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A Gift of Grapes

My mother was in the hosptial for four days, due to a rather bad skin infection. During one of those days, I stopped by the farmers' market to check out the fruit they had.

It was a very small but pleasant market, and the people there were very friendly. I didn't have any money on me, but just looked around, thinking maybe I would come back another time.

The woman running the market asked if I would like anything. I replied that I was just looking, that I had no money and was visiting my mom in the hospital.

As I was leaving, the woman stopped me and gave me a big package of fresh local grapes to give to my mom.

It was such a nice gesture, and really made me smile. The grapes were so sweet, probably the sweetest grapes I've ever had. And the fact that a stranger was so kind in giving them to my mother made them that much sweeter! :)

Courageous Freeway Kindness Ensures a Man's Safety

One evening I was in Los Angeles traffic navigating rush hour to get to an orchestra rehearsal. Cars were moving in stop and go traffic at a slow pace. Suddenly I heard horns honking, and a crash. Two car lengths in front of me a motorcyclist had fallen down, rolled off his bike and landed on the freeway! I stopped and shouted to find out if he was OK. He did get up and started to walk his bike off the five lane freeway. I then proceeded to block traffic so he wouldn't get run over and followed him to the side of the freeway. Another driver that had also seen him fall pulled over to help. The driver immediately called for paramedics and Highway Patrol. The motorcyclist used my phone to call Triple A for transport, I then waited for the emergency help to arrive and gave CHP my statement.  I'm so thankful the ... Read Full Story >>

Deescalating A Frustrating Airline Situation With Raul

A funny story happened last week in Brazil. After delivering a program there my wife and I were catching the plane back to our home in Portugal. We entered the airport, passed security and reached boarding zone... and then discovered that the flight had been canceled. After 30 minutes calling the airline they told us that the only flight back would be today, (four days after the original flight). I felt my stomach tightening, my hands sweating, and my thoughts rushing about our cats, all the professional commitments I had already scheduled in Portugal, etc. I decided to take a breath, and as we were speaking with a security officer to get more information, I decided, that instead of panicking, to act with kindness and to ask about his story. The security officer's name was Raul, he wasn't happy in this job and in his country and his dream was to become a ... Read Full Story >>

Three Feet of Snow and a Very Kind Neighbor

It's no secret that we've had some pretty crazy weather in the Maryland area this past winter. We had 15 inches of snow during one month followed by 28 more inches. Whenever it snowed like that, I packed my things up and stayed at my mom's house, both to help her with shoveling and for the ease of getting my car out of the driveway to get to work rather than attempting it from my mountain side driveway. I did about 4 hours of shovelling one day and only managed to dig us out of the house and a small walking path to and around 3 sides of my car.  To make better headway the next day, I set the alarm and got out there preparing to do the necessary 3 or 4 shovelling rounds before being able to relax and watch the Super Bowl. My whole body was in pain from the ... Read Full Story >>

Unexpected Help at the Grocery Store

  My son is away at college, in his first year.    He called me one night to tell me, "Mom, I met the nicest lady ever!"     He had taken the bus from his dormitory to the grocery store. While he was shopping the light rain outside turned into a major storm; heavy rain, strong winds and very cold! As soon as he stepped outside the wind destroyed his umbrella and he was immediately drenched. Not knowing how he'd get his groceries onto the bus and back to the dormitory in such awful weather he stood in the shelter of the store entrance.    Just then a lady stopped her car, rolled down the window, and asked if he needed a ride. Remembering what I had taught him about taking rides from strangers he said, "No, thanks." But she insisted so he looked her over carefully and decided she looked like a safe "mom-type." He ... Read Full Story >>

Small Gestures in the Workplace

One day, while I was walking to work, I decided to bring some flowers that I had picked from my garden that morning. I came across a random stranger, and was inspired to give the bunch to him with a smile card.  Struck by the sense of joy I felt from giving flowers to another person, and maybe brightening his day, I wanted to do it again. When I got to my office, I had the idea of anonymously leaving flowers around the workplace. Sometimes, the impersonal atmosphere of the building where I work numbs my spirits a little. It's a nice building, with great light, but it just feels a little sterile sometimes. I figured lots of people might feel the same way, so why not put a little beauty there, and throw in an inspirational quote while I'm at it? After all, who doesn't like flowers? So, for the past month, I've been putting flowers ... Read Full Story >>

Turning it Around With an Act Of Kindness

I was at work in the same aisle as a lady and her daughter when I overheard the mother yelling at her daughter. She said: "Great! No onion soup to use for my beef. Now I'm going to have to re-plan my entire meal for the day. I told you we should've went to Monroeville grocery store instead! They never have what I want here. The woman's daughter seemed upset and replied back: "Mom you don't need to be mad at me. "

I went into the back found 2 cans of onion soup and searched the whole store to find the lady and her daughter again. I asked: "Mam will this work?" The woman looked at me puzzled. (Like how did  you know?) I shared with her that I had overheard what they had talked about  A big smile came across her face and she said 'thank you'. Not only that, but her daughter  also had a relieved smile. I hope I turned her day around. :)

A New Nickname

I am a pharmacist and one of my patients at work has started calling me "Smiley."  

