Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Musical Chairs

Having read many stories on this board on giving up airplane window seats, I was on the lookout for a similar opportunity recently. The international flight back home was going to be long and I wasn't thinking of much except sleep. The row was split in 2-3-2 and the gentleman sitting next to me casually asked if I wouldn't prefer a center aisle seat. His wife had been separated from him. I immediately acquiesced and the couple was together. I admit, I might have let out a little laugh at having finally been able to do this for a stranger (are we really that?) - I hope they didn't take it the wrong way.

But the story was not over for me. Shortly a hostess came over, asked me if I wanted to change seats (the other two passengers next to me were also a couple). For the next 10 hours, I'm in a row all to myself.

So I'm on the hunt again, till I actually give up a window seat without getting anything in return. Will post my progress here.

Smile Therapy

I am a therapist and I interact with people on a daily basis. I always try to find new ways that I can let people know they are special and that someone is thinking of them. I plan to send smile cards to clients as well as to co-workers anonamously to just brighten their day. Everyone needs that affirmation sometimes in their life.

Ripples of Smile Cards (Orders!)

I organised a large volunteering event at the non-profit organization I work for and because it was such an organisation-wide affair, so many people helped to make the actual day come together.  I was very grateful for the way that nearly 25 staff members contributed on the day as they provided an amazing source of support in making things happen the way I had planned.

I decided to thank each of them with a big swiss chocolate bar with a smile card tied around it with ribbon and a thank you card to tell them how much I appreciated their support.  As I handed them out the following day, many people were a little surprised by this gesture, as it was largely unexpected.  But, what really made my day was when I was shipping Smile cards a few days later and noticed that one of the people who received a card had already ordered more! 

This smile movement really is infectious and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to spread ripples wherever I can :)

Gaining Marriage Wisdom: Sharing Homemade Carrot Cake

I made a homemade carrot cake for the first time. It was really the most delicious cake, according to my family. So I decided I would spread kindness by giving some of this cake to a my parents' neighbor- someone I didn't really know. I gave the cake to a neighbor's husband- who invited me in to talk.  Next thing I know, his wife also comes over, and we have a three-hour discussion about life- concerns about her college age son, and lessons around marriage and divorce. I walked away from this meeting profoundly touched about the wisdom this woman shared from an early divorce- the courage she showed to leave someone irresponsible, and the faith she kept that she deserved to be married to a man who honored her and supported her. The eerie thing is I struggle with being married, and certainly didn't know she went through this experience.  I walked ... Read Full Story >>

Got some gas?

I was pumping gas today at a Rotten Robbie and a construction-worker type of a guy walked near me and asked, "Mind filling a gallon?" Well, that is a new one for me! Just when he asked, my tank was full. I took his small container, filled it and gave it back to him. He said, "Thanks, man" and walked to his old pickup.

I then turned, hooked up the pump to the machine and in the display it asked, "Receipt?" and I pressed "No". Suddenly I started laughing. I always say yes when asked if I want a receipt because I use it for tax purposes (I am a consultant and I can tax deduct my official use of my car). But today I said no for no reason - and I realized that the last gallon makes the whole transaction anonymous!

Another Reflection of Hope

You may remember my story of Stephen, the homeless guy.  I decided to  take a walk up to the hostel to see if he was ok. I spoke to my friend who works there and she said, "Well Angel, how are you?" I said "Angel?" She said "Yes, Stephen said he met an angel from God." I laughed and asked if he was in. She said he was out looking for work. That really made me stop. I gave her some money and asked if she could give it to Stephen so he could phone me. Later that night, he phoned me. He asked if he could meet me. I arranged to meet him at the coffee shop again.  Wow, what a difference! He was clean, had a smile on his face, shoulders back facing the world. He gave me a hug and called me angel. I said, "You know ... Read Full Story >>

Crumpled Ten Dollars From a Laundry Machine

Last week, my friend was leafing through a bunch of clothes when he found a crumpled up note. Right then, he turns to me and says, "I don't know what amount this is, but it's yours. Pay it forward, leave 'em a smile card and lots to smile about." That bills ends up being a ten-dollar bill. All week I've been wondering what to do. Saturday morning rolled around and I had to drop off a couple of bags of clothes at Goodwill. I had been to this particular Goodwill store before and as I'm driving, my mind wandered to the people working at the store. There is a large room at the back of the store for dropping off items and there are always people in the room sorting through the dozens of bags left for donations. I thought to myself, that's not the most ... Read Full Story >>

The Liberty Angels

I am wondering how to get a story printed. My daughter is 10 and started a band a year ago with the idea of cutting a CD and raising money from the CD to give to Homeless kids. She did it and had her CD party last week and raised $700.00 for a local YWCA Kids Korner!!! I can give you more info if you are interested. Thanks for your time and I love your newsletter!!!

The Healing Effects of Crocheting

I gave envelopes with smile stones twice this week; For the first, I asked a cashier to pass it to the person after me in line after I left. I gave the second one at the drive-thru window for the guy working there who seemed stressed.

