Stories Matching 'OnThe Road' Tag (90)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 In The Middle of Nowhere--posted by SaraJ22, on Nov 6, 2007
comments (32) | email this | print | permalink Running On Empty--posted by jacqueline, on Dec 30, 2007
comments (29) | email this | print | permalink Kindness Karma on a Hot Summer Day--posted by pattyjw59, on Jan 23, 2008 It is so often true that "what goes around, comes around," and that life lessons often walk in through the most unexpected doors. One hot summer, several years ago, my son and I were taking a trip by train. But first we had to take a bus into the city to the station to catch the train. I was a single Mom and as usual, since times were hard and money was very tight, we simply could not afford any extras. So we packed a large lunch bag of snacks and sandwiches, and had a small cooler filled with sodas to get us through ... comments (69) | email this | print | permalink The Law of Garbage Trucks--posted by nickgrand, on Jan 28, 2008 [ Original story, by David J. Pollay ] Sixteen years ago I learned an important life lesson, in the back of a New York City taxi cab. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by mere inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and started yelling bad ... comments (88) | email this | print | permalink Twelve Minute Cab Ride To Penn Station--posted by keymaker, on Feb 11, 2008
comments (124) | email this | print | permalink Repaying a Stranger's Generosity--posted by megumi, on May 7, 2008
comments (20) | email this | print | permalink Kindness Karma for a Waitress at an Italian Restaurant--posted by Dazie, on May 29, 2008
comments (24) | email this | print | permalink Hiker Joe and The Circle Of Life--posted by joyjoy, on Jun 6, 2008
comments (15) | email this | print | permalink A Gas Station Gift I Couldn't Afford--posted by bubbie, on Jul 23, 2011 Just recently, there was a man standing near the islands in the gas station when I pulled in. I had recognized him from before, when I saw him trying to cross 4 lanes of traffic with crutches. He still had his crutches with him. When I got out of the car he politely asked me if he could pump my gas. I said, no thank you and continued on. I started to notice he asked other people the same question, and I realized he was doing it for money, but he wasn't getting any. As I looked at him, he ... comments (40) | email this | print | permalink Kindness 2 Miles Away from Home--posted by rachael_babar, on Aug 30, 2008
comments (22) | email this | print | permalink The Karma Bus--posted by alieneeeter, on Sep 8, 2008
comments (20) | email this | print | permalink Pay It Forward Coffee (Video!)--posted by Sridevi, on Nov 18, 2008
Just saw this on CNN today: Perhaps all our collective good karma is impacting the world after all! Keep spreading the goodness, friends. comments (10) | email this | print | permalink From a Flood to a Hug with Kindness--posted by wayfarer, on Dec 2, 2008
comments (37) | email this | print | permalink Renewing My Father's Smile--posted by giovanni, on Feb 6, 2009 Last Sunday I visited my parents as I do every Sunday. My 84 year old Dad seemed unusually worried, so I asked him if anything was the matter. He silently gave me a letter from his motor insurance company to read. In two sentences they informed him that they would no longer be able to insure his small truck and that he can call the undersigned for further clarification. I told him not to worry and that I would take care of the matter. The next day I called the undersigned to get clarification. To sum it up, it did not ... comments (12) | email this | print | permalink Uncovering the Naked Beauty of My Soul--posted by pulse, on Feb 15, 2009
comments (33) | email this | print | permalink The Challenges of Travelling with Children--posted by wayfarer, on Apr 13, 2009 For my birthday, Julie booked a coach trip to Liverpool. It's where I went to college thirty years ago and I hadn't been back since. We had a great time! Watching the passengers embark on the coach as we got ready to head to Liverpool, I was a little dismayed to see a couple get on with two boys, both under five. We were gonna be on the coach for four hours. Would they act up? Or be sick? Or would it just be too boring for them? It turned out they were great! No doubt about it. Travelling like that with ... comments (11) | email this | print | permalink Learning from a Father's Empathy, 28 Years Later--posted by BillK, on Jun 21, 2009 On Sunday while I was having my own Father’s day celebration, I thought about my dad a lot. By the time I called to tell him that I loved him, he had already gone to bed. I was bumbed out a bit because of missing him so I thought I would write a little post about what my dad means to me. My dad is that absolute most kindest man in the world. He would never hurt anyone intentionally and would give the shirt off his back in an instant. This made me reflect on a story about 28 years ago. ... comments (25) | email this | print | permalink In Flight From San Francisco--posted by Marianna, on May 25, 2009 Airports, even familiar airport, are very difficult to negotiate alone, when you have lost a good deal of your eyesight, as I have. Boarding