Stories Matching 'At Home' Tag (43)Environment Research New Ideas Public Transportation Children Inspiration Teachers Seniors OnThe Road Grocery Store Money Workplace Animals At Home Anonymous Friendship Kindness Kindness of Strangers Courage Small Acts of Kindness Health and Wellness Generosity Sharing Family Respect Neighbors Reconciliation Smile Cards Advice Good Samaritan Giving Money Giving Ability School Church Youth Collective Arts Creative Kindness Random Act of Kindness Homeless Travel/Vacation College/University Holidays Internet Birthday Sharing Food Emergency/Disaster Community Relationships Paying-It-Forward Coffee Shop/Restaurants $100 Kindness Idea Smile Decks Thank You Serendipity Daffodils and sweets to brighten someone's day...--posted by TS, on Mar 9, 2006
comments (3) | email this | print | permalink Simple Surprise For Sister--posted by Jen Davies, on Feb 20, 2006 I plan to put one in each of my sisters lunches with a special surprise snack and note of love. I will then give them 4 more cards to encouarge them to take part in their own acts of kindness, while I use the remaining cards with random acts when I see a need. I hope encouranging my sisters when they are young will help them and their friends discover a joy of helping others that they will carry on throughout there lives. comments (5) | email this | print | permalink A Neighbor's Blessings--posted by Agnes Haddaway, on Apr 10, 2006
Each week, I give my elderly neighbor a ride to the store, when I am going. She keeps trying to pay me, and I keep refusing. I tell her that it doesn't cost any more for her to ride with me. comments (9) | email this | print | permalink A Christmas Gift For A Six Year Old--posted by Brendan Moran, on Nov 29, 2007 When I was 21 yrs old, I was dating a girl whose parent's friends were going through a divorce. They had a 6 year old daughter and unfortunately their separation was just before Christmas and we both knew how upset the little girl was. Her dad was not living in the house and wasn't planning on spending Christmas with them. So my girlfriend and I wrote little notes like, "On the first day of Christmas, my secret Santa gave to me...." and put a gift each night on their porch for the little girl. We started this about 2 weeks ... comments (14) | email this | print | permalink A Little Red Book--posted by JZ, on May 9, 2006
comments (1) | email this | print | permalink I Bow to the Paint on my Walls--posted by Sukh Chugh, on May 12, 2006 Wow! I got seriously tagged with an act of anonymous kindness last week. Actually, its more like ’seriously pummeled’ with kindness. I spent 26 days at a meditation retreat, mainly to begin the process of self purification through self discovery...I guess you could call it a renovation of the interior walls of my mind. As I walked back into my studio home on Sunday, WOW, a few folks had decided that they would self-purify my home and renovate its interior walls as well. The place has been tiled, every corner has been painted, fridge has been stocked, light switches ... comments (23) | email this | print | permalink Sunflower and a Frog--posted by JZ, on Feb 23, 2008 He took it out from around his neck and leaned down a bit, his eyes looking straight into mine. "Would you mind?" he asks. Looking at him through his eye glasses, I smile and say, "Of course not, Lee. It would be an honor." And with that, I was garlanded -- probably for the first time in my life -- with a simple necklace. Lee is the epitome of a happy-go-lucky guy. He used to be a trucker, I think. If there were one word to describe him, it would be happy. Or joyous. And what a pure heart. In one ... comments (24) | email this | print | permalink Comic Angels!--posted by nisha, on Jun 8, 2006
As I pulled out the usual looking junk mail from my mail box, I noticed a huge envelope still stuck in the slot. There was something really special about it - the size, the art work in front that surrounded my name and address, an unknown, out-of-town From address..this was no ordinary mail. comments (2) | email this | print | permalink Do Not Fear, Smile Retrievers Are Here!--posted by anita, on Jun 28, 2008
comments (9) | email this | print | permalink Laundry Mystery--posted by anonymous, on Jul 12, 2006 I was a first year college student in a Graphic Design course and I'd like to tell you an interesting story that happened to me a few months ago. You see, I live in a "seedy" (an abundance of illegal activity) apartment building whose residents are a large diversity of minorities, most of which I have never met, (I don't even know my neighbors name), and we all have to use the laundry room on the third floor. The dryers in the laundry room are old and usually require more than one cycle to fully dry even a small load ... comments (4) | email this | print | permalink Driveway Turns Into A Beach--posted by Tom Gerdy, on Feb 14, 2008
