Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Handcrafted Smile Cards


--by bookbug85, posted Nov 28, 2008

I recently came to this site and just started reading the stories.  The changes that people in this online family of helping others have experienced, have moved me deeply. In fact, this particular quote that had been posted was what gripped me:

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

The day I discovered the quote, my printer was out of ink so I couldn't print any smile cards, but I didn't let that stop me! I went out of the house and made my own cards. I put a different quote about kindness and the pay-it-forward message on the smile card, and included a link to the helpothers website.

The next day, I bought three turkey-shaped sugar cookies in the lunch room at work and told the cashier to give them to the next three people who came in her line (as there was no one currently behind me to know it was me). I also gave her three of my hand-crafted cards, and told her that one should accompany each respective sweet treat. She smiled and called over another fellow cashier as I was leaving, and showed him the cards and cookies, so that he was in on the smile card "trick." Enjoying the suspense, I exited the lunchroom smiling.

Tomorrow, I'm going to take in some boxed goodies that I had assembled, including chocolate-covered preztels, carmelized peanuts, and a bundle of gummy bears. My plan is to place my mystery boxes in two of my co-workers' cubicles when they disappear for lunch. I want to be the change that anonymously inspires good will and kindness in the work place. =^.^=

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop (The Lion and the Mouse)

1530 Reads

Readers Comments

cabbage wrote: Welcome to our family and thanks for sharing some great ideas! I love how you didn't let the lack of smile cards keep you from spreading smiles! :-) way to go!
makesomeonesmile wrote: That's great! I especially admire how you weren't discouraged by running out of ink but instead found a way to may it happen. Keep up the great work! We're glad to have you as part of the helpothers family! :)
JuneBug wrote: Well! Looks like we have another ''bug'' in the group! WELCOME!....I loved your story for 3 reasons..You did such a kind thing AND you did it anonymously. {I absolutely love those! Keeps people on their toes!! } and third, you already are making plans for new ideas! You'll fit in Helpothers for sure! :}
falsemonkeypuzzl wrote: I've loved that Ghandi quote "You must be the change...." from the first time I saw it - so much that I have it automatically appended to the end end of each email I send out - to EVERYONE.
wayfarer wrote: Welcome aboard, Bookbug! But be warned, this kindness lark is addictive. It could change your life!

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