Stories of Kindness from Around the World

An Old Habit and Ten Bucks

As I was sitting outside on the bench in front of the thrift store, a car pulled up and a woman stepped out with donations for our small mission. I got up to help her carry in her gifts.

As I helped her, I noticed two $5.00 bills laying in the street.  You see, it has become a habit of mine to always for trash around my small space because I like things neat and clean.  I think it shows respect for the people who shop at our thrift store.  But as a result, I always look to the ground and that's how I saw the the two five dollar bills.

In a flash, I remembered a yound woman who had went into the beauty shop next door and I remembered her because of her shoes. So I just opened the door and asked if anyone had lost some money.  This yound woman looked down and asked if I had found two $5.00 bills?  Sure enough, she claimed it.

The young woman thanked me and told me it was her lunch money. 

I was really  glad I had this habit of keeping an eye on the ground. :)

Brief Serendipitous Moment

A few weekends ago I went to a Christian women's retreat with my church. It was held at Montauk Manor and I received my own smile and kindess as the church women sponsored me so that I  could attend myself.

After breakfast one morning, I went outside to have a cigarette. I saw a woman standing there, a little disheveled, and seemingly upset. I immediately went over to speak to her.

In a flash she was sharing things with me I am sure few even know. For some reason she felt compelled to speak and I compassionately listenened, offering occasional advice and a promise of prayer.

As I  prepared to say goodbye, I put my arms around her and gave her a hug. When I released her she had tears in her eyes and said, "God sent me an angel today." I had my own tears then.

Even if I don't know her name, I still pray for her and think of her often. I want to perpetuate the kindness for such a troubled soul. Just thinking about the bonding of two souls for a brief  serendipitous moment makes me smile. :)

Jacqui's Ring of Generosity

During one particular hospital stay in November 2006, I met an incredible lady, who I will always remember. Her kindness, and big heart, touched me in a life changing way. I was lying in bed in my room, gazing mindlessly at the bustling people pacing past my door in the corridor. I quite enjoyed this. I’d see all sorts of people; elderly patients walking slowly but intently, their eyes focused on the ground that their feet would soon walk over; frazzled nurse’s striding past clutching their paperwork, cheerful bubbly children. Quite often some one would cast a glance my way and smile, but no one ever came in. However, this one afternoon, a patient who was heading back to her room next door to me, caught my eye and stopped. She came to my door and smiled. I greeted her with a friendly smile and she came in. She sat by my ... Read Full Story >>

A True Santa Who Changed Our Lives

Shortly after my divorce, I had to quit my management job and take a factory job so I could spend more time with my three kids. I was only making 1/5 of what I was and things were getting really tight.  But I have never asked anyone for anything; my pride wouldn't allow it. I didn't really know how I was going to continue making ends meet. To make it worse, Christmas was coming up and I couldn't even afford a tree or any gifts for my children. I was behind on rent and the light bill was past due. I don't know where it came from or from who, but one day when I returned home from work, I was totally amazed. I just started crying and I couldn't stop.  Someone had delivered so much stuff to my house. Gifts for all three children. Clothes, School supplies, toys. Enough ... Read Full Story >>

Dancing in the Rain!

I recently moved back to my home State of Florida after being gone for 28 years.  I am 29 with an additional 18 years experience.  In Florida, this time of the year, one thing is certain -- rain.  As I got older, I started to think of it as a bother if I had to go somewhere but otherwise, it was a joyful event in my mind.  Two and a half years ago, I had cervical spine surgery that was damaged and cannot be fixed.  I suffer from daily neck aches, headaches and sometimes migraines.  Last week, I awoke and it was raining -- no thunder and lightening, just rain.  I love to go to sleep when it is raining and as a kid, I would beg and plead to just go play in the rain.  I was usually allowed as long as it was just raining.  I would spend ... Read Full Story >>

Traffic In A Small Town

One of the reason I like small towns is the lack of traffic.  Unfortunately, small towns become popular and even though there aren't jobs in them, people will live there and commute to larger areas.  Such is my fortune.  Along with the small town comes lack of traffic signals.  I live off the southern most road in town and you would think that it would be easy to get onto the highway.  Wrong!  By the time the morning commute traffic gets to my road, it is completely and utterly bumper to bumper.  I can hear you laughing ... small town bumper to bumper traffic can't really be that bad!  Well, on more than one occasion I have sat through over 100 cars going past before I could pull out.  Forget trying to cross traffic to go North!  I can't even tell you how many accidents have occurred from that.  You ... Read Full Story >>

