Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Free Time With Old-aged Friends

Free time with an old age friends!

Today's evening I had some good time with my old age friends. We had lots of fun together and shared good memories of each other's life. They offered me chai and I gifted them some snacks.

It was great time with them.we all enjoyed it.

Thanks to all.

On The Street Corner

While in my car leaving work saw an older woman standing on the corner selling flowers as a way to get some money--she had a sign asking for anything to help. I rolled down the window and gave her a homemade blueberry muffin and apple, looked her in the eyes and sent warm wishes to her. She offered a flower but I said to keep it. I had been saving the apple for my snack after an after-work hike, but felt so good about giving it away and connecting (even if very briefly) heart to heart with this lady. It was a blessing.

Flow Journal Et Al

Last week on Substack, I discovered a writer called Words of Taoism. I especially loved his post on "flow." In the post, he offered a free 5-day "Flow Journal." I just finished Day 5. It was very helpful and insightful. https://substack.com/@wordsoftaoism/p-206860461 Today I discovered his podcasts. This is the first one I listened to. There is a transcript for those who are hearing impaired (see the description). It's really helping me right now. I sent a small gift to thank the author for his Flow Journal. The Power of Simplicity (A Tao Te Ching Meditation) https://youtu.be/b3asUXbtd6g ----- I got a lovely letter from Sister Lucy today thanking us for our monthly donation. I have saved every letter. She thanks us every time. We began supporting her work during the pandemic in 2020, and we've supported her every month since. It's only a small gift, but a little goes a long way. I got to help her ... Read Full Story >>

Cooling Centres During Hot Summer Days

We have recently had several consecutive days of very high temperatures.

29 degrees Celcius

I signed up to help as a volunteer at some outdoor Cooling Centres, which include tents with tables and chairs and Misting stations, to help anyone who seeks a cool space.

They offer water and food to people in need.

It was great to be able to help.

Two Way Beautiful Kindness Dayi ...

Two way Beautiful Kindness Day   I started my day with usual prayer for the welbeing of all and sending inspiring email to my contacts and posting inspiring stories, news, on Facebook, KindSpring and WhatsApp as well. Packed up some quote cards and stepped out to spread kindness. The railway crossing was closed to pass a train. It can never close for kindness. I gave quote cards to the drivers waiting at the railway crossing. Due to rainfall, the road wad muddy and the repairs were delayed making it very difficult to walk. I asked a stranger to give me a ride through the muddy waters to the main road. He was going different way but he changed his mind to obliged me giving ride. He dropped me near the bus stop for he was going that way. I am very grateful to him. I told him that your giving me a ride ... Read Full Story >>

Boys Can Cry

One of my summer students asked to talk to me at the end of the day--I'm running a research boot camp for undergrads and everyone is very motivated and hard-working.
He was feeling very down on himself and I got him to open up about his feelings--it seems that he was taught "boys don't cry" and I was able to offer space for him to let it all out (and go through a box of tissues) and express his feelings, and I was able to let him know that it is ok, he is more than enough, and he is competent and belongs here and doesn't have to compare himself to anyone else. I told him all the things I was impressed by that I had observed in him over the past week. Slowly he seemed to settle and I feel like I got through. Asked if I could give him a hug---and he said yes, so I gave him a mama bear hug and told him that he can talk to me about anything anytime. Since that day I have seen him confidently working and interacting and I feel so glad that I was able to provide that space for him. I don't think he ever had that before.

A Small Help With Someone’s Health Condition

A small help to an old daily wage labor in finding the right medicine for his gastric problem. He is suffering from gastric disease for a long period and was very upset from this problem. Today, he met me in a workplace and shared his problem. So, I suggested some natural remedies with an expert doctor.

Hope that he will recover soon from the gastric problem. Prayers for him….

I See You

Saw a gentleman who was sitting outside the grocery store with a sign that said "I am not doing okay--and I'm really dehydrated. Could use your help"
He looked like he hasn't eaten or slept in a while and everyone was just walking past him. I went up to him and asked him what he would like to eat or drink and if I could get it for him from the store. He said he'd like a sandwich and some water. I was able to get him a nice sandwich, water, fruit, juice and some snack. Gave him the bag and was glad to see him enjoying it. Hope he felt cared for at least for a little while.

Mama Love

On a cross-country flight (5.5 hours), a mom was traveling alone with two small kids and sitting in the row in front of me. For most of the flight the little girl (maybe 2 or 3 years old) was screaming, whining and crying....and I heard the mom say to a lady in front of her (who was not being very kind to the mom)--my daughter is sick and has a stomachache....
During the entire flight, the mom did not raise her voice even once or show anything but extreme patience and compassion. I knew I could not do anything tangible for her in that moment, but I did send her positive vibes and metta prayers for the easement of her daughter's suffering. Eventually, the little girl fell asleep. When we landed, I looked at the mom and said "You are an AMAZING mother--I hope your daughter feels better soon"....the smile she gave me was priceless.

Mish Inspired Sharing

Just scheduled a pickup of all my old, well-loved LPs with Vietnam Vets of America. Thank you, Mish, both for the idea and for helping me find the organization in my area.

Letting go feels good.
♡

A Few Small Acts

• Here are a few small acts from last week, as I get inspired by kindspringers. - Gave a box of cut jack fruits from our garden to our neighbour. Another neighbour wanted an uncut jackfruit from our garden, so I delivered one to her. I requested our gardener to take some jackfruit home for his family.
  I delivered some fresh food to our security guards for breakfast.
  At a railway station, I donated some cash to a poor girl.
  I visit our temple every week with my wife and daughter, but I realised I don't carry cash to donate. They have now enabled QR code at the hundi to donate, so I was glad I could donate last week.
  A member of our satsang lost her mom. I prayed for the departed soul and the family.

Food Bank

We decided to double our monthly donation to the food bank. They are not receiving the aid they used to get from the government, and families desperately need food. I remember being a single mom, working three jobs, and still not having enough for food when one of my checks bounced, setting off a domino effect of checks bouncing and bank fees piling up. The bank refused to remove them. I had to either pay the electricity bill or pay for groceries. Our town's food bank helped out a lot that year. So this is very close to my heart.

Laptop For Learning ! ...

Laptop for learning !

A worker's son needed a laptop to study. The boy is preparing for technical education at a government institute. He is very intelligent and hard working. His father was very anxious about the laptop. Because he didn't have enough money to buy it. When I found out about this, I visited his house and gifted my laptop to his son for study. At first, they showed some hesitation, but upon my affectionate insistence they accepted it. The son looked very happy and delighted to start learning on the laptop. He said, I will use it in the right way and carefully.

The father was also looking happy and relaxed. They thanked me.

Thanks to him and also to all of you dear friends.

🎶 Sharing Music

🏠 Continued Decluttering….

🎶 Donating our HUGE record collection to the Viet Nam Vets of America. They do home pick-ups 👌🏻

We both brought our own HUGE record collections to our marriage decades ago, so need to parcel them out for several pick-ups , over time, as there are so many!

Most of the LP’s are from the 1960’s & 1970’s ✌️ Was hard to give them away, but we haven’t played them in years, so……

There’s a time & a season for everything….grateful for the years of enjoyment these records brought 🙏

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 >>

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
 

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.

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 >>

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

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.