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Building A Cultural Bridge

When my son was young, we earned a very low income and were living in one of the housing projects in Queens, NY. Having Spanish was his first language, but through attending nursery school, my son was already bilingual.

We were at a health clinic waiting our turn one day, when one of the nurses asked out loud "is there anyone here who could translate from Spanish?" Immediately my son called out raising his hand "I can". I took him into the doctor's office and both he and I helped a Spanish speaking woman to communicate with her physician.

This small act from him many years ago, has been a mirror for me to try to become a bridge between cultures. I now live in an area of Ecuador where there are many English speakers living among the Ecuadorians who speak only Spanish. I have been translating public meetings, without charge, so that bridges may be built among all of us by getting to know one another as individual persons, and so that  a community spirit may grow.

Learning How To Really Smile

Have you ever considered what it would be like to not be able to smile? I hadn't, up until a few months ago, when I found that I actually couldn't. Well, that is exaggerating it a little bit... Technically I could smile, but only with one side of my face! I went to the doctor, and was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy-A relatively unknown condition that paralyses one half of the face. As you could imagine, this was quite a shock to me, and made me very upset. Although this was a major bomb that was dropped on my life, this story is not about how hard life is, but how awesome it is when God challenges you in different ways. Anyway, so smiling is a part of everyday life for me. It is my way of greeting people, of laughing, silent communication (hehe) and consolidation. "Losing" half my face (temporarily) caused me ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Karma on a Nightshift at the Hospital

I was working a nightshift at the hospital one day, and usually there are only four staff working during the night .  Fortunately, I was working with my mates that night -- all except one colleague who I didn't get along with mainly because he's always been EXTRA nice to me, which creeped me out.   A few days prior he had done something I didn't like and I had slapped him, which I later thought was a bit over the top, for me. Anyways, I had decided that no matter what, I would do my best to be nice to him from now on. So this night, we all decided to have Subway sandwiches for dinner and I took down everyone's order to go and get it.  But, before I left I couldn't find that one colleague of mine, who I didn't get along with, to take his order. When I got to Subway, I figured this was my chance to ... Read Full Story >>

An Opportunity to be a Good Samaritan

I was on my way home one evening when I saw someone walking on the side of the street.  I recognized him as one of the people that works at one of my favourite resturants.  I pulled over and offered him a ride home.  He said that would be great and got in.  

His truck had broken down earlier in the day and he could not find anyone to help him get it started so he started walking home.  He had been walking for hours by the time I got to him and was exhausted. I took him about 10 miles the other way to his house. 

He thanked me many times and said he would get me some free food next time I was at the restaurant but I refused and said that wasn't necessary. 

An Opportunity for Kindness at the Airport

I travel for business all the time and know that airports are places in urgent need of random kindness. Hurry and anxiety are rampant as people try to manage the stress of missed flights, late flights, tiny seats, bumpy rides, unexpected fees, and unwelcome surprises. Lately I've had opportunities to make a tiny dent in the airport frenzy at the cart line. I remember when we could rent a cart to haul your bags for $1.25, but over the last few months, airports have raised fees as high as $5 and often travelers stand at the cart line, stymied by a lack correct change or credit card to pay the fee. At first, impatience (the currency of airport life) was my reaction to people 'holding up the line.'   Then I realized this was an opportunity to help. Now when I see someone clearly frustrated by a need for help with their bags, unable to ... Read Full Story >>

An Example in Kindness From a Sister

I don’t have to travel far to find someone whom I greatly admire as a fountain of compassion and kindness.  She's the kind of person who would give someone the shirt off her back or the car that she drives.  My sister, Cindy, actually did give away her family van (a second car) to a young man who was struggling financially and needed transportation to get to his job.  That’s just one of the generous acts that has caught my eye and softened my heart.  She also helps countless families with food and clothing donations. During the Christmas holidays, she and her family of daughters and grandkids pile in the car for a giving extravaganza. Over the years, many homeless people have benefitted from a pair of gloves, a hot meal and more as Cindy and her clan make stops along their goodwill route.   It's really amazing. There are many, many acts of generosity that ... Read Full Story >>

The Math of Kindness

We live in the San Francisco Bay Area and there are several bridges with tolls. Over the years and whenever we've felt moved to do so, we've paid the toll of the person behind us.

