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Moving Creates An Opportunity To Start Giving

Moving away gave me a chance to reflect on my good fortune and it was a wonderful opportunity to give away some of my things.   I’m not rich, but I decided to make sure that what I have an excess off (thanks to the kindness of wonderful friends and family) is passed on to those who really need it.   Once you start, its amazing how much you can do...   1.     I donated some clothes which were still in pretty good condition, which used to belong to my roomate or me (partly inspired by the story of Goonj posted by 'Anju73').  I spent a good deal of time laundering and ironing them I also added some lavender scents :).   I searched for the right place to give them to.  I could have given it to Habitat which is round the corner, but I checked out a great homeless shelter that I had heard about and gave it to them instead.   I popped ... Read Full Story >>

Grabbing the Opportunity Before it Passed

I came across HelpOthers one afternoon at work and I left my office that day filled with inspiration, wondering how I could make a difference in someone's life, even if only for a moment.  I'm in a period of transition moving to a new home as a single parent with three children, finances are tight, my mom is fighting ovarian cancer, my sister has been laid off, my ex-husband is out of work.  Life is less than rosy for me right now and I was eager for an opportunity, quite honestly just to feel better about life and make someone else feel better.  I was eager to give. As I left the parking lot, I made my way down the street towards my home.  It was an especially hot day even at this late hour of the afternoon.  I stopped at an intersection and idly watched a young woman make her way through ... Read Full Story >>

"Two Bits" of Fun!

Today was really fun! I went to my local grocery store with a handful of quarters and I loaded up all of the candy/gumball/toy machines so when a child came across what he/she wanted, there'd be quarters waiting to pay for them. I also added a "Smile" Card so they can learn to pay it forward. 

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 Man at The Cafe Who Showered Us With Kindness

I met a friend and her friend to go on a hike. After a lovely walk along beautiful trails and vistas, we decided to go for dinner and I suggested a cafe. When we entered it seemed that there were no tables or at least no space for 3 people to sit together. We looked around a bit (there were lots of people sitting solo at tables for 2) and then this gentleman came up and said if we didn't mind waiting a bit he would move his papers a bit and re-seat himself so that we could sit at his table. We were very moved at his kind gesture and gratefully accepted. Looking a bit closer it seemed that he may have been homeless and perhaps a bit eccentric. I showed him that if he just shifted over one spot we would have plenty of room and I thanked him ... Read Full Story >>

Hospital Cheer

I dropped off two cheer-up gift bags (socks, bottled water, puzzle books, hand cream, lip balm...) and 15 packs that had tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste, travel size shampoo & conditioners, lip balm, lotion... To my local hospital.

The lovely nurses gave me a hug, and said "I remember you from last time! We gave out the cheer up bags to patients straight away, and we kept a few in the cupboard. We gave those ones out on Mothers Day to patients without visitors" yay, it was nice to have feedback on how a small thing cheered someone up.

$10 Of Gas Takes You Smiles Further

I was on my way back to from a trip out of town and just a few exits from the one I needed.   I thought I'd better not push my luck, so I pulled off the motorway to get some gas. I had $50 and figured I would use $40 to fill my tank. Since I was going inside anyway to pay for my gas I would use the rest of the money to grab a few snacks.    After  I handed the cashier my money she said, in a rather nasty tone, "That one wasn't approved either." I realized she was talking to someone else. I turned and saw an older lady turn, with her head down, and exit the store.     The cashier handed me my $10 change and said, "She's already tried two cards."    Leaving the store (without snacks,) something told me to give the older woman the $10 change. I ... Read Full Story >>

For Six Months

We’ll never know who did it.  We aren’t supposed to know.  For six consecutive months someone paid our electric bill. The monthly payments were always paid with cash.  Following each payment, we received a hand-written receipt in the mail, often accompanied by words of encouragement. The first time we opened up the sealed envelope, tears streamed down my face. Tears streamed down my husband’s face. The second time our electric bill was anonymously paid, we also cried, and we continued to shed tears month after month, as our most basic needs were met through generosity. Initially, I felt embarrassed. My pride nearly overshadowed the acceptance of such a generous blessing.  However, I soon realized that the giver must have sensed a genuine need. The need was well beyond what I willingly confessed. Our family’s needs were more extensive than we realized. Not only was my family helped monetarily but our ... Read Full Story >>

Letting T-Shirts Loose

The department store where I work is having a tremendous clearance sale. So I've been spending a lot of time pricing tons of clothing items.

As I was pricing, I put a few aside for myself. Mostly for the great deal-- each shirt was only 2 dollars, but I picked two that I really loved.

A fellow co-worker came in for the night shift and saw the items I was going to purchase when I got off work. She mentioned how much she loved one of them, and without thinking, I told her to take it.

"Are you sure?!" she asked.
"I'm positive," I answered. "It'll look so nice on you."

