Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Lost in the Airport

I was at the airport enroute to visit my parents over the holidays and was on the train heading to my terminal resting easy knowing that there was plenty of time before my flight. On the train I noticed that there was a gentleman helping a young mother who was travelling alone with a baby and didn't seem to know where she needed to go. The man asked me which gate I was going to and after realizing I was headed in the opposite direction decided he would help the mother. At our stop I realized the man had two young boys and his own share of carry on baggage to deal with, but he was still trying to help the mother so I offered to take her from there. The mother showed me her ticket and I noticed that her flight departed in 10 minutes and she had a ... Read Full Story >>

Food For The Homeless

I was walking to work today, running later than usual because Sima kept me out late (smile) and it was exceptionally cold at 22 degrees. The homeless were out of site due to the cold weather. I approach the Metro station and passed a homeless man asking me if I have any food. I continue walking, but was happy to see him asking for food rather than money. I did what my grandfather would do, I bought him breakfast. I walked over to McDonalds and asked for the Sausage, egg and cheese biscuit, a hash brown and Juice (I was not going to assume how he liked his coffee) I walked back 2 blocks to the Metro station in search of the man.

I found him and said 'here is your breakfast".
He responded with "open the bag....what is it ?"
"Sausage, egg and cheese" I said
"take it out of the bag" he says
So I did and handed it to him.

The best part of the morning was turning around and seeing a young women who had passed him up earlier, smiling. I think it might be contagious.

Experiment: Success

When I got a random email from his friend in India, I had a realization ... I was in communication with someone on the other side of the planet! The Butterfly Effect proved that a butterfly in California can cause a hurricane in Japan, but this was much more real. I seized the opportunity and told a friend in India: "Hey, can you give $20 to some random person that might need a break. I'll give you the money when we meet next." 'Experiment: Success' was ... well, you find out. Sorry to be so tardy in posting this note about the outcome of your "experiment" in connectedness, action, and compassion. We wound up deviating from the stated ground rules a bit. (In fact, we didn't even recognize that it was your experiment until it was already underway; and if that invalidates it, we'll certainly try again.) But here's the scoop. The folks we stayed with in Ahmedabad were ... Read Full Story >>

A Gigantic Hug

I just wanted to thank you so much for delivering those cards to me. I didn't know the response could be so great.

I past a few cards around to a few of my friends... and then all of a sudden, everyone started coming up to mee asking for more. It not only encourages people to help out others, but it also spreads smiles throughout peoples lives.

One of my friends felt down because her friend committed suicide, and so I just gave her the card and told her how much people cared, and gave her this gigantic hug. She almost cried, and thanked me, telling me that I had made her day. I think it was mostly the card though.

Now, I see people with the cards slipped in to the cover of their binders, sticked to their shirts, and I`m planning on ordering more...if that's okay.

Thanks so much! I really just wanted you guys to know how much people appreciate this website and what you're doing. Thanks!

Smile Phenomena in Small Indian Town!

At Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai we recently recruited a dozen management interns and the Human Resource department arranged an extensive orientation program for them. My cousin Pavi and I do a reading session together each morning and the HR head thought it would be great to include the interns. Pavi was away becoming the first Indian "Final Cut Pro" pro. So I took on the "job". The recruits participated enthusiastically and the early morning reading/discussion sessions had us thinking about our purpose and goals and life itself and how to integrate all of it in our journeys. I had so much fun preparing before each class that I wonder if I benefited most! Before they knew it these interns were ‘tagged’ with the smile cards! We gave them each a scroll with an Inspiring quotation and a smile card. The interns were asked to use the cards and help/touch/make a gesture ... Read Full Story >>

Mariposa!

