Search Results for 'popular' (3486 matches)

A Craving For Ice Cream

This morning I was running errands and had a sudden urge for an ice cream from McDonald's.   I tried talking myself out of it; I hadn't had lunch yet; I really didn't need it; I already passed McDonald's! But I gave into my craving and turned around.   A homeless man was begging for change at the traffic lights. He looked so tired and defeated. I pulled a couple of dollars out of my wallet and gave them to him. I asked him if he was hungry and he said yes, but that the money I had given him would buy something to eat.   I pulled up to the drive-thru to get my ice cream and decided to go ahead and order him a burger, fries and a coke.    When I handed him the bag I told him I had gotten him some lunch and he stared at me in disbelief. He immediately started ... Read Full Story >>

Salvation Army Snail Mail

I recently got some smile cards and was looking forward to doing something great for someone, but I wasn't quite sure what to do.

Then, the other day, I received a random letter in the mail. It was from the Salvation Army.

Inside, there was a blank card. Attached was an invitation to write a note for a homeless or lonely person inside the card. There was a free post envelope to mail it back, as well, and this could all be done anonymously!

It was the perfect opportunity-- I absolutely jumped at the chance to do this! As I wrote the card, I smiled at the thought of its future recipient--whoever he or she is. I thought about how that person might feel when they receive it. I hope they know that someone out there cares about him or her!

I also included a Smile Card before mailing it off! :)

Re-keying a Home

A friend of my fiancé’s called in a bit of a panic.  She needed the locks on her doors to her home replaced or re-keyed that evening.  We drove over and checked everything out.  While the two friends chatted, I went to the local hardware store with her cash in hand and purchased a set of same-key front and back door locking knobs with deadbolts.  I purchased them with my check card.  I came back, installed the knobs and deadbolts, and handed her the new keys.   While I was installing the locks on the back door I thought it would be a good idea to take the cash she gave me for the locks and slide it under one of her fridge magnets along with a smile card.  I almost made it out of there before she found it.  Not so anonymous.   She hugged me for about a minute and she was weeping.  ... Read Full Story >>

An Accident in Gratefulness

My husband had just gifted me my dream car -- a BMW Z4!  As excited as I was, I was driving it very carefully.  On July 26th, as I was singing to my favorite tunes, the car in front of me stops suddenly!  I proceded to stop as well, but the driver behind me rear-ended me and push my car into the car in front of me.  The impact was so strong that my air bag blew up and I had second degree burns on my arm.  When the kid in the car behind me saw my arm, he was so apologetic that he was not paying attention and talking to his friends and how he did not meant to hurt me.  Of course, all I kept thinking about was my brand new car! My husband was out of town, and I was so scared.  The ambulance came and offered to ... Read Full Story >>

From An Anonymous Well-Wisher

I just finished writing a Thank You card to a group that helps victims of domestic violence. Inside it I put some gift cards, for supermarkets, coffee shops, etc. 

What Nobody Ever Does

Today I got in touch with my go-to I.T. guy. He is part of our Executive Support team at my office. 

I typically instant message him in the office when something has gone wrong, or my boss has locked out his password, or we need some urgent thing fixed. He always springs to action, coming to the rescue and helping us right away. 

Today, I messaged him and said, "Hi! I don't need anything today but wanted to thank you for all you always do." 

He was so happy! He said, "Nobody ever does that!" He said it made his afternoon! 

How long did that take me? No time at all. And it didn't cost a thing! 

Thank yous are free - but they are priceless! Imagine if people you knew just thanked you for the little things in life. You'd be getting such nice messages all day!

