Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Knitted Another Teddy Bear For Hospital

I knitted another teddy bear in the last few days - I've made him to go to the baby unit at a nearby hospital. I've also made a little hat for the Age UK campaign which begins in October - I'll post some pictures nearer the time. I'm about to knit one more lovie before Tuesday.

105 Reads

Friend Met With Accident

A friend and colleague was the victim of an horrific accident last week. Most of the residents of our community had heard about the accident, but the name of victim had not been released by authorities. I received a phone call from her husband the following day. He asked if I could notify several members of our group. I offered my condolences, certainly said that I would follow up on his request and offered any assistance that was in my power to provide. Today, I walked to their home with some fresh strawberries from the farmer's market. I didn't know quite what to offer, but he seemed more than grateful

58 Reads

Kindness For Friends And Strangers

Highlighted an offering that a friend is giving to help her spread the word.
Cheered and encouraged a bunch of young kids biking up a hilly area where I was hiking (they were in a summer camp)--they were so sweet and determined
Visited two friends who were feeling down
Had a longer conversation with an elderly woman who I sometimes see at the library--learned more about her life
Had a shorter but sweet conversation with a stranger about a book! 
Picked up a back-support cushion for an older person who dropped it in a cafe
Shared nature photos and sounds from my hike with a friend who appreciates it
 

129 Reads

An Evening Tea With Senior Citizenss

An Evening Tea with Senior Citizens! It was a great pleasure for me to had an evening tea with our senior citizens. As the guests arrived, they were welcomed warmly with smiles and greetings. The atmosphere was cozy, with soft music playing in the background and the aroma of freshly brewed tea filling the air. Senior citizens settled comfortably, and soon conversations began to flow as naturally as the tea being poured. The highlight of the evening was the storytelling session. Many seniors shared cherished memories from their youth — tales of resilience, humor, and wisdom that captivated everyone present. Younger participants listened with admiration, realizing how much history and experience lived within these voices. Between sips of tea and bites of traditional snacks, interactive activities added joy to the evening. A poetry recital brought gentle applause, while a sing-along created moments of shared delight. The room echoed with laughter, proving that age is ... Read Full Story >>

137 Reads

Mutual Inspirations

Today, I mentored a young person that was holding an inspiring sign near the vegetarian health food store when I stopped to encourage with loving kindness & appreciate the gentle soul I noticed. I offered to bring a cold water on my way out from grocery shopping. I understood some hidden suffering and the truth of this person's desires, based on what I read on the back of the inspirational sign which revealed a different side to this person's story. With loved ones historically on a similar path, my nurturing self went into a vibrant heart space of Love, understanding the truth of the situation, one human to another, & to some degree, what my younger self could relate similarly. We exchanged 1st names & I received permission to photograph the sign , & I mentioned this KindSpring group, giving the website link. It was Kirk's choice to have his face included. ... Read Full Story >>

113 Reads

I Was Gifted Some Yarn

I was gifted some yarn from another resident a couple of weeks ago. In amongst the yarn I discovered a chunky one and I began to knit a scarf for a friend who turns 70 in a couple of weeks. Here's a picture of the finished scarf. I made the teddy too and I've donated it to the local hospital for a child who doesn't have any toys.

109 Reads

Outing With Cousin

Sharing : At last I took out my disabled cousin Chinni (63) as I had promised myself sometime back. He is in a wheelchair. So I pushed him to local metro railway station and travelled to the next station and went out on the road to a local restaurant and had breakfast. Next we went back to the station and travelled for few stations within the city and he wanted to visit a local Hindu temple. I said okay even though I am a Christian and we had to go out pushing his wheel chair on the road. After that we went to an air conditioned mall nearby and to a food court on third floor. We spent considerable time in the mall doing window shopping exploring it.We had lunch in a quiet restaurant and spent a long time over the meal chatting. Finally after six hours we started home by ... Read Full Story >>

114 Reads

Patient And Kind Response Can Change Other’s Attitude

Yesterday, while filling my reusable cup with yerba mate at the locally-owned health food store, I gently asked for the space I needed in the cozy prep area. The person responded they were distracted, or something, & I replied with kind patient intention to show understanding. As I was finishing up with preparing my tea, I complimented the person's top which appealed to me with uplifting beauty. Their prior lower expressions seemed to lift along their face and I heard words of gratitude, in response, and something to the effect of, "I needed that." I understood from their reply that it was one of their favorites for similar reason, especially with whatever they were going through inside, then. This was affirming to me just how valuable giving a compliment is to someone, and a good reminder for me to give them more often, as well as to be a little more mindful ... Read Full Story >>

231 Reads

Considerations For Others

There was an older woman sitting under the shade of an umbrella in the hot sun outside our local grocery store. She had lots of bags etc. and seemed to be just sitting there in between parking spaces. I went to speak to her and asked if she needed water or something cold to drink and she perked up and said she would love a cold drink. I went back into the store and got some cold water, juices etc. for her. When I came back I talked to her for a little while to find out if she had a place to stay and she told me she was just charging her device there but has a room to rent. She said someone gave her the umbrella to keep her in the shade and that she was doing just fine--and the reason she was sitting in that spot was because she did not want to take up a parking space! We exchanged names and if I see her again I'll talk to her and see if she needs anything. The reason I'm sharing this is because I was just blown away by her consideration for her others--not wanting to occupy a parking space and to just squeeze in between where she sits not disturbing anyone else.

