Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Literally Giving Away the Shirt Off of My Back


--by kindness1st, posted Mar 3, 2018
I've been traveling through Southeast Asia for a few months now, and I've learned how to be a minimalist and carry only what I really need. I thought I had reduced my backpack down to the bare essentials after a few months, when a RAOK opportunity presented itself to me and proved me wrong.

It was laundry day in the mid-sized Indonesian city I happened to be in, meaning I was down to my last shirt, the least flattering shirt of my seven day collection: a ratty conference t-shirt of a well-known American company I've worn a hundred times. It's a shirt I don't feel particularly flattering in, so I try to stay indoors and use it as an opportunity to have a quiet, indoor day.

I hadn't thought anything of the shirt until a young Indonesian man staying at my guest house saw me and immediately took notice of the corporate logo of my ratty shirt. He was captivated by it! "Where did you get this shirt? Did you go to this conference? I love this company! I wish I could buy this here in Indonesia."

I was humbled by the idea that something I found so useless and unflattering could be valued so much by someone else. Without giving it another thought, I took off the ratty old shirt and gave it to him on the spot, leaving me shamelessly shirtless for the rest of laundry day, but content that I had a found a better owner of my shirt.

Here I am a month later - still traveling - with six shirts instead of seven, yet still abundant in my items and with a fuller heart. :-)
 
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Readers Comments

newdayvow wrote: That's a great story. One man's trash is another man's treasure.
kvpsummer wrote: Amazing! I love this story, to bring so much joy with a simple act. Inspirational.
Lauren wrote: Where can i get the "kindness changes everything" t-shirt?
kalaa wrote: What a lovely way to brighten someone's day
Barbara wrote: I love this story! Such a great reminder of the power of kindness. Your joy at sharing the shirt is truly wonderful. Thanks for providing such a nice read for me at the end of my stressful day.
Vince wrote: We love you
ELIISCOOL🐱‍👤🐱‍👤🐱‍👤🐱‍👤🐱‍👤🐱‍👤 wrote: Wow nice cool amazing👌🤣🐱‍💻🐱‍👤🐱‍👤🐱‍👤🐱‍👤🐱‍👤
rickhiker wrote: Yes, to truly receive one must give in kindness
lindariebel wrote: Quick thinking!
scully wrote: That’s awesome, have amazing travels and enjoy each moment

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