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 The Bouncy Ball That Changed Me--posted by freeHUGSrock, on Nov 22, 2008
comments (24) | email this | print | permalink Valentine's Day Wisdom--posted by athem, on Feb 14, 2008
Here's a poem that you might enjoy reading:
comments (22) | email this | print | permalink A Song For the Whole World--posted by mitu915, on Feb 26, 2008
comments (34) | email this | print | permalink How A Bookstore Can Change Your Life--posted by JZ, on Mar 4, 2008
comments (28) | email this | print | permalink The Best Hug I've Ever Had--posted by smoothsugardoll, on Apr 14, 2008 When I was 9, my sister, two other friends and I used to go to local nursing homes to sing for the elderly on Sunday afternoons. One Sunday we went to see the elderly and a little lady was having her 102nd birthday party. The staff told us we had to leave because of the party. The lady immediately said, "Oh no. They are here to entertain my guests." I'll never forget how important I felt that day -- entertaining her and her guests on her special day. A few months later she passed away. Bless her heart for including us in such a glorious time. When we had finished singing that day, she insisted we have a big piece of cake and punch. Then she gathered us each in her arms and hugged us. I think that might have been the best hug I've ever had. We were there to make her feel good but she made me feel good too. I'll never forget that bright sparkle in her eyes when she called us her singing angels. comments (21) | email this | print | permalink A Homeless Man's Gift--posted by geet, on May 28, 2008 On New Year's eve my husband and I stopped in San Francisco for dinner on our way back from a retreat. While eating we felt that we should do something different this year. I took a $20 bill and asked the restaurant owner to give me $5 bills. After dinner, we headed out on the streets to find homeless people. The first guy we came across was sitting with a paper cup in his hand. We dropped in a $5 bill and moved on. Right across the street we saw another man sitting outside a a club with his guitar. ... comments (69) | email this | print | permalink A Seven-Year-Old's Stained Glass Gifts--posted by cabbage, on Jun 20, 2008 My seven-year old son had been given a gift of "creating stained glass kit" decorative pieces and enthusiastically went to work making beautiful color combinations that could be hung on a glass window. The kit had 4 different pieces to complete and two of them got ruined in the process. But the other two were real "masterpieces" of kid artwork and he was very thrilled to see them hanging on our window. The pieces remained there for some months and then one day my son's piano teacher came to our house (which was not usual) to give him a lesson and ... comments (19) | email this | print | permalink Video: Are You Somebody's Favorite Person?--posted by JZ, on Jun 27, 2008
A subtle, poignant and charming film about the need for deeper connections in our lives. If you ask yourself, are you somebody's favorite person, what would be your response? Perhaps you can forward this video to your favorite person. comments (5) | email this | print | permalink Love is the New Religion--posted by Tesa, on Jul 21, 2008 On the surface of the world right now there is war and violence and things seem dark But calmly and quietly, at the same time, something else is happening underground An inner revolution is taking place and certain individuals are being called to a higher light It is a silent revolution From the inside out From the ground up It is time for me to reveal myself I am an embedded agent of a secret, undercover Clandestine Global operation A spiritual conspiracy We have sleeper cells in every nation on the planet You won't see us on the T.V. You won't read about us in the newspaper You won't hear about us on ... comments (29) | email this | print | permalink My Daughter's 19th Birthday With a Twist--posted by wotserface, on Aug 3, 2008 For my daughter's 19th birthday in December, we bought her tickets to go and see Linkin Park, as they were playing in our city in the UK. We didn't really have the money but we knew how much this band meant to her, and she'd seen them years earlier with her Dad. The night before she was like a kid at Christmas, all pink cheeked, shiny eyed and giddy with aniticipation. Every so often she got up and came to sit with us, because she couldn't sleep. On the night of the concert it was good to see her so happy and excited, ... comments (19) | email this | print | permalink Measuring Success with a Smile--posted by diane1, on Aug 8, 2008 While traveling for my documentary project, HEAR US, I pulled up to a busy Phoenix intersection and stopped at a red light. An obviously homeless man began crossing in front of our paused vehicles. I was first in line and was completely preoccupied with the reality that I couldn't find my 1:00 appointment at the nearby (or so I thought) shelter. He turned toward me, pointing to the corners of his mouth, made a universally understood motion to indicate "SMILE" and stood and stared at me. With a snicker of someone who had been caught being overly pensive, I flashed a smile, ... comments (30) | email this | print | permalink Growing Seeds in Silence--posted by gipsysoul, on Oct 8, 2008
