Search Results for 'popular' (2847 matches)

The Kindness Of Strangers

Yesterday was a long travel day with connecting flights that involved passing through customs in Miami to get to my final destination. At the baggage claim, people from my flight waited almost an hour before someone finally unjammed the carousel and allowed the luggage to finally start to move.

Some people missed their flights, but I thought I still had a shot at mine. A kind young couple in the customs line insisted I go before them and then another couple bid me to go ahead in the security line. Even the TSA officer apologized when I got the random beep to have my hands tested for gunpowder or whatever it is they test your hands for.

As I left the security area I heard the young couple who had originally granted me their place in line. "Go, GO, GO!!" I made the flight with 10 minutes to spare. Thank you to all those wonderful strangers!

An Hour That Made All The Difference In My Life

There are a few people who have passed through my life who I say I would never be able to repay. One of them who left the most impact was my art teacher Mr. Cataldo.

I went to a very rough middle school and that is a difficult age to be in an unsafe environment. I was bullied and mistreated on a regular basis. Perhaps the other students could see the victim in me, but all of that changed the day that I came into art class.

Mr. Cataldo let every student of his know that this was a safe zone and no bullying or bad behavior could happen on his watch. He fostered a good environment for learning and growing. It was only an hour a day, but it saved my life at the time. So thanks, Mr.C for giving me a little haven of peace in an otherwise dark and disturbing middle school experience. I think about you often!

Daffodils and sweets to brighten someone's day...

Recently, I was thinking about how the porters in our building here in London have been doing a great job servicing the residents. In particular, there is one porter who manages to brighten up my day every time I come and go from our building and puts a smile on everyone's faces who comes by. He's always cheerful and very helpful and seems to be full of life.

I thought it would be nice to thank him for his kindness. So, I decided to put together a small bundle of daffodils and a box of sweets, each with a smile card attached. The plan was to leave it at the front desk anonymously, along with a "Thank You" card.

When I got down there, he was at the desk, so the anonymous game was over. But, I decided maybe that's the way it was meant to be, and I handed him the sweets, the flowers, and the card and thanked him for everything he does on a daily basis. He was definitely taken by surprise and couldn't get over the fact that someone would do this for him. It felt so wonderful to brighten someone else's day, who never fails to brighten mine

Will Work for Food

One day I had a doctors appointment to have some lab work done. I had to fast for 12 hours prior to the tests. Knowing that I would be starving by the time I left the doctors office, after not eating for 12 hours plus, I prepared myself a sack breakfast. So I had the testing done and was leaving the doctors office and was thinking about the food I had in the car, and how I couldn't wait to eat. I had reached for the sack and was fumbling and driving trying to get to it, when I had to stop at a red light. I looked out my windshield and there before me to my left side, the drivers side of the car was a man with a cardboard sign that read "Will work for Food". I wanted to cry. The first thing I thought of was I know how ... Read Full Story >>

Laundry Mystery

I was a first year college student in a Graphic Design course and I'd like to tell you an interesting story that happened to me a few months ago. You see, I live in a "seedy" (an abundance of illegal activity) apartment building whose residents are a large diversity of minorities, most of which I have never met, (I don't even know my neighbors name), and we all have to use the laundry room on the third floor. The dryers in the laundry room are old and usually require more than one cycle to fully dry even a small load of laundry. One evening I found I had only one loonie left for the dryer (they only accepted $1 coins) and so opted to leave my wet clothes in the dryer all night knowing that my clothes would still be damp in the morning and that they were the only ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness on my Doorstep

I came home from work one day to find some business cards and a card holder in the street.  Not much, but I figured the person might want them so I called the number only to find out the person was a seasonal employee.  No worries, I thought I would just throw the cards out since they didn't seem to be of much value.   A few hours later I saw a police car driving down the street, which is unusual.  As I went out to see what was going on I saw an envelope on my front porch.  It was a package of food stamps or food checks for mothers with young children.  There were enough checks to last through October or November and interestingly the name matched the name from the business cards.  I called the office that issues the checks, but they were closed so I called one ... Read Full Story >>

Helping Someone in Need

A few weeks ago, I was driving with my family when we stopped at a gas station. I noticed a man walking around asking for money to get to a city about an hour away. My Mom began driving away when I asked her to stop the car. I got out and gave the man some money. He wished upon me God's blessings, and I told him to have a Happy New Year.

