Search Results for 'popular' (3486 matches)

Stranger's Serendipidous Skateboard Kindness

When I was on the till in the charity shop today, an elderly gentleman came in to ask for a skateboard. His wife has had physical therapy and used a skateboard for it. We didn't have any, but another lady was in there and said that she had a skateboard that she was going to throw out. She stated it was a bit rusty and needed a clean and the man said he didn't mind doing that. So they exchanged details and she said she would call him and bring it round for him. Must have been fate for them to be in there at the same time :)  

Stepping In to Make Up a $3 Shortfall

Yesterday I was in the electronics department purchasing something small for my son. As I went to check out, a young boy of about 9 was in front of me with a zip lock baggie of money and a video game. The clerk gave him the price and helped him to count out the money. After the bills and the quarters, it became clear that he would not have quite enough money.  The child kept counting with stress mounting on his face.  The clerk told him that he was $3 short.  The boy's face was so sad.  While I had been watching this, I had been thinking, "if he doesn't have enough, I 'll pay the difference for him." I was glad that I was prepared because the boy quickly began to sweep the money back into the bag. I stepped  up and  told the clerk I would pay and reached over to encourage the ... Read Full Story >>

The Power Of A Good Example

This is the story of someone else's good example. A retired gentleman who lives a few doors away from me can occasionally be seen with a bag and a "picker-upper." (You know. One of those long-handled gadgets for picking up litter.)  He goes out by himself and plucks plastic bottles from the long grass, retrieves plastic bags from the bushes and disposes of pieces of wind-borne paper. He does it all cheerfully and never complains. I mentioned the children in the nearby school who are probably responsible for some of that litter and he was nothing but charitable. "There will come a time when they know better," he said. "It's just not yet. So, I'll do it for them." Well ... this morning I was out walking my neighbour's dog when I saw another neighbour, a much younger man, out doing the same thing! He had his two young sons with him and they were ... Read Full Story >>

A Tale of a Hero and His Nine Little Ducklings

Something really amazing happened in downtown Spokane, Washington this week, so  I decided to share the joy with you.    My good friend Betty has a brother named, Joel, who is a loan officer at Sterling Bank in Washington state. He works downtown in a second story office building, overlooking the busy street known as Riverside Avenue. Several weeks ago, he watched a mother duck choose the cement awning outside his window as the uncanny place to build a nest above the sidewalk.    The mallard laid nine eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air. She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks and on a sunny Mondary afternoon all of her nine ducklings hatched.     Joel worried all night as to how the momma duck was going to get those nine babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment so they ... Read Full Story >>

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 >>

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 >>

Making Someone Happy

Today I donated a large bag of clothing and other assorted items . I placed money with a smiley face attached to the bill wishing someone a very Blessed Day! It made me feel really good as I watched the driver carrying the bag to his truck.

May all the care and kindness you give so freely to others come back to warm your heart.

Birthday Tulips

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 >>

A Tire-d Kindness

  Money was tight- and then one of my tires blew out!      I managed to pull into a parking lot and park safely before trying to figure out what to do next. A  new tire wasn't exactly in my budget but it was going to have to be worked in somehow. Then there was the additional expense of having to pay someone to come out and fix it.   Another car pulled in right behind me and a man and his young son got out. He offered to change the tire for me, but I told him my spare was in the trunk, already puntured.       He offered to take me and my spare tire to a repair place just a mile or so away. There they put a new tire on the old rim and he waited for me. Then he took me back to my car and put the new tire ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Received-Kindness Given

Kindness Received-Kindness Given. Sunday, the gentleman who donated our Sanctuary flowers gifted me with one of the arrangements as he said he appreciates all that I do. I was so touched and gladly thanked him and took them home. Today I took them up to my Dad. He loves flowers and he was so glad to have these in his room. Thought they were lovely, too, and I was so glad to share them with him!

Soup For A Smile

 
One day I was at the mall with my mom when we saw an old man in scruffy clothes breathing with the help of an oxygen tank. He was checking all the trash cans for bottles or scraps. 
 
He didn't find very much.
 
My mother and I watched as he left the mall, saddened by the sight. Too often, we thought, people see these sort of things happen without doing anything about them - then we realized that we could do something!
 
It was cold outside so I went to a cafe and got some soup and bread. Then I went after the old man. When I caught up with him I asked if he would like some hot soup. He nodded, so I handed it to him. Then I walked away with a smile and a warmed heart!
 