comments (19) | email this | print | permalink The Healing Toddler--posted by irongrace, on Jan 5, 2009 A month ago, I stepped through the revolving door into my physician's office, feeling both afraid of being there because of what I could find out about my health, but also knowing that I would feel afraid if I didn't come there precisely to find out. So, I felt stuck. As I scurried over to a wooden chair with a plush cushion and a Home & Garden magazine lying on top of it, I noticed there were many other patients who were carefully seated on the chairs surrounding me with frightened faces buried in magazines. Amidst, these nervous readers, I spotted a little two-year old girl who was propped up on one of these seats with her short little legs sticking ... comments (14) | email this | print | permalink There is Life in Just a Smile--posted by lmil1954, on Dec 27, 2008
It was only a sunny smile, And little it cost in the giving, But like morning light, it scattered the night, And made the day worth living. -Unknown
Thank you for all of your smiles as they have made my days worth living. comments (12) | email this | print | permalink Handmade Hugs--posted by Shannanigans, on Feb 22, 2009
I work in a casino and deal with customers everyday. Unfortunately the majority of the time that means dealing with negativity as people are losing money and not generally happy. Well last night I was working the grave shift and stopped to give change to a customer. He said I looked like I needed a hug. I just smiled. He opened up his jacket and pulled out a ziplock bag. Inside were a bunch of "hugs." They were the word "hug" carved out of wood and attached to a pin. He had obviously made them himself. He handed me one as well as a card that goes with it (talking about the benefit of hugs and the low, low cost). He made my day and I attached the hug to my ID badge so I could be reminded of how good a hug feels, especially when you least expect it. comments (17) | email this | print | permalink Let Someone Know You Are There--posted by MakeSomeoneSmile, on Mar 13, 2009 My son’s kindergarten class did a performance yesterday for the parents and rest of the school. It was great but one particular thing made me think a little more about life in general. I was in the back videotaping it since my wife could not attend. About 10 minutes into the program, I could see the change at the exact moment my son saw that I was there. He was doing great and being a wonderful participant before that moment, but I could tell how seeing me there made such a difference and meant so much to him. His smile, ... comments (24) | email this | print | permalink The Woman Whose Life I Wanted To Transform--posted by marjincharge, on Mar 8, 2009
comments (10) | email this | print | permalink The Dash Between The Years--posted by Letmebealittlekinder, on Apr 15, 2009
comments (79) | email this | print | permalink Cherish Life Today for Tomorrow May Never Come--posted by Modestobob, on Apr 22, 2009 Let Me Be A Little Kinder Glen Campbell Let me be a little kinder Let me be a little blinder To the faults of those about me Let me praise a little more Let me be when I am weary Just a little bit more cheery Think a little more of others And a little less of me Let me be a little braver When temptation bids me waver Let me strive a little harder To be all that I should be Let me be a little meeker With the brother that is weaker Let me think more of my neighbor And a little less of me Let me be when I am weary Just a little bit more ... comments (18) | email this | print | permalink Loving Kindness Is Twice Blessed--posted by Letmebealittlekind, on Apr 29, 2009
comments (11) | email this | print | permalink An Impromptu Wedding Present in Action--posted by WorldCitizen, on May 5, 2009 Two of my dear friends got married last Saturday, May 2nd -- a special date for the wonderful souls. But what it was even more special was their intention: "We would like our wedding, and in fact our entire marriage to be about creating more good in the world." When I got their *personalized* wedding invitation exuding love, creativity and inspiration, my heart was instantaneously filled with gratitude and joy. Circumstances didn't allow me to attend their wedding in person, but I tried to celebrate their union in a unique way. Ever since I received their invitation, two and half months ago, ... comments (6) | email this | print | permalink The Universal Language of Hugs--posted by AsianWoman, on May 15, 2009
