Stories Matching 'Respect' Tag (30)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 Remembering the Elderly--posted by Enid, on May 23, 2006
comments (4) | email this | print | permalink Parking spot--posted by hiloecho, on Dec 13, 2006
comments (11) | email this | print | permalink A Chance Encounter And a Priceless Lesson--posted by afriendlysmile, on Apr 5, 2007 Last weekend, I was walking across the village green when I saw an elderly gentleman on the bench, just overlooking the duck pond. I thought he looked abit forlorn so I went over and sat next to him. After a few comments about how nice the weather was and how there were alot of ducks in the pond today , he told me how he used to come with his wife and watch the children feed the ducks with their mums. They didn't have any children of their own. He explained he had been married for 54 years when his wife died ... comments (14) | email this | print | permalink Unspoken Contract With A Rickshaw Driver--posted by keymaker, on Aug 29, 2007
comments (32) | email this | print | permalink Love "Seen"--posted by PamelaJo, on Oct 12, 2007
comments (19) | email this | print | permalink A Tiny Gesture At A Local Fair--posted by learning2listen, on Nov 12, 2007 My husband and I had been sitting in a parking line for more than 10 minutes trying to get into a local fair when, I discovered I was in the wrong lane, and nearly to the gate! My husband waved to the van next to us. The woman driving, who I could see had several children with her, seamed happy to let us pull in front her after we asked if we may. I was so excited to not have to ‘go around and wait' again, I decided to pay for her parking. After paying, we parked, and entered the ... comments (8) | email this | print | permalink Why I Just Love Smile Cards!--posted by tenderheart, on Nov 10, 2007
comments (10) | email this | print | permalink Thanks For Rocking With Me!--posted by dancingDog, on Nov 17, 2007
There was once an elderly, despondent woman in a nursing home. She wouldn't speak to anyone or request anything. She merely existed - rocking in her creaky old rocking chair. comments (25) | email this | print | permalink Lesson From A Janitor--posted by Raksha, on Nov 27, 2007 It was five in the morning. The room smelt weird. I saw him, next to me, deep in slumber. I went up to the bathroom and got my answer to the stench. He had had a few extra drinks last night, must have puked all over the wash basin. The basin was clogged and the stench inside was unbearable. A little angry I came back in the room with half a mind to wake him up and ask him to clean up. I could hear his soft snores and knew that he needs that sleep to be normal the next ... comments (29) | email this | print | permalink A Phone Call Every Third Wednesday--posted by swaamy, on Dec 19, 2007
In my town in South Asia, every third Wednesday there is a electric shut down from 9AM to 6PM. How kind he has been, all these years! Sometimes it is the simplest things in life that touch the soul. comments (12) | email this | print | permalink Art of Holding Babies--posted by Rod, on Mar 12, 2008
comments (13) | 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 (14) | email this | print | permalink Walking a Mile in a Homeless Man's Shoes--posted by Timbo, on Jan 16, 2010
comments (20) | email this | print | permalink Service With A Smile at the Sprint Store--posted by yoyo, on Sep 26, 2008
comments (17) | email this | print | permalink Doggie Day Care--posted by FalseMonkeyPuzzle, on Oct 6, 2008 One of my pleasures has always been to make friends out of people I encounter on a regular basis. This has sometimes led to wonderful unexpected gifts beyond the obvious happiness of setting up outposts of friends. 10 years ago, I was a "career professional" working as a programmer in a bank. Like many people, I was unhappy in my job, feeling completely unfulfilled, and occasionally having anxiety attacks about my life passing by without meaning. Banks have a strange corporate structure, doling out the title of "Vice President" rather liberally to miscellaneous positions of middling authority. My job had been bestowed ... comments (21) | email this | print | permalink A Nursing Home "Gardener"--posted by speedi, on Dec 18, 2008 My daughter reminded me yesterday of a story that happened several years ago. I worked in a nursing home for several years and had kind of adopted one wing, where the residents had few guests/visitors, and stayed manily in their rooms or in the hallway outside there rooms. I went down on my breaks just to check in, to see if anyone needed or wanted a bit of extra TLC. I gave them "flower" nicknames so I could share some of there stories with my kids without revealing there identities. The residents all knew I had nicknames for them. I ... comments (14) | email this | print | permalink A Box of Smiles With A Letter--posted by MakeSomeoneSmile, on Mar 19, 2009