Brand new beekeeper

I met what must be the world's most wonderful lady last summer - just being around her is like a soothing balm for my soul. I barely know her and after finding out that I've dreamt of having bees for several years she simply gave me a hive as a gift, including all the boxes, frames, gear, tools and a package of bees.

I'm now officially a brand new beekeeper

I kinda freaked out a little when we shook them into the hive though....10,000 bees buzzing around your body will do that to you even in beekeeping gear if you're new to this exciting hobby!

Paying it Forward with Flowers and Dessert

For several weeks, I had been meaning to get my wife flowers.  Everyday I would leave for the office in the morning reminding myself to get flowers on the way home, but would always forget. Finally one day, I decided to repeat the word, “flowers” (as though it were a mantra) as I drove home to make sure I remembered.  It turned out that that day the flowers were on sale, two bouquets for the price of one.  While I was at the store, I came across two neatly folded $20 dollar bills with no one around.  I picked up the bills feeling like this was a universal sign and went home with my flowers knowing that the money had to be used for spreading kindness.  After I gave my wife the flowers, I told her I had another surprise and showed her the money.  My wife definitely felt like this was a calling since ... Read Full Story >>

Hoku, The Little 1st Grader And Her Blue Post-it Notes

This is not a pity story, but my past weeks were filled with negativism, cruel remarks, and hopelessness and despair! I was feverishly working at my little office next to the Health Office, trying to input results from about 150 students' screenings. Little Hoku walked in: "I have a tummy ache." She said. "Okay, do you want to go to the Health Office or lie down, perhaps?".  I asked. "No, I want to sit right next to you." This was interesting, I knew Hoku.  She had to come to the Health Office everyday before lunch for her medications. Although I always spoke to her, she never replied to me. I kept working. "You know I'm a good drawer." She expressed. "I'm sure you are!" I responded. Still typing, I saw that she had "filched" my blue post-it note stack. The next thing I knew, there was a blue post-it stuck to my ... Read Full Story >>

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 >>

Love Is Like A Car Battery

I was parking at a hiking trail that I frequent when a man in the car next to mine leaned out and started to ask me for help. It turned out that his battery was low and no one would help jump start his car! I asked him if he had cables, which he did, and in less than 5 minutes I gave him a jump start and his car started with no problem. He thanked me and asked "how much do I owe you" and I looked at him in disbelief and said "not a thing!" He said "You won't believe it but I've been sitting here for so long and I asked at least three people to help me and no one would do it". That made me really sad. I was thinking that perhaps because of how he looks, his ethnicity, or whatever, people might think he was going ... Read Full Story >>

Learning How To Receive

This my story of receiving and how I've learned that this too is a kindness I can do for another, or in my case many others. I have been struggling with a lot of pain and tiredness for several years, finally a year and a half ago I just could not keep going as I had been. I had to stop working and lost my home. I have two daughters, 14 and 9, who live with me. It has been quite difficult finding places to stay and to also learn how to care for myself with this physical challenge. So many friends and strangers have shown up with places to live and help in many other ways. One friend had us in his living room for the first five months and a few weeks here and there since. Another friend bought us 25lb bags of organic beans, rice and flour. The girls' father has ... Read Full Story >>

The Power of a Handwritten Letter

Our world is so dependent on email that handwritten letters have gone by the wayside.  At a service I attended recently, the topic had to do with how important and touching handwritten letters are. 

I followed my heart, which had tugged at me for some time to actually write letters. I started by writing a letter to my grandfather and nothing could have made him happier. Even though I see him every week, he said so many times how much it meant to him. So now we write each other a letter each week. There is something so special about seeing a real letter when you open the mailbox and something even greater about sending it to someone special. I write at least one letter a week now to family and friends -- it reconnects you in ways that no email ever will.

A Random Act of Recycling

Last Saturday when I was in the car with my children, I realized that I hadn't made time to do out usual recycling, and our water bottles had been piling up (in our car actually!).  We were going to be driving past the recycling station at the corner grocery store and as we approached it, I took in the long line of people, bags in hand, waiting their turn to cash in for a few bucks and some change.  I thought about the times I've waited in that line, not always just for a little extra cash or purely to help the environment - but sometimes simply because I actually needed to buy milk or bread didn't have the money. I made a last minute decision and pulled into the parking lot.  I jumped out of the car and grabbed the few bags of plastic bottles that I had in the back of the car.  ... Read Full Story >>