Search Results for 'popular' (3612 matches)

Free Lunch

While waiting for a doctor's appointment, I decided to go into the coffee shop for a soda. The only other customer was an elderly woman eating a small lunch at a nearby table. When I paid for my drink I told the cashier that I would like to pay for the lady's lunch.

By coincidence, when I was waiting for the elevator after my appointment, the lady came down the hallway. She said, "Oh, you're the nice lady who bought my lunch. My husband died last year, and I was sitting there feeling sorry for myself. It perked me up when the waiter told me you had paid for my lunch. Thank you...You're so kind."

So my "random" act was not anonymous anymore, but it was gratifying to think that I could cheer someone up, even briefly.

I do have one regret. I wish I had asked her to join me. She probably would have appreciated that even more, but then again, maybe not. Sometimes people aren't ready to connect with a stranger, but they like reminders that the world can still be a friendly place.

Compassion

My children, Claire and Jordan, were 8 and 9 years old. It was a really hard year for us, and our five kids were told not to expect presents at Christmas time. These two (the youngest of 5) went into the woods and cut small logs and branches and made 'twig reindeer,' which they sold in the town. Together, they earned $300. But the wonderful thing was, even though they weren't expecting any Christmas themselves, they donated every penny to Compassion International to help orphans have a happy holiday, because Jordan and Claire had a loving family... and that was enough!

happiness

we decided to make someone happy so we went out and did it. this was all because of this website. we found a homeless guy and we gave him a sandwhich. this made him happy because he had never eaten one before.

i was so proud of myself, that I did something for someone else.

Serving in Africa

I've believe I've been guided. Christmas Eve/ Christmas day 12.15am. Sitting outside a church unwilling to disrupt the midnight mass inside, listening vaguely to the singing. Out on the cold steps, the distent noise of the party goers, odd flake of snow my mind wondering. By the time my boyfriend came to get me at about 1.00am, I have this solidly wedged notion in my mind. To do something I had never seriously considered before, to break free of this lovely sheltered protected life I have grown to know and accept unappreciatingly. I believe sitting on those steps, I was touched by someone or something that fueled me to get into touch with this volenteer company in Africa. So in less than two months from now I am going to work in a Childrens Orphanage in a township in South Africa. To the great surprise of everyone that knew me when ... Read Full Story >>

Corporate Smiles

Every year my company inducts a group of 40 summer and management trainees from various business schools in India.

Every year, I induct each batch to the business development function. This year I planned to do it differently.

I printed 5,000 smile cards and distributed them to these young professionals. Compassion need not be restricted to the "outside work zone".

Compassion is more needed at work where we spend more than half of our lifetime. With each tiny step we take, we make a big difference.

I am now waiting to see the outcome of this tornado!

Thank you for the inspiration.

Taking Time For Others

I try to take time every week to go and visit with people in the nursing home.

I am disabled in a power wheelchair and my Church helped me get a van with a wheelchair lift. It really makes people happy to have a visit.

God Bless, Tommy L Harmon

Spirit of Kindness

On my way home from work yesterday, the last half of the route is a beautiful drive through the country. It was a beautiful day and the spirit of kindness overtook me when I saw an old lady in a wheelchair sitting beside the road just absorbing the day. I stopped at the nearest store and bought a bouquet of flowers for her. After I drove back and gave the flowers to her, she looked so touched that it made the little tiny act I did seem like the biggest.

a BIG brown box!

Normally I would be posting a story about who I gave my smile card too...however, today, I am the reciever!

I recieved a very large cardboard box from UPS yesterday and an even larger suprise! Inside was a wide variety of items, including stuffed animals and books to pass on to the local safe house for my project! Included was a letter, and (of course) a smile card! I think I sat for a good fifteen minutes in complete and total aww! And the smile on my face...well, it's still there!

The contents of that box really inspired me and made me feel really great! So, right now, I am sending a telepathic hug and a super huge THANK YOU to my "smiley" friend in Canada! You really made my day!

Wet Feet

One snowy, slushy, wet day I only had a few minutes to go out and get a coffee before I had to be back at work. I ran out without my coat, in thin shoes and it was freezing. Blocking my path was a huge puddle of icy water. I must of looked pretty forlorn because an elderly gentleman on the other side of the street removed his hat and bowed to me saying, "Madam, were I but 20 years younger I would carry you across." It was a small thing to do for a stranger, but it certainly warmed me up!

Latte Factor

Have you heard of the latte factor? Instead of saving one million dollars by cutting out my morning caffine fix each day, I buy two cups instead. I have a goal of giving away one million dollars, one granda coffee at a time. Each day I leave behind a free coffee to be given to a person who needs a pick me up. If you are that person, I hope you have a nice day!

It takes a village

I'm a single mother of a 14-year-old male. I have not been around any young children in a long time. However, this weekend, I kept a four-year-old little girl overnight at my house. Brought back lots of memories. Her mother has no family here in Atlanta and just needed a little "me" time. I was happy to help her out even though a four-year-old is definitely a handful. I actually had a good time.