My Nurse's Special Birthday Gift

Last month it was my nurse's birthday. She has been caring for me since August 2006. Through the months, we have built an amazing bond. She has been there for me, and has helped me over so many hurdles its unbelievable. She's my rock in every way. I wanted to do something special for her birthday, to show her how much she means to me. Being confined to my bed, I can't go out shopping for a gift. So I was left to use my imagination and the materials in my room. But I was determined to make an unforgettable gift. I found an old shoe box, and got a bunch of my old girlie magazines, and spent 4 days cutting and pasting carefully selected items onto the box, creating an intricate collage. Each piece reflected in some way or another, our friendship. To finish it off, I put a photo of us ... Read Full Story >>

A Dress For My Sister

I went with my sister to H and M, which is a clothing store. I took this beautiful shirt and chose a pink dress for my sister who has so little proper clothes in her closet. When it came time to pay, I thought why not buy both, but because I didn't have enough money for both, I had to choose. So I did.  I chose to buy a dress 4 my beautiful sister. She said she loves the dress and it made me really happy to make her happy.  And now she can show off a little too.

Snail Mail Surprises

I keep scissors handy on my sofa side table to clip interesting articles and coupons that my friends & family may like. Once a week, I sort them into different piles and send it thru the mail to distribute. I received many thank you's for the interesting articles, so I started to clip out funny cartoons, inspirational stories, share poems and pick up stick-um's and other surprise goodies too!  I stuff them into the letters especially if I know the person needs a pick-me-up ... it's fun and not expensive at all ... and everyone loves the "snail mail surprises." Lastly, when I sort thru the mail, I pull  out the Two for One coupon restaurant deals, additional savings coupon or certificates from department stores, etc. I keep them in a envelope and if I don't need it, I make sure to pass out to other friends and co-workers for their use before expiration dates. I recently snail-mail ... Read Full Story >>

How Einstein Came To Us

Over the weekend, a lady that I work part time for, called and asked us if we thought a kitten, that had wandered into her yard during one of our recent rainstorms, would be taken care of by "Ms. Kitty" -- a stray mama cat at the warehouse where we work.

"Ms. Kitty ", the stray mama cat, has a litter of kittens a few days older than the one she'd found, so we told her to give it a try. If Ms. Kitty wouldn't adopt the kitten, bring to us, and we'd nurse it until it was old enough to be found a home.

That afternoon, as we sat home watching movies with friends, Ms. Gloria ( the older lady with the kitten ), arrived with her husband, and the kitten in her arms. Without a second thought, we took the kitten, wrapped in a towel, into our home. It was immediate love.

One of our friends, there at the time, caught a glimpse of the cute little kitten and blurted out " Einstein".

Now named, and us totally in love with him, the kitten is now home, and named, of all things, "Einstein."  We are now the PROUD owners of 3 cats of our own, and three strays that are as OURS as any cat can be.

Shopping In The Rain

Today it was raining really hard. When I went to the grocery store, all of the Shopping Carts were dripping wet. I managed to find a paper towel and wipe it down and off I went to do my shopping.

I only picked up a few items and was on my way out of the store. As I walked out I noticed a Mom struggling as she came through the store doors with a baby in her arms. It was raining so hard outside she was running in.  I quickly said she could use my cart as it was dry and she could put the baby in right away instead of looking for something to dry a cart off with. I just grabbed my bags of groceries out of the cart -- they were light -- and I ran off to my car without a cart.   The mom was very grateful to me for helping her out.

I felt happy knowing I was able to offer her my shopping cart and was able to help her with her little baby.

Be on the look out for opportunities.  They're everywhere, even when you're grocery shopping in the rain!

Don't Forget Your Digital Camera

On Saturday I took my fiancee to see Weird Al. Knowing that Weird Al would sign autographs afterward, I told my fiancee to bring the digital camera. :)

As we were waiting on line, I was entertaining all the little ones in front of me. The laughter was wonderful and if a little one wanted his mom, I made sure she connected with her child and went in front of me.

