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A Lesson In Kindness From My Mother

I was at the drugstore getting ready to leave when I saw an old lady standing at the main entrance. She looked like she might be lost, so I asked if she needed any help. She said, "Yes, please. Where is the drugstore window? I need the get some medication but I don't see very well."  
 
I took her by the hand and led her into the store. I helped her get her medicine and helped her get the money from her purse to pay for it.
 
I asked her how she had managed to get to the  drugstore and she told me she had walked from her house, which was four blocks away. I offered to take her home and she agreed to let me. She told me she was a widow. She had no children and lived by herself. She was 95 years old. 
 
I helped her to her door and she told that she was so blessed to find people like me who would help her. In truth it was all down to my mother who had passed away five months before. The time I spent caring for mom taught me a lot about compassion. She taught me the real love and kindness aren't just reserved for family, but are meant to be shared with everyone.

13.8K Reads
  • Posted by irmamurphy
  • Jun 2, 2013
  • 11 Comments
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A Radio for Dancing and Singing

I was conducting an auction for a non-profit to help our senior citizens in need.  There was an old battery-operated radio, never used, and an older woman came up with her friend. 

She was digging in her handbag to find 50 cents to buy a ticket and her friend asked what she would do with the radio if she won it.  I was eavesdropping because I was also curious.  She smiled and said, "I would sing and dance in my apartment." 

That really touched my heart, so when she left I found out her name and surprised her anonymously with gift cards so she could buy a radio and not have to worry about batteries.  I have never forgotten that. We take so many little things for granted!  And we can all make a difference!

4130 Reads

Connecting with a Soul and Piercing Blue Eyes

Once again, God seems to have put a homeless person in my path. I don't know if there are more homeless people out there than before or if I'm just noticing them more. Lately, I regularly come in contact with people that I just can't ignore.   His name is Mark and I was shocked to hear that he is only three years older than me. He looks so much older!  He was on the corner asking for money. I saw his piercing blue eyes beneath his dirty hat and scruffy beard, and I couldn't look away. I parked my car and walked over to him and just plunked myself down on the curb to talk. People were driving by and staring at us, but I didn't care.     We talked for awhile and he told me about his life. I don't know how much of his story I believe, but who cares. ... Read Full Story >>

3814 Reads

The Gift of a Special Dinner Together

My wife and I went out to dinner this weekend since we have had crazy schedules and have not had much time to just sit and relax. We went to a nice restaurant and were having a good time. We saw a very young high school age couple who looked like they were on one of their first dates. We smiled and talked about how scary that is when you are young. My wife noticed that the couple only ordered a chicken breast and water, which was a little unusual for this steakhouse. We guessed the young man wanted to take his date to a nice place but might have had some sticker shock once he saw the menu so they ordered what they could and skipped the side dishes. We had a gift card we were going to use for our dinner, but decided they could use it more. When our ... Read Full Story >>

2833 Reads

A Treasured Gift For A Young Couple

I met a really nice young couple about a year ago through mutual friends on a social networking site.  They have just adopted a baby girl.  This is a beautiful gift to the world on its own, but what makes it even more special is how many hoops they jumped through and how much time and money they spent to get to that stage. I was going through some boxes from my mother’s house (she passed away at Christmas time in 2007) and I found some beautiful vintage baby dresses. So I thought, wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if I sent some of this lovely vintage clothing to the couple for their adopted baby?  I knew they would love it.  This was truly a gift from the heart; I had planned on saving those for my daughter if I had one someday.  But, given that my husband died before we had any children, ... Read Full Story >>

6798 Reads

A Pocketful Of Peanuts And A Heart Full Of Smiles

As I write it’s 11.00 a.m. in the morning with a winter weather forecast of possibly minus 35 degrees wind chill temperature. I’m staying cosy inside and keeping busy by baking experimental vegan items to take to my daughter-in-law when we visit. I’m also making a variety of craft kindnesses to share as we journey. I venture out only to replenish my bird feeding stations with extra seeds and suet, and refill the heated bird bath by lugging buckets of water from inside. Every scrap of food that isn’t eaten, even those saved toast crusts from breakfast at a local diner, goes on the platform feeder for the crows and squirrels, or in the compost, which all the creatures root through for something edible. A few seeds, and sometimes a sliced carrot or apple, may fall to the ground for hungry deer or wild turkey.  Bundled in layers of long underwear and clothes, fleece hood ... Read Full Story >>

