Stories Matching 'Random Acts Of Kindness' Tag (410 matches)



Dry Cleaner Excitement

I went to pick up my dry clean and paid for my bill. Then, I kindly said, I wanted to pay for someone else’s bill as an act of kindness today. The lady said you what? I repeated myself. Keep in mind she had a smile on her face and she was saying that is so nice of you to do. I started to tell her about Helpothers.org and showed her the Smile card. She just starts beaming with smiles. She said is this money from the website? I said no, the website gives us a place to share our stories and ideas with other people. She asked if this was a religious site. I said it’s a site for anyone that wishes to share acts of kindness with people all around the world. She said should I pick someone I know? I said that would be fine because I do not know them. She ... Read Full Story >>

6691 Reads
  • Posted by denisemj
  • Mar 8, 2014
  • 18 Comments
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Spread Love Everywhere You Go

Dear friends, I hope that all is well. One of the things I know is that it is human nature to want things. We all want more money, better homes, better cars, and better relationships and so on. So what is the secret to getting all that we want? I have been looking for that answer for a while and if you have it I pray you will share. Here is what I would like to share, I started tithing last year and I made the minimum amount based on my income. This past Sunday as I reflected in all that is going well in my life I realized that I was not giving back at the rate to which I am being given. This made me think of life in general and how we want so much from life but we are willing to give so little. We often agonize about ... Read Full Story >>

5108 Reads
  • Posted by hasifanajjemba@yahoo.com
  • Mar 11, 2014
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Helping Out In A Phone Call

As a customer rep for a financial account of one of US' supermarket, its a daily shift of hundred phone calls regarding their prepaid debit cards. Calls that are sometimes degrading, calls that make you cringe at how the caller speaks and calls that are just purely racist. what make it different is how my mindset is. Everyday I wake up and declare myself as a helper of my callers. I go beyond our protocols in dealing with my customers. Though phone interaction is only limited to 4 minutes 45 seconds, i strive to make it as meaningful and as uplifting for someone in need. One of my callers is panicking on how she made the wrong insurance payment that will lead to his son in college not receiving any pay outs thereby leaving him without any food for a week or two. The mom said she can live going over ... Read Full Story >>

2887 Reads
  • Posted by aerarose
  • Mar 13, 2014
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Untitled Photo

I woke up today with a lot of excitement.. I'm currently traveling and am staying at my dad's sister's place. And I travel from her place today evening, so I was sure I will get opportunities to practice kindness on my way but as soon as I woke up I decided to water her plants in the morning which her maid usually does in the afternoon after finishing all her work. Watering plants in the morning helps save water as little gets evaporated in the afternoon sun.

Then a few days ago I had sent some handmade message cards and bookmarks to a girl in Assam who saw pictures of them on my website and asked if she could buy them from me! I simply told her they are gifts made with love with no price tag and that I will send her some soon. They reached her last evening and her's was the first email in my inbox telling how she wasn't feeling too well yesterday and the cards courier just made her day! Her email is the perfect start to my kindness challenge! :)

love
ashima

1710 Reads

Green Smiles

I remember that particular Monday morning well. Having signed up for a new website dedicated to random kindness (KindSpring.org), I suddenly received an email which stated that my idea had won. My idea had... won? Wait, were they talking about my idea for 'Green Smiles'? Green Smiles had always seemed more like a wishful daydream, some sort of fantasy which was inspired by the lack of green in my neighborhood. I wanted to make the neighborhood more 'green' in the broadest sense of the word. For example, I wanted to plant pretty flowers and even herbs in the small patches near the trees. Perhaps even transform the larger and often messy plots of 'green' near the parking lots. Put up insect-hotels so that children (and adults too of course ;)) would be able to enjoy the sight of a pretty butterfly more often. Or look in wonder at at a buzzing ... Read Full Story >>

7443 Reads

The Most Beautiful Gesture I've Seen At a Coffee Shop

I was in a shopping mall recently, so I decided to go and get a cup of tea. As I was making my way to the coffee shop, I noticed an older gentleman rather poorly dressed sitting on a bench nearby. I knew from first sight that he was in need of some kind of help. He had a little lunch stretched out in front of him and was wholeheartedly enjoying it. It was also rather evident that he had a problem with his right eye and probably couldn't see out of it. I then joined the line and waited to be served.  Then it happened. One of the most beautiful gestures I have ever seen in my life. There was a young man in front of me in the line who was also waiting to be served. Next thing I know the young man hands the server a twenty dollar bill ... Read Full Story >>

10.5K Reads
  • Posted by Brain D. Bailey
  • Mar 20, 2014
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Nothing Like That Had Happened To Him Before!

