Stories Matching 'Collective Arts' Tag (61)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 On Grey Days of the Soul--posted by Pavi, on Apr 11, 2006
comments (3) | email this | print | permalink A Simple Prayer--posted by Shelley, on Apr 16, 2006
As a single mom, it is often hard for me to provide those little "extras" my children seem to want. comments (12) | email this | print | permalink One Size Fits All--posted by Camilion, on May 1, 2006
comments (3) | email this | print | permalink A Little Red Book--posted by JZ, on May 9, 2006 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 ... comments (1) | 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 Act of Kindness in Zimbabwe--posted by Rita, on Jul 17, 2006
I was in the bus in heavy traffic going to an orphanage to visit some children. What I saw brought tears to my eyes. comments (2) | email this | print | permalink Breast Cancer Blessing--posted by Donna, on Aug 4, 2006
comments (3) | email this | print | permalink The Happiness Entrepreneur--posted by Keymaker, on Oct 22, 2007 "I have a package for Jonathan," Tom says. "Um, ok, let me page him," the person behind the counter says. This is an independent book store, and they generally don't get random deliveries like this. Wearing a buttoned shirt over a pair of jeans and black sneakers, Tom might've been taken for an errand guy. A closer look, though, and Tom's mystique is evident with the serenity on his face and the depth of his voice and the span of his geniune smile. On paper, Tom has a ton of accomplishments to his name, but in spirit, he ... comments (13) | email this | print | permalink Lost and Found: Leigh's Light--posted by Judy, on Aug 18, 2006 My friend Leigh, unemployed and broke, found a sealed envelope with $200 in it while cleaning his house. Since he hadn't found it before, he figured he really did not need it. He gave it to me (I was working) so I could buy a new CD player and have music in my life. I protested. He insisted. Now, every year at Christmas I give $200 to someone I know who could use it. Along with the money I give them a one-page story: Leigh's Light My friend Leigh is a very special man. Even though he has had more than his ... comments (8) | email this | print | permalink All You Need is Little Bit of Love--posted by hpotter, on Sep 6, 2006
comments (7) | email this | print | permalink Valentines Day in WalMart Parking Lot--posted by denise, on Sep 23, 2006
A good friend of mine... i swear she must be the happiest most loving person I've ever met, convinced me to go out with her on valentines day since we both didn't have dates or boyfriends at that time. I went to grab her at her house, and she had construction paper and markers all over. We made what must have been 200 simple valentines saying simply "happy valentines day" and "have a wonderful day"... which then we drove out to walmart. (in our little town, walmart is the place to go late nights) then we put one on everyone's car in the parking lot. It was such a sweet thing. I imagine it brightened someones day, plus... it was so much fun making them, and running around putting them on people's cars. comments (7) | email this | print | permalink Smile Stones, Mile Stones--posted by singlestep, on Jun 9, 2008 Here's an idea that brings lots of smiles-- go to your neighborhood crafts store (I went to Michael's), pick up some polished colored stones, hand-draw some smiles, and leave those smile-stones with the following poem at coffee shop tables or just about any public venue. Look a Smile Stone straight in the eye and you'll smile back not knowing why It's something about their lopsided grins, their lack of noses and of chins A twinkling something that's not-quite-art touches your heart Like snowflakes and fingerprints no two are the same But why? You ask- What's the point ... comments (46) | email this | print | permalink Invisible Smiles In an Empty Flower Vase--posted by twiceblessed, on Oct 22, 2006
comments (9) | email this | print | permalink U2 Tickets--posted by courts, on Nov 14, 2006 I work in media and often get some pretty great perks in my job. I wanted to share one of them with you - probably one of the hardest acts of kindness I have done yet!!! But it was worth it!!! I was at work yesterday and was about to leave when my supervisor walked into my office and handed me an envelope. She had two tickets to the U2 concert that was playing that night in her hand and said they were mine if I wanted them. I LOVE U2, they are my favourite band, and I quickly said yes ... comments (14) | email this | print | permalink Because I Had It--posted by Sylvia, on Feb 10, 2007