I wasn't sure how to take this at first, thinking it was not exactly in line with my professional image. Then I thought about it some more and decided that if, at the end of my life, it was said of me, "She was a person who smiled a lot," that would be a pretty good testament to a life well lived! 

So from now on when he calls me "Smiley" I will take it as the highest compliment and give him my biggest smile in return.

Hope, Joy and a Little Bit of Ice-Cream

Earlier this year, I submitted an idea to the Helpothers.org Kindness Contest.  I was lucky enough to be selected a winner for my idea and received a $100 to throw an ice-cream party for the children in the ART (Acute Residential Treatment Center) at the Walker Home & School in Massachusetts.  This institution serves the complex needs of a diverse group of children, from those with severe mental illnesses to those who have experienced abuse, neglect or other catastrophic challenges in their young lives. The simple joy of knowing that even children who struggle with daily living can find pleasure in an ice cream party really meant the world to the staff who support them.  It was also important to me becausse it reminded me of how The Walker Home saved my son Evan's life when no other organization could understand him. In saving our son's life, they saved our family from crumbling as well. Walker ... Read Full Story >>

Sixth Graders and the Smile Deck

I teach a sixth grade religion class, and today I played the Smile Deck game with my students.  They each left with two kind acts to complete and were very enthusiastic as I handed them regular Smile Cards to go along with the Smile Deck Cards.

One student was able to complete one of her acts that day itself, when class ended.  She held the door for those leaving the building, handing out Smile Cards to those who would take them.  It was uncomfortable for her at first (12 years old is an awkward age, at best), but she got the hang of it and started to enjoy her 15 minutes as 'Door Woman'!

I am excited to hear about how the other children's acts of kindness go.

I hope that my take on the ways we can “take care of God's creation” will sink into these kids, and they will carry forward the idea of embracing kindness as a meaningful part of life.

This is just the beginning for me!!  Thanks for the forum of inspiration!

Paying-Forward Our Blessings From Around The World

There is a saying in India - "Jab bhagawaan dheta hai to chhapad phad ke dheta hai." Roughly translated it means, "When blessings come, they come in a downpour." This is how I have been feeling since I have been the recipient of a series of tags - from multiple sources. First, I received an envelope with a beautiful hand-drawn image and inspiring message. Then another envelope, with a whole bunch of smile stickers. A day ago it was this huge box containing some cute stuffed dolls, plastic smile coins and smile balls and yet another inspiring note. And today it was yet another box from across the pond with a lovely photo frame and a wonderful note. Not only have these gifts cheered me, my husband has also been having a great time opening them and being amazed at the thoughts behind them. He still has not been able to wipe the ... Read Full Story >>

Using Lunch Monday to Help a Stranger

While biking I came across an old man who had a flat tire on the side of the road and looked as if he needed help. I decided to stop and help this man. It turned out that he did not have the right size tube and then i remebered that right around the block was a bike store.

The man had left his wallet at home and I remembered I had my lunch money. I decided to use this money to go buy him the right-size tube. I was not worried about buying the man a tube as I knew he would appreciate this kind act. I also didn't worry about eating a lunch because by doing this kind act, I became full with the smile he had given me after I helped him. 

Jock Thomson's Bairns poem

Anyone familiar with the saying "We're a' Jock Tamson's bairns."? Maybe you have a similar saying in your country? I was writing a poem which took a differnet direction and ended up like this: We are all Jock Thomson’s bairns, born under the same soft stars, just trying to keep a light on in the dark. We are all - just all of us, clothed in different wounds, fighting different storms, and likewise different demons. Stranger, neighbour, refugee, rich man, poor man, beggar man, me. Mothers, sisters, all the colours, lovers, haters, still my brothers. One danced at his daughter’s wedding, another grew up husband-dreading. One wept for joy at first son’s birth, while this one feels they have no worth. We are all Jock Thomson’s bairns, born under the same old moon, here for a fleeting moment - then away. We are all - just all of us. Each a reflection, mirroring the other deep inside. Tinker, tailor - come and see: all your lives reflect in me, each a line in an epic story of unsung heroes, ... Read Full Story >>

A Moment of Calm

My husband and I were cleaning windows together yesterday. We  have the double-hung windows that you can pull forward and flip, allowing us to clean the inside and the outside surfaces. My husband was washing one window - and it popped out of its frame!  Well, our house is for sale and the last thing we needed was for something to break. He was so upset and tried with all his might to get it back together, using a few less than pleasant words (I am sorry to say). After twenty minutes he still could not get it fixed. That's when my 23 year old son told his dad to walk away for a minute and he would try to fix it with me. It's amazing how you can see things more clearly and do things more easily when you are calm. He and I fixed the window in three minutes! I called ... Read Full Story >>

Don't Wait To Win The Lottery

Like three million other knitters and crocheters I am a member of the website Ravelry. This is a resource for patterns, news of events, and for people to link up and share interests.
 
