Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Tagging inspirational quotes at Seva Cafe

We meet at Seva Cafe in Ahmedabad (sevacafe.org) every Thursday morning for meditation.  After the sit this morning, I had an idea to start tagging inspirational quotes to friends. The topic that came to my mind is "Smile therapy".

I need some smile quotes from the Universe. Please help. The ones I have already are: "Smile, it improves your face value" "smile, it is free!" "smiles are curves that set things straight"

I have already tried it out on three people today and they loved it. In a synchronistic way they said it was exactly the boost they needed to get through the day. One lady even wrote me one quote that I found beautiful, "My body is a scrapbook, dancing dusts off memories of my life."

If people out there can send in some more quotes, we can have a compassion group sit and write them out. 

Giving Grapes For Bottled Water

Where I live, it is highly unsafe to drink water from taps; so most  people buy packaged water when they run out of their own.

The other day I did a really tiny kind act: this lady who seemed kind of poor (she wasn't wearing shoes) sat next to me on the bus home.  She mumbled something to herself in a cross way about not having water, how the bus fare has been increased, and about how she needs to buy water now.

Generally passengers never interact with each other, but I thought I could make an exception.  I reached into my bag and gave her a packet of mineral water I had bought.

After receiving this unexpected gift, she looked quite happy.  We chatted for a while and before I left, she gave me some grapes that she was carrying with her.  She wouldn't let me leave the bus until I took the grapes! 

It reminded me that sometimes those who have less are so much more generous than those who have a lot. :)

Mistaken For A Priest

As a science student at the University of Western Ontario, I was delighted when offered the use of the ground floor of a church rectory for very modest rent.

To show my appreciation, I shoveled the snow from the walks and driveway so that the choir could practise in the basement. One particularly blustery winter day I was ready to concede defeat to the blizzard when I noticed a pickup truck drive by, reverse and enter the drive.

Lowering his plough blade, the driver cleared out the entire parking lot in just a few passes. The cab window opened and the cheerful driver shouted out: “There you go Father!” He had noticed my black T-shirt under my coat and mistaken me for a priest.

I could only chuckle and shout back “Bless you, my son” as he pulled out. Every storm thereafter I was sure to wear my black T-shirt in hopes of a repeat performance and will be forever grateful to the church and the unknown stranger that made my day.

Five Dollar Bus Fare

A bunch of us carpooled in a van to go to the holiday prayer at the convention center and the celebrations afterwards.

After visiting for hours, we were on our way home late that evening. (We live about an hour away from where we were going.)  Before we dropped off someone, we noticed he didn't have enough money for the bus.  He only needed 50 cents, so he kindly asked if anyone could spare some change.

While everyone looked in their wallets, I remembered I had 5 dollars in my purse I was saving for coffee. I wanted to help, so I gave him all 5 dollars.  And it made me happier than coffee does. :)

my best friend and I

My friend and I are always together-this includes going to the mall and the spa.

One day we had a terrible disagreement and I didn't know what to do!

I was sad and also really mad at her, but in the end we made up. Then we went to donate some money to a food pantry and a clothing closet.

It made us  feel so good to do that.  Something about giving, it solves all our problems in unthinkable ways.

My First Use of a Smile Card

I had some cards printed up and now am looking for ways to use them.  My first use was this past Sunday.  I recently started attending a Melakite Catholic church in my town after years of not going to church at all.  I found some things similar and some different to the Roman Catholic Church masses I remember from years ago.

Wanting to learn more about the Melakite history, I purchased a book they had in the reception hall area after mass.  I paid the father, twice as much as asked for, for the book and handed him a smile card and asked that he place it in one of the books left and if a person wants to buy the book that it is placed it, he just give it to him since it was already paid for.  He liked that idea. :)

An Unforgettable Dinner Date

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said I love you but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you. The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.   "What's wrong, are you well?" she asked.  My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news."I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you," I responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, ... Read Full Story >>

Musical Chairs on the Bus

I was going home by bus when I saw this unknown girl and her boyfriend from University heading home too. It seemed like they had planned a lot of things for Valentines Day and wanted to be with each other. I was seated on the bus  in seats that are reserved for women, and the girl had no choice but to take the seat in this section next to me. I asked her if she wanted me to move in front so that she could sit with her boyfriend. She smiled a really wide smile and told me that  she felt it was a very thoughtful thing.

