that's not all. We were blessed twice this last year. One day I opened the mail and received a $100 check from a lady, who goes to our church saying she was blessed now she's ... Read Full Story >>

A Gift Card For A Weary Cashier

The supermarket cashier looked weary; like she had worked one shift too many. "I coulda been home by now," she called to another cashier as I approached. "Thanks a lot!" "I love you!" came the reply. (I couldn't tell if this was sincere, sarcastic, or both.) "No, you don't!" retorted my cashier. "Yes, I do!" I already had the supermarket gift card in my hand. Now I knew whom to give it to. "Put five dollars on this, please," I said. Since there was another customer waiting behind me I paid for my purchases, walked away, then circled back when there was no line. "So this five-dollar gift card ..." I said. "Yeah?" the cashier said apprehensively, meaning "Is something wrong with it?" "It's for you," I said, handing it to her along with the KindSpring Smile card. "Just to help your night go better." "Really? For me?" She broke into a goofy grin. "You didn't have to do that!" "I know ... Read Full Story >>

Visions of Cheeseburgers

Visions of cheeseburgers -- that was what her cardboard sign said as she stood at the intersection of the mall exit and the highway. She was skinny and young, with a backpack on the ground next to her, although the weariness on her face made her look so much older. We pulled over and I jumped out to give her a few bucks and received a smile and a tentative "thank you ma'am" for my humble donation. But as we drove away, I looked down at the bag by my feet holding a junior cheeseburger in it; a surprise for our much spoiled big mutt awaiting us at home. " A burger for my dog," I thought, and sighed. Seemingly at the same time, my partner made a u turn and said, "we have to go back. We have to buy her lunch!" Back to Wendy's we went and ordered 2 cheeseburgers, ... Read Full Story >>

A First Class Delivery of Generosity

I was recently at the Post Office. I walked in and saw the line, it was all the way to the door. Normally, I would have come back later but a voice in my head told me to just be patient and it would go quickly. I got in line and was immediately drawn to a conversation at a side counter between a Japanese woman and a postal worker. There was frustration in the clerk's voice as he said, "You'll either need to come up with the cash or find a card that works." She was trying to use the same card several times and was obviously distraught. I wondered how much cash she needed and then  heard the man say, " Look, you need $16.34 in cash or a debit card that works." I couldn't resist and pulled $17 from my wallet and placed it in front of the woman ... Read Full Story >>

Renewing My Father's Smile

Last Sunday I visited my parents as I do every Sunday. My 84 year old Dad seemed unusually worried, so I asked him if anything was the matter. He silently gave me a letter from his motor insurance company to read. In two sentences they informed him that they would no longer be able to insure his small truck and that he can call the undersigned for further clarification. I told him not to worry and that I would take care of the matter.  The next day I called the undersigned to get clarification. To sum it up, it did not matter to the insurance company that my Dad spent 50 years paying the premium, but what mattered was that in his first accident (last August) the company had to fork out € 8,942. From then on for three days I visited or phoned almost every broker or insurance company to try and ... Read Full Story >>