I got back in the car and was greeted with, "How much did you give him?" and "You didn't need to do that!" Although my family didn't seem to understand where my generosity came from, I knew that the man must have needed the money more than I did. Even if he didn't, I just have faith that God sees all good works and blesses us in return.

The Back-packer Who Stayed For 12 Months

As my husbandTrevor was coming home on the bus one day, he struck up a conversation with a back-packer who was looking for accomodation; Trevor immediately invited his new found friend to stay with us.  And it was such a delight to have him staty with us for 12 months.  This act of kindness was repaid to us in so many beautiful ways. Eamon if you read this, thanks for everything!

Hospitality is a great way to show kindness not only to friends but to strangers who become friends.

Seaworld Cell Phone

We recently visited Seaworld, in Florida!!!

While in the ladies' room I found a cell phone on the floor in the stall I was in. I quickly picked it up and loudly stated I found the cellphone on the floor and held it out under the stall door.

Someone said  "That's Mine, thank you so much!" 

Right as I was leaving, the women came to me and thanked me for being honest and quickly shouting that I found the phone before she left.  Because the park is very large, families go in different directions and meet up again by using the cellphones to locate one another.

I felt good that she appreciated my efforts of not being shy in the bathroom! :)

Traffic In A Small Town

One of the reason I like small towns is the lack of traffic.  Unfortunately, small towns become popular and even though there aren't jobs in them, people will live there and commute to larger areas.  Such is my fortune.  Along with the small town comes lack of traffic signals.  I live off the southern most road in town and you would think that it would be easy to get onto the highway.  Wrong!  By the time the morning commute traffic gets to my road, it is completely and utterly bumper to bumper.  I can hear you laughing ... small town bumper to bumper traffic can't really be that bad!  Well, on more than one occasion I have sat through over 100 cars going past before I could pull out.  Forget trying to cross traffic to go North!  I can't even tell you how many accidents have occurred from that.  You ... Read Full Story >>

A Sweet Afternoon

Last week, I had stopped to get the mail before going to pick up my son from school.  Included in my mail was a coupon for a free chocolate bar. After picking up my son, I saw a student sitting all alone on the side walk waiting to be picked up.  I thought it would be a good idea to offer her the free coupon.  She flashed a big smile when I handed it to her and said thanks.

When my son and I returned home, what did we see in the refrigerator?!?  The same exact candy bar.  I guess my husband had gone to the store the night before!!! : ) 

What goes around comes around.  It was a sweet afternoon indeed! : )

A Fabric of Comfort

I have a non-profit called "Kidz KLoakz to Komfort Kidz." We use new, fun patterned fleece fabric to make, pillows, blankets, poncho's and hats and scarves, for kids in need of comfort, no matter their circumstances. The items we make go to hospitals, shelters, life-line helicopters and social service residential programs. We have simplified the pillow making to use all our scrap materail. NO sewing is required. We just take two identical size pieces of fleece fabric and fringe all the edges - the fringe shoud be two to two-and-a-half inches long. We then tie the top and bottom together on three sides, and stuff and tie the remaining open side.
In the three years since we were founded, we have given away over 7,000 fleece gifts. All funds are donated and all work is done by a group of 20 -40 volunteers of all ages. It's a beautiful example of lots of people doing a litte bit. My foundation provides the fleece. If anyone is interested feel free to let me know. Also, if anyone knows a place that could use them let me know - we ship all over!

The Seven Wonders of Love

Love is the highest emotion in life. When one practices love, one can love the self first and from there the love flows to your most cherished life members, family members , forever friends, and extends to your neighbors, your community, strangers, your city, your country, your continent, and ultimately, the universe. Here is a love prescription, or rather a compilation of love exercises that I assembled which I hope can be a fruitful source of love generation for you:  The seven ways to love oneself are: 1. When you wake up in the morning,give yourself three loving compliments.  2. Before you go to sleep, think of three good things that happened to you that day.  3. When you brush your teeth in the morning, look into your    eyes and say, "I love you" and mean it.  4. During the day, pay attention to any subtle energy shifts     and ask your heart for guidance, when anything is off      balance.   5. Put ... Read Full Story >>