I went along with the Kindness Suggestion today and gave someone a surprise treat! 

I stopped at Starbucks, bought a $5 gift card and asked the barista to use it on whoever came in next. 

I was still waiting for my drink when the next customer arrived. The gentleman thanked me so much for the card and said nothing like that had ever happened to him before. He was so thankful! 

He thanked me again as I left, and said, "God bless."

2377 Reads

Saying Goodbye The Sweetest Way!

Lying in a hospital bed placed in the giraffe habitat at Rotterdam's Diergaarde Blijdorp, the 54-year-old man, identified as only Mario, waited for the animals to approach.

"You could see him totally light up," said Kees Veldboer, founder and director of Ambulance Wish Foundation, which arranged the farewell. "It's very special to see that those animals A dying cancer patient who worked at a Dutch zoo returned to say goodbye on Wednesday. recognize him, and sense that he isn't doing well," he told Rotterdam newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

Mario, who has a mental disability, spent nearly his entire life as a maintenance man at the zoo, according to the paper.

After the touching encounter, he then bid farewell to his colleagues.  

May this precious man's last day be filled with hugs, love, and sloppy giraffe kisses! 

11.9K Reads

Cool Water On A Sunny Day

I found myself in the city for work today. On my lunch break I decided to walk around the public gardens.  It was one of those unusually warm September days, 90+ degrees and humid, but it felt good after being in the air-conditioning all morning. That is until I walked past two individuals, sweaty and asleep, on a park bench together. What appeared to be all their belongings were in a few bags scattered around them.  I continued walking but kept thinking about the pair on the bench. So, I went to Starbucks and purchased five bottles of cold water. Then I returned to the park. First stop was the couple on the bench. I woke the gentleman up and asked if they were ok. Sleepily, he assured me they were fine, but he gratefully accepted two bottles of water. The third bottle went to a man playing his violin by the remembrance garden. ... Read Full Story >>

2758 Reads

Anonymous Save

Several years ago I was at an informal business meeting/luncheon with my manager. She paid for her meal and went to find us a table. When I attempted to pay for mine, the card declined was declined twice.

I was mortified, so I took my items and stepped to the side while others got their meals. I didn't have enough cash to pay for anything other than a drink, so I went back to the cashier to at least get that. Before I could say anything, she smiled kindly and said that someone (who just left) had already paid for my lunch.

I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I was for that small act of kindness. I tried to catch them, but they were gone. I've never forgot it. So when I came across the opportunity to help someone last year in the same way, it made me feel really good. Just paying it forward.

1513 Reads
  • Posted by dmellis53
  • Apr 9, 2014
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Beautiful Girl - Beautiful Father

“Josie Metz's father won't be there to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. But thanks to California photographer Lindsey Villatoro, the 11-year-old was able to experience what it might be like anyway. Her father, Jim, 62, had already been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when he and his wife, Grace, hired Villatoro -- a mother, photographer and founder of Love Song Photography based in Menifee, Calif. Two years ago, Villatoro began offering photography sessions for terminal clients or clients with serious illnesses to document their journeys and was referred to the Metz family. "I try to really showcase the person for who they are and not the illness," she told The Huffington Post during a phone conversation Tuesday afternoon. Villatoro went to Jim and Grace's home for a shoot and offered to do one with their young daughter, Josie. After she left, she posted about the family on her website ... Read Full Story >>

4324 Reads
  • Posted by kperrine@po-box.esu.edu
  • Apr 2, 2014
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Singing Kindness

Today, I went downtown to play music with my new singing friend. We sang songs we have not practiced, and though I was nervous, it felt so good, I kept singing.