Warm and humid, it's raining lightly here in North Carolina. With all its grass and trees, the state seems to be covered in green. I flew here today, lifted and carried in on wings of compassion, fluttering in unison from so many. This is a tale of the joyous celebration of life that occurs when kindness is unleashed and allowed to fly free. I feel fortunate just knowing of this story, but having been able to participate in it has been an incredible blessing. It all came about a couple weeks back, as I was sharing with some friends a story of my good friend Sandra from North Carolina and all the fun we used to have. My Friend Sandra About 11 years ago, I had posted signs around Berkeley, California, hoping to start a "Thinkers Support Group" - a group aimed at seeing the world as it is, ... Read Full Story >>

Gas Station Smiles

Last night I stopped by my local gas station to pick-up dinner (hotdog and chips). I am out of work and trying to keep to a tight budget. As I paid for my items, a young girl walked in with a small gas can in her hand, looked at the attendent as if she wanted to ask a question, then left. I promptly paid for my items, and walked out the door. As I walked out, I noticed the young girl sitting on the curb upset with tears in her eyes. I asked if she needed gas. She said "Yes, I ran out, I thought I had $5 in my pocket, and my purse was stolen today. I don't have any money" I promptly pulled out one of my "smile" cards, handed it to her, asked her to read it while I filled up the small gas can.

As we chatted, I said to her, "You are young, you will learn many lessons in life, let this be one--random acts of kindness are amazing acts that forver touch your life, Your life will be much more fulfilled if you learn the lesson, Pass it On."

As she walked away, I thanked the good lord for all the blessings I have in my life. I wanted to thank you and this website for reminding me of those blessings everyday.

The Kindness of Immigrants

I wish to tell a story about how much we can learn from those people who have  chosen to build their lives in a place we have always called home.

For many years now, I have been noticing the lack of respect for elderly, or disabled persons on buses or subways. We were taught to cede our seats immediately to someone who needed it more. But that seems to be the exception rather than the rule now.

I am very happy to report, that on several bus & subway trips recently, the tide seems to be turning! Seats were being ceded left, right, and center, to seniors, mothers with children, and the disabled. And those giving up their seats were all immigrants from all corners of the planet! I gave every one of them the warmest smile I could, and reminded myself we have much to learn from these people we usually undervalue. Also, example is the most powerful teacher.

TreeBeard Trifecta

Stanford had an unexpected effect on him.  Higher education at an Ivy League is supposed to turn out the best engineers, accountants, and consultants on schedule every semester in neat little batches.  Instead it sparked in him a deeper question of what it truly meant to be educated.  Instead of quickening his steps to match the relentless drumbeat of capitalism, he arrived at "the understanding that the slower you go, the more you learn: that every person you meet and every building you pass is, in fact, infinitely deep, and he who is really interested in knowledge would move not at all." So there he was, inviting me to not move at all for the next hour as a few friends for sat in lotus posture, seeking knowledge.  Meditators often crave quiet, pristine environments for their sitting: the shade of a tree in a rolling meadow, a small covey on the bank of a river, a ... Read Full Story >>

Build-a-Bear

Last weekend my dorm mate was kind of bummed. We don't really know each other too well, but we get along. I had just recieved some coupons for Build-a-Bear Workshop and was excited about going to make a bear. But I decided that maybe she needed it more. I took her to Build-a-Bear and let her make a teddy bear and I let her use my coupons. She was laughing so hard that by the time we left, she had a smile stuck on her face! It was a lot of fun!

Daddy Hands

I awoke in the night to find my husband, Marty, gently rocking our baby son, Noah. I stood for a moment in the doorway, watching this amazing man with whom I was so blessed to share my life, lovingly stroke Noah's fat pink cheeks in an effort to comfort him. I felt in my heart that something was seriously wrong with Noah. This was one of several nights Noah had been up, burning with a high fever. Tears filled my eyes as I watched my beautiful husband move Noah's little cheek up against his own chest, so that Noah could feel the vibrations of his voice. Noah is deaf. Learning to comfort him has brought on a whole new way of thinking for us. We relied on our voices, a soothing lullaby, audio toys, and music to comfort our other children. But with Noah, we need to use touch, his soft ... Read Full Story >>

