Kindness StoriesBelow are some of the kindness stories we've received. If you have a story to share, do send it to us! You might also enjoy our weekly newsletter. Giving More than Asked--posted by yogionthego, on May 13, 2008
comments (10) | email this | print | permalink Helping a Friend in Need--posted by tracey, on May 13, 2008
I have a friend who owns a coffee shop. She has until Dec. 31 to pay some kind of tax to our city totalling $1,400 dollars. I felt so bad for her. Owning her own coffee shop has always been Kim's dream. In fact I still vividly remember the day she opened up her shop 3 years ago. Nobody could have wiped the smile off her face! I am an artist and have a card rack in her shop. I told her to put a large sign on top of the rack saying, "Buy cards, all proceeds go to help Barefoot Annie's Coffee Shop." Helping someone is the best feeling! comments (17) | email this | print | permalink The Mystery Gardener--posted by bibirose, on May 13, 2008 Sometime back our lawn mower broke down beyond repair. We got someone to mow the lawn for us from time to time but that was getting a little costly. Then a young boy used to come down to our house every so often to do some odd jobs to save up for a bike, so we gave him the job of mowing the lawn with his mum's permission & lawn mower! But, being young, the boy had more interesting things to do, especially after he saved up enough money to buy himself a new bike! As the days went on, our ... comments (8) | email this | print | permalink Late Night Encounter in a Dark Alleyway--posted by rafikiorbit, on May 13, 2008
comments (4) | email this | print | permalink The Joy of Giving--posted by bigguy_owusu, on May 12, 2008
On the way to college this morning, I was very disturbed by something that nearly stopped me from going to school. As I stood by the road side to take my car to college, I met two young boys who were crying. I drew near to them to ask them what was wrong. One of them told me that as they left the house for school, they realised that the money their parents had given to them for transportation and food had gone missing. This made them cry because their parents would not be able to give them more money for the day. I must confess, I was really touched by their story. I gave them money for their food and also for their trasportation to school. To my amazement, after doing this act of kindness, I experienced great peace and joy in my soul that helped me to release the stress I was experiencing that day. comments (5) | email this | print | permalink Just a Phone Call Away--posted by speedi, on May 12, 2008
We were out shopping and as we were entering the store there was a young mother with a crying baby looking out over the parking lot. I smiled and said, "Did you forget where you parked?" "No," she replied, "My husband went to get a diaper and I need a bottle as well." It was pouring down rain and we asked if he had a cell phone with him. "Yeah!" she said. We handed her our cell phone and she called her husband and asked him to please bring the baby a bottle when he came back. Later on, we happened to see them in the store with the baby drinking his bottle and Mom happily telling Dad that's the couple that helped us with a phone. comments (6) | email this | print | permalink Struggling to Make Ends Meet--posted by candye, on May 12, 2008
While I was shopping at the Family Dollar Store I noticed a young mother with her daughter struggling to pick out items she needed because she counting money in her hand. She got behind me at the check-out counter. As I began to pay for my items, she began to put a few items back after realising she did not have enough money left in her hand. She had shampoo and I saw her put the conditioner back. The lady looked like she hadn't bathed in weeks and her child was also really dirty. My heart really went out for this poor lady and her child. I paid for my items and then I passed the clerk a $10.00 bill and a smile card. I told her to wait until I left the store and then to give the money and the smile card to the girl behind me. I hope I made a difference in a small way. comments (10) | email this | print | permalink Goodies for the Children--posted by anwahs, on May 11, 2008 Lately it seems I never have enough time to get everything done. I recently found out however that a lot of local children get three meals a day but but nothing more because their parents cannot afford treats, such as cookies. So, I decided to hold a baking workshop. This workshop was for children ages four to 16. - sixteen. I offered it free of charge of course and got them to make LOTS of different cookies and desserts, complete with icing and sprinkles and cherries of course!) We spent all day baking. A lot of their mother's also helped out. When we were finished each child -- there were 14 in all -- got to fill an ice cream bucket with goodies. All the left overs were donated to a local church bake sales. We all had a blast and I have promised to do this again next year. I can't wait, it was soooo much fun! comments (8) | email this | print | permalink The Gift Of Listening--posted by brighteyes, on May 11, 2008
Last week, as usual, a friend of mine was having trouble with one of her children. I listen each week to her woes and try to support her anyway I can. Many have turned away from her saying she is like a broken record with most conversations centered around this child and the new drama caused. Though I do not have children myself, I put myself in her shoes knowing that if I had a wayward adult child who was so unreliable, always needed assistance and getting into trouble, I would want at least a few true friends to comfort, advise and just plain offer "ears" to listen.... I heard somewhere that even sharing or talking about your burden with a loved one or friend, lessens it.. That is what I hope I am doing. What comes around, goes around and a sympathetic listener is a great act of kindness to share. comments (7) | email this | print | permalink An Unexpected Tip from an Unlikely Customer--posted by katlampi, on May 11, 2008 This happened to me years ago when I was a waitress, but I still remember this specific incident so vividly. As the end of the night was approaching, fifteen minutes before our restaurant closed, a gentleman came in. I was the unfortunate waitress who got to stay after closing to take his order and serve him his food. The customer was impeccably difficult was quite openly upset with how his food was prepared, slightly overdone, perhaps a medium rare when he had requested rare. He sent his order back twice. When it eventually arrived to his liking, he needed a ... comments (12) | email this | print | permalink Read More Stories >> |
Find Stories Featured Stories The Mystery Gardener (May 13, 2008)An Unexpected Tip from an Unlikely Customer (May 11, 2008) The Long Life of a Short Friendship (May 10, 2008) Never Judge a Book by Its Cover (May 8, 2008) Repaying a Stranger's Generosity (May 7, 2008) More Stories >> Idea of the Week Corporate Compassion.Read more in our weekly newsletter. Need help with ideas? Ask our kindness experts! |
I struggle with money in that I don't have a lot of it. I hate how we are so dependent on it and yet we need it in order to survive - we need to pay rent, buy food, etc. It's a daily struggle, but we all have to do it.
I don`t know whether I'm brave or stupid, but I always catch myself in spontaneous wild tales and last night didn`t skip a beat.
On Wednesday, I was out watching a great movie which finished at 1am. I wandered home by foot because I took a taxi to the theatre and buses don't ruin nightly in this part of the world. I live in a secure neighbourhood but there's a long dark dark dark desolate cobbled road going towards the neighbourhood. As I was toodling through, I noticed something in the bushes ahead of me. I instinctly grabbed my pen ...