Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Change Of Heart


--by cabbagepatch, posted Dec 22, 2009

A mother and daughter living in my complex are two of the most unfriendly people I have ever come across in my life. They are totally withdrawn, mixing with no one. As they drive past neighbors they keep their eyes averted and make no sign of acknowledgement. The only fame they have is making a nuisance of themselves to the local police station by reporting music played too loud, dogs barking more than once a day and any other petty little gripe.

On moving into this neighborhood, I was warned about these two but decided I would make up my own mind. This proved quite a challenge to me as more than once either the mother or the daughter would knock on my door and blast me with some complaint or other.

My warfare? I always answered politely and made sure I waved as they went past my place and also made the effort now and then to make a kind remark about their garden or pets.

Time passed and I joined the 29-day giving challenge, In October, as part of the kindness rock give, Maureen and I decided to place a kindness rock on their property. Their attitude remained unchanged, however, and I continued to be as friendly as possible. During the Easter give to senior citizens, we decide to add these two unhappy ladies to our list and left a packet of cookies on their gate.  Imagine my surprise when two days later they stopped at my gate and jokingly said they are considering hanging their Christmas stocking on their gate. I said I thought I would try that too. I did not want them to know I had placed the kindness rock etc. That wasn't the suprise. The surprise was that they brought me a bunch of flowers!

So, my fellow gifters, do not give up on your random gifts of kindness. You may never know just what this means to others, nor how many broken or hard hearted people you may just change with a simple act of kindness.

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Readers Comments

makesomeonesmile wrote: I love this story and couldn't agree more! Thanks for sharing!
Kimber wrote: This is great!
Aurelia wrote: Good for you for your efforts. They really paid off. SMILES ARE CONTAGIOUS :0)
~Aurelia
warmth wrote: u r abso right. Thank u so much for boosting my kindness spirit. God Bless u
ELTHINHO wrote: GREATTT....
GOOD LOOK...
-ELTHON
MadeUSmile wrote: I love this story. And your committment! Sometimes it is difficult to not just give up on a challenge! Well done!
shamini wrote: As you go through life its easy to turn out as your neighbours. When we have nothing to excite us & life becomes a boring routine. Thank god you were there to brighten their lives. Good work.
iferlamb wrote: Terrific story! So glad you got a positive response!

Smiles.
Anon Y. Mus wrote: Such a blessed 'challenge', to see good come from unacknowledged efforts. I wish much joy to you and yours for your actions. Sometimes unfriendliness is a result of mistreatment and not easy to get through. Still, persistence is the best tool of dedication. Admirable work.
Rajendra wrote: It is a nice story. Who knows what ails them? But the patient approach even in kindness pays, that is the lesson we learn from the story which should inspire us to emulate. Thank you for sharing the story. God bless you.

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