This morning I finished a 'Healing Shawl' that I made for a friend who lost her mom among other tough luck this fall.  That won't be anonymous but it's still a beautiful thing.  I learned to crochet by making this shawl.  It's enormous, LOL  Each stitch has love and prayers for healing sewn in, it just has a lovely energy.  And I learned so much (not just crochet) and received so much by making it.  I recommend it to every one.

A Reflection of Hope

On Thursday, I was in the town when I met a young homless guy. He looked so cold and ill - he was begging for money. I said I would not give him money but I would take him for food. He asked, "Will you come with me?" I said "Yes." We went to a local coffee shop where he had hot food and we talked. He told me his name was Steven. He had had a bad drug habit and was trying to get his life back. He dropped out of school and moved from his home town because of peer pressure. He knew if he stayed he would be back on drugs. I said I will help him find somwhere to stay and we set off but before that I took him to the charity shop and bought him a warm jacket. I wanted to take him to a ... Read Full Story >>

Ripples of Light

I have been going through a difficult patch recently and a friend told me this story when we spoke one evening. I am sharing the story with you because it gave me a little bit of hope when I was in need of a positive perspective. I hope that the ripples of this lovely story give you some hope if you need it too. He said that he was standing at the entrance of his building that evening, on his way home from work. He was talking to the building porter, when an old couple entered to go towards their flat. They stopped to talk to the porter and since my friend was standing there too, he overheard their conversation. Earlier in the day, the old couple was trying to stop a taxi to take them somewhere. The old man was severely handicapped and could barely walk without any assistance. A taxi ... Read Full Story >>

Spreading the Love

I sent one of my friends the link to our helpothers website and asked her to join it. And guess what she wrote in return.

"Hi darling, I joined! It is strange I have just had a cortisone injection in my hip... and boy oh boy was it painful. But this morning after doing my prayers I decided to find something good in everything and be happy and smile. Life is too short to be sad, and you send me this site that's God showing me I was correct in my prayers, thoughts, and hopes."

A simple thing like forwarding this website link can be so lovely. I am going to send more to few of my online friends.

Some Small But Nice Things

I'm wondering about the little things. Big things, too, but I also hope that the little things aren't overlooked. In this case I'm wondering about examples of people being helpful or nice. What are some recent things that people have done for you that were nice or helpful, without any prompting on your part? What are some recent things you've gone out of your way to do to be nice or helpful to someone? For example, yesterday my friend John Carnahan dropped by and. knowing that Lise and I like history, gave us a booklet from the 1800's that describes Brattleboro and businesses located here at the time. (It's great and I'll be quoting from it soon, I'm sure). That was both nice and helpful. Others have done similar things. Have I been nice or helpful lately? Let's see... I'm about to help someone move, that probably counts for something. I volunteer a lot of ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Chain-Gifting Experiment #2

"J" is a brilliant musician who fell from his rising star as a world famous rockstar when he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease.  Now a mute quadriplegic on a respirator with only the movement of his eyes and thumb left, he's far outlived the 3 years of life they gave him more than a dozen years ago.  Releasing 4 albums since being disabled, his musical genius has been amply revealed as he composes Mozart-like symphonies and other pieces (replayed in premiere venues by other famous musicians), painstakingly, one note at a time. "D" is long-time friend of "J" and has bought 200 copies of "J"'s last CD to support him and his work. "D" believes its "J"'s deep spirituality, and his love of music that keeps him alive.  I invite "D" over for a homemade lunch of gourmet tostadas, and purchase 2 copies of "J"'s CD from him, hoping to have done something small for both ... Read Full Story >>

Call Centers Hear the Call

I work in a call center and we listen to customer complaints all day long. In order to promote team morale and just brighten someone's day we recently started a simliar program. We have put little envelopes on each other's desks and are leaving little anonymous messages for each other. These cards go right along with it and I would love to be able to pass the cards around.

Kindness at Work

A few weeks ago I delivered several stuffed 'happy' flowers to several women at work (Toys R Us). I also attached Smile cards to each and every one. I know some people have taken it to heart, as I've heard about 2 other kind acts snowballing off that one.

Of course, I got accused of doing it, but I denied it completely. I wanted them to always wonder who it was, and hopefully they'll pay it forward.

Simple acts of kindness

I work at a school, and one of the teachers volunteered to paint the playground early in the morning. She didn't expect to be out there all by herself. I took a cold soda and walked it outside over to her and gave her the drink with one of the smile cards. She told me later that it made her day.

Sorority Sistas Bringin' in the Smiles

I would like to encourage my sorority to participate in a week of spreading random acts of kindness.

A school full of smiles

Student Coucil members of my 5th/6th grade class came back from a regional conference excited about this game. They presented it to the class and the class voted overwhelmingly to do this game. Each of my students will carry one of these cards and give it to someone they wish to cheer up and see smile. They will explain it to the new person. We are anxious to see how long it take before it permiates throughout the school and begins comming back to us.

Supporting a Collegue-#2

In my last story, I spoke about a colleague who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I decided to continue focusing on her -- she is an amazing yoga teacher and while I was at the Elephant Pharmacy I saw a yoga shirt which states "all life is an endless journey for all the right angles."  I gave it to her this week and she loved it!