So I swapped my first chair .

Soon , (I commute two-hours) I saw a fantastic and kind maths teacher of mine (who taught me a very long time back) standing without a seat. I gladly gave him mine. :)
He looked pleased that his old student recognized him.
So some small things on the bus journey. :)

Make a Special Night Even Better

One of my favorite anonymous acts is to pay for meals in a restaurant.  A few years ago I was at a Ruth's Chris restaurant with my project team for a team Christmas dinner.  Where I was sitting, my view of the other dinners was via a mirror in front of me.  It was a Wednesday night about 3 weeks before Christmas so there were only about 6 other table occupied. About 10 minutes before we left, a young couple came in dressed pretty formally.  I happened to look in the mirror just as the woman looked at the menu.  I saw her lean over to her date and whisper "It's so expensive!".  I usually pick a table that's already eating their dinners so I can get their check from the restaurant.  As we left I asked the host to get the manager.  I told him I wanted to pay for their ... Read Full Story >>

Supermarket Bagging

In British supermarkets, it is not usual for the staff to help with bagging the groceries, like it is in some other countries I have lived in.

At the checkout counter the other day, I was behind a mother of a toddler who was tired, grouchy, and needed to be held on her hip. I could see that she would have difficulty putting her groceries onto the conveyer belt and then have even more trouble to put the stuff into bags. I therefore offered to empty her trolley and proceeded to bag her groceries. I told her that I remember how it was when my children were little.

Of course she was grateful and she said that she would do the same for me one day. I gave her a smile card and told her to just help someone else out another time when she saw the need, but that it could be with anything, even something simple like giving money.

The thing is that I was in a hurry to leave the shop, because I was running behind time; but by helping her it speeded my way through the checkout.

Children of The Lab

I work in a medical building right next door to a lab whose primary mission is to draw blood from all ages of patients.

Our walls are really thin and I can hear babies and young children crying, wailing the most desperate, betrayed kind of wail.  It really gets to me. 

So I went to The Dollar Tree store & bought cuddly, soft Teddy Bears in different colors.  When I hear the lab office door open, I walk out and hand the teddy bear to the traumatized baby or child and tell them, "We are so PROUD of you!  What a brave boy/girl you are!" 

Some kids, believe it or not, don't trust another human being coming out of an office so don't want the bear.  Some hug it right away.  Most stop crying...I'm not sure who appreciates it more - the child or the parent!

Breakfast Kindness

I grew up in a very poor family. Both my parents worked various odd jobs just to pay the rent, so I rarely had breakfast.

I was in Grade 4 and I passed out in class. I woke up in the nurse's room and after answering many questions, they figured out that a poor nutrition was the cause of my fainting.

Two university students volunteered at our school to tutor us in English. After learning that many of the students didn't eat breakfast or lunch on a regular basis, they started a committee to fundraise for a breakfast and lunch program. After only a few weeks, I was able to eat healthy regular meals.

I am forever grateful to Keith and Helen, for making a difference in the lives of young children. I know that Keith went on to become a social worker, and Helen became a teacher. If they are reading this, I want to thank them again, for all they did for my classmates and me.

Acts of kindness don't have to hit the front pages of the newspapers, or receive awards. But I wanted to share this experience, because it really made a difference in my life.

A new project

I have a friend  who has had some tough luck last few years. It is a long story that involves a very low paying job, an unexpected pregnacy, a husband who left her, major surgery with no insurance, losing her job, going on public assistance,  a teenage son feeling abandoned, and then as a final blow, the husband divorcing her and taking the teenage son to another state. She did not have money to purchase milk, much less, fight for custody of her oldest son. As she was recouperating from surgery on both  of her legs, she realized she needed to do something dramatic. She decided to attend a health care school so that she could attempt to make a better life for her family. She accepted a loan from the school and a grant from the school. It would take her 3 years to finish the courses needed. She ... Read Full Story >>

People on the Corner

Many years ago my observant 7 year old was in our car on her way to school. This particular day we drove by many displaced/homeless people who were asking for help.  She asked why the same people were asking for help everyday and why no one was helping.  I really did not have an uncomplicated answer to this question. So I decided to ask her how she thought she could help. This beautiful little girl had so many ideas flowing out of her I couldn't keep up. There were a few good ideas flying past me just as the time did that morning.  The next day on the morning trip to school my daughter asked me to stop at each corner where a homeless person stood.  I asked why but was quickly informed to wait and see. Stop #1 - I rolled down my widow and asked the gentleman to come ... Read Full Story >>

Just A Cell Phone

A few years ago I was driving to an interview which was supposed to start at 9:00am.

