Search Results for 'popular' (3616 matches)

More than Money at the Bus Stop

A story a friend shared with me: While going to the office, I found an old man lying by the side of the bus stop. He seemed very sick and poor. Instinctively, I gave him some money. After a few minutes, I realized that he was probably too sick to get up and buy something with that money. I was thinking about how to help him when my bus arrived, halting my brainstorm. I quickly got on and rode off. However, that night I couldn't sleep. I felt very angry at my own heartless and selfish behavior. How could I just walk away from that man without a thought for his suffering? I felt restless and very upset.  The next morning, while waiting at the bus stop, I hoped to run into him again. But he wasn't there. I thought he may have gone to the sidewalk to sleep for the night. I ... Read Full Story >>

En Route to Ubud

I have been living in Ubud in Bali for the last 9 months, and am really loving it. One of the many things I enjoy about it is that I get to travel without going anywhere, because friends regularly fly in from different parts of the world to visit. When I happen to be the one traveling places, I love being welcomed at the airport, and so I try to do the same for friends whenever I can.   Two days ago, I headed to the airport to pick up a friend who was flying in from Paris to visit for three weeks.  I don't own a car so I hired the services of my friend, Wayan Yoga, a really sweet Balinese driver. Wayan is also my informal Indonesian tutor, so I always look forward to riding with him.  We had a wonderful chat on our way to the airport about what ... Read Full Story >>

Walking Kindness

I was pretty inspired after reading this story here : http://www.helpothers.org/story.php?sid=6023 For the past one week,I have been going on "service walks" every day.I just walk around for a couple of kilometres, looking out for ways to help people. So far I have handed out warm lunches to two old homeless men on the sidewalk, a loaf of bread to another, shared cake with a bunch of little kids at a fishing village, given fruits to a group of about 16 people who were homeless and afflicted by leprosy, and boxes of peanut candy for two kids of the juice vendor who I'm friendly with.  I feel that in a poor country like India the tradition of anna-daanam or sharing food is one of the best ways to help others. Although at one level it may seem like a quick fix solution, I have tried to be thoughtful and careful on these walks, especially since a lot of ... 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! :)

The Wayside Chapel

It was a hot afternoon and I was waiting for a bus. The bus stop was unusually quite that day. There was an elderly man, a middle aged lady and, of course, me.  The mongrels that are usually seen lazing on the footpath were also missing. I noticed they had taken refuge from the heat under nearby parked cars. A lone mynah bird hopped on the road.    I saw an old lady approaching the bus stop. It was a day of superlatives. First the sultry afternoon (the hottest in a long time), then the eerie silence (the quietest silence ever) and now this old lady (the oldest I have probably ever seen).    Bent and slouched she walked with the aid of a stick. As she approached the bus stop I took a closer look. Her face was all wrinkles. But one could tell that she'd had chubby cheeks long ago. She was tired, ... Read Full Story >>

Meeting A Couple That Was Living In A Tent.

They were too proud to take the offer of shelter.  They said they were doing fine.  We visited their tent and realized that there was much they still needed to stay warm in the coming months. 

Having been homeless ourselves, in the past, we knew from experience what they would need.  We came home and went through all of our stuff.  Socks, blankets, long underwear, sweaters, coats, a plastic tarp, a large plastic container that would seal. The list goes on but you get the idea.  We took the items to them and gave them rides to the Social Security office to get their cards, helped them get their photo id's.  That in turn allowed them to get work.

I'm happy to report that they no longer live in the tent.  They just moved into their own apartment here and we live just a jog from his work. 

We see them every Sunday at church.  It's a thrill to see the pride in their faces and am so blessed to have been a part of it.  It never fails to amaze me that the human spirit can accomplish so much more when it is given a hand-up rather a hand-out.

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 >>

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 >>

💧 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 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!

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."

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 >>

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.

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. 

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.

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 >>

RV For Free

A fire completely destroyed my mobile home last year, just four months after I had paid it off!  I had, wrongly, assumed the insurance was still good until the end of the year and so had to rebuild with what little I had saved. I knew what I had in the bank would not be enough so I began to rent out my RV (recreational vehicle) as a way to help ends meet.  One woman who had reserved a week in the RV called and told me she just found out from her doctor that she had cancer and that her husband thought they probably should not be spending unnecessarily right now but saving for doctor bills. He felt that they should cancel the trip.  I could hear the disappointment in her voice as she told me how she had thought the trip was just what she and her family needed. Then she ... Read Full Story >>