Sometimes the person catches us to us and waves. Sometimes they don't acknowledge it. No matter what they do, it is always worth it. Positive energy for little expense.

We are really giving to ourselves when we give to others because we are all one. All is one. 1 + 1 = 1. New math.

A Workplace Machine That Generates Love

I was visiting a client's offices and I saw an idea they had implemented within their company. 

It's called "The Love Machine". By using this program people in the company can give "points" to each other or even just supportive messages.  Nobody can take points away or say anything negative. 

It was very powerful, and they had a display with all the "loves" posted, scrolling by every few seconds.

They were mostly little things like, "For letting me borrow a pen five seconds before the big meeting," and, "For ordering Chinese food for lunch!" But there were also messages like, "Thanks for all your work on the big project!"

My Father's Silent Life Lessons

Earlier today I was thinking about my dad. Pops is in ill-health right now but his spirit is strong. He might forget where he’s at from time to time but I know that deep inside his spirit is as strong and vibrant as it has ever been.  Every now and then he will surprise us and just talk and talk and talk about the good ol’ days. He is eternally faithful to my mom, and I really feel he hasn’t abandoned ship yet because he fears for her when he is gone. Guess what, Pops?  We’ve got your back. You can enjoy what time you have left worrying about what to eat, what show to watch, how long to sit in that front porch rocker, or just waiting around for football season to start!  You know, the big stuff! You see, my dad is a quiet man. He has always been a quiet ... Read Full Story >>

Spring Flowers Just When They Are Needed

Is it possible that another person can feel that your spirits need a lift? 

Well I'm sure my gorgeous friend Paula could tell!

I had been arguing with my husband for a couple of days (over very unimportant things) and was sitting on our couch feeling down when the door bell rang. 

Paula had bought me a bunch of spring flowers while buying flowers for her own house. The smell of the flowers gave me an instant lift and brought a smile to my sad face. How thoughtful to share this wonderful idea with another, brightening my day and house with the smells of spring.

Each day I look at the flowers, get an instant lift and feel very loved!

Top 10 Kindness Stories of 2011

For the first time last year, we featured a top ten list of stories published by our members in 2010 and it was very well received, so we decided to do it again and compile this year's top ten kindness stories of 2011 to share the inspiration!  1. Today You, Tomorrow Me During this past year I’ve had three instances of car trouble: a blowout on a freeway, a bunch of blown fuses and an out-of-gas situation. [...] Each time, when these things happened, I was disgusted with the way people didn’t bother to help. I was stuck on the side of the freeway hoping my friend’s roadside service would show, just watching tow trucks cruise past me. The people at the gas stations where I asked for a gas can told me that they couldn’t lend them out "for safety reasons," but that I could buy a really crappy one-gallon can, ... Read Full Story >>

Smiling In China Town

A few weeks ago I was on vacation with my family in Malaysia. We visited lots of places. One of the hotels we stayed in was near a China Town. Everything was cheap there so did a lot of shopping. I was looking for a watch for myself and one for my girlfriend. There were many shops that were selling the same watch - but for different prices.   I finally found the best price, so I bought the watches while my sister and mom were buying other stuff from the same shop. When it was time to pay I realized I was 10 Ringgits short, so I suggested returning one of the watches. The owner of the shop asked why and I explained I didn't have enough money with me. She smiled and said, "You can take it, but promise me you'll pay tomorrow!"    So I asked her what time she would be ... Read Full Story >>

Quiet Dignity at a Truck Stop

A few years ago, I had a long commute to get home from work. One morning I was on my way home and was very tired after working a 12 hour night shift. I stopped at a local restaurant to have breakfast. It was really a truck stop and I was the only customer. Right after I placed my order I saw a man come in. He was carrying a small backpack and looked like he had seen better times. He reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. He asked the waitress if 38 cents was enough to buy a cup of coffee. She looked at his hand and said, "Of course. Have a seat." (Coffee was 50 cents a cup at the time.) It really struck me how she had tried to preserve his pride and how he had not asked for any charity. Shortly before my food came. I ... Read Full Story >>

What Nelson Mandela Taught Me About Empathy

What Nelson Mandela Taught Me About Empathy Years ago, in 2007, I visited Sierra Leone to work with an organization, iEARN, which was using technology to help youth recover from the gruesome war which had left millions of lives destroyed. As I listened to stories, and then some more, as part of a project that we were doing to record peoples’ lives, I became emotionally distraught and confused, and angry at the perpetrators at the same time. However, there was an interesting demographic of people that I had mixed feelings towards, even compassion – child soldiers. Those youth who were brainwashed or forced into killing their brethren - their parents, grandparents, siblings – and becoming drugged and desensitized during the process. I wondered to myself, what was the reason for wars, in general, and how do people heal from such trauma? The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was ongoing to help bring forgiveness, ... Read Full Story >>

Day # 11 - Spending time with the elderly!