At the end, a woman who had been close, thanked me. She said her dad passed a few years back and today was his birthday. Every year on this day, she walks around open to whatever needs to happen. This time, she said, it was us. I did not realize I was being kind  to anyone.

She told us, weepy eyed, that us sharing our voices was an amazing gift. She thanked me saying I had really given her something by choosing to sing for everyone to hear. I was just doing what I love!
Thank you for this beautiful affirmation - I feel so gifted. This was everything I needed to hear.

4756 Reads

Kindness Challenge! Daily Double

I was happy to receive this morning's 21 day challenge idea of reconnecting with an old pal and so I reached out to two of my old college roommates, expressing gratitude for their roles in shaping an earlier version of myself.

After sending out a heartfelt email, I went to get my morning health shake from the juice store around the corner. I also stopped at a coffee shop to pick up a snack for a co-worker when the lady behind the counter (Lucy) commented on how I should bring her a juice one day, so I smiled and just gave her mine since I hadn't drank it yet!

She thought I was joking at first, but  was ultimately taken aback by the surprise act of kindness. This was so great since the Day 1 act of kindness was giving away a special treat to someone, which I did yesterday.

It isn't even 8:30 am yet and I just got a double act (opportunity) of kindness...can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

3227 Reads

Day 2: Tipping At Starbucks

Well, after trying (and failing) yesterday to pay for the person behind me at the drive-through, I decided to take a different approach today. I did something that absolutely could not be rejected, and probably won't even be noticed for another few hours. About once a week, I go and get a coffee at Starbucks (otherwise, I brew my own to save money). I usually pay with a credit card, or my Starbucks card, which means that I, like many others, don't get any change or cash back. As a result, I don't often put money in the tip jar -- and when I do, it's usually a dollar that I've pulled out of my wallet for that purpose. Actually, I need to back up for a bit of history: my family was recently at a vacation house with my parents. My kids, husband, and I did a grocery shopping and prepared ... Read Full Story >>

4138 Reads
  • Posted by LizRB
  • Apr 24, 2014
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19 Lessons Learned From a Friend

1. Give money you can spare to someone who needs it and then pretend you never had it. 2. Let someone tell a story without feeling the need to one-up them or tell your own. 3. Let someone vent, even if you can’t offer a solution, just to be an ear—without considering how well they listened to you last week. 4. Help someone who is struggling with difficult feelings by admitting you’ve felt the same thing—without considering whether they’d be as open with you. 5. Ask, “What can I do to help you today?” Then let it go after following through. 6. Tell someone how you feel about them, even if it makes you feel vulnerable, just to let them know they’re loved and not alone. 7. Apologize when you’ve acted selfishly, even if you don’t like feeling wrong, because it will remind the other person they deserve to be treated with respect. 8. Let someone else ... Read Full Story >>

10.6K Reads

Gasoline, A Burger Meal, and a Kiss!

Yesterday afternoon in St. Louis Mo it was rainy and light snow. While pumping gas, a young man approached me and asked if he could pump my gas for a dollar so he could get something to eat.

At that moment the pump stopped, my tank was full. I asked him to meet me at the Burger King across the street. At this time he informed me that the manager had asked him to stay away, as he was begging.

I went in, talked to the manager, explained that I was going to buy him a meal, and would they let him stay long enough to eat his meal. The manager agreed. I purchased his meal, and thanked the manager by telling her she'd done a good thing and also gave her a smile card and a Hershey Kiss!

2637 Reads
  • Posted by bosslady4925
  • Apr 15, 2014
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21 Day Challenge: A Different Dinner Date

There is a crew of street children I'm friends with, and they hang out [read: routinely beg] right outside the McDonald's across my school. I pass them all the time, but I've never given them food or money, just company. Today, on a whim, I withdrew more money than usual with my scholar's cash card [I just got transportation allowance from the school this September]. Incidentally, the crew was complete when I passed by McDonald's. I wasn't even thinking of Day 1's Challenge, but there you go. God works in mysterious ways!  The kids were indeed surprised and delighted to know that I was actually treating them to a legitimate meal this time. They enjoyed being able to step inside the restaurant [when the security guard would come close, I made it clear that they were with me] and order for themselves. I bought each of them 1-piece Chicken Mcdo, a regular ... Read Full Story >>

2615 Reads
  • Posted by Jellere
  • May 11, 2014
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Gratitude

I took some time this morning to write a gratitude mind map.

