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At The Bus Stop

I was waiting for a bus at the stop and I noticed one of the drivers got off and was walking around while waiting for its time to depart. The man looked tired and maybe a little sad, I imagine in his mid 60s. He looked at me and smiled gently so I smiled back. He stopped straight away and started talking. He told me all about his job and how difficult it is for him at his age. I listened and offered gentle encouragement. When the time was up he said he was very grateful for our conversation and we wished each other a good day. I hope I helped him feel better and have a better rest of the day. He definitely helped me. I felt grateful for my job, for his kind smile and for the opportunity to 'be there for him' for a brief moment.

Joy from Joining Helpothers.org

This is my first time so please bear with me. I am VERY new to all of this. I am still learning from HelpOthers.org. I came across this site while doing research for a presentation I did on "Positive Attitude at Work and at Home". I was inspired by the stories I read and enjoyed reading the daily kindness stories. I have been doing this for about 4 months (reading stories but not "participating" in submitting any stories). I am not computer savy so have been a little weary about joining a "group". I don't facebook, twitter, or any of that stuff so you can understand my hesitation. I finally got the courage to join and have not regretted that decision (in fact I know I should have sooner). The very first day I created a profile - I got two welcome messages and karma bucks. I was pleasantly surprised. I am truely ... Read Full Story >>

Double Donations :)

Received an email from the amazing folks at Greyhound Rescue in Australia that one of their partners is matching every donation until 2 November, so I jumped on the opportunity to make a donation and help out the hounds in need.

Winter is rapidly approaching in the Northern Hemisphere and I couldn't leave out Ukraine, so I also donated to the United24 initiative of President Zelenskyy to provide Ukrainians with much needed aid.

A Snack That Turned Into Balloons

Often we do little acts of kindness and can’t really know what happens next… the people who benefit from the act return to their lives and we return to ours!  Our paths may never cross again.  But that’s not the case when a member of HelpOthers does a kind act to another member of HelOthers!  Here we can chart the ripples as we guide the kindness on its way!  Here’s one such story. You may have read Aurelia’s post about making Chex Mix for her family, or Bluebell’s post about receiving a snack from a friend in the US.  Well I sent some Karmabucks to Aurelia to find out more about her amazing snack and she offered to send some to me if I was based in the US.  Unfortunately I’m not, I live in the UK but luck would have it that I was off to America for a company event last ... Read Full Story >>

No Change, Please

During a shopping trip into town one day, my son and I noticed a lot of homeless people. These days, we've been seeing a lot more people on the streets, and we felt compelled to help. So we made a deal with each other. We went to the cash machine and withdrew some cash. Then we gave ourselves a certain amount we could give away to the homeless people whom we encountered. Once we have given away that set amount, we stop. We had a lovely day out, and on the way home, a young girl asked us for help. We had given all our cash away already, so we passed her. But as we walked on, I couldn't help but think she looked so in need of a decent meal. At the same time, my son blurted, "Mum, I know we have spent all our cash, but could we just go back and ... Read Full Story >>

An Anonymous Double Holiday Gift

I spent the evening last night shopping for presents:  not for my boyfriend or for me, not for our families or friends, but for a family that we selected to "sponsor" through our holiday angel program at work.  Usually I sponsor just one person, but this year I had the opportunity through our women's network to select a family headed up by a young single mother in my greater community.  It was hard balancing what they were asking for versus what I wanted to get them.  For example, the nine-year-old was asking for a specific doll, and I wanted to get her warm clothes and mittens.  I debated about it for a long time, and decided that I needed to just get both: toys for her to smile about, and warm clothes for her mother to smile about.  This is an anonymous giving program, but I feel like I know the family so well just ... Read Full Story >>

When Kindness Doesn't Need Any Words

On 'Pay-it-Forward' Day, our family knew we wanted to pick up someones tab at the grocery store but we didn't know what we would say to them.

We took the kids and told our oldest to find someone checking out. I felt drawn to the first man I saw, we all agreed this was the one. It was a family with two small children. They had A LOT of items. Still not knowing what to say I went to the cashier when she rang their last item, gave her my card and told her we were paying.

The mother holding the baby was confused and handed  her welfare card to the cashier, her husband signaled to her to put it away. We didn't have to say anything, the couple was deaf. We hugged and cried and left the store. It was a moment we will never forget.

An Extra Dose of Compassion at the Hospital

Today I met an old lady when I was in hospital. I was done with my check-up and I was standing in medicine counter of the hospital to get my medicinal receipt and medicines.  I saw that the old lady was sitting in a nearby chair and waiting for something. She seemed a little distraught so I asked her if she was okay.

She told me that she was waiting for her son who was tied up with some personal work and he had told her that he could come back in a few hours. She said that she was feeling faint and tired. I rushed to the nearby hospital cafeteria and bought her some breakfast. I then got her prescription for her and paid for her medication along with mine. 

She had the breakfast and she was happy now. She also had the tablet and thanked me.

I was happier for showing kindness to her.

Opportunities Abound While Standing in Line

While I was waiting in line at the store, I noticed a sweet elderly lady next to me. She was adding up her items quietly to herself as they were being rung up by the cashier.  

Out of know where, I said "Ma'am, I will be buying your items today."

A bit taken aback, she smiled and said, "Thank you."