195 Reads

Kindness Amidst Travels

I've been traveling a lot lately, both inside and outside of the country, and I've made a point to switch from English to Spanish when I learn the other person is a native Spanish speaker. It helps me practice the language and maintain my fluency, but it also breaks the language barrier and helps people feel comfortable and happy. Flew into Florida a day early so I could meet up with my Ukrainian friends. I brought them a fresh baked loaf of bread -- they brought one of theirs for me so we did a bread swap! -- and a bouquet of sunflowers for the three of them (the national flower of Ukraine), including N's mom who is visiting from Kyiv. We had tea, sat outside in the Florida sunshine, and I practiced my Ukrainian while N practiced her English :) Bought lunch for one of the doctors I train with. We ... Read Full Story >>

108 Reads

Saving Plastic For Friend’s Kitty Litter Box

Been saving all kinds of plastic bags..cereal inserts, shipping bags, lightly used zip lock, etc. inorder to give to my friend for scooping up kitty litter box.

Also been tipping extra for my door dash deliveries, what with the cost of gas
Being kind, pleasant and chatty with all I meet

265 Reads

Travel 'armed' With Kindness

I've been away a few days, working in a couple of cities in the south of England. It was a great opportunity to meet new people, explore, learn and certainly spread a little kindness. Always 'armed' with kind cards and treats...I left plenty everywhere I went. It always makes me sooo happy to do so :-)

67 Reads

Sensitive To Others Feelings

Today in the laundry room, I am grateful to have met a younger neighbor, about the age of my daughter. As I was leaving, I heard a slam of the wash machine, and stopped to ask if the person was okay. That led to an emotional sharing conversation, releasing tears, and a caring hug.
It seemed I gave some hope, inspiration and upliftment by sharing some of my insights into a change of perspective, my own vulnerable experiences and transitions, and that I, too, can relate with the heavy feelings that humans can have.
I offered to share a meal together some time and she seemed to welcome that possibility, and we later exchanged numbers.

186 Reads

The Fragrant Gardenia

Yesterday while volunteering at the soup kitchen, an older gentleman (whom I often have conversations with while serving him coffee) surprised me with a beautiful gardenia flower from his garden. He gently put it into a cup of water and I smiled and thanked him many times. The smell of the gardenia is so fragrant and beautiful...for the next two hours, every person who came to my coffee station was given the gift of stopping for a moment to inhale its fragrance as I lifted it up to them to smell. I would tell them--while I'm making your coffee, please smell this! And you could just see their face light up with the inhalation of this heavenly scent. The kids were very curious too and enjoyed seeing and smelling the flower in a cup :-) Another young man who came, said to me--wow that guy gave the flower to the ... Read Full Story >>

111 Reads

Record Hot Temperatures In UK

Record hot temperatures in UK, incredible! Making sure all my guests and a few neighbours are well. Calling and sending messages with useful information to make sure we do what's best to stay hydrated and keep homes as cool as possible

142 Reads

Cherry Pitter Gift

I'm sure you're all bored by my cherry endeavours now, but one last cherry story! My son has returned from his event with an empty dessert dish and a request for another dessert to be sent to the event he is attending this coming weekend. He has also come home with a cherry pitter that his friend gifted me to help with the processing work! I'm very touched that she thought of me (though I don't doubt some self-interest was also at work as more cherries processed probably means more baked gifts!).
I'll pop into the local restaurant later and see if they have a few takeaway dishes I can purchase, and when I do the dessert for the weekend I'll do her a couple for her freezer at the same time. I'm not a natural cook, so this is quite a novelty 😄

206 Reads

Cherry Harvest

We lost all our trees in the fire last year. Knowing this, a couple who live in the village (which survived the fire) have invited us to harvest the cherries from the tree close to their house. Cherries are absolutely my favourite fruit and I'm in my element processing them to preserve for future goodies. My partner did some small tasks for them yesterday while we were there, as they're getting older themselves. It's a lovely trade.

186 Reads

Flower For The Mail Carrier

We have a wonderful mail carrier who always sports a plastic flower behind her ear. The other day I left a rose for her clipped to the mailbox but she had not taken it. (I'm usually not at home when she delivers our mail) Today I had a small orchid flower that made me think of her and I again clipped it to the mailbox and left a little note that it was for her. Today I happened to be home when I heard the mail being dropped in-so I rushed to the door and I saw her and said please take this flower--it's for you! She was so happy and I asked her if she saw the rose the other day--I said it was for her....she said that she didn't know so she just took a picture of it. I said if there's anything clipped here, it's always for you! (but I'll make sure to leave a note) She took the orchid flower and said "you'll never know how much this means to me"..... WOW. My heart feels so happy and light.

81 Reads

Kindness Through Knitting Together

On Monday, I slipped into the communal lounge to speak to someone. Mary who gave me the pattern for the lovie approached me and asked if I had any toy stuffing. She had nearly finished a lovie herself and had run out of the stuffing. I told her I would bring her bag when I joined the knitting group on Tuesday.

Yesterday, I took a bag of stuffing down for her. One of the other ladies was also finishing a lovie so I said I would go back up to my flat and bring some more down. As I was about to depart, I asked Mary if a teddy and an octopus would be of any use at the hospital and she said it would be. Along with a bag of stuffing I came down with the teddy and the octopus. Mary thought they were lovely.

I'm so glad I've been able to help in this way.

78 Reads

Clafoutis For Neighbor

Earlier I posted about my neighbours who have kindly allowed us to harvest their cherries. I've finally managed to process them all this afternoon and they're now safely stashed in my freezer for later use. Not before I made three clafoutis though - one for the neighbours as a thank you, one for my son to take when he visits friends, and one to eat all myself 🤭 I've made sure that the two I'm gifting are sent with a carton of cream. Yum!

179 Reads




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