A Loaf of Bread
When I decided to be a part of the smile card experiment, the first person that came to mind to target was Lara, a fellow member of my research group and a mentor. I couldn't think of the perfect thing for her yet and on top of that found out that it was her birthday 2 months back. The next day, at a local deli, inspiration struck when I saw their freshly baked honey wheat bread. I picked up a loaf and headed to lab. Unfortunately or fortunately, Lara wasn't in her office, so I put a note on the loaf reading: Lara, Happy Belated Birthday! I really like this honey wheat bread and thought you would enjoy! An hour later, she comes by and I innocently tell her someone left a package for her. She reads the note and immediately looks at me, "Did you leave this?" I try my best to ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by Anon
- Apr 3, 2006
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Church Hats
I was recently at an estate auction. Sometimes in order to get rid of a lot of items quickly, the auctioneer will group a bunch of items together in a lot. There was a box of fancy old church hats in a box with a vintage purse that I wanted. I bid on the lot and won. Even though the hats were interesting and pretty, I didn't really want them. So, I approached another bidder who I had noticed was bidding on boxes of old hats and asked her if she would like the ones that came in my box. She said yes, and I gave them to her. She proceeded to tell me that she was sending all the hats to Tennessee where fancy hats are very popular with the church ladies. She sends them to her sister who sells them at a thrift store so that she is able to buy her cancer medications. I had no idea that was why she was buying the hats, but some one sure knew! I am a nurse and see lots of cancer patients. Her act of kindness really touched my heart.
- Posted by Linda
- Apr 1, 2006
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Hearts Day
I would be having a major heart operation soon and the one of the parents in the school where I worked surprised me during Valentines Day when she gave me a heart box containing money from the children whom I have taught. It might not be much but still, it is still a proof that people care and that God is still looking out for me.
- Posted by Anna Liza Panaligan
- Mar 31, 2006
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Surprise Party...
from my friends for my 9th birthday. i could not have a party; so my friends gave me a surprise party. it was so kind of them. they picked the food , friends of ours, place (one of the girls homes); and all chipped in to get me a gift. i thought me and my mom were going to cry. my mom has leukemia
- Posted by Mary Ellen Rush
- Mar 30, 2006
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Dancing with the Seniors
(Not inspired by Dancing with the Stars) A Group activity by the volunteers of BeTheCause.org in Orange County: As I wrapped my arms around this woman of 81 years, I felt right at home. We swayed from side to side, not too fast as the workers of the Center had told me that her bones were fragile. She hadn’t danced for over 20 years, but she remembers that she used to love it. Her skin was soft and warm. She recalls stories to me about how she used to go to all the parties and knew all the latest dance steps. Now, we just move from side to side. Her life is confined to the company of other elders at the senior center, and the workers we pay to take care of our parents. Every now and then they get some entertainment. They play bingo weekly, go for walks, and because of ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by Sukh
- Mar 30, 2006
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Chocolates in the post
I recently got a bunch of your cards and started doing little things to spread some kindness around. Not feeling very bold, I offered to make and post cards to strangers who were going through a rough time. It was great fun to do and I figured we all like getting post that aren't bills.
Well, today someone put a big smile on my face! I got a huge box of chocolates and a thank you card in the post from a kind-hearted anonymous. It makes me smile every time I think about it...keep on giving - you never know who's heart you might touch!
- Posted by Farhana
- Mar 29, 2006
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Something Warm
A few years ago, this southern Alabama town experienced unusually frigid weather, cold enough to knock out the power for days. My husband, braving the cold, was on the way to the grocery to resupply our perishibles, and passed a police officer. He was standing in the middle of a fairly remote and windblown intersection, directing traffic. He thought of the officer again when he'd completed his errands, thinking of how cold he must be, stopped at a convenience store and bought a large cup of hot chocolate or coffee, it escapes me now. But, when passing the officer again, he rolled down his window, passed the cup to the officer, and thanked him for his help. My husband's description of the expression on the officer's face was that he was surprised, and grateful. What a simple, easy way to practice these thoughts we have.
- Posted by Anonymous
- Mar 28, 2006
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No Choice But To Do Something
My "You Don’t Have Any Choice but to Do Something" moment ... I owned and ran a book publishing company for many years. During the first Gulf War when we were all watching cruise missiles fly through he air on television and telling ourselves this was a “good” war, I was struck by a small column in a local newspaper that mentioned seeing 'Random Acts of Kindness' graffiti on a freeway overpass. The rest of the story is long and fascinating but I resolved to publish a book of people’s stories about Random Acts of Kindness in their lives. At the time no such thing existed. There were no books of inspirational stories (I know hard to believe now since the Chicken Soup series has beaten it into the ground) but I was worried the book would not be understood so in a moment of panic I stuck a marketing tag on ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by Will Glennon
- Mar 26, 2006
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Carnations with a Smile at a Supermarket
Every since I was little I loved doing things for other people. As I got older I began doing random things for people. For example, during holidays, such as Christmas, I would make out an extra card along with the ones for my relatives. Then I would go and find someone in the grocery store and just hand it to them and walk away! It was so much fun. Although I admit, the first time I did it I was so nervous. I didn't know who to give the card to. So I said a little prayer and knew that the right person would just appear...about that time an elderly man ran into me with his shoppping cart!! It was an accident, and he apologized a million times! We smiled and he walked away, and I knew that he was the one! Later I found him in a different isle, ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by Kat C.
- Mar 23, 2006
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Funeral
I recently lost my cousin, Jimmy, to an act violence. Jimmy was unique- he was unusually kind to EVERYONE! At his memorial, I plan to speak about his pay-if-forward lifestyle. I want to give everyone a card and ask them to pay-if-foward in Jimmy's honor.