One of the groups I found there provide sweaters, caps, booties, mittens, and blankets for new-born babies as they prepare to go home from the hospital.
 
This led me to reading about the living conditions and the poverty that particular area, which in turn made me wish that somebody who is wealthy would situate something there that would provide employment and hope.
 
Then it dawned on me that I have a workroom full of raw materials for baby quilts, and other useful things. The Bible encourages us to be good stewards of the blessings we have. I don't need to win the lottery to help (especially since I never buy a lottery ticket.)
 
I'll do my bit, but if you win the lottery ... help somebody. Just sayin'!

Painted Rock Treasure Hunt

My sister-in-law just sent me an invitation to participate in this fun activity that is taking place in our community. It sounds like fun and is something that any community or group could do! You can change the "rules" to suit your group or situation.

Here's how it works: Just paint a rock with art inspirational quotes of your choosing, write "Go to PNW Rocks on Facebook" on the bottom, and be sure to seal it so it holds up in our wonderful rainy weather. Then, hide it around town where people can come across it in their daily activities. If you would like, post a picture of your rock art. Give a hint as to where people can find it.

If you find a PNW ROCKS painted rock, post a picture of your find on the Facebook page. You can choose to keep the rock or re-hide it. The whole point is to use art to brighten someone's day! Please note that there is no guarantee your painted rocks will be found, and they are given freely.

Smile Card Revolution at School

I am currently in grade twelve at my school and have been working on a project by creating a group of eight girls, ranging from grades five to six, to stop bullying.  I introduced these girls to the Smile Card idea, and it was a huge hit.  We have been meeting every week since then.  Next thing I know, one girl came up to me with over 100 Smile Cards that she had printed out from this website and colored in herself!

This shows me that kindness can reach all different ages.  Now, the girls are continuously spreading the cards and making journals of their experiences.  I plan to get our whole school involved in this Smile Card revolution. 

My next theme is "We are all the same yet so different."  These girls gave me hope that people in this world do care.

A Banana Bread Thank You

We live in a circle of giving in my neighbourhoood; neighbours sharing and looking out for each other.

So, the other day when a plate of banana bread appeared on our doorstep without a note I didn't know who to thank.

Was it Leslie? We often exchange fruits and vegetables from the garden and swap baked goods. I called her. She said it wasn't her.

Was it Carol? She loves our garden veggies! Nope.

Was it Helen? I had stopped by her house with a bag of freshly picked tomatoes and although her daughter had just given us some apple cake a few days earlier she said it wasn't her either.

I was scratching my head in confusion when Helen started talking about how nice it was that my husband and two other neighbourhood men had helped her neighbour move a big mattress into their house the other day.

Then her eyes sparkled and she said, "I know who baked a lot of banana bread! It was Ellen! She wanted to thank your husband for his help with moving the mattress!" 

Mystery solved - and more friends to bake for!

Stories for an Extra Special Listener

 This isn't so much a kindness story as a lovely moment. Every once in a while I go along to a local radio station to record some stories that go out as a 'Thought For The Day'. Usually the sound engineer is very fussy about background noise when we are recording. Sometimes there are other people in the studio and he makes sure they know silence is the order of the moment. Today there were two people in the studio. One was teenage boy working at a computer keyboard. The other was a woman who might have been his mother or his helper. We exchanged some pleasantries and she asked if I was doing 'Thought For The Day'. I said, "Yeah," but joked I was self-conscious. "So, nobody listen," I said in a mock raised voice. Then we began to record. While I spoke into the microphone I noticed the woman talking to the boy - ... Read Full Story >>

It Is In Giving That You Get

It was one of those unexpected moments of generosity that just takes your breath away - I called up my favorite sandwich shop, ordered two veggie hoagies, and arranged to pick them up in ten minutes. Parking places are hard to find around there so my wife dropped me off, saying she would pick me up again in a few minutes.  I walk in and mention my order. "Ah yes! Here you go. That'll be $14.87," the burly man behind the counter said.  I gave him the cash and he handed me my change. As I picked up the napkins he handed me a giant empty glass. "Here you go," he said. "That's for your drink."  I took it, not really sure why he had given it to me. "Um, I actually didn't order a drink," I said and tried to hand him the glass back.  "Oh, I know. Go ahead, help yourself to a ... Read Full Story >>