As I continued to add items, I found my fingers almost couldn't keep pace with all things I tried to write. I sent emails to a few people on the map to tell them how much I appreciate them!

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~ William Arthur Ward

2920 Reads

Peacehunter's Kindness Challenge Memoir

It is the second day of the kindness of challenge that I am participating in.  Today's challenge asks us to reconnect with an old pal and better yet express our gratitude for them. I decided to write this poem and share it with all of my friends, past, present, and future: To You, From Me...Ode to Friends & Family & Soulkin Some of you have known me since before my birth,some of one have known since my breath was first . Most of you have came to me thru moments where we grew ,and I am ever so grateful for everyone of you. Whether from my past or present ,a memory or a lesson my journey would have been lacking without you in it. To the ones who grew me ,Thank you .To the ones who see right thru me ,Thank you. To those I`ve hurt and you loved me anyhow ,Thank you .To those ive been hurt ... Read Full Story >>

2519 Reads

Power In Simplicity

DAY 2 Interestingly enough, I experienced two realizations today during Day 2 of the Kindness Challenge. I would like to share them here. #1 I noticed that when I began my day and remembered that I needed to complete my challenge, I thought: "I have to engage in a kindness act today."  Immediately I noticed how my body tightened up  when thinking about it, particularly the "have" part of it. In my past, generosity and kindness were just a way of being, and not a requirement, so now that it's required for me to log in and then complete a Kindness act, I resented it. Then, I realized that I didn't "have" to do anything, all I "have" to do was just be me, then Kindness flowed. #2 As I was trying to figure out and plan which act of kindness I was going to perform, I realized that I was looking for bigger actions.  Then ... Read Full Story >>

5137 Reads

Goin' Around the Neighborhood

I left flowers on one neighbor's porch today and freshly picked cherry tomatoes on the other's. Karma works immediately sometimes. A different neighbor called me later in the day, and offered me delicious Asian pears off of his tree. I love it!

1336 Reads

Dontaing a Hotel Room To A Needy Stranger

I decided a few months ago that I was going to treat myself to a 4-day getaway from Los Angeles and visit Chicago. I turned in some long-saved frequent flier miles for the airplane ticket, but had to shell out cash I really couldn't afford for the hotel. I found a travel website where a discounted promotional 3-night stay was purchased from a recently opened hotel. About three weeks before the trip, I had to regretfully cancel and only then realized the room, while transferable to another person, couldn't be changed to a later date and wasn't refundable. For the next two weeks I tried selling it on Craig's list with no success. Five days before the "big weekend" I gave up trying to recoop any money and decided I'd contact some acquaintances who live in Chicago and offer someone a free "staycation". After trying a handful of people all of ... Read Full Story >>

5997 Reads
  • Posted by tgrphoto
  • Apr 30, 2014
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Compassionate Heroes

Thirteen years ago, we lost our home in a fire.The firefighters were amazing, the first thing they did was toss our child's first year album (she was 13 months at the time) out the front door with smoke and fire everywhere. How did they know? They are truly compassionate heroes.

After the fire, I would bake brownies and take them down to the fire station with our daughter. We have been friends all these years. It has been quite a while since I have baked for them, and today was the perfect opportunity!

As I walked into the firehouse, I was greeted by a firefighter with the warmest smile. He was so touched by the gift and welcomed me in. He wanted to know how our family was and hoped we would meet again.

I often run into one or two of the firemen who saved our lives that fateful night. We are family, and I am always touched by how caring and loving we can be with each other, if we are open.

 

3350 Reads

The tiny, mud-free space that meant a lot!