Tai Chi With Neighbours

I'm trying to organise a Tai Chi lesson for neighbours in my garden. I thought it'd be a lovely way to get to know people and offer space for community while doing something good for our physical and mental wellbeing. I tried it myself a few years ago, pre pandemic, and really enjoyed the gentle movement and flow...I've got 6 people interested so far so I'm really happy. Now hoping the teacher will give us a good price to make it possible. Needless to say I told everyone they could stay for a cup of tea afterwards :-)

Coffee on the House

I was sitting in a cafe with my wife on a rainy afternoon when the pleasant, cozy atmosphere changed. A man came in. A man came in, unshaven, unsteady, soaked through with some blood on his face. He seemed drunk or stoned and hardly able to walk.   Still, he managed to get himself to a table and sit down, almost falling asleep before the waitress took his order. The cafe fell silent. Everybody waited to see what would happen next -- would the man create a scene, could he even pay for the coffee he'd ordered, would the owner have him thrown out? Meanwhile I was making a rookie Good Samaritan mistake. I stayed in my seat regretting that I didn't have any money to help him, forgetting that money was not the only way to help. Then instead of the waitress returning to the table, ... Read Full Story >>

Where, O Where, Did the Smile Cards Go!?

They went on top of my dresser.  About four weeks ago.  Some went in the console of my car.  A couple were swallowed up in my wallet which I'm quite certain still has my high school ID card.  I'm 35. And there they stayed, all around me yet somehow completely hidden.  Which, of course, they weren't.  I just wasn't looking.  I had forgotten to look.  More truthfully, my "looking" had shifted from "how can I help?" to "what do I need?"  I need more money.  I need gas for my car.  I need a job.  I need some clothes.  Some new running shoes.  I need fulfillment, dammit!   O, Happiness, where have you hid?   Just when I am most in need, most lost, most miserable, you go and hide, Happiness!  How dare you!  I NEED these things, material and otherwise and they will deliver unto me joy, freedom, ease and happiness for all ... Read Full Story >>

Helping an Orphaned Black Cat Find a Home

When I started working at a local pet store, I fell head-over-heels for Jenny, a little black cat. She had been in the store for over three months, with no prospective families looking to adopt her. Unfortunately people are superstitious about black cats, and since we currently have three black cats at our facility, it meant that Jenny would probably remain with us, unadopted for quite a while.   At the moment I am unable to have any more pets due to apartment restrictions, but I felt a real connection with this animal, and wanted her to go to a good family rather than being cooped up in her cage any longer. To improve her chances for adoption, I took her back to our grooming salon and paid for her to get a bath, brushing, and haircut. The ladies in the grooming area were so wonderful. Not only did they give ... Read Full Story >>

Helping Two Bright Young People On Job Offers

Two young people - one with a post-graduation from a reputed school, another with a good credential are struggling to land a job offer, in different countries. I have referred them to potential companies that might reach out to them. Hoping they will secure a dream job and wishing them a bright career.

A Little Boy's Box of Savings

After the tsunami hit India, many people who lived near the coastal areas were severely affected, lost homes, lost many lives.

College girls were asked to collect money from their nighbourhood. So we formed a group and engaged ourselves in collecting money for the tsunami relief fund. In our area, we showed a sign board, which read, "Please help tsunami victims," to the people in neighbourhood and asked for their help. They donated money or dresses or rice or  medicine or anything which has a longer expiry date.

A small boy who was on the way to his school came running to us and asked us to wait there for some time. After 5 minutes he came running to us and handed his small savings box.

It was a plastic box in which there were many coins inside. He said he got that little box from his granny as a birthday gift for saving coins. And he wanted it to be donated for the fund.

Vow! What a big heart!

It was the real greatest offering collected by us.

Thank you sweet heart!

Hope is "the Making of You"

I've had a hard time for a few years now and try to write a little something most days.  All the postings I have made are my writings, so thank you to those of you that have given me such positive feedback.  Thank you for your kindness.

Here's another...penned a few minutes ago.......