Yesterday I invited my elderly neighbor over for lunch. She accepted but with the heavy rain that we have received she decided this morning that she preferred to remain inside today.

I was still moved to share a delicious meal with her so instead of giving up, I decided to go ahead and prepare the lunch and then fill a basket with a tin of her favorite chocolate chip cookies and a small potted plant.  

I took the lunch to her and she was delighted. She enjoyed and so did I and it reminded me of the special times spent with my late maternal grandmother, who I miss dearly! She and I would get together over a cup of coffee and some type of homemade goodie and have the most wonderful conversations. It was wonderful to remember Grandmother with a smile while sharing a smile with another sweet lady. What a nice afternoon!

Candy Machine Smiles

I came to work at 7:30 in the morning today. Right next to the restroom there is a candy machine. You simply deposit a quarter in the slot, and it in turn pours out a handful of M&Ms for you.

Today, on top of this machine, I found 50 cents and a smile card. :) It totally made my day, and now it's my turn to spread kindness...!

Thank You to Mrs. Noel, First Grade Teacher

Today's gratitude challenge encouraged me to think about something I take for granted and then to express gratitude for it by writing a story. Every day, the first things I do - and a large percentage of the rest of the things I do throughout the day - depend on my ability to read. Some decades ago , I joined 40 other six-year-olds as a member of the first township-wide first grade – the previous year, first graders in the township had still attended one-room schools, but the Baby Boom had reached even that rural corner of central Pennsylvania. Sprawling in comparison to the previous schools, the new building had a separate classroom for each grade. First grade had been assigned to a veteran teacher from one of the one-room schools named Mrs. Noel. I don’t know how she did it, but Mrs. Noel taught most of us the basics of reading. In ... Read Full Story >>

10 Ways to Live Simply in 2015

Although simplicity has a long history, we are now entering radically changing times—ecological, social, economic, and psycho-spiritual—and we should expect the worldly expressions of simplicity to evolve and grow in response. For more than thirty years I’ve explored the “simple life” and I’ve found that simplicity is not simple. I’ve encountered such a diversity of expressions of the simple life that I find the most accurate way of describing this approach to living is with the metaphor of a garden. A Garden of Simplicity To portray the richness of simplicity, here are ten different flowerings of expression that I see growing in the “garden of simplicity.” Although there is overlap among them, each expression of simplicity seems sufficiently distinct to warrant a separate category. So there would be no favoritism in listing, they are placed in alphabetical order based on the brief name I associated with each. 1. Choiceful Simplicity: Simplicity means choosing ... Read Full Story >>

Compliments

Compliments can be the easiest acts of kindness. I truly enjoy complimenting people I see every day. I like to think about what kind of compliment would make that person's day.

For the fashionista down the hall, it's fun to compliment her on her shoes. But maybe the person that just smiles all the time would like to hear, "You have such a nice smile!" Maybe the waitress that's working extra hard would like to be acknowledged.  My 5 year old loves to hear how she is the greatest artist EVER!

I'd have to say the greatest compliment I ever gave was to a very close friend. This friend just didn't see the amazing spirit that I see in him everyday. He had ignored or doubted all these wonderful emotions and actions he was capable of.

When I complimented him on all his wonderful attributes, it was like a light bulb went off and he had received that confirmation that he was all those things. Since then, he has embraced his true spirit and it grows everyday. I'm so happy to be a part of that.

Romance

I was sitting in a coffee shop sipping on my decaf and simply watching the world go by. My eyes caught sight of a very mature couple. I knew this as their hair was very white and they were slightly hunched over. They stopped and seemed to be looking around, perhaps lost? Who knows? But what made me smile was.....they were holding hands. Was it the many years they were together or was this a fairly new romance. I wondered, as the smile on my face lingered and together they walked away.