I'm in Boulder, Colorado, and am one of the fortunate ones without much flood impact on my home. Today, I went over to a friend's house to help with the cleanup there. The house is less than a block from one of the creeks, and the flash flood broke a basement window, filled the basement up to eight feet, rushed up the stairs to the ground floor, and flooded that floor as well.  A crew of her friends had been pulling up carpet and moving furniture all morning when I arrived. She asked me to help move damaged items out of a back room where carpet was already pulled out, and start getting the layer of chocolaty mud out. With one other helper, I got busy shoveling and scraping; once we got the heavy layer off, I started running the wet vac. There was a three-foot square of tiled floor in front ... Read Full Story >>

3335 Reads
  • Posted by jennana
  • Jun 28, 2014
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Kindness At School

I just started teaching at a new school after teaching 17 years at other schools. It has been somewhat difficult to fit in and become acquainted with the new staff.

Instead of feeling left out, I wrote every teacher on my hall a personalized card with stickers and all. I also sent a card to my principal, librarian, and counselor. I had my students deliver them, setting an example to them about kindness.

I have challenged them to complete kind acts the month of September. I have had a few compliment others. I have even had one student run in a charity race to raise money for the humane society.

1540 Reads

Ask A Stranger If They Are Okay, And Mean It

While on a walk on the bike path, I noticed an older man riding his bike stop ahead of me and leaning over his handlebars. He appeared to be in pain.

As others just continued past him, I stopped and asked if he was okay. He said he was, and I said I was concerned since he looked like he was in pain.

He told me that he was and told me about how he had by-pass surgery not long ago and the doctors said it would be good for him to bike.

Once I was convinced he would be okay, I continued on. He road past me, thanking me for stopping.

It wasn't much but it felt good to do so. Even though he was a stranger, I was willing to stop to assist. This is my small act of kindness story for today.

4389 Reads
  • Posted by higgins.jodi
  • Jul 6, 2014
  • 16 Comments
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Marks Of Kindness

I was on my way to my parents' on my motorcycle and saw a middle aged man carrying a heavy sack on his shoulders and walking with great struggle. I passed him, then paused, and turned around to stop near him and offer him a ride.

He lifted the heavy sack which had a lot of scrap iron and sat on the pillion. Immediately he asked me my name and after I told him, blessed me aloud. We rode on.

In five minutes, we were stopped by a traffic cop who demanded to see my license. There were many cops who were stopping everyone on that road. My ride got down with his sack and got back on after I was through with the cop.

We reached his destination. He got off and thanked me again. After reaching home, while parking my motorcycle I saw that the iron pieces in the sack that he had placed on the pillion had made deep marks and almost torn the seat in a couple of places.

I smiled and took it as a reminder he had left behind so that I do not forget what the pillion is for.

2552 Reads

A Kindness That Has Become A Habit

I go to the local grocery store and Dollar Tree once a week for my weekly shopping. Each time, in each store, I somehow end up with a very full shopping cart.

About a year ago I made a personal choice after being part of a 30 Day Gratitude challenge here on KindSpring that whomever was behind me in line, I would offer to allow them to go ahead of me - no matter how full their basket was.

What I have discovered is that younger people, under the age of 40, immediately take my offer up, people my age, 55+, need to have the offer given 2-3X and people over the age of 70, it is very difficult for them to accept my offer.

But every week, in each store, I offer and my offer is accepted - eventually This started as a conscious Act of Kindness that is now a habit. Which I feel is the idea of KindSpring, practice a kindness 'til it becomes a habit, then move on to another kindness.

8537 Reads

Thanksgiving Hugs

Every Thanksgiving my family and I, along with others, prepare and serve Thanksgiving meals for the people in our small mountain community. My husband and I also bring meals to shut-ins, people that never leave their homes for various reasons. After we passed out boxed meals in a senior housing apartment building. After delivering to some individual apartments, we went to the central dining room and placed the boxes filled with turkey, ham, stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, gravy and green bean casserole in front of each seat. People invited us to stay, and thanked us, but we had other deliveries and had to leave.  As we started to exit, I turned around and saw them all watching us. Impulsively, I asked, "Would anybody like a hug?" They lined up. There was so much warmth in each hug. My eyes filled with tears and my heart with love. I now visit occasionally to chat ... Read Full Story >>

2275 Reads
  • Posted by karynwestervelt
  • Sep 13, 2014
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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!

9194 Reads
  • Posted by unknown
  • Sep 16, 2014
  • 2 Comments
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