Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Free Pizza For Class

I always wanted to try this. 

I talked to a buddy of mine and he reminded me of a night class that he had.  I always wanted to tag a group of people and so I decided I would tag his class.

Everyone knows from student life that when you have a night class, for some reason or another, you always get hungry!   So this class was from 7pm to 9pm, with about 25 students, and I decided that I would buy some pizza for the whole class.

I walked in after the class had started and delivered the pizza.  A bit puzzled, the teacher asked the class who ordered pizza and I explained that I was bringing it on my own will.  Everyone looked a little bit stunned, in a good kind of a way. :)

She really wanted to give me a tip, but I told her that the only tip I would accept is if they all did something nice for somebody else.  I also made sure to leave them Smile Cards and they were all definitely moved by this gesture.

Claps For Those Who Couldn't Hear It

Recently, in the University where my wife is a Lecturer, they held a two day symposium to discuss on the latest trends of Biotechnology. It was valedictory day and prior to that the evening had an entertainment show to the guests who had gathered for the symposium.  Before the entertainment programme was finalised, there were lot many traditional ideas on what to have for the entertainment.  But my wife made an unusual suggestion: to call children from a neighbourhood Dumb and Deaf school for the entertainment part. People in her department were raising eyebrows and were wondering what these children who are deaf and dumb could do to entertain people! So, here we are at this valedictory function. The amazing children took on stage, just with one guide and teacher who stood beside the screen to give instructions to the children who were to perform for the entertainment. Oh, the children ... Read Full Story >>

Tedi the Love Clown

I go to the Hospital every Saturday, in my bright costume, and long eyelashes,and an august clown face.  I hand the patient a 4" Love Pillow.. hand made by myself, and a couple of friends.

I say, "This is a Love Pillow, It is to remind you that you have a Heavely Comforter,

God is still in charge, you know,

And He loves you so much,

He knows what your needs are even before you ask.

He will never leave you, He loves you with an Unending Love,  And I love you too !!!"

--Tedi the Love Clown

I have been clowning for 24 years now, and this has been my most important experience.  I see between 80 and 120 patients each week and wouldn't miss it for the life in me.

Undercover Smiles

Sometimes its really nice to help people out behind the scenes when they're experiencing a crunch or even just having a bad day. A couple of weeks ago one of my colleagues at work was having one of those days where everything was falling to bits.  She tried to withdraw cash from the ATM only that morning only to be denied due to insufficient funds.  Payday was still a few weeks away and the bank was giving her a hard time to increase her overdraft limit.  When you have plans to take another colleague out to lunch to celebrate recent accomplishments, this can be a little embarassing and distressing at the same time to not have cash to contribute.  On top of that, she lives alone in this country (all of her family and close friends live in Africa) so she doesn't have a tight network of support locally and had ... Read Full Story >>

Power of Flowers

While at the supermarket this morning, waiting on line to pay for my groceries, I noticed the flowers by the counter  (because of my DailyGood reminder which suggested buying flowers for the cashier!).   All of a sudden, I remembered that it had been months since I have been wanting to do something special for my downstairs neighbor who has climbed the stairs numerous times to let me know that I left my car lights on!   So I decided to buy her a bouquet of flowers to thank her, and bought a second one for myself.    As I got back home, I found the Waste Management truck in my parking spot, with the garbage man picking up the building's trash.  My first reaction was to feel annoyed that I had to wait till he was done before I could park and get upstairs (I was feeling hungry and looking forward ... Read Full Story >>

We All Have A Story

Last weekend I volunteered at our local shelter to serve meals to the hungry. I convinced a classmate of mine, a woman who is older like myself to come along for the experience. Her life consists of school, playing golf as a semi-pro, and generally living a very comfortable and protected lifestyle. I assume everyone has seen the hungry, the needy, the homeless, the less fortuanate in our society but the assortment of folks at the shelter seemed to trouble my friend. She was aprehensive about getting physically too  close when she was serving meals and she was also full of questions. She made observations such as, "They look like they do drugs", "I assume a lot of them have alcohol problems", "Some of them seem like they are retarded." Once everyone is fed, staff/volunteer's can also eat from the leftovers.  We were told there was enough and that we should ... Read Full Story >>

Birthday Celebrations

My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. This year I have asked all my friends and family to send whatever they would normally spend on a gift, card and cake, to a charity that is close to my heart.