And if she hadn't taken it, I would have bought it for her instead of myself. I didn't think fast enough for that, though. :-)  But it felt good to share rather than holding on to the shirts, just for myself. :)  Smiles are contagious! :)

A Soldier, His Wife, And Their Service

I had just entered the elevator on the third floor of the medical center after a simple check up.  As I entered I noticed an old gentleman in a wheelchair with a little old lady behind him.  I noticed his baseball cap with WWII on the front.  Most likely, a veteran of World War Two, I assumed.   Just making small talk, I said, "so, you were in the big one."  His answer stunned me.  He said, "Yes, I went overseas a strapping young newlywed and I came back in this thing,"  slapping each side of the wheelchair with his hands.  I stared at him, looked at his wife, and the magnitude of what he said to me hit me like a ton of bricks.  He married this woman, went to serve his country, was wounded and paralyzed and then returned to his wife and she stayed with him for all these years.  Overcome with ... Read Full Story >>

Giving is receiving

"You take debit, don't you?" the customer ahead of me in line at the thrift store asked, as her purchases were totaled. Since it's a new location for "Hope's Attic" (don't you just love that name?), they hadn't gotten all the nuances of different payment methods sorted out yet. The two women were together, and honestly, looked like they led challenging hard-working lives. Only had a few dollars cash between them. "Do you mind if I pay the balance?" I inquired. "Oh, no, that's okay...". "Please, I'd like to, if it's alright, with you..." And then, we looked into each other's eyes, smiled and she agreed. Had a small discussion about how giving is really like receiving; how sometimes we are the giver and sometimes the receiver. Even the cashier got into the conversation, "That's about the nicest thing I've ever seen in here! And we see a lot of great stuff." Gave everyone a Smile card and ... Read Full Story >>

Inspired By A Moment of Trust

In my line of work we often hold conferences and workshops. The university I work for kindly provides food for all attendants (and anyone passing by at the right time) but it bothers me that they throw away all leftovers - and there's usually lots! Last week I finally made my point and was allowed to take a huge tray of very nice sandwiches away with me. They were yummy and healthy and it would have been a real shame to see them ending up in the bin. The guy from catering even allowed me to borrow a large tray to carry them on. I went looking for the homeless guy that usually sits in front of our local supermarket. He was sitting there reading and petting his dog on a blanket, and was thrilled when I showed him the food. He had nothing to carry the food in and offered to bring ... 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 >>

Doing Good In The Garden

My mother in law was telling me about her neighbour. Doris is 79 years old and lives by herself since her husband passed away last year. 

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 >>

Rice In Chennai Station

I was having something to eat at the central railway station in Chennai when I noticed an old man entering the canteen. He asked the man behind the counter for some food but, as he obviously couldn't pay, none was forthcoming.

So, I indicated to the canteen worker to serve some rice and paid for it without the old man noticing.
 
The old man had the food and left. And I was left with a warm feeling of love and compasion.
 
"It is in giving that one receives." Thank you Saint Francis of Assisi!

Kindness Ripples In Front of My Eyes

I was going to post about the wonderful time we had "clowning" at the hospital today, but that will wait a day or two because I had a truly magical day full of unexpected kindness. A few weeks ago while wearing my magical hat and returning from clowning, a gentleman struck up a conversation and now we've become friends. He's a homeopathic doctor and asked me to come to the hospital where he practices to meet the chief doctor of the place to talk about possibly clowning at other hospitals. It ends up they started talking about various Muslim charitable organizations who they think would be interested in the Planet Earthlings project and Acting Kindly game. I felt so lucky to be able to interact with them and confirm we have so much in common. Then on the way home on the bus, I gave up my seat to an older woman. ... Read Full Story >>

The Road To Acts Of Kindness

More than a week ago I decided to do something that I called "A Smile Card a Day Makes the World a Better Place".  I've been doing an act of kindness every single day and giving away Smile Cards with it. Yesterday on my way back home from school I stopped at a restaurant that I always go to. It was almost 10pm and that's when the close. I ordered some takeway food and sat and waited for it to be ready. The girl that took my order was mopping the floor and singing and I have to say she had a very beautiful voice. I started talking to her and told her how beautiful her voice was and I gave her a Smile Card. She loved how the card says 'Smile' on it because another customer calls her "Smiley". I then told her the rules of the Smile Card and she ... Read Full Story >>

Good Deeds Don't Go Unnoticed

I work in a restaraunt that has a program working with ex con's and the homeless. There is a guy who started working with us as a dishtanker and he told me his story one day. He lived in Florida, (we're in Ohio now) and he received information that he owed child support on a 6 year old boy. Well this was news to his ears because he didn't even know he had a kid! He came to Ohio to to clear this matter up and took a DNA test that determined that the kid was his. He was PROMPTLY put in jail for owing over $19,000 in back child support. He stayed in jail for 9 months and when he was released he was homeless, jobless. Instead of giving up on his kid and going back to Florida where he had plenty of family and help, he stayed in Ohio and ... Read Full Story >>

Teaching Kids Spiritual Harmony

Aikido, translated as “the way of spiritual harmony”, is a Japanese martial art. While it is a powerful system of self defense, the greatest benefit of Aikido training is that it provides a means to better yourself and become a happier, more balanced person. There is a piece of calligraphy authored by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, that reads “True victory is victory over oneself”. This concept and Aikido itself is suitable for people of all ages. For the last year or so, I have had the privilege of being an assistant instructor for the “Kid's Self Mastery” classes at my dojo; helping to teach children ranging in age from 5 to 10 years old. The classes themselves consist mostly of games and exercises allowing the students to learn Aikido, teamwork, respect, kindness, and other skills in a way that's fun to them. They also have “Mat Chats” in which ... Read Full Story >>