comments (25) | email this | print | permalink A 10-Year Old Teacher Tips Us in Life--posted by tressyanne, on Jun 12, 2009 In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "Miss, how much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Okay then, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now, more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The ... comments (20) | email this | print | permalink A Teacher's Gift--posted by Modestobob, on Sep 18, 2009
comments (18) | email this | print | permalink The Business of Respect and Kindness--posted by Tom Stein, on Oct 10, 2009
comments (8) | email this | print | permalink How Kindness Changed My Life--posted by gianjot, on Oct 25, 2009
During my travels over the weekend I was able to give lots of sincere compliments and do little things to make people happy. Just little things like helping a lady open a door or complimenting a friend on her lovely voice. I had time this weekend to reflect on how different my life is now. It is so strange to know that all this happiness was there, but I just couldn't see it or reach it. I was afraid to do nice things for people, I don't know why. Maybe because I was shy. I would think of something kind to do, but then talk myself out of it during an internal dialogue in my own mind. When I joined this site one of the quesitons I asked was, 'Is it being 'holier than thou' to do the act of kindness or should I do it anyway?' Many gave me wonderful advice and one person wrote 'to do it, but do it humbly'. I really want to thank all of you on this site.
comments (15) | 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 (7) | email this | print | permalink The Bus Ride That Changed My Life--posted by maxx, on Feb 3, 2010 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 ... comments (54) | email this | print | permalink Teenager Fills a Neighbor's Empty Cupboards--posted by Tabby, on Dec 20, 2009
comments (14) | email this | print | permalink Showing Kindness to Even the Smallest Beings--posted by timcollardey, on Feb 8, 2010
comments (8) | email this | print | permalink A Night With The Homeless--posted by AsianWoman, on Feb 12, 2010
comments (22) | email this | print | permalink A Special Blessing That Lasted A Lifetime--posted by tgerdy, on Mar 14, 2010
comments (13) | email this | print | permalink A Simple Yet Unforgettable Lesson In Helping Others--posted by nirvjennymj, on Mar 24, 2010 It's the middle of the night and I find writing this blog nothing short of imperative. As I've been sitting on the floor in my disheveled room, I began to recall such an important moment in my life. Some might pass it off as "dumb" or "unimportant", but for me, it has held a great magnitude of power over my mind and how I live my life. Something so simple, yet so precious has lingered inside my mind for years now. It was a very cold winter evening when a friend of mine had attempted suicide and was rushed to Westchester Medical Center ... comments (19) | email this | print | permalink A Soldier, His Wife, And Their Service--posted by bob.brunson, on Jul 8, 2010 I had just entered the elevator on the third floor of the medical center after a simple check up. As I entered I noticed an old gentleman in a wheelchair with a little old lady behind him. I noticed his baseball cap with WWII on the front. Most likely, a veteran of World War Two, I assumed. Just making small talk, I said, "so, you were in the big one." His answer stunned me. He said, "Yes, I went overseas a strapping young newlywed and I came back in this thing," slapping each side of the wheelchair with his hands. I stared at him, ... comments (7) | email this | print | permalink All It Takes Is A 10 Second Thought--posted by PS, on Sep 7, 2010 I've been so inspired by everyone's thoughts and reflections that I thought I'd take the plunge and continue a recent practice of stepping out of my comfort zone and sharing this story. Last Friday, I was coming home late after spending time with friends andthought I'd go down to the $.99 cent pizza place. On the way, I saw a man sitting on a random stoop. I'd seen him before, panhandling on the stairs I walk up every day as I leave the subway running late to work, but this time I had no place to rush off to. There was something about ... add comment | email this | print | permalink
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I am a mother of two and always have had a special spot in my heart for people that have spent many years on this earth. I somehow fall into these peoples lives for some reason or another. 