2538 Reads

Love Goes Round, Round, Round

About a year ago I learned to knit on a loom, which is a circular device that lets you knit without needles. The yarn goes around and around just like love we give to others. I love making baby hats using the loom and giving them away as gifts. In my free time, I volunteer at a non-profit that assists children and families in need, and I noticed that many of the clients we served were mothers-to-be or mothers with newborn babies. Most of the families we serve need a great deal of help just to get through each day. As I worked with more and more these mothers and families, it struck me: Wouldn't it be nice to share my newfound skill and make hats for these precious little babies? I have since then been donating my hats, and I always attach a small note on the bag that reads "This handcrafted keepsake is ... Read Full Story >>

2307 Reads

The Little Lost Girl

One day I was outside my school and I saw a little girl crying. I went to her and asked her what happened and she told me that the afterschool bus left her and she was going to be alone for 6 hours. She didn't have any money, not even a phone. She was six. I told her if she could give me her mother's phone number so I can find out where her afterschool hours were taking place. I finally found out. Her mom was at work and when she realized what had happened she couldn't believe it. She was scared and didn't want her daughter lost. I told her that she could trust me and she gave me directions to the kindergarten where the afterschool hours were taking place. I went there with the girl and left her there with the teachers. The teachers were really mad and confused. They ... Read Full Story >>

4048 Reads
  • Posted by clodiusjess
  • Nov 26, 2016
  • 11 Comments
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He Sent A Stranger A Gift Off of Their Amazon Wish List

I was reading "Kindness Boomerang" (a book that gives ideas and inspirations of kindness for each day of the year), and I saw this one. I went to Amazon and found a random person's "Wish List" using this link.
Then, I was able to find an item, buy it and ship it to them, as well as leave a gift note. I don't know personal info about them, but their name and city.

Wish I could be a fly on the wall when they open the box.

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother

2215 Reads

What I Am Grateful For

I learned to count my blessings a long the time ago. I believe that if any one stops for a minute he/she will find something to be grateful for.   I am grateful for a great number of things but I am especially grateful for NOW, for this moment in time.   I am grateful for the lovely town where I live.  In this town the number of charity shops almost equals the number of “normal” shops.  There are charities for almost everything you can imagine. Even the primary schools are charity orientated, with the Parents and Teachers Association taking responsibility for raising money through parties, discos, fairs and other events in order to be able to buy things like interactive white boards or sports gear for the school football team.  I think my town is very kind and it is very easy to live here.  People smile at you a lot, ... Read Full Story >>

2944 Reads

Nightshift at the Marriott

It had been a long, hot August day. We'd driven over six hundred miles and it was nearing 11 pm as we entered Kingman, Arizona. We pulled off and picked a motel. Much to my surprise, it being mid-week, the deskman informed me they were full. Next place, same story. This time, I asked the clerk for suggestions.      "Try the Hampton Inn."      At the Hampton we were greeted with, "We're booked. Sorry."     "What's going on?" I asked. "Is there some kind of convention in town?"     "A tour bus just pulled in with 60 people," he said. "Plus lots of people are heading up to the Grand Canyon. It's an unusual evening. You might try the Best Western. I think they had one room left about an hour ago."      We tried the Best Western. No luck.      By that time, we'd traveled to the west end of ... Read Full Story >>

12.3K Reads

Biggest Drive-thru Smile Ever

Last night my husband and I were on the way to a show. We were both hungry and wanted to grab a quick bite on our way there, so we swung through a Jack-N-the Box drive-thru and placed our order.  When we got up to the window the lady smiled at me (which is sometimes rare) and asked how I was doing while she was collected our money for the food.  I replied, "Fine, and how are you?" She went to get our order ready and I asked my husband to pass me my "Drive-thru Smil bag". He handed it to me and watched in amazement as I gathered together a "You make a difference" paper, a Smile Card, a smiley stamper and a smile button.  She came back to the window almost before I finished putting it all together.  Without looking too closely she passed the bag and said, "Thank you. Have a good ... Read Full Story >>

5628 Reads

A Lesson in Compassion From My Brother

It was my birthday so my wife, my brother and my child treated ourselves to dinner in a restaurant that we had never been to before. As we walked back to our car a very thin man approached my brother saying he hadn't eaten in a while and asking for money. Usually my wife and I treat such requests with suspicion but my brother took a different approach and he started talking with the man. The man said he was a singer and had come to Dubai from Pakistan to find work. His visa was expiring in three or four days. He  had no friends here, couldn't land a singing job, and was surviving hand to mouth. He had a return ticket that had to be confirmed. To do this he needed 70 Dirhams. My brother gave him 20 Dirhams for food and asked the man to give him a call from the airline's ticket office the next day. He also ... Read Full Story >>

7039 Reads
  • Posted by advaitin
  • Nov 20, 2010
  • 11 Comments
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Encountering Faith In Humanity