HUGS comments (10) | email this | print | permalink Carrying Love Half Way Around The World--posted by wayfarer, on Jun 14, 2009
comments (22) | email this | print | permalink Kindness, The New Stimulus Package--posted by BillK, on Jul 26, 2009
comments (19) | email this | print | permalink Hope, There's Nothing Stopping You--posted by beemedha, on Aug 16, 2009 There was about 15 of us folks chalking in front of the downtown Berkeley BART station. We started with about ten adventurers and as the momentum increased, we gained more energy, creative inspiration, and people. In the beginning, many pedestrians stopped by us, paused briefly out of curiousity, and for the most part remained rather perplexed by our so-called 'deviant' behavior. However, after we chalked up some cheerful colors and phrases on the beautiful red stones in the area, people came over just to take a peek and see what adults chalkers really do. Folks came by with cameras. Small children ... comments (19) | email this | print | permalink What's In The Bag?--posted by richard1, on Jul 28, 2009 Sometimes I am witness to acts of selfless generosity that are nearly invisible and done with no thought that anyone would see them other than the person to whom the act is directed. Here's an example.It comes from our little artist breakfast group that we host every week. Taya, who is a remarkable artist, is moving to New Mexico. She's 75 and has decided she wants to start a new chapter in her life. So she has just completed the purchase of a property in a tiny community in New Mexico where she knows no one. She is leaving Oakland where ... comments (15) | email this | print | permalink One Sign Of Hope--posted by SequoiaProject, on Sep 13, 2009 This week we took a handcrafted sign that we made down to our local Salvation Army and presented it to the captain. The sign read ‘HOPE’. He had an idea of where to put it as soon as he read it. The look on his face showed appreciation, with a touch of bewilderment. This organization sees, first-hand, the struggles of so many people. The reason we made and gifted them the sign is to help lives, who are in need of believing in a better tomorrow. A simple word can say so much. Life dishes out hard hits and unjust ... comments (14) | email this | print | permalink A Jaw Dropping Performance in New York City--posted by shayna.parekh, on Sep 16, 2009 This weekend, a group of us were in Union Square, New York, watching Tylon and Macho, two contortionists and street dancers, put on a jaw dropping performance that included jumping over 7 people. At the end, the hundreds of people watching began putting money into their bucket. One tiny little girl walks up with her mom, she couldn't have been more than 2 years old. Tylon, who grew up in the Harlem projects, reaches into his bucket, folds up a couple of dollar bills, and hands them to the little girl. Everyone who witnessed it was stunned and humbled by this pure act of giving. Our jaws dropped for a second time. Inspired, my bro, Shrey, later pulled out several more bills and we snuck them into Tylon's bucket without him seeing. His small, simple act of giving will not be forgotten. If you happen to be in New York, be sure to catch these do-gooders Thurs-Sun evenings in Union Square, across from the Whole Foods! comments (6) | email this | print | permalink A Happy Memory to Lift You Up--posted by wayfarer, on Oct 23, 2009
comments (21) | email this | print | permalink Power Of A Trashed Pencil--posted by keymaker, on Dec 5, 2009 She was a janitor at a school in India. Her husband died soon after her marriage, she didn't have any family in the area. She struggled with the responsibility of raising her kids. For the last twenty years, she's continued to sweep classrooms at local schools. One day, though, she had a radical idea: I want to give. It was followed-up by a reasonable yet confusing thought: But what can I possibly give? When she narrated her desire to a friend, he told her a story. "Gandhi used to write many letters. One day, Kakasaheb Kalelkar, a famous Indian author, saw him ... comments (28) | email this | print | permalink
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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! |
This is not a story that describes kindness that I have done but rather kindness that I have received and in a way the kindness that you receive gives energy to the kindness that you show to others.