An Encounter With Someone Who Wants To Be Heard

Julie and I went to visit a Teen Challenge bus last night. We were going to see if we could help set up. It was a ram-shackle old thing! A mini-kitchen had been installed in the back and the seats were arranged along the sides so folks could face each other and chat. They set up outside a hostel for homeless young people. They do tea, toast, biscuits for anyone who wants to come in. Some of their clients are simply homeless, some have alcohol, drugs or psychological problems. The theory behind it is that if anyone wants a better life, a way out of their current situation, this organisation will help them. If the person makes a committment to attend church and get their "habits" down to a certain level Teen Challenge will get them into a rehab centre. One of the workers said something that stayed with me. ... Read Full Story >>

Bringing Our Family Together For A Special 60th Birthday

Recently I decided to plan a surprise 60th birthday party for my mother.  I felt bad that my brother would not be there since he is in Texas and it would be too difficult for him to get home for a weekend.  He was fine with it though and just said he wished he could be there.

My uncle called and said that he wanted to bring my mother something for her birthday.  He said he was her brother and didn't care that the invite said no gifts.  He decided that what my mother would like most is to have her whole family togehter. So he decided to fly my brother and his girlfriend home for Easter this year.

My mother has not received this gift since the party is this weekend but I know she is going to be super excited about it as I  am. We didn't think we would see my brother and his girlfriend until  at least the is summer so now I am very excited that I will be seeing him in April.

The world needs more people like my uncle to bring families together.

Rescue in the frozen section

When my son was a toddler, he didn't tolerate the grocery store well. The bright lights, tons of products and people would usually result in a meltdown of epic proportions. I didn't know it at that time, but he has sensory processing disorder and retail stores can be very hard for kids like mine. One day, I had to pick up a few things. There were no options, I had to go. As soon as he's in the cart he begins to wail. I was at the back of the store, walking down the long end towards the frozen section. My son was in one of those "race car" carts that have a steering wheel. At the other end of the market was a woman, waving her arms frantically. I looked behind us but we were the only people there. I kept walking towards her and when we got close she lightly ... Read Full Story >>

💧 Offer Water On A Hot Day

🥵 Hot and very humid day here in NYC today….offered cold drink of water to gal who delivered our mail 💧 ….I saw her a few doors down when I happened to look out &.called out to her….she came back to our door 👍

Told her how her new hairdo was so pretty & how good she looked too ….I’m not shy about letting someone know 😉

She walked away with a smile on her face 😊

A Dollar Can Make a Difference

I was in the lobby of my doctor's office waiting for my appointment. As I was sitting there, an elderly couple came in. The gentleman had trouble breathing and looked as if he was in poor health. As they were checking in at the front desk, I overheard the receptionist say that they were on Medicaid and had an outstanding balance of $1.50. The woman only had 50 cents.

The woman and her husband both looked upset and embarassed. The receptionist said that the balance would need to be paid before they could see the doctor. I was sitting far away from the front desk so I walked up and said that I would pay the remaining  $1.00. They were so thankful and gave me many blesssings.

I always thought $1.00 wasn't enough to help anyone, but I was reminded that day that $1.00 really can make a difference!

Two Wolves - A Cherokee Tale

A Cherokee is telling his grandson about a fight
that is going on inside himself.

He said it is between 2 wolves.
One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret,
fearful thinking, greed, arrogance, self-pity,
guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

An Unexpected Gift of Spices from Grenada

Our office's cleaning lady went through a lot of difficulties last year.  At one point, she had even been hospitalized two times.  So prior to Christmas, I bought her a box of cookies covered with chocolate, which I left on my desk with a note for her.  The next day, I got a thank you note from her.  A couple weeks later, I left her some specialty candies with a little note, and the next day, I got another thank you note from her.  Afterward, we continued to go through these routines a few times.  Over the past month, she took vacation to go back home to Grenada.  Two weeks ago, I took my own vacation and just returned to work yesterday.  As I was walking up the stairs feeling kind of sleepy and stressed because I knew I was going to be swamped with work, I walked to my desk and ... Read Full Story >>