Years ago when I was a young woman in my 20's I was heading to work, but I was a bit late. I run to the tram and was quite close to catching it when the doors closed. One raggedy man I knew was one of many of the homeless in the area saw me. He pushed the button knowing the tram would not leave with doors open and I was able to jump in. I only had time to say a quick thank you. I never forgot that because I knew this man did not have money to ride at all. Yet, he had the gift of kindness.

Maria Lehtman

At a busy coffee shop, a customer noticed the person behind them was short on cash. Without hesitation, they quietly paid for that person's order along with their own, giving a small nod and smile as they left.

Jim Davis

My friend's neighbor whom I have known for some years has dementia now. He was always a very proud carpanter, construction guy. He looked lost. The other day visiting my friend I saw their fence is down and is being fixed. I asked what happened to their fence and why it needs fixing. She said "it really did not need any repair. You know our neighbor who has dementia; he cannot hold any jobs anymore so we wanted him to take our fence down and do it again. He feels so happy that he has a job now!" This is true kindness.

Brooke Erol

However you define or describe it, COMMUNITY and SPREADING HAPPINESS go hand in hand. With ALL the various communities out there, there are limitless ways in which we can spread HAPPINESS on a daily basis. Last week, I decided to bake chocolate chip cookies –from scratch– for my neighbors. I thought it would be a LOVELY way to introduce myself, as well as FUN, DELICIOUS project!!! Smiles were had while baking (I got my parents involved), smiles were had while delivering, and my heart was overflowing with HAPPINESS, GRATITUDE, and LOVE as I met new neighbors and received heartfelt thank you(s) ...

Amanda Lindsey

Kindness, to me, comes in the form of making time for one another. It’s the person who picks us up from the airport or offers to drive us somewhere when we don’t have our car. In June, a group of people came to Chicago, from multiple locations, to support a friend who was putting on a first-time event. No one was paid to be there, they simply showed up. The small things don’t get as much “press”, but they change the course of our heart. Seeing, hearing, understanding, and simply being present. Ask yourself: "Who will I be present for?"

Susan LePlae Miller

On a crowded subway train, a pregnant woman entered but couldn't find a seat. A teenager wearing headphones noticed, immediately stood up, and offered his seat to her. He then helped steady her as the train started moving, ensuring she was comfortably seated before moving to stand by the doors.

George Peterson

I have been a Holistic Executive Life Coach for 8 years. Just a few weeks ago, in the morning I saw that one of my clients whom I have worked with for almost 6 years had left me a message. Being in the middle of a large summit, I hurried onward without listening. I had experienced the most challenging day! I was truly considering throwing in the towel on my business. When I circled back to her message, it was filled with kindness, encouragement, and gratitude for the journey we have shared. I am still coaching today because of it.

Jenny Ford

As I was leaving a friend's home, her grandson said I could not leave without a cookie. He ran to the kitchen to give me one. What a beautiful heart.

Mary Lippit, Palm Harbor, FL, USA

I was at a wedding of a good friend and co-worker not long ago. Her father daughter dance with her Dad was emotional to watch for many, as he had been recently been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. As a friend to her, it was a beautiful thing to see, but as a father to my own daughter, it was emotional, augmented by tears of… joy? Sadness? I’m not sure which, but I found it innocent in a world that I consider to have gone somewhat mad. It was a reminder of how quick we exist in this world, and how we should spend as much time as possible not being angry or swept up in popular opinion.

Andy Books

I accidentally paid for too much time to park. I gave the ticket, with two hours of parking left, to a man with a young family waiting to pay at the machine. He said, "Are you sure? It's very kind of you." The smiles I got from him and his wife made my day!

Nick Heap

I used to travel quite a bit for work, and I always watched for anyone who needed help hoisting their luggage in or out of the overhead. It's such a simple act: "Can I help?" Most people were grateful for the help. A few declined with "I got it, thanks." My wife, who still travels extensively, is relatively short, so I always ask if someone helped her with her suitcase. Without question, someone did. It's funny how you carry an act of kindness throughout the day, whether you're the recipient or the giver.

Jeff Ikler

My word for this year is love, specifically giving love. Last week, I received a beautiful, hand-painted card from my girlfriend. It read, "Dear Nathalie, This card was always meant for you, a reminder of your 2025 resolution and beyond. I am blessed beyond words to have you as a friend. Love you, Mon Ami." The fact that she mailed it made it even more special; it truly brightened my day.

Nathalie Villeneuve

During a rainstorm, an elderly man was struggling with his umbrella at a crosswalk. A passing stranger stopped, sheltered the man with their own umbrella, and carefully helped him cross the street before continuing on their way.

Mary Martin

Daily, I connect with someone; share smiles and good cheer to elevate them. Recently, I told a stranger she radiated joy. She smiled, saying “You made my day.” The woman shared that she visited an elderly relative, perhaps for the last time and felt good about it. We talked about how fleeting life can be. I spoke of caregiving for my mother. No matter how hard it was, I felt grateful and blessed to be there in her final years to love and support her. The woman hugged me. It was beautiful and we went on, uplifted from the brief yet precious connection.

Dr. Jo Anne White

Just look for the helpers and you will see abundant kindnesses and a thriving, caring community (as Mr Rogers' Mom taught him). I witness this almost everyday within the pickleball groups I regularly play with. These are happy folks who don't hesitate to welcome new players, share their paddles, patiently teach, lend a hand or a empathetic ear, offer a ride, etc. I always look forward with joy and gratitude to participate in such a healthy and positive atmosphere.

R. Marie

Kindness Angel – My mother started creating "Be Kind" signs out of wood scraps over 4 years ago. She paints them white, letters them, and then decorates them with red hearts, and gives them away to anyone who wants one. She brings a stack to appointments and hands them out to receptionists, nurses, and others during her visits. She has produced over FIFTEEN THOUSAND signs so far! This venture has kept her moving and motivated to get up each day, especially when her health is challenged. She’ll forever be known as a kindness angel for spreading kindness through these simple signs.

Rich Gassen

I’ve visited the store for years with our dogs. Last night, I took Jones in to say hi to them all. I haven’t been able to get there lately as they close at 6 PM now. The gal at the register (worked there six years) saw us… and let out a rather loud. “Oh you’re here! I just told my coworker about you and your dogs. Would Jones like a treat?” I noticed something. So I asked, “Hey, how are you? (w/ a head tilt)” She answered