The wife had an appointment after work and as she doesn't like to drive she asked me when I picked her up from work if I could take her.
She said she'd take about an hour and she'd understand if I didn't want to wait and I said sure I'll drive. Our downtown, small as it is, can get crowded at times especially this time of the year.
While sitting in a parking spot reading my book, I had noticed this one car had made two trips past me looking for parking. I thought how lucky I was to have a spot ... 
"Where to?" the rickshaw driver asks me with his mouth full of tobacco. "Vijay Char Rasta," I say. I'm headed to meet a few friends to talk about the purpose of life and things like that. :)
After some light conversation, the rickshaw driver and I quickly become friends. "Are you from Ahmedabad?" he asks me. "No, I'm just visiting a friend." "Just a visit?" "Yeah, he's opening a restaurant and he wanted my parents to inaugurate it. I'm helping him launch the café."
"Café? You mean, it's like a Barista?" he asks showing his knowledge about the ... 
I had a friend that every time you walked in her door for a visit, her greeting was "Hi Honey". She had a way of saying it by dragging it out as she said it, that made me feel like she was so glad to see me. We met several years ago when her husband was admitted to our Hospice program. I got in on that admission as I was on call the Saturday he was admitted. We hit it off right away, and my friendship with her continued even after her husband died.
We visited together once or twice a ... 
"Carol Lee?" On our flight to New Orleans, the "Fasten Your Seat Belts" sign had just come on. Carol Lee was reading her book. She lifted her head, "What do you want to do in life?" I asked. I expected her to say she wanted to travel to Europe.
Carol Lee turned to me and said, "I would like to hold babies."
"Hold babies?" I was stunned. "You've got grandchildren."
"I would like to work in a hospital nursery and just hold the newborns."
Newborns? Her desire was one to ponder, which I did with each salty peanut I crunched. I looked out my ... 
This was a wonderful experience. It happened about three years ago and it has had a strong impact on me. I would like to pay tribute here to two men I do not know personally but whose actions gave a new meaning to the words kindness and generosity.
I was walking down a busy street in the financial district on a cold, windy day in early winter. A barefoot homeless man, probably about 60, was begging for change on a street corner.
A BMW pulled up on the other side of the street and stopped and an immaculately dressed executive stepped out of ... 
Yesterday I upgraded my cell phone at the Sprint store and got the new Rumor. I love it. While I was standing there, I was thinking to myself, "These people are providing GREAT customre service, I wish I could tip them or something." I was so geeked about my new phone, it didn't even dawn on me that I could tip them with a smile card and some cash and say "Go get yourself a coffee or something."
But another very happy customer in the store did it for me by leaving $5 on the counter. The employee said, "Sir, we can't accept ... 
When I was 13 years old I used to babysit for the lady next door. Every 2 weeks she would pay me $80. I always looked forward to getting paid so I could go to the mall with my friends on Saturday and spend my money that took me two weeks to earn.
One Friday evening I heard my Mom on the phone with our neighbor and I heard her say a few times, "Oh that is horrible," After my Mom got off the phone I asked what was wrong. She said that the neighbors had no food in their house and the she didn't know what ... 
Most of us have a few experiences each day that make us laugh or grin for a short period of time. If we are lucky, we may cross paths with something that makes us grin for a day or two. If we are truly blessed, somewhere on our path we are able to be part of something that will make us grin for the rest of our lives. I need to share such an event with you, with the hope that you would consider a similar project in your community.
I am a building contractor from Lynchburg, Virginia. I have been ... | Home | About Us | Get Involved | Contact us |  |  |  |