Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Well...I decided since I had many errands to run this weekend that I would  smile at everyone.

Isn't it interesting the reactions one gets when you smile at strangers? Some looked back startled with big doe eyes, others smile back immediately, some continue frowning, others ignore you and some greet you with a "Hi, How do?".

There is much construction around our neighborhold so I planned best route to avoid the detours and ended up waiting at a train crossing...a long one...almost 6 minutes.....thank God the car next to me had a small child in the back seat.....we exchanged smiles, waves and then a series of funny faces.....he had me laughing and I , he too...the wait passed quickly and I was energized by the antics of that sweet back seat boy!

Later at the stores,  a Mom & daughter passed by and I said "Hi" smiling and cracked a joke, the daughter stopped to chat and I had her cracking up....she asked me, "Do you always talk to strangers?" and I replied, "Sometimes, I am trying to be friendlier this days".

Her Mom had wandered off and came back for her...and she said to me, "Hey, I know you!" I said, "Oh? From where?" She said, "You live in my neighborhood, in the corner house on such and such street, you love animals, owe cats and referred your Vet to me...we met a few years ago at a Christmas party".

Small world, huh? Well, we got to chatting and we will be having tea soon....see what happens when we are open, friendly and smile!

I later saw an older, elderly woman trying to pull a cart from the many attached together at the front of the store. She was having a hard time and I went over smiling and asking if she needed help. She said yes that she couldn't pull a cart free so I pulled one out and toldher to have a great day!  She smiled back with a huge grin and thanked me too and said she would.

I also allowed some couple with small kids to go ahead of me in line while checking out as the young one was getting fussy ....the Mom was pleasantly surprised and gave me a big smile back.

As I was leaving the store, the wind had arisen and was pretty strong.....a woman's hat had blown off her head so I ran to catch it and brought it back....giving her a big grin and went on my way....she called out thank you and you have a great day too....and you know I was having a great day....part of it was due to my goal of smiling and being kind to everyone I met that day.

Try it .....you'll be surprised by the results and you will brighten many people's day.