Driving along a country road this morning on my way to work and there was a trash collector emptying the bins/trash. The collector was down on the ground lifting up broken glass which had fallen out of the bin. Was touched by his citizenship, many others wouldn't have bothered and another could have got a punctured tyre. A small act of kindness that saved potential distress and financial cost. Gave me a great faith in humanity and made my heart sing. A lady takes my students for Projects ie real work in an office environment. Yesterday was the first time I met her so I said I would take her for lunch today, she was really pleased, my predecessor didn't even talk to her or guide her about what she should be doing with the students to help them gain their qualification. Lunch was fab until I went to pay. .... ... Read Full Story >>

2415 Reads

Showing Kindness to Even the Smallest Beings

I have found that the way I treat insects acts as a reflection of my approach to kindness.  Like most kids, I suppose, I mistreated bugs terribly.  But many adults continue the rampage against insects, and I have often found that they do this mindlessly, killing them for no reason. With the weather getting warmer, more bugs are getting into our houses.  We also spend more time in "their house," as we enjoy the great outdoors.  We find ourselves reaching for the fly swatter and insecticides to get rid of them.  But why do we do this?  Most insects pose no threat to us, but we kill them anyway. As a young adult, I found myself questioning my treatment of bugs.  It became a moral issue.  I remember reading a Native American story about a mother who saw her daughter stomp on a spider.  The mom simply asks the child: "Now who'll take care ... Read Full Story >>

10.0K Reads

Complaints or Gratitude?

I wanted to share something which changed my life today. While returning home from my office, I saw a man with no legs at all. He was able to move very little with the pressing of his hands. I parked my vehicle and gave him some money. I wondered how he did his basic things such as even using the restroom. After that, I went to a park and sat thinking. How can I complain about my life? I decided that from now onwards, I will be thankful for everything in my life. I will be happy with whatever God showers on me. I will happily do any job. We all should be happy about the blessings in our life such as home, food, water etc. This was a provoking thought for me. But, not many may witness and learn from this. I think differently now and it serves me a ... Read Full Story >>

2319 Reads

Her Act Of Kindness Inspired The Restaurant Staff

I was having dinner with my Mother on Sunday in a restaurant. We had a lovely time but I noticed a gentleman was having trouble paying his bill. I remembered I had a $10 bill in my wallet and I wanted to give it to him. So I walked over to this table and said would this help? He said yes and was ever so grateful to me and called me an angel. I returned to my table with my Mother and finished our dinner. In the meantime, I could see my $10 was helpful but was not going to cover the whole bill. So I decided I would pay it forward and cover the rest of the bill when I paid for our meal. As I went over to the counter to pay I noticed the server on her way back to the table. I then asked if things had been sorted. ... Read Full Story >>

2748 Reads

Crushed In The Rush For Cross Stitch

A day or so ago I posted a photo of a pile of cross stitch kits that I had been gifted. I couldn't possibly use them all so I decided to give them away to ladies in my community who like to have a project in their hands. I packed them all into a box and decided to start with the lady who runs my local bar as she's perfectly charming and so good to me. I took her out to my car and showed her the box. I was holding it in my arms whilst she looked when another car drew up next to us with two other ladies in it. Within moments I was crushed against my car behind the weight of rummaging elderly ladies and had to fight my way out to put the box on a table. Well between the three of them they took every single item ... Read Full Story >>

2599 Reads

A Tender Response To A Random Act of Kindness

Hello lovelies, I wanted to share this comment I received on my blog after leaving some kindness goodie bags on car windscreens at a doctor's surgery clinic over Christmas. I am in tears but it also reinforces that what we're doing can make a real difference: "Just had to let you know my story, even though it is difficult to write. I was taking my husband to surgery, and came back to find one of your gifts. At first I thought it was a parking ticket! I was getting worried as I was parked in a disabled bay, and parking is somewhat difficult ! My husband has lots of health issues and we had just gone to get him some antibiotics and steroids for a chest infection. He had been admitted to Hospital overnight on Boxing Day (December 26th), so we were already feeling a little low​.  We were both moved by the gift, ... Read Full Story >>

11.5K Reads

My dad, the 'Mystery Kindness Man'

Heres a lovely story I read on Reddit tonight -"My dad used to do this kind of thing every year. He'd go to our school and ask the people at the front desk if there were any families who were struggling and wouldn't be able to have a nice Christmas (small-ish town, so the school people knew him and were willing to give him some names and information). There were three of us kids, so he'd pick three families. Then we'd go shopping for them. New toys, new clothes, some little things for the parents, and lots of food for Christmas dinner. We'd sneak over to their houses when they were out and leave all the packages in front of the door. Dad would leave a card with a little bit of cash in it and sign it --Santa"

2103 Reads




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