Last night I entered myself into a poetry slam. It was very rushed. Very last minute and I was unprepared. Yet I really wanted to do it. I have wanted to get out and perform one of my poems for a while now. So without the support of my family, I got up in front of a group of people and got ready ... 
I was listening to some soothing tunes on the radio last night. To be exact, it was 98.1, easy R&B listening.
Usually when listeners call in, you know, they request a song and dedicate it to their sweetheart, or best friend, or a parent, or a soldier overseas. It's a natural thing, to share love for those around us.
But as I listening in, a man called in with a very unusual dedication.
"Hey brother, I'd like to make a song request," he said.
"Sure thing. Who would you like to dedicate to it?" the DJ asked.
"I want to dedicate this song to ... 
[by Jeremy Mercer, Ode, Nov 2007]
One of the more romantic literary notions is that a book can change a person’s life. Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Ford, for instance, claims Walker Percy’s novel The Moviegoer made Ford the author he is today. Or a book can have more immediate consequences for people, such as my grade-school friend who read My Side of the Mountain and promptly ran away from home with nothing but a penknife and a ball of twine.
If a book can change your life, a bookstore can utterly transform it. In my case, I found one, or perhaps ... 
Sometimes you read a story that just takes root in your heart. Many stories on the helpothers.org website have been like that for me: "I Wish You Enough" by BrightEyes and "An Unforgettable Fishing Experience" by Mike Delyria to name just two. Well this story I'm about to share with you has been growing in the heart of many people on Cape Ann, where I live.
It is the story of Jude, a young deaf man with green thumbs and a big heart who recently opened a plant store in our community called The Silent Seed. I first heard about him ... 
I'm an American who has lived in France for nearly 20 years. I've whined and complained with other Americans about how the French are unfriendly, cold, reserved, unavailable for friendship. I've had a hard time making a living here as a psychotherapist and healer and periodically blamed this also on the French.
I live in Versailles and for the past 4 years the city has sponsored events for International Women's Day. Three years ago, I moved to a new neighborhood and felt an intense need to meet people so I went to the cinema night for women's day featuring the film ... 
I felt gloomy the other day. The weather had been dark and rainy, and I just didn’t feel so positive. It happens to us all, I guess.
As I was sitting at my desk, I remembered it was the birthday of a dear long-time friend—a single, middle-aged woman who has dedicated the past 30 years to nursing and loves her work.
Knowing that she doesn’t have family in town, I decided to give her a call. Sure enough, she was scheduled to work late into the evening, and wouldn’t have much of a birthday this year. As always, though, she sounded cheerful
and ... 
Are you just plain sick of being bombarded by the media with the untold horrors and predictions of our impending doom? I've heard the words "Stimulus Package" so many times it doesn't even mean anything anymore.
I want to introduce a new kind of stimulus package that doesn't have a thing to do with the government: Kindness. What do you think would happen if everyone practiced being kind for just one day? I sure as heck know. The world as we know it would be transformed.
Impossible? Consider this: I organized a Kindness Challenge at a local arts and jazz festival in ... 
I hear some actors keep a sad thought or memory tucked away to help them with scenes where they might need to cry. I think we should each try to find the opposite; a happy memory, something to lift us up on those inevitable down days. I’m saying this because I think I just found mine!
I had some work in Glasgow today. I was on a really tight schedule, which meant I would have no time for myself (or my own work) all day. I was having one of those days, the train was completely packed out and the conversation ... | Home | About Us | Our Friends | Get Involved | Contact us |  |  |  |