Search Results for 'popular' (3006 matches)

Signs Of Life

  As soft as a newborn’s cooing,  silence was broken, my ears tingling with joy from life all around me.   I heard the birds singing, and the cicadas humming.   An occasional car passing on the highway, its tires whirring against concrete.   A dog barking somewhere close by and the “bob-white” of a quail in the distance.   My telephone jingling on the base, awaiting my greeting to the caller.   The good morning meows of my cats as they anxiously awaited breakfast of crunchy nibble.   I smelled the freshness of soap and water wafting out from the bathroom door.   The sweet tartness of applesauce as it simmered on my stovetop.   I smelled coffee brewing in the kitchen, the aroma taking my memories back to my days of youth and evenings spent with my grandparents.   Flowers sporting their sweet scents each proudly reaching up toward the sunny sky.   Freshly laundered clothes tossing and bouncing around in the clothes dryer.   I watched my brown and white puppy chasing flies around and around in his kennel.   I watched in amusement as my yellow kitten bathed himself, meticulously caressing his paws and tail.   I ... Read Full Story >>

An Accident in Gratefulness

My husband had just gifted me my dream car -- a BMW Z4!  As excited as I was, I was driving it very carefully.  On July 26th, as I was singing to my favorite tunes, the car in front of me stops suddenly!  I proceded to stop as well, but the driver behind me rear-ended me and push my car into the car in front of me.  The impact was so strong that my air bag blew up and I had second degree burns on my arm.  When the kid in the car behind me saw my arm, he was so apologetic that he was not paying attention and talking to his friends and how he did not meant to hurt me.  Of course, all I kept thinking about was my brand new car! My husband was out of town, and I was so scared.  The ambulance came and offered to ... Read Full Story >>

Say Thank You From Me

Coffee on the House

I was sitting in a cafe with my wife on a rainy afternoon when the pleasant, cozy atmosphere changed. A man came in. A man came in, unshaven, unsteady, soaked through with some blood on his face. He seemed drunk or stoned and hardly able to walk.   Still, he managed to get himself to a table and sit down, almost falling asleep before the waitress took his order. The cafe fell silent. Everybody waited to see what would happen next -- would the man create a scene, could he even pay for the coffee he'd ordered, would the owner have him thrown out? Meanwhile I was making a rookie Good Samaritan mistake. I stayed in my seat regretting that I didn't have any money to help him, forgetting that money was not the only way to help. Then instead of the waitress returning to the table, ... Read Full Story >>

Where, O Where, Did the Smile Cards Go!?

They went on top of my dresser.  About four weeks ago.  Some went in the console of my car.  A couple were swallowed up in my wallet which I'm quite certain still has my high school ID card.  I'm 35. And there they stayed, all around me yet somehow completely hidden.  Which, of course, they weren't.  I just wasn't looking.  I had forgotten to look.  More truthfully, my "looking" had shifted from "how can I help?" to "what do I need?"  I need more money.  I need gas for my car.  I need a job.  I need some clothes.  Some new running shoes.  I need fulfillment, dammit!   O, Happiness, where have you hid?   Just when I am most in need, most lost, most miserable, you go and hide, Happiness!  How dare you!  I NEED these things, material and otherwise and they will deliver unto me joy, freedom, ease and happiness for all ... Read Full Story >>

Helping an Orphaned Black Cat Find a Home

When I started working at a local pet store, I fell head-over-heels for Jenny, a little black cat. She had been in the store for over three months, with no prospective families looking to adopt her. Unfortunately people are superstitious about black cats, and since we currently have three black cats at our facility, it meant that Jenny would probably remain with us, unadopted for quite a while.   At the moment I am unable to have any more pets due to apartment restrictions, but I felt a real connection with this animal, and wanted her to go to a good family rather than being cooped up in her cage any longer. To improve her chances for adoption, I took her back to our grooming salon and paid for her to get a bath, brushing, and haircut. The ladies in the grooming area were so wonderful. Not only did they give ... Read Full Story >>

RV For Free

A fire completely destroyed my mobile home last year, just four months after I had paid it off!  I had, wrongly, assumed the insurance was still good until the end of the year and so had to rebuild with what little I had saved. I knew what I had in the bank would not be enough so I began to rent out my RV (recreational vehicle) as a way to help ends meet.  One woman who had reserved a week in the RV called and told me she just found out from her doctor that she had cancer and that her husband thought they probably should not be spending unnecessarily right now but saving for doctor bills. He felt that they should cancel the trip.  I could hear the disappointment in her voice as she told me how she had thought the trip was just what she and her family needed. Then she ... Read Full Story >>

Giving my first smile card

Today I received my very first smile cards, and I couldn't wait to share one. I wasn't sure at first what I wanted to do, but I knew that I wanted my first card to accompany a random act of kindness for a stranger.