comments (12) | email this | print | permalink Birthdays are for giving--posted by sonrisa, on Feb 19, 2007
comments (6) | email this | print | permalink The Wondorous Oragami Man--posted by sam7757, on Mar 3, 2007
comments (55) | email this | print | permalink All it Takes is Chalk--posted by pinkie, on Mar 20, 2007
Today, my friends and I had an early release day at school and got out at about 11:30. comments (19) | email this | print | permalink Three Strings of Itzhak Perlman--posted by Savla, on Apr 5, 2007 Perlman, the violinist, came on stage to give a concert at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. If you have ever been to a Perlman concert, you know that getting on stage is no small achievement for him. He was stricken with polio as a child, and so he has braces on both legs and walks with the aid of two crutches. To see him walk across the stage one step at a time, painfully and slowly, is an awesome sight. He walks painfully, yet majestically, until he reaches his chair. Then he sits down, slowly, puts ... comments (25) | email this | print | permalink Rock N Roll Never Dies--posted by hiloecho, on May 2, 2007 After 11 years of being "lucky to live Hawaii" my wife and I are moving to Florida to take care of my Mother. It's a real treat for my wife, who is a local girl who has never been to the mainland. To minimize expenses we decided to mail the essentials from Hawaii to Florida -- the cheapest solution we could come up with. This also meant parting with things that we have held onto. Things like my cassette tape collection, along with my vinyl record collection. I'm guessing that I probably had about 300+ cassette tapes, mostly 60-70's rock ... comments (19) | email this | print | permalink The Beggar Poem--posted by philip1957, on May 21, 2007 On my way to work,my eyes wander to various sights There always sits a beggar man next to a shop He sits outstretching his arms I dig in my pocket to give him alms The beggar man is my everyday sight He gives me a smile that is just so right We are blessed with everything in life Yet we do not smile as if there is a strife The beggar has wealth nor health Yet the smile on his face is heartfelt For sometime the beggar man is seen nowhere I feel something missing, I look around and stare The shopkeeper tells me he died Silently I pause,he will no more be in my sight I will miss him,I do not know why Seeing him was a habit, I feel to cry The beggar man taught me to smile and to forget lifes worry awhile ***based on a true story comments (22) | email this | print | permalink He Played His Best--posted by warmth, on Jun 4, 2007
comments (19) | email this | print | permalink You Never Know--posted by PamelaJo, on Jul 18, 2007 I have a dear friend Joni, who is one of those people who lights up a room when she enters. She is an extremely warm and welcoming individual, who makes you feel good about yourself. Over the past few years Joni has dealt with much, including family illness and death, and throughout it all she has maintained a presence of joy that has been remarkable. Recently she was contemplating whether or not to continue a weekly visit/group she conducted at a nursing home. Each week she would bring an activity to share with the residents. This was the nursing home where ... comments (16) | email this | print | permalink The Day Star Trek Came Alive--posted by snowflake66, on Aug 20, 2007
comments (22) | email this | print | permalink Love Thy Neighbor--posted by Joe Slevcove, on Jul 22, 2007
comments (49) | email this | print | permalink Weeds From A Blind Boy--posted by parsaakbar, on Sep 25, 2007 The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, For the world was intent on dragging me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!" In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and ... comments (35) | email this | print | permalink Late Night Dinner With Scott, Maia and the Host--posted by hurricane, on Oct 31, 2007 Last week, while visiting my Dad in Washington State with my daughter, we went to a local restaurant for a late dinner. When our host seated us, my dad asked him if there were any military having a meal in the establishment. The host said there was a soldier eating dinner with his friend. My dad told the host to tell the soldier and his friend that their dinner was paid for and that we should get dessert too! He also stated that he did not want to be identified as the benefactor. Our waitress, who witnessed this as well, commented ... comments (10) | email this | print | permalink Love Endures All--posted by jennieG, on Mar 30, 2010