A SPECIAL MEMORY

I was on my way from work one Mother's Day, and I noticed a man pulled by the side of the road and he was trying to load these huge logs into the back of his pick-up truck. As he attempted to load a log, I noticed every vein and muscle in his body straining to complete the task, but to no avail. I stopped my car and offered a hand. The gentleman looked at me as though I might not have enough strength to assist, but since I was the only one offering help he accepted. Together we lifted the log into the back of his truck and then two more. Admittedly, I was grunting from the weight of the logs. As we were loading the logs, I wondered if he was a craftsman who might be making tables from the huge logs (recently cut down by the city), but he ... Read Full Story >>

Sandwich and Tea for the Man in the Doorway

I was in my city centre the other day, something I rearely do because it is so busy, noisy and unfriendly.  I walked past the shopping centre and noticed a youngish man sitting in the doorway of a shuttered shop. Something about the way he huddled into his grubby blankets against the cold steel shutters, his straggly, sandy hair blowing about his face in the wind and rain, made me feel so much compassion. It was as if even the buildings were against him, shutting him out, telling him there was no place for him here.  I went to a sandwich shop and bought him a sandwich and a take-away tea. I took them back to him and we didn't exchange conversation really, I just said, "I've brought you a bite to eat," and he said, "Thanks very much" and gave me a lop-sided smile -- as if he didn't have enough happiness ... Read Full Story >>

Smiling with a Purpose in the Workplace

   Ever since I found this website and joined your wonderful group of 'SMILERS', I have realized the true power of a Smile.  Earlier, I used to smile a lot, (thankfully smiling has always come very easily to me), but after I joined this website, it has added a new meaning, and now when I smile, there is a purpose – to spread happiness - to keep on smiling until I receive a smile back. It so happens that I work in an ‘analyst department’ where the members are always ploughing away at their work quite seriously, clicking the mouse, typing in the numbers, searching the net... you know how it is.  Prior, to my joining the team there was always a loud silence, broken only by hushed whispers, mouse clicks or keyboard sounds.  But today, I must confess after more than six months of “smiling with a purpose”, I can see ... Read Full Story >>

The Shawl of Courage

Sometimes kindness takes courage. I had bought this beautiful shawl some time back. I tried wearing it one day, but it felt like I was constantly messing with it throughout the day. Not for me. So the idea lingered in the back of my mind that I could give it to someone I run into when I get my morning coffee. I heard myself say, "Naw. I'll put it in the Goodwill box with the rest of the stuff. That's an act of kindness." But each morning I'd pass by women who might like it. "They'll think you're crazy just asking them if they want it out of the blue. Or they'll reject it. Put it in the pile." The thought of giving it away personally nagged at me a couple weeks. Finally, I took one little step. "I'll just put the shawl in my truck in case I see someone." And then ... Read Full Story >>

Cuddly Bears And Beenies

Today, when I was out in town, I went into the pound shop. Everything they sell costs £1.  

An Unexpected Surprise

One morning I heard someone trying to get their car out of the snow after a snowstorm. (A very common sound here in Montreal.) After a few minutes I realized they needed a push, so I got dressed ,went outside, and pushed the car. It only took about a minute and, feeling more cold than sociable, I walked back to my apartment, without really seeing the driver.   Months later I was at the corner store and the guy in front of me insisted on paying for the beer I was buying! It felt a bit awkward and I had to refuse repeatedly. When I reached the cashier she told me my stuff was already paid for and she couldn't take my money.     So, I was walking back home from the store and that same guy is fifty feet in front of me, all the way! It turns out he's my neighbor, ... Read Full Story >>

Flowers of Gratitude

As most of the flowers in my yard are gone for the year, I made a run to Walmart last night for flowers.

This morning I waited for the neighborhood school bus. As soon as I saw the bus, I flagged it down and gave the flowers to the bus drive Jeanette, who is also my neighbor. The look on her face was priceless!

My children are not school-age anymore, but I do have nieces and nephews that age. I think it takes pretty special people to do this job.

To safely drive, watch over, and deliver so many children is a great responsibility and one that is undoubtedly under appreciated!