Talking To The Homeless

Today I was walking along the street when a homeless woman asked me for some change. I gave her some money and stopped to talk to her for a while. I asked her about how she ended up on the street and if there was a shelter she could go to. She told me about some of her struggles. She told me that she left home at seventeen and was homeless since then (she now looked close to 40). She said that her bag with all her clothes and possesions was stolen the night before, while she was sleeping outside a church. She said that she goes to the day centre everyday and they make calls to try to find her a shelter but nothing is available, as all shelters for women are full up. It has been like this for months. I listened to her and said a few kind words to ... Read Full Story >>

I Always Wanted To Be An Angel

I was walking from my office to my car during rush hour at the end of work day in San Francisco.   As I waited at the corner of 3rd and Folsum for the light to change, I noticed a car about to go through the intersection. The driver looked harried and was talking on his cell phone.  

As he accelerated through the intersection, papers and a manilla folder began swirling and flying out the window.   The driver was clearly dismayed, but given the traffic and the one-way street, he simply pulled over a few blocks down. 

As the light changed, other pedestrians stomped the papers into mud puddles in their rush to cross the street.   Looking at the drivers panic stricken face, I decided to try to pickup as many papers as possible before the light turned and cars started running them over.   I noticed these paper looked like the papers I signed when I bought my house.  

As the driver came up to me to get the papers he said "You are an angel, You are an angel." 

Hearing that made me feel better than I had in weeks.

Everything Can Be A Gift

Back about 4 years ago I started to attend a grief support group.  My sister's husband died in a car accident and a year and a half later she was killed.  It took be about 1 year before I went to get support.  Since then I have become a faciliator of the group.  It doesn't seem like a big deal to me to give in this way, but the people who attend are ever so grateful that someone is there for them and knows what they are going through.

This has inspired me to start a support group that I would facilitate for people who are separated and going through a divorce.  I'm in the process of getting divorced and I attended a divorce support workshop and WOW.  Now I see my divorce as a GIFT.  I want to share the possibilities with others.  The group I am starting is for Spanish speakers, because believe it our not in my California neck of the woods, there isn't anything for these folks.

Mocha for Me

I live on a very busy street and the morning commute can sometimes be almost unbearable. 

One morning, I let a car out of a side street and proceeded on my way to my favorite drive thru coffee shop.  When it was my turn I ordered my mocha and as I went to pay she told me that the car in front of me had paid for me because I had let them out in traffic and they noticed I had gone to the same coffee place that they had!!! 

Now that inspired me to do likewise and occassionally that is what I do---pay it forward!!!   A small kindness like letting someone out in traffic can make someone's day!   And the bonus this time was a mocha!! Totally unexpected blessing!  It works both ways!

Power of Anonymous Flowers

I work for a large investment firm in Vancouver, and our "back office" is located in Toronto.  There are two special ladies in Toronto who always answer my questions and treat me well, even though the only reason I ever speak with them is when something has gone wrong...they save my butt time and time again. 

Today, one of them resolved an issue that has been ongoing for a month.  I was beginning to think that I would never be able to tell the Investment Advisor at the firm that everything had been set right.  I was so grateful for her help, and mentioned this in an email to her. 

Although she thanked me for my kind words, I felt that this was a time to give a little extra effort.  So I ordered some flowers to be anonymously delivered tomorrow, addressed to both of these "Super Women" with a note thanking them for all that they do.

I feel so wonderful knowing that the flowers will brighten their day, and show them that someone is thinking about them!

One Email Begets Another

A few days ago I was really frustrated because no one seemed to be free for some random acts of kindness. I had wanted to go out and do something big and was about to give up all together when I realized that I could easily do something just as meaningful right from my computer in about 15 minutes. I logged on to Facebook (which is an utterly addictive yet pointless website :)) and sent a message to each one of my friends. Most of them were along the lines of, "Hi! I'm having a random acts of kindness day and I'd just like to wish you a beautiful day!" I had been a bit nervous that it would look corny but after I did it, I felt great!   And I felt even better still when I came back that night to find an unexpected 70 or so replies! They ... Read Full Story >>

Love Notes Left for My Hubby

There were a few days I realized my dear hubby was feeling stressed from work, tired, and just feeling a little out of sorts.