My Grandma's Breakfast at IHOP

I have been using the smile cards for quite a while, and I try to get my family members to do it with me. It is a lot of fun.

Recently, my grandparents went on a trip to New Mexico, and on their way home they stopped at an IHOP to eat breakfast. When they had finished, the guy came over with the bill, but when my grandfather opened up the folder containing the bill, there was nothing!

The waiter said the a young man had paid for their breakfast! They were so suprised! My grandmother called me and told me the story and said that "wasn't it like those cards that I used!" And I said yes, it was. She thought that it was awesome and now she wants some cards!

It just goes to prove that if you do nice things for others, nice things will happen to you!

Spreading the Kindness

I plan to have myself and 9 friends spread kindness in our city. I am not sure what my act will be exactly and maybe as a group we will do something. I have a great group of friends who have helped me through a really hard time and I would like to spread some of the energy they have given me to others.

Good Karma

I'm a big believer in 'karma'-I'm always feeding parking meters as I walk down the road, opening doors - practicing random acts of kindness as much as I can because I believe that all the good you do for others comes back to you ten fold...that you can help create your own happiness by making others happy.

It's the Little Things

I came across your site and ordered myself some cards.What a wonderfull idea!!

I use mine in the eight items or less isle by picking someone behind me and leaving enough money to cover the cost of their items and leave a smile card. I also do this at corner shops by paying for either milk or butter and leaving a card with the attendant, saying the next person who is scratching to get milk money, give them the milk and smile card.

Its the little things in life, sometimes when a little something comes your way when you most need it, it can restore your faith that there are still nice people out there in amongst the rest of society. Thankyou!! :)

TreeBeard Trifecta

Stanford had an unexpected effect on him.  Higher education at an Ivy League is supposed to turn out the best engineers, accountants, and consultants on schedule every semester in neat little batches.  Instead it sparked in him a deeper question of what it truly meant to be educated.  Instead of quickening his steps to match the relentless drumbeat of capitalism, he arrived at "the understanding that the slower you go, the more you learn: that every person you meet and every building you pass is, in fact, infinitely deep, and he who is really interested in knowledge would move not at all." So there he was, inviting me to not move at all for the next hour as a few friends for sat in lotus posture, seeking knowledge.  Meditators often crave quiet, pristine environments for their sitting: the shade of a tree in a rolling meadow, a small covey on the bank of a river, a ... Read Full Story >>

Smile Ripples...

I get really excited when I tell people about smile cards and they react in an outwardly enthusiastic way, but I get even more inspired when I hear their story of how they passed along a smile card they received from me in the past...

At work the other day, a friend of mine did just this!  She said she held onto the card for quite a while until an inspiring idea came to her last week and she decided to act upon it.  A friend of hers had done her a huge favor recently helping out with a photo shoot for the nonprofit we work at.  During a recent converstation, my friend had mentioned a book she was reading to her friend, who seemed particularly interested in it. 

Last week she was thinking of something nice to do for her friend just to say thanks for everything.  So, she decided to buy her a copy of that book they had talked about along with a thank you card and a smile card slotted in the middle and she put it in the mail.  Her friend called her as soon as she received the package and told her just how unexpected the gesture was and how it really made her day.  Sometimes the smallest of thoughtful acts go a lot further than we can imagine...

Found: 20 Bucks and a Smiles

I was shopping and next to me in the meat aisle, was a woman in a too-thin winter coat. Her little boy sat in the cart seat, quietly. I noticed his thin legs, older clothes that were too small for him and his shy smile. That cart was painfully empty. A small bottle of milk and a loaf of the cheapest bread was all that I could see. As I mulled over my selection, I watched the woman out of the corner of my eye. She picked up -- and put down -- the same wrapped pot roast three times. Finally, she turned away, without any meat for her cart. Without thinking, I put my hand in my pocket to see if I had any change. To my astonishment, I pulled out a $20 bill I didn't know I had. ... Read Full Story >>

Who is the doer of the Act?

I volunteer every week at a Senior Center in Palo Alto. And every single time I have been there, I have been deeply touched with their gentleness, kindness & love. I never know who is the doer of the act of kindness - Me or Them!! They have left me speechless. What little they have, they offer without any hesitation!!

The other day, I met a nearly 80 year old lady who lives in the independent living side. When I asked how she spends her time, she tells me, "I volunteer". She goes & spends her time with seniors who are in healthcare. She had such vigor & joy!! I was so moved!!

New Beginnings and Tranformation

I decided to focus on a co-worker going through a hard time last week.  She's an incredibly amazing person who teaches yoga on the side to "at-risk" youth and always has a calming effect on any room.  She was just diagnosed with breast cancer and I wanted to do something for her to show her that we all collectively are here to support her. 

I decided to buy her a healing necklace with a lotus design, symbolic for new beginnings and transformation, and tourmaline stones, known for healing energy.  I sent the gift anonymously so I hope she liked it!  I haven't seen her since the necklace was delivered.