When I paid for them, I was filled with such a feeling of giving and thoughtfulness inside. I am the one who is thankful! :)

Finding That Positive Note

My step-son is going through an extremely difficult time in his life and is battling many personal issues.   He calls his father several times a day, often consumed by sadness and negativity, sometimes near his breaking point. Trying to be supportive and non-critical takes it's toll on us all, but we keep trying.    This morning on our drive to work I asked my husband to try ending the telephone conversation with his son by simply saying, "Now, tell me something good about today".     Some days that might be an easy thing to do, other days it may be nearly impossible. But even if the only thing he could can up with to say is, "You were there for me again today, Dad," that would at least give him something positive to focus on.    Tonight, I heard my husband say to his son, "Okay, now let's end on a positive note. Tell me ... Read Full Story >>

A Bus Ride, a Lost Hat, and a Happy Ending

Some days ago, I decided to leave my bike at home and take the bus instead. It was cold outside. I put on my only warm cap and my gloves, glad of their protection. I was glad I'd managed to quit my habit of losing gloves and caps as I couldn't easily afford new ones. On the bus, I pulled the cap off, it being warm inside. When I got to my stop, I jumped up and got off the bus. As I crossed the street, I realized something was missing: My only cap! In the middle of the street, I turned around, ran to the doors of the bus, pushing the button to open them, but to no avail. The bus pulled away from the stop. I kissed my cap goodbye. Just then, the bus stopped a short distance away because of a red light. While I sadly looked on (drivers aren't ... Read Full Story >>

The Ripple Effect From One Little Trip To The Store

I wrote a story yesterday about, my 11-year-old daughter, her friend, and I stopping to help a man yesterday.  Well, after stopping and talking with him for a minute, the girls were buzzing with ideas of how to help this man, and possibly other needy people as well.  We came home and they shared their ideas with my 6-year-old son.   The three of them started getting out craft supplies and making things to raise money to help this man and his family.  Well, I talked with a friend and she shared a wonderful idea with the kids.  She told us about an angel we can make and  sell for $1.00 to  our family, friends, and church family.  The kids were so excited that they couldn't wait.  In the meantime they made some clothespin butterflies. Today, they came into the adult's Sunday school and told them their idea.  They were very pleased ... Read Full Story >>

A Small Christmas Miracle During a Challenging Time

Every time I see an outside evergreen decorated with lights, I remember the kindness of my father-in-law's neighbors. A few years ago, Dad was in at home hospice care during the holidays, confined to the back guest room turned medical center. His bed faced the neighbor's hedge of bushes and a huge evergreen. When the neighbors found out that was Dad's view, they decorated the tree with so many colored lights that it nearly lit up the whole backyard 🎄!!! No one else could really see or appreciate their tree of Light from that vantage point, except for Dad, lying in his bed, preparing to transition. Time slowed and everything became washed in the glow of Peace, as it does in those special moments of pivotal events. Grateful that Dad, and all of us who visited, had those Lights to help guide us thru a challenging time. Many thanks to each of you who choose ... Read Full Story >>

Just A Simple Thank You

Perfect Dresses For Prom Princesses

The Extra Water I Packed

In September of 2005, during Hurricane Rita, I learned the importance of family and sharing.  We were located in an area that was safe from the hurricane but my great-grandmother was not. At that time she was 80 years old and suffered from arthritis so even though she still had her mobility it was limited. I could not believe it when I heard my mother say we were going to Louisiana. That was the same place that the hurricane was heading for! So, I asked why and she told me it was because she did not want my great grandmother to be alone and there was no way to get her to us - so we had to go to her. It moved me to see that my mother was willing to put herself in harm’s way to make sure her mother was not alone at such a scary time.  So we got ... Read Full Story >>

When In Trouble ... Give!

Today was the day that I paid my bills. I was feeling a little under the weather financially and worrying myself about it. I was praying and thinking about the problem when, just like that, I got the solution. I’m a firm believer in the concept of “a blessing given is a blessing received.” So I went to the grocery store to do an act of kindness.  Since I wanted to do this act anonymously, I couldn't figure out the right person for a long time.   Finally, I went in line behind the person that I wanted to pay it forward to. When the cashier rang her items up I handed my debit card over and asked the cashier to charge it on me. The lady in line was confused at first, but I explained to her the whole concept of paying it forward and even told her about HelpOthers.org. ... Read Full Story >>

Returning a Lost Phone Found in Taxi

On Tuesday evening I boarded a taxi and sat in the extreme corner. Arriving at the destination, I was the last to get out of the taxi and I realised someone had left their phone on the seat next to me.

I picked it up and waited for the owner to call, which he did later on. I told him I had gone with the phone to my home but would deliver it to him the following day.

So on my way to work the following day I delivered the phone to him. He was so delighted, wanted to give me a reward, but I refused and told him it was okay. He was so excited. I thank God I was able to deliver his phone at no cost.

Helping A Stranger In Need

During the holidays my sisters and I were walking through town when we noticed that a lady was struggling so much to try and carry her groceries..far too much to try and carry them by herself. People were passing on by without taking a second look. All at once together my sisters and I all said to ourselves "lets go help out this lady" without giving it a second thought. We carried all her groceries to her car which was parked about 5 minutes walk down the road.

She was so happy and as she thanked us, you could see the happiness across her face.  It didn't cost anything nor did it take anything out of our day..only those few minutes but let me tell you...it was the best time during the entire day...helping a stranger in need :)

Smiles all round :)

Saying 'Thanks' to a Military Family

It was the second year of the war in Iraq.  My husband and I went to dinner at TGI Friday's in Honolulu.  We were already seated and eating when we noticed a man in a US military uniform with his blonde wife and three children, the youngest in a stroller, waiting in line outside the restaurant.  My husband decided at that moment that he would pay the dinner bill for them and summoned the waiter to take care of it. The family was seated close enough so that we could see them clearly.  The kids were well behaved, except of course for the baby.  We ate slowly and watched while they finished their meal and the waiter announced to the man and his wife that the bill was paid in full by a fellow patron who wished to remain anonymous.  The man told his wife, and both looked around the room as if to get some sort of acknowledgment.  We could see tears welling up in the man's eyes.  My husband is retired Navy and a retired firefighter. I am so proud of him for that act of kindness.