Once we got into the tent, I noticed the woman in front of me frantically searching. She had her nine year old son with her (one of the boys I had been joking with earlier) and I asked her if she would like us to take a few pictures for her. She lit up. "I' m from Westchester and I forgot my camera," she said. I gladly took the pictures, emailed them to her, and received a beautiful thank you email in return.

They couldn't have been any happier. It may have cost me nothing, but it was worth so much.

Paid In Full With One Glass of Milk

"One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry and so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said, "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strengthened also. He had been ready to give up and ... Read Full Story >>

Two Days Without Worry

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone forever. The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow with all its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor performance; Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet to be born. This leaves only one day, Today. Any person can fight ... Read Full Story >>

A Compassion Buddy Overseas

I have a friend who I was put into contact with through my Narrative Therapist. She is also unwell and under going huge hardships. We live in different countries, and our situations are quite different from one another. But despite this, we find we can connect to each others hearts through a few compassionate words. Each day, we send each other something to 'lift' one another up. Whether it be the lyrics to an inspirational song, a capturing quote, or just some thoughtful, comforting words. The impact this has on me is incredible. And it works two ways- the fact that I've made her feel good, makes me feel good inside, and the fact that she's made me feel good, makes her feel good. I guess I'm trying to say- a compassionate heart is the most priceless thing in the world. And to be compassionate, you do not need to 'know', you need not understand, ... Read Full Story >>

Age Of Innocence

  Dandelions, yellow and bright grace my yard all around.   Soon becoming a fluff of seeds scattered into the wind, landing where they may to spread more seeds and start the process all over again.   When I was a child, I loved to pick the fluffy ones. I’d blow and blow on the seed heads, sending the seeds flying where the breeze would take them. What fun that was!   Little did I know at that age of innocence I was helping the dandelions, yellow and bright, to grace our yard all summer long. ... Read Full Story >>

I Feel Special When I Speak About Kindness

It is amazing how kindness opens your life experinces to beauty and essence. After I got my smile cards, I thought to myself, "Let me extend this grace to my colleagues in the office."  We do have a 'devotional' every Mondays in my office and we have a roster for the next staff to anchor it so I waited for my turn to share the story of my smile cards. When the faithful day came, I gave a whole talk and I got a standing ovation!  All hands clapping for me including my Managing Director and several remarks afterwards. I told them about my life (who I am) and asked them at intervals to think about who they are too. I made several efforts to open and remind them of who they are as beings but with a mind of wanting to help them see the essence of living. I shared about ... Read Full Story >>

Swift Reaction At a Circus

Once when I was a teenager,  my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus.  Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter.  This family made a big impression on me.  There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12.  You could tell they didn't have a lot of money.  Their clothes were not expensive, but they were clean.  The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by-two behind their parents, holding hands.  They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, elephants and other acts they would see that night.  One could sense they had never been to the circus before.  It promised to be a highlight of their young lives. The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could be.  The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as ... Read Full Story >>

Bringing Some Love to New York City

Another glorious Saturday afternoon in Central Park found six members of our Lemonade Brigade ready to collect more smiles and give out some just-because lemonade! Week one of our experiment in kindness went so well that we decided to set up our gift-economy lemonade stand at the exact same spot as we did last week. As usual, our blown-up smile card poster started drawing in the crowds before the lemonade was ready to be served. Pavitra has become a seasoned professional in the art of lemonade-making after just one week, and worked tirelessly to make sure the mouthwatering lemonade kept flowing. Ria, our 2.5-year-old Ambassador of Smiles, had on another one of her adorable outfits and this time came armed with a bubble-making gun to entertain the passersby – who could resist that? And the rest of us were brimming with energy and the anticipation of connecting ... Read Full Story >>

An Unusual Birthday Celebration

[An Invitation From 2004] It's that time of the year again. Yup, V-real's birthday ... this Friday, January 9th. As you probably know, V-real isn't much into celebration of particular days more than others. But we have a creative way to bend the rules for his 25th. First of all, can you make it to our house this Friday at 7:30PM? I know it's really short notice but hey. ;) Secondly, in the spirit of thankfulness for your friendship with V-real, would you be willing to do an act of random kindness for someone, somewhere, somehow? Then, on his birthday, we'll blow some candles, eat cake and share stories of our experiences ... as a gift to him. It's a unique request, but V-real's a unique guy. Because of my unending gratitude for having him as a brother, right after I got my first job, I used to get him everything ... Read Full Story >>