Since I was meeting my son for coffee at the conclusion of our work days, I put my first card and a bit of money into an envelope, and wrote on the outside "Have a nice day," thinking I could pass it on to one of the coffee shop's employees.

When we arrived, I ordered our coffees and handed the envelope to the woman who greeted us, telling her as I did so that she was doing a great job. Her face lit up with a big smile and she thanked me, though no thanks were needed. I was just glad to see my smile card blossom into the first of many smiles to come.


 

Rescue in the frozen section

When my son was a toddler, he didn't tolerate the grocery store well. The bright lights, tons of products and people would usually result in a meltdown of epic proportions. I didn't know it at that time, but he has sensory processing disorder and retail stores can be very hard for kids like mine. One day, I had to pick up a few things. There were no options, I had to go. As soon as he's in the cart he begins to wail. I was at the back of the store, walking down the long end towards the frozen section. My son was in one of those "race car" carts that have a steering wheel. At the other end of the market was a woman, waving her arms frantically. I looked behind us but we were the only people there. I kept walking towards her and when we got close she lightly ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift of Love, Strength and Endurance from an Amazing Sister

From the Soul Curry Column in the Times of India (April 9, 2010) My mom was nearing 40, my dad a few years older and there were their three lovely children just getting out of their teens — it was picture-perfect, that is, until I decided to come along. She was just 20 when I arrived, but from the moment she put her finger into my little palm, I cottoned on to it and knew I had found a friend. She smothered me with love, sang sweet lullabies, soothed a fevered brow, gently scolded and cajoled me out of the cradle and into the walkie-talkie world. My first words were little songs and bits of nursery rhymes. School was a bit hard, because my parents were always mistaken to be my ‘grandparents’, much to my dismay. But she was there and told me that I was not to worry about what the ... Read Full Story >>

A Lost Kindness Opportunity

So today was a monday Morning and like millions of others,  I left home to get to work. The slight difference today from most Mondays was that I was running half hour late and I was feeling stressed about it. 

Just near a major bridge, a car in front of me broke down and I panicked and shifted gear and went ahead, as I was driving past the car, I noticed it was a lady in the driver's seat and the look in her face was quite helpless. I saw her and yet I did NOT stop.

The 'being late' thing was on mind and the fear that my boss will have a comment or two was in my mind and that made me decide to not help the lady. Now I have reached office and feel so miserable.

I am a person who always helps others and this time I did not.

Should I have stopped to help the lady? While I knew the right thing to do was to help that lady at that time, why did the being late to work created such a havoc for me. 

What should one do when faced with a similar situation next time?

Two Wolves - A Cherokee Tale

A Cherokee is telling his grandson about a fight
that is going on inside himself.

He said it is between 2 wolves.
One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret,
fearful thinking, greed, arrogance, self-pity,
guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

A Dollar Can Make a Difference

I was in the lobby of my doctor's office waiting for my appointment. As I was sitting there, an elderly couple came in. The gentleman had trouble breathing and looked as if he was in poor health. As they were checking in at the front desk, I overheard the receptionist say that they were on Medicaid and had an outstanding balance of $1.50. The woman only had 50 cents.

The woman and her husband both looked upset and embarassed. The receptionist said that the balance would need to be paid before they could see the doctor. I was sitting far away from the front desk so I walked up and said that I would pay the remaining  $1.00. They were so thankful and gave me many blesssings.

I always thought $1.00 wasn't enough to help anyone, but I was reminded that day that $1.00 really can make a difference!

Salvation Army Snail Mail

I recently got some smile cards and was looking forward to doing something great for someone, but I wasn't quite sure what to do.

Then, the other day, I received a random letter in the mail. It was from the Salvation Army.

Inside, there was a blank card. Attached was an invitation to write a note for a homeless or lonely person inside the card. There was a free post envelope to mail it back, as well, and this could all be done anonymously!