a recent flight out of San Francisco, I sank into my seat with relief and belted myself in. I was seated at the bulk head on the aisle. The window seat was occupied by an elegant older man. There was an empty seat between us. Looking to escape the tension of the past half hour, I put my purse on it and took out a murder mystery and began to read. When lunch was served an ... comments (9) | email this | print | permalink Growing From A Rescue Opportunity--posted by Modestobob, on Jun 27, 2009 We had a marvelous 10 days in Idaho and were driving home a day earlier than we'd planned. We just wanted to have a day to rest and prepare for our work weeks ahead. Little did we know the impact our leaving early would have on someone else. We left Caldwell, Idaho at around 1pm and went through a small town called Marsing, population 790. They have a volunteer fire department, a couple of gas stations and a small market. About 10 miles on the other side of Marsing, we saw thick black plumes of smoke miles down the road to where ... comments (9) | 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 Nightshift at the Marriott--posted by Richard W., on Aug 17, 2009 It had been a long, hot August day. We'd driven over six hundred miles and it was nearing 11 pm as we entered Kingman, Arizona. We pulled off and picked a motel. Much to my surprise, it being mid-week, the deskman informed me they were full. Next place, same story. This time, I asked the clerk for suggestions. "Try the Hampton Inn." At the Hampton we were greeted with, "We're booked. Sorry." "What's going on?" I asked. "Is there some kind of convention in town?" "A tour bus just pulled in with 60 people," he said. ... comments (21) | email this | print | permalink The Business of Respect and Kindness--posted by Tom Stein, on Oct 10, 2009 So I am on the way to an appointment, and while I am not late yet, I don't have much time to spare. I drive up Henley Road (always careful to observe the speed limit, of course), and I approach that nasty, blind S-curve just south of U.S. 40. Ahead looms a garbage truck. Uh-oh. By their nature, garbage trucks progress slowly -- house by house by house. Passing a truck on that nasty, blind S-curve is foolish. I prepare for an impatient crawl through the curve and up to the stoplight. I see a hand hanging out the side of ... comments (8) | email this | print | permalink An Exercise In Compassion--posted by craig, on Nov 1, 2009
comments (17) | email this | print | permalink A Happy Memory to Lift You Up--posted by wayfarer, on Oct 23, 2009 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 ... comments (21) | email this | print | permalink A Helping Hand from a Hitchhiker--posted by WitchDust, on Nov 4, 2009 Three times a week we have to drive to physical therapy for my husband's hand that was reattached two months ago after a horrible work accident. It's a 150 mile round trip. Today we were running 30 minutes late but just a few miles into the trip we saw a young man huddled against the strong, cold winds that were almost pushing our car off the road We stopped and asked if he needed a ride. He gladly accepted and jumped into the back seat. His name was Dan and he wasn't going far. As we dropped him off we noticed he ... comments (9) | email this | print | permalink Giving Generosity Another Chance--posted by anon, on Nov 11, 2009 Lately I had started to question why I still would readily help someone, since recently my attempts at generosity usually turned around to end up hurting me. However, this concern recently vanished thanks to a very kind person. Last week, I was winding down a long day of train-hopping and dragging a few huge suitcases around with me to get home from visiting a friend's house. I was rather peeved that I had to sit at the station for 4 hours for a bus that left at 10 p.m. While I was sitting there tired and frazzled, a woman asked me if ... comments (11) | email this | print | permalink Beyond The Call Of Duty--posted by RP, on Nov 7, 2009 The maid at the Kingsgate Hotel off Salam Street in Abu Dhabi had outdone even my mother. Every article of clothing had either been placed on a coat hanger or folded neatly, even the socks. The disposable razors and washing gels were lined up like toy soldiers, waiting to do battle. I thanked Agnes profusely, gave her a generous tip and went about my day. Late that evening, when I returned from work, a shiny new alarm clock was on the bedside table. As I had occasionally asked the maid for the time of day, I knew right away what ... comments (9) | email this | print | permalink Pay-It-Forward $20 Tip For An Airport Shuttle Driver--posted by keymaker, on Dec 30, 2009 After an inspired weekend with some kindred spirits, I stepped into the airport shuttle. The shuttle driver offered me two seat options: the shot-gun seat or the seat way in the back of the van. I said, "You know what, I'm going to take the back seat. Perhaps the next passenger can enjoy the front seat." Instantly, he did a double take and smiled. As I got in, he made a public announcement to the four others already in the van: "This man took the back seat just so someone else could have the front. What a nice guy!" Then, ... comments (5) | email this | print | permalink Giving And Receiving Kindness On The Same Day--posted by liz-robinette, on Jan 9, 2010