Glasses For Her First Day Of School

"I'm at Lens Crafters waiting to pick up my new pair of glasses. In walks a Mom & her little girl. Now Mom is probably in her late twenties & the little girl is maybe five. Both of their wardrobes are badly dated to say the least . It was obvious that the family’s financial windfall had not yet arrived. I overheard a comment the Mom made to the Sales Lady that she was in between job #1 and job #2 of the day, so she didn't have a lot of time. The little girl and the Mom proceeded around the store looking at these little tiny frames for this darling's face. The Sales Lady was helping them try on frames; pulling aside her favorites. You know how some little kids actually look ten times cuter in glasses...that was this little girl. She finds these cute little frames with a butterfly ... Read Full Story >>

The Guy Next Door

Sometimes life's most important lessons are learned from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his ambitious future, and nothing could stop him. The phone rang one day.  It was his mom, who told him, "Jack, Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?"  "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he ... Read Full Story >>

Helping a Fellow Traveler

One sunny day, a day I will never forget,  I was leaving the campus gonig back home tired and hungry.  I had no food to eat and had no money.  I saw an old man carrying luggage both on his head and on his back.  I by-passed this man and moved some distance ahead of him.   But I could feel the heart beat of this man moving faster than ever, and something told me to go back and help this man. But I resisted  this voice for several times.

When i finally took the decision to help him despite the tiredness, I turned to him and took the luggage off  his head. This man spoke gently to me and said, "thank you."

We managed to support each other until we got home. When i turned to go, this man said, "son, take this is for you."

When I turned,  behold it was one of the largest pearls this man had harvested from his farm.

What a miracle. This pearl was my food for the day. What a glorious day.

A Double Act of Kindness

I had the opportunity to help two people today.

A young lady had parked her car in a no parking zone near the Anna Nagar roundabout in Chennai, India.  She was upset and was anxiously asking people what to do because the wheel of her car had been locked with a special lock so that she could not drive it. 

She would have to pay a fine to get the lock removed but she seemed to be very scared of dealing with the police.  I accompanied her to a police van parked a little way away and dealt with the police officer on her behalf.  I paid the fine of Rs.150 on her behalf and she reimbursed me later.  She was so relieved to be able to drive her car off again and thanked me several times. 

Later during the day, I came across a young poor couple who were trying to deposit a check at the bank where I have an account.  They had been given a check for Rs. 6,000 by the government which is given to new mothers.  They appeared confused and were unable to fill out the forms.  I helped them with that I hope I eased some of their confusion. 
 

Pushing lost carts back home

Yesterday I was walking to my local Safeway and found one of their carts on the sidewalk about three blocks away. I pushed it back to the store -- not easy, since one wheel was blocked (unsuccessful attempt by the store to prevent theft). Saw a policeman filling his gas tank and told him, in case he was wondering, and also told a store clerk, who was grateful. Even the big chain stores appreciate and need honest folks!

Letter Of Appreciation....i Had ...

Letter of Appreciation....I had to go to the dentist today, a dentist I'd never been to before. From the moment I walked into the office, there was a strong kindness vibe present. The staff was caring & warm, over & above, and the little jolly dentist was so kind & caring. Tomorrow I am going to sit down & write them a heartfelt letter of deep appreciation.
I didn't bite the dentist & stayed calm :)))

Contact To Friend

Met with our "Christmas elf" today, the person who finds us the family we help at Christmas. Surprised her with a batch of cookies that I found out she likes. She was giddy! Found out the family we helped was speechless with what we had done. We don't view it as special, but were delighted to know that we made a difference, if just for a day. Anyway, planning dinner with elf and hubby soon. Love making contacts and turning them into friends.

Happy Bathroom Visit

Inspired by KS folks who do this, on my road journey today, I left the cafe bathroom cleaner than when I arrived. I wiped down the basin and surround, picked up some paper towels that were on the floor, put two post it notes on the mirror, and left a kindness pack (smiley magnet, notebook, pen, list of kind acts, smile card and a Mindy peace dove) on the shelf.

Some Winter Cloths Can Be Make Some One Happy !!

Today I got an opportunity to help a servant with some winter clothes. today's morning he came to me and told me that he got a new baby in his house.he was looking very happy and good. he asked me for some winter clothes, so I gave him some shirts and woolen clothes. he thanked me with cheerful smile.

Thanks to him and also to all of you.