It was the perfect opportunity-- I absolutely jumped at the chance to do this! As I wrote the card, I smiled at the thought of its future recipient--whoever he or she is. I thought about how that person might feel when they receive it. I hope they know that someone out there cares about him or her!

I also included a Smile Card before mailing it off! :)

Remembering Not To Hold Back

I was new at church and I knew nobody. I felt lonely the first time.  After heading back home I just said to myself that I was never going there again. Another situation came up and I had to go back to that "unfriendly" church again. I was quite disturbed that night, thinking how it was going to be.

Then I thought, ''Why am I complaining now? Why didn't I make a friendly gesture? Why was I holding back?"  

The next day at the church, I smiled at every possible person I met there. To my surprise, I was showered with smiles and blessings. I gave that wonderful smile and got back too many to take home.

A Party and an Opportunity to be Generous

We usually have a Christmas get together right before the holidays for our friends, family and neighbors.  Instead of folks bringing gifts or food for us we usually ask for some item for someone in need.  Usually something like hats/gloves/scarves for senior citizens, food donations for a family in hard times, toys/stuffed animals for local charity.  It always is fun and everyone has a good time sharing.  This past Christmas, on the day of my party I was very sick and ended up in the hospital so sadly I had to cancel the party.  Since everyone was disappointed I decided to have it around Valentine's day instead.  We asked for adult socks for a non-profit which helps families in need, they said they have lots of children's socks but people forget the teenagers and adults.  I also asked for reading glasses for our local library so those who need glasses or forget ... Read Full Story >>

An Opportunity to Give

After many months of illness, the resulting financial troubles and the love and generosity of dear friends, family members and even strangers that helped me and my children through those difficult times, my life regained balance. On a trip to the grocery store I spotted  a young couple hitchhiking with two puppies. They were obviously tired and discouraged and had made a sign, which simply read, "Just Food." Praying that they would stay, I hurried into the grocery store and bought a bag full of  nutritious foods, puppy chow for the dogs along with items I needed. To my relief they were still there when I came out. I drove up beside them and the young man approached at my beckoning him. I handed him the bag full of groceries, saying, "this is for you..." then the bag of chow, "this is for your puppies", and then a ten dollar bill, "And here's ... Read Full Story >>

My Savior Angel

A year ago, I was a mess!    I was going through one of those phases that every teenager goes through in high school. I had made some new friends who were part of the popular gang of our school. Hanging out with them made me overconfident and feel like I could treat other people in whatever way I wanted.   Also, under the influence of these people, I would make up these unbelievably silly lies to cover up for all my mistakes. And, as you probably know, one lie leads to another and then another, and it keeps going on.    Among my new friends there was one girl who was very kind, compassionate and down to earth. She wouldn't judge people on their looks or their crowd. Since we had friends in common and went to the same classes we ended up hanging out a lot.    I remember being extremely surprised at her honesty. And ... Read Full Story >>

A Craving For Ice Cream

This morning I was running errands and had a sudden urge for an ice cream from McDonald's.   I tried talking myself out of it; I hadn't had lunch yet; I really didn't need it; I already passed McDonald's! But I gave into my craving and turned around.   A homeless man was begging for change at the traffic lights. He looked so tired and defeated. I pulled a couple of dollars out of my wallet and gave them to him. I asked him if he was hungry and he said yes, but that the money I had given him would buy something to eat.   I pulled up to the drive-thru to get my ice cream and decided to go ahead and order him a burger, fries and a coke.    When I handed him the bag I told him I had gotten him some lunch and he stared at me in disbelief. He immediately started ... Read Full Story >>

En Route to Ubud

I have been living in Ubud in Bali for the last 9 months, and am really loving it. One of the many things I enjoy about it is that I get to travel without going anywhere, because friends regularly fly in from different parts of the world to visit. When I happen to be the one traveling places, I love being welcomed at the airport, and so I try to do the same for friends whenever I can.   Two days ago, I headed to the airport to pick up a friend who was flying in from Paris to visit for three weeks.  I don't own a car so I hired the services of my friend, Wayan Yoga, a really sweet Balinese driver. Wayan is also my informal Indonesian tutor, so I always look forward to riding with him.  We had a wonderful chat on our way to the airport about what ... Read Full Story >>