Thinking of what to do to lift his spirts .... I got out some colored paper, cut it in several pieces until I had about 6 to 8 total. On each of the papers I wrote several little "I love you notes" and signed my name to them and placed them all over the house in places he would find. For example,  when he lifted the lid to his laptop, he found one there. I also placed one in his undie/sock drawer; on his nightstand; in the jar he keeps his pocket change; where he sits in the living room; on his pillow, along with other places he would eventually look.

The first time he found one he said, "What's this?" and read it and with a big smile on his face, responded, "I love you too!"

For several days he continued to find more notes until he finally found the last one. He really enjoyed what I did and it really blessed and changed his spirit, lifting him up!

Helping Homeless Harry

I am on staff at a church and we often get homeless folks that come in and need assistance. Part of my job is to try to help folks out, which is an awesome thing.

This week I have made a new friend and am touched by his genuineness and willingness to do what he needs to do to get out of his situation.  I have been able to help him with some food, gas, hooking him up with job possibilities and helping him get his car window repaired. 

While these are all physical things, I have been blessed by the interaction that we have had and have probably learned more from this man than any church member!!! 

The thing that sticks in my mind the most is that Harry has thanked me time and time again over the past week for my smile and for always being welcoming. 

In the process of blessing him, I think I have been blessed!

Seeds of Compassion, Buried but Not Gone

Michael was 16 years old when his life changed. How much worse could it become? Mental retardation had allowed him only one great pleasure — his bicycle — and even that was taken away when he was hit by a truck while riding. The resulting head injury caused multiple behavioral changes. Once sweet and soft-spoken, he became disruptive and violent. No community environment could manage his repeated bouts of agitation, lack of control and aggression. I first examined Michael in the mid-1980s, when he was a 30-year-old patient in a maximum-security hospital for the criminally insane (though there were no criminal charges against him). He would stay in his room all day long for weeks on end, uncommunicative, with periods of extremely hostile behavior toward anyone who came nearby. Psychotropic medications worked to decrease his agitation. But they blunted his emotional expression and caused restlessness, muscle stiffness and tremors, along with ... Read Full Story >>

Returning A Shopping Cart

Each morning, for work, I have to go to the local post office and then to a supermarket to pick up lunch for a few of my co-workers.  

Doing this for almost year now, I always bring a cart from the parking lot to the front of the store (where it belongs). 

It's a small act, but anyone who has the job of retrieving carts will appreciate this act-of-kindness. 

Try it !  I feel so good inside and gets me into thinking of others at the BEGINNING of the day ahead of me.

My First Experience With Smile Cards

Well.....I just couldnt WAIT to try out my smile cards. Last week I set out on my nightly outing -- to a meeting, and then to spend some time with my best friend. I told him I wanted to use my smile cards. First stop, the Dollar Store. I bought 2 nice candle jars with thoughtful things written on them. Next up, 7 Eleven. We parked and looked for someone to give a candle and card to. A woman had just gotten gas and was walking into the store. I hurriedly got out and ran over to her car, put the candle and card on top where she couldn't miss it, and ran back to my truck and waited. When she came out, she saw it, looked around, and acted like she was afraid to touch it! Another man getting ... Read Full Story >>

A shop full of smiles

Hi Everyone,

While packing a bag of items for a charity shop in the village, I thought about the volunteers who work there.  Every week they turn up and donate their time.

I thought I would take them a little surprise.  I got a nice thank you card and wrote in the message.   (For the happy and friendly ladies who work here, your time is very appreciated).  With the donated items and a bunch of flowers I went and handed them over.

You should have seen the happy faces - the whole shop was full of smiles. 

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity by Joseph Addison.

Afriendlysmile :):)

Don't Underestimate the Kids!

I teach a sixth-grade Hebrew school class every Tuesday at my synagogue.

This year, the staff has worked to institute a "mitzvah theme". A mitzvah is a good deed, as well as a commandment in the Jewish religion. However, we have talked about the fact that anyone, of any religion, can perform a mitzvah.

Recently the Rabbi asked us to set goals for our classes to be reached by the end of March. I sat down with the kids to talk about it, thinking that what we should really focus on was finishing the prayer they've all been struggling with.  Instead, the kids decided they wanted to do a mitzvah project.

I encouraged them to do it, but secretly figured they'd lose interest by the next week. However, the next week, my kids came in with a proposal for a book drive and a furniture painting workshop -- they wanted to collect books and then paint bookshelves and donate books to Reach Out and Read, an oranization that gets books to kids in hospitals who can't afford their own. They even designed a flyer about the book drive!

I was so proud!