comments (13) | email this | print | permalink A Sketch of California Raisins?!?--posted by daisies, on Dec 19, 2007 I recently received a message via Facebook: "You won't remember me... I went to Sutton public, grades 4 & 5. You gave me a drawing of yours of one of the California Raisins. Anyway, I had moved around a lot growing up, ie. I was usually the odd kid out. What you did, was something really nice that I always remembered. Thanks." Wow. I felt so warm and fuzzy inside when I read that and was so so satisfied to know that my simple random act of kindness was carried throughout this boy's life. (By the way, I didn't remember him but I surely remember the drawing!) Children are so incredibly kindhearted but it often goes unnoticed because they have no egotistical need to have it noticed. Kids rock! And I'm very very glad that he chose to contact me and tell me about it. It's inspiring to hear it after all these years! It feels like a "hug a stranger" day today. :) Thanks for letting me share! comments (9) | email this | print | permalink
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The three of us met this morning at a crowded cafe in downtown Manhattan. The streets outside wet-gleaming in the rain and blossoming with umbrellas. Me, and K and M. K a young woman I'd met only just this morning. A person with a wonderful spirit working towards finding balance through a challenging period in her life. M a woman I met two years ago in the park. A writer struggling with
We were recently at a concert. The young artists were playing their hearts out but unfortunately, the audience was largely empty.
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. ... 
Wow! What a diagnosis. I just kept telling myself that if I can get through this Chemo, I will give back and help others. 
With the recent floods in Gujarat, India, I've been busy with flood relief work in the affected slums. We distribute medicines, food, clothing, etc. but what is the most important thing to give is love.
About a dozen college kids gathered around me after a talk on the 'spirit of service'. The theme of the talk was small acts of selflessness; they will not only make someone smile but also shift your entire perspective on life. That instead of obliging the receiver with your act of service, it is actually your privilege to get an opportunity to be kind.
For some, these are common sense ideas but college students generally don't think about these things. When you're in college, you're more worried about YOUR grades, YOUR job interviews, paying off YOUR loans, meeting YOUR significant other ... 
My birthday was coming up last week and I was thinking of ways I could pay forward some kindness on the day to send good wishes out in the world. And then on my birthday itself, right in front of my eyes, three different opportunities came up one after the other, to support my colleagues at the charity I work at in different ways.
One girl decided she wanted to give back to the charity that gave her so much both as a child when she was growing up and also as an adult by employing her to deliver services to ... 
My friend, Gayla and I were traveling to Phoenix from Chicago. I misread the ticket, and we missed our flight. I was busy being upset about my failed plans when Gayla suggested we just fly wherever we want instead, since we had the time.
I think about missing my flight to Phoenix and going to San Francisco instead. It taught me a lot about being open to what is, not attached to what I want, and how things unexpected can happen. Long story but while Gayla and I were in San Fran, this strange thing happened. It made me think ... 
This is the story of Robby. He was a young boy who lived with his elderly mother. His mother wanted him to learn how to play the piano because she longed to hear her son play for her. She sent her son to a piano teacher who took Robby in under her guidance. However, there was one small problem because Robby was not musically inclined and therefore was very slow in learning. The teacher did not have much faith in the boy because of his weakness. The mother was very enthusiastic and every week she would send Robby to ... 
When I was about five or so my favorite television show was Star Trek. Dr. Spock was clearly my favorite character and I listened to his advice with great seriousness. When I found out that he was going to be signing autographs at TSS, I begged my mother to take me.
To continue this story, you have to understand a little about my chaotic childhood. With rampant abuse, television, movies, and books were my only escape. I delved into them and found places, people, and situations both like my own and not. It gave this little girl hope. It helped to ... | Home | About Us | Our Friends | Get Involved | Contact us |  |  |  |