I had the address, but somehow just could not find it. After two or three attempts, it was now 8:55 am, I pulled into an office building and discovered I was not far from my destination.

I was panicking since my interview and was rushing out when I was stopped by a man coming out of that building. He must have seen the panic in my eyes and offered me his cellphone so I could call and explain.

If it had not been for this kind stranger I would have made a very bad impression at the interview. I did get the job and I wish I could have thanked the gentleman but in the stress I was under I never thought of getting his name.

Best friends

I have decided to try out at least one weekly act of kindness.

My best friend has not been feeling very well so I convinced her to come with me to a workshop of handcraft jewerly - a simple thing just for fun.

Do you remember when we were kids and we could spend hours making little things for us or for others, with no other value than the beauty of love, creativity and fun? That's how we spent our morning, yesterday, in this workshop.

When it was over, I finally saw a big smile on her face that I haven't seen that much lately. She enjoyed it so much she decided to get herself some materials and go home and do little things for the entire family!

Although we know each other very well, she doesn't know I did this to see her smile. I decided not to tag her and instead do it with someone else I have in mind. But maybe life puts a stranger on my way this next week. I'll be attentive!

Musical surprise

One of the many dedicated administrative assistants in my office was tagged this week. The admin is a great asset to our department and handles lots of requests, well beyond the requirements of her job. She's a great person and I've seen her get teary-eyed one or two occasions over things going on in her personal life, especially more recently. She deserves something to cheer her up!

So, I left a CD with music that she would like on her chair at work with a smile card inside. I noticed a constant smile on her face the next day - maybe she was wondering which person in the office left her the CD or maybe not....either way I felt that her spirits were lifted if not for just a day.

Help From A Lawyer

I grew up making many bad choices. At the age of 16, I was facing jail for some criminal charges, and had already been kicked out of school.

I was a runaway, on my own, but my criminal lawyer was a young lady, fresh out of school. She convinced the prosecutor and judge to give me a second chance. After that, she helped me look for a job, and get a room in a boarding house.

She stayed in touch with me for months, making sure I was on the right track. I am now 33 and working full time as a mechanic, after finishing high school and completing my mechanics certification in college. I am raising a family, and have two beautiful children.

I cannot say enough about the lawyer who helped me. Her kindness helped me turn my life around. I will not provide her name, but I read in the newspaper that she was recently appointed as a judge.

How fitting for a person who dedicated her life to helping the underdog. If you're reading this, thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.

A little bit of sunshine on a rainy day

I work with a delightful lady called Diana.  Yesterday, a young couple looking for a rental property with two small children came into our  friendly real estate office sopping wet from the rain. My husband and I own and run our little office. It was raining heavily and this young couple had an 18 month old little boy and a baby girl in a pram. My husband took them in our car to see a little house we thought they may be able to rent.  Diana offerred to mind the baby in our office.  The little girl's mother was embarrassed as she explained why her baby was naked except for a nappy - wrapped in a bunny rug, as all her clothes were wet.   After the couple left, Diana said "I am going to pop out and get the baby some clothes".  Sure enough she did just that and 20 minutes later ... Read Full Story >>

Soulful Strut At MidDay

My wife opens the doors and says, "Man, that lady must be having a really bad day.  She was really rude."  After a slight pause, she adds, "What she really needs is someone to tag her."  "Well, let's do it!", I proposed in an excited tone.  "Who is this lady anyhow?  Any ideas of what she would like?" Two minutes, later: Operation Mid-Day Chocolate to Lady Behind the Counter.  I get a box of new chocolates from the refrigerator and think up a note to write about.  As my wife was walking to an errand earlier in the downtown area, she said the usual "how are you" to a homeless man -- Ronnie -- on the streets; oddly enough, the man responded, "Could be better .... but can't complain."  While returning, she saw him from a distance and thought of ways to "better" his day. With her usual smile, she ... Read Full Story >>