Several years ago while living in Pittsburgh, PA my husband and I decided to buy a new couch. We put the old one in the truck to take to the GoodWill. On the way, we came upon a woman with a flat tire. She had just come upon part of the bridge system so her vehicle was against a high wall just a few feet away from rushing traffic. We stopped. She and I stood so traffic would not hit my husband as he changed the tire. She offered us some money as he put her flat back into her vehicle. We told her to give it to the Salvation Army and went on our way. We took the couch to the donation site, drove up to purchase our new couch and were attempting to move the (much heavier) couch into the house. An off-duty volunteer fireman saw us struggling in the house with it and helped us. None of us knew each other that day but I'm sure we made each others' day! comments (6) | email this | print | permalink The Bus Ride That Changed My Life--posted by maxx, on Feb 3, 2010
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I was driving home from school one hot summer day when I realized that my car was not working right. I kept driving and prayed that it would hold out the 3 hours that I still had to go. Seconds later, everything in my car died and I barely made it off to the shoulder.
Knowing absolutely nothing about cars, I popped the hood and proceeded to check the oil (since that's the only thing I knew how to do). As I was doing this, two older men in a truck pulled behind me and asked if I needed help. ... 
The other night I almost ran my car out of petrol so I took the next exit off the highway to pull into the nearest petrol station. I only had $20 cash on me.
As I pulled in, hadn't even turned the car off, there was a young man walking towards the car next to me. He spoke with the driver of the car and the driver shook her head "No" and then he approached my car. Usually I would be cautious and let my "He looks shady and possibly a con" opinions control my actions - but not tonight. ... 
"Penn Station," I told the cab driver. The young, heavy-set man peered at me through his sunglasses and motioned me to get in.
"I've got to get to JFK airport by 2:30PM. You think I'll be able to get there via LIRR or should I cab it all the way?" I ask him, as I get comfortable in the back seat. "Hmmm. You should be okay. Yeah, you'll make it. It will be much cheaper to take the train," he replied in a mild South Asian accent.
"Thanks," I told him. Given his engaging nature, we naturally started a conversation, which went ... 
This story was brought to my mind after reading some of yours :) It happened several years ago but I have never forgotten it.
My husband and I were going through some bad times financially. We had both lost our jobs and were trying to catch up on bills by cutting grass for extra money on the weekends. We got up one Saturday morning and loaded up the little flat bed trailer that we carried our lawnmower on and headed out.
About 15 miles from the house the trailer started swerving and we realized that it had a flat tire. ... 
This is my first post here as I have just joined and what a wonderful way to start off!
I was working as a waitress in an upscale Italian restaurant where the majority of the patrons were the sort who pay little or no attention to those around them. One evening, I had been having an absolutely horrible day as I had just received an unexpected bill that was already past due.
As I was standing in the entry way to the building, a young man appeared. He walked up to me and asked if there was any work that he ... 
I work in a bank and have lovely relationships with many of the customers. Its not one of those banks with long lines -- its the kind of bank when you walk in, everyone says hi, we know when your husband has surgery, or the grandkids are coming for the weekend, we know your name and speak like friends.
One of my customers in his 70's owns and runs a barber school in East Baltimore. He is connected with several nonprofits and I have 2 nonprofits of my own - we are like kindred spirits!
One days, he said to me ... 
There is a story that I want to share with you. It may not change your life, nor may it move you to tears. But there is a chance that it may touch that space in you from where the fountain of life springs from, in all of us. The place from where it all began. Where the entire history of mankind, of the universe, we can all feel inside of us - in the content of our souls.
This was a few years back when I had left for the United States from India to study at a prominent ... 
A few years ago I was an employee of an international company that sold computer devices. I had to travel a lot as part of my work. I remember that I was at a stage of my life where I only cared about how to make more money and how to solve technical problems. I was locked in my own world living as a robot that only worked in a mechanical way.
On one of my work trips, I came to the airport to take a bus to downtown, as usual. It was the same routine: get into the city, take the bus ... | Home | About Us | Our Friends | Get Involved | Contact us |  |  |  |