- Posted by Kristen
- Mar 22, 2006
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A Needy Widow
Where I lived I noticed a widow that struggles so much to take care of her three children.
She goes out early in the moring and comes back late before the children will have something to eat.
In an envelope I drop a smile card and N4,000.00, which I think will be able to feed them for some time. I left it at her door post.
The following morning she came out calling everyone around saying "God had sent an angel to bless me with some money that will be able to take care of me and my children for sometime".
- Posted by Uyamat Christiana Bassey
- Mar 21, 2006
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A Conspiracy of Blessings
Thank you for this wonderful website and your anonymous generosity. I've linked to you at my own anonymous generosity project blog and I plan to return often for the heartlifting stories. I may also include your Smile Cards in my Blessing gifts. I hadn't thought of asking people to pay the generosity forward till visiting your site. The Blessing Conspiracy project is based on the concept of gifting my community with random acts of kindness and creativity. My personal bliss is based in creativity and generosity. If I ever become financially abundant in such a way that I could do what I want with my time, I would spend my life making beautiful things and giving them away. For now, I will use what little abundance I have left from my day job after meeting my family's needs to fund the project. The project will begin this week--maybe today--as I leave ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by The Blessing Conspirator
- Mar 20, 2006
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Renew My Faith in Humanity
Next day was Holi, the festival of colors in India. I was sad and wanted to stay in bed, but the boys came downstairs and ambushed us with buckets of water and colored Holi powder. (There are still green and blue handprints on our walls from the struggle). I was even attacked while I was sleeping and woke up with blue dye on my back and my pillowcase. I went to celebrate at MS (I didn't want to bring down everyone else's day) and played with the colors, then water, then mud just like last year. At one point, Anup (who later shamelessly lies and says he had mud in his eyes and didn't know it was me.... ) bodyslams me into the mud while I'm screaming 'Inappropriate!!' ... I forgot about the laptop for a few fun hours. Later that day, when I ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by RS
- Mar 20, 2006
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Check in partner
I would like someone to check in with each day. Someone who is psyched about this anonymous acts of kindness idea who would benefit from having a daily check-in partner to follow along with how it's going for each other. I've tried it alone, and it know it would be so so much more fun with a kindness partner!! Do you know of anyone who might also like a partner? They can be from anywhere. :-) But if they're in the USA, we'd be able to talk on the phone as well, which would be a plus. If they were local to Boston, I suppose we could go out and do things together, and that would be even better!
Thanks! I'm so inspired. :-)
- Posted by Barbara
- Mar 19, 2006
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Holding a Door Open.
I was out shopping and noticed so much activity among all the different people. I had to stop for a moment and just watch. there was a very old little lady that was coming to the door of that store and she was feeble.
I, at that moment, watched a person walk by her and enter. so I went back and opened the door for her. This man that had just walked in and let the door shut kinda shocked me. One day we will all be like that little old lady.
I had to open that door.
She smiled briefly at me and walked in then turned to me and said "that was very kind of you thanks" it was better than anything I have ever received. At that moment I could tell she deals with people like that man all the time and I had touched her just by the simple act of holding a door open with a smile on my face.
- Posted by tina
- Mar 18, 2006
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At Church
At church I introduced myself to an older woman. Discovered she couldn't see. Ordered some cassette tapes of our church magazines and delivered the tapes with the card.
Comment - This card may cause happiness!
- Posted by Jane
- Mar 17, 2006
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A Day of Kindness At School
We had a day of kindness last week. The whole school stayed off timetable and worked in their tutor groups. It was a wonderful day, very peaceful. All the staff had to pick another staff name from a hat and ensure that they passed on three acts of kindness to that person before the end of the week. It was fabulous, the whole school felt so excited, not knowing what nice things might happen. Flowers turning up in pigeon holes, poems being written and pictures drawn. Peoples classes were tidied and lunches left for others. The cooks the cleaners and all the office staff were included. Since then people have not stopped talking about it. I think that this should be done in all achools.
I will ask my class to share how they felt about the day and I will get them to email you. Posting their thoughts on the web would be an act of kindness to them on its own as they all have severe learning difficulties and it is not often that they feel they can have their say. Although these ideas may be simple they will have come from the heart....
I will do this on monday morning. Looking forward to it already.
- Posted by Louise Quaid
- Mar 17, 2006
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Grocery Store Encounter
The past 12 months have comprised the worst year of my life. A rebellious teenager, a vindictive ex-husband, my nest emptying, and a sudden unexpected midlife crisis just make up part of a very turbulent time.
I already had a small bouquet of daisies in my cart with my other groceries, and had prayed for God to show me who needed them the most. Normally, they end up in the hands of a very surprised cashier. But today, I saw a woman in the dairy section who reminded me very much of me...a couple of years older maybe, a few pound heavier perhaps, but she had that tired, sad look that I recognized from my own reflection that told me she was experiencing a hard time. I checked out, and placed a SMILE card in the bouquet. By this time, she was in line, unloading her groceries. I walked over to her, handed them to her, and said "these are for you." She was obviously surprised, and stammered out a "thank you" as I walked away. My daughter and I were driving away when she came out, smiling broadly. It was a well spent $3.33.
It truly IS better to give than to receive.
- Posted by anonymous
- Mar 17, 2006
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Web comment:
I work in a very busy real estate office and it seems like the office needs some cheering up...i'm going to put in each of the agents mail box one of these cards hoping it'll brighten their day and in return they will forward the smile card!
- Posted by Le' Zette Corona
- Mar 16, 2006
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Little Poems
I love leaving little poems, words of wisdom and amusing messages. Sometimes my friends find it strange that i don't hang around to see thet response, like a joke without a punchline. That's the point though, i am sure my little presents and messages say all they need to.
- Posted by Adam Swinhoe
- Mar 16, 2006
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