comments (45) | email this | print | permalink Looking for Josephs--posted by Della, on Jul 28, 2006
She stood looking at every tag on the tree for over an hour. Ten years old and a heart of gold, she decided that she would give up one of her Christmas gifts to the boy named Joseph who needed clothes but wanted a skateboard. comments (11) | email this | print | permalink A Cucumber From Our Backyard--posted by earthling, on Aug 12, 2006
On a Saturday morning, I glanced out of our window to see our chubby, middle-aged postman huffing and puffing on his rounds. I went out with a glass of water. He refused it politely but stopped for a few minutes to chat. comments (3) | email this | print | permalink Kindness on my Doorstep--posted by mrgreen, on Sep 14, 2006
I came home from work one day to find some business cards and a card holder in the street. Not much, but I figured the person might want them so I called the number only to find out the person was a seasonal employee. No worries, I thought I would just throw the cards out since they didn't seem to be of much value. comments (5) | email this | print | permalink Patience is a virtue--posted by wint8, on Jan 15, 2007
Over the Christmas holidays my young boys were driving everyone in the house bonkers with their fighting, usually it's worst just before bedtime. Yesterday, at separate times of the day, I sat with each of my sons and told him "I love you". A few hours later, I realised those words had been missing from my regular vocalbulary since the holidays started. I felt guilty. With so much time to do things together, it's inevitable that friction happens. It was kind of like coming up for air, when I said "I love you". My sons are more affectionate and calmer when they are around me now. I know it won't last, but if I keep positive, patient and loving, then life will be a lot more peaceful. comments (6) | email this | print | permalink Mom's Dinners in Sierra Leone--posted by Zelene, on Feb 3, 2007
When I was growing up in Sierra Leone, Sunday dinners were special. My mom would spend hours making delicious food for dinner and the mouth-watering aroma would fill the house. comments (6) | email this | print | permalink The gift that continues to give--posted by myturn, on Mar 2, 2007
I have always believed that people come into your life for a reason. With this in mind I met a man at work who had a drug problem. I knew because I used to. Over the next 2 years we became closer and had long talks about his addiction. I knew I was supposed to help him, but I didn't know how. I had talked him into rehab and even took him to the center but every time he got out he would relapse. I thought long and hard until "IT" came to me. I had to give more of myself, go on a leap of faith. I convinced him to try rehab one more time and when he got out I moved him into to my apartment, against the advice of those around me. Getting him out of his earlier environment was the key. He never relapsed again. We just celebrated his 2 year clean date in January, after 23 years of abuse. He is still my roommate and has since helped me more than any friend I have ever had. comments (14) | email this | print | permalink The Flower Elves--posted by hiloecho, on Mar 15, 2007 A couple we know who have fallen on hard times went out of town over the weekend we think to probably regroup and try to re-establish their love for each other so they can weather the adversities they have recently encountered. They are the type of people who will not ask for help and even if it is offered they will not accept it, at least not willingly. We decided to do something nice for them by doing a quick landscaping job on their entrance walkway. They have a nice paved walkway but on either side it was just bare dirt, not very attractive. We went out and bought some flowers and some red cinders and replanted the walkway and then spread out the cinders for the asthetic look and hopefully to make weeding easier with less weeds able to grow through. We think it looks great and hope that when they drive in their driveway they wonder if they are at the right house. We feel it is important for them to know that they are special people who have friends who love them. comments (16) | email this | print | permalink The Next Door Blessing--posted by babygirl, on Aug 12, 2007
comments (9) | email this | print | permalink Living on the 4th Floor--posted by paartee, on Mar 3, 2008 My Dad's company provided rental accommodations for its employees, usually in multi-level buildings. We were on level 4. For two years, my Dad had been pursuing his application for a ground level house to make the climb easier for my mom who had suffered complications after her second delivery. She was advised bed rest and climbing the stairs everyday was difficult for her. As luck had it, just at that time, my Dad's ground level application was granted and Mum and Dad were thrilled to move in to the ground level accommodation in a separate building that was closer to my Dad's ... comments (70) | email this | print | permalink Sharing Our Home With Children In Need--posted by stoltzcm, on Nov 13, 2009
My husband and I have been hosting children in need of orthopedic surgery from Belize since 1993. Our local Rotary district and Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis provide the air fare and medical care. Some say that we are so wonderful to be host parents...maybe, but we are the ones who are blessed to have the privilege to care for these darling children. Our children have had the opportunity to see the world in a different view than most of their peers and we are all grateful for being chosen to share our home with others less fortunate. Now that that they are adults, our three children host these children too. If you live within a few hours from a hospital, you too can help others with your immeasureable time and talent (and there are always other experienced volunteers to back you up if needed). comments (8) | email this | print | permalink A Home Filled With Love This Christmas--posted by AURELIA, on Dec 13, 2009
comments (19) | email this | print | permalink Change Of Heart--posted by cabbagepatch, on Dec 22, 2009 A mother and daughter living in my complex are two of the most unfriendly people I have ever come across in my life. They are totally withdrawn, mixing with no one. As they drive past neighbors they keep their eyes averted and make no sign of acknowledgement. The only fame they have is making a nuisance of themselves to the local police station by reporting music played too loud, dogs barking more than once a day and any other petty little gripe. On moving into this neighborhood, I was warned about these two but decided I would make up my own ... comments (11) | email this | print | permalink One Last Visit To The Beach, On Her Doorstep--posted by tgerdy, on Mar 26, 2010 I need to share a powerful and strangely wonderful event in my life that involves death and cancer. I am certain you are struggling with the fact that I am using the words wonderful, cancer and death in the same sentence. I think that after you hear this story you will agree that in this case it is an appropriate combination of words. A dear friend of mine was dying of cancer. Shortly before she died she shared with me that she was very sad that she would never get to go to the beach again. She grew up near the ocean and it was ... comments (25) | email this | print | permalink A Gesture of Generosity that Healed a Life--posted by live2give4ever, on Apr 7, 2010 I was in church one Sunday when my husband’s ex-wife requested the pastor and the church to pray for her. She said that she was a drug addict and she wanted to stop using drugs. She was crying and said that she needed God’s help because she knew that she couldn't do it alone. She was a beautiful woman with four children and they were all crying with her. After church I went to her and introduced myself. She said that she had heard about my marriage to her ex-husband. We talked for a little while and she told me that ... comments (28) | email this | print | permalink Filled With a New Sense of Hope--posted by timcollardey, on Apr 28, 2010
comments (21) | email this | print | permalink Paying Forward A Little Bicycle--posted by Deneen, on May 25, 2010 A couple of weeks back, my friend had a yard sale, and she offered to sell some of our stuff for us. I thought it would be a good opportunity to clean my 7 year old son's room and get rid of some toys that he had long outgrown. We agreed that whatever we sold in toys would be his money. The night before the sale, we loaded up the truck with toys and a little bike that he was now too tall for. He had taken the bike for a final spin before we left home but happily put it on the truck for the ... comments (7) | email this | print | permalink For Children, Kindness Is Impulsive--posted by Yanne, on Jun 17, 2010 Yesterday while I was busy doing my housework, my daughter ran up to me and said, "Mommy there's someone at the gate." I told her to ask who it was. It was an old man beggar. I heard my daughter yelling, "Mommy he wants money." For a second I ignored her, but then it hit me what she just said. I found my daughter taking out money from her Dad's wallet. Instead of stopping her, I stood there amazed at her action and the realization: kids give without hesitation and their kindness is impulsive. Then I murmured a little prayer to myself, ... comments (12) | email this | print | permalink The Best Gifts Of All--posted by starbrite, on Jul 15, 2010
comments (13) | email this | print | permalink Helping Others Is The Best Medicine--posted by starbrite, on Jul 17, 2010 Yes, helping others is wonderful. Feeling so good helping out. You know what I mean..It brightens your day, lifts your heart and that wonderful from the heart smile! Fabulous! And then some. In March we had to take Dad's license away. Our proud, independent Dad was going to have to ask for help and to depend on others! Yikes! How does one do that? He had to ask/accept and we did too. Big changes. Now I celebrate the start each day with 'breakfast with Dad". We share special time. We help lift each other. I leave with a tired body but a fabulous smile. I have to admit there have been days when I had to ... comments (17) | email this | print | permalink
|
Find Stories More Stories LOADING
Meredith's Letter From the Post Office (May 18, 2013)One Candle at a Time (May 14, 2013) Found on the NYC Subway (May 11, 2013) My Smile Deck Week (May 11, 2013) Girl Gets Up At 5AM To Decorate Her Entire Street (May 9, 2013) Idea of the Week Corporate Compassion.Read more in our weekly newsletter. Need help with ideas? Ask our kindness experts! |
Recently, I was thinking about how the porters in our building here in London have been doing a great job servicing the residents. In particular, there is one porter who manages to brighten up my day every time I come and go from our building and puts a smile on everyone's faces who comes by. He's always cheerful and very helpful and seems to be full of life.
When you buy things with money, you feel like its owed to you. But when you receive something as an offering from someone else, the gift is a reminder of something bigger than yourself and you are filled with a humble reverance for all life.
Well, this is a story of one of those gifts.
In our middle-class living room, we have three shelves of books. We call it the "open source" bookshelf because any of our guests can take any book and contribute any book to it. No one tracks it; it's all based on trust, even though ... 
Last-weekend, my kids along with few other kids from the neighborhood volunteered to help me wash my car. We embarked on our car cleaning mission when my 10 year old came up with the idea of washing other people's cars as well. It was pretty hot outside and I had no plans to continue being in the bright sun. She further wanted to give lemonade to passerby's for free. I had seen little kids serve and sell fresh lemonade for a small cost (may be 25 cents) but not free. I felt fuzzy and decided to help her out. ... 
A dear friend was only weeks away from death from cancer. She said she was sorry she wouldn't be able to see the ocean again and get her toes in the sand. We live in Central Virginia and she was unable to travel so the trip to the coast wasn't going to happen. Some of us decided the solution was pretty simple. We would surprise her and bring the beach to her.
When we moved into our new home in January, we didn't really know what we were getting into. We just knew that we were getting the deal of a life time and so when our offer was accepted, we couldn't refuse! We jumped on it and thought that, that would be that.
Our next door neighbors weren't exactly part of the deal but they ended up being the best blessing!
Since that day, we have now become family. With every little special occasion or event in our lives, they are there to share the joy with us and they have helped us ... 
Something happened today to make me realise just how much love I have in my house and I am so thankful for that.
My husband used to work in a bank but during the credit crunch he lost his job. The economy wasn't looking good and he didn't have too many options to get another bank job. It was incredibly difficult to see him go to the warehouse to look for work, hoping and praying that he would be offered a position (where he would be paid even less than his own teenage children were making). Someone dear to me encouraged ... 
Moving can bring out the best and the worst in people, I'm finding. They say that uprooting can really test a relationship, so, if that's the case, I think I'm passing with flying colors. And I've discovered where a very generous spirit lives: Defiance, Ohio.
After suffering through many months of unemployment, my wife and I moved this week from Colorado to Ohio, where she's starting a new job. Not knowing a soul there, we were pretty concerned about all the work involved, not only loading up our entire home and driving two big rental trucks 1,250 miles, but how we'd ... | Home | About Us | Our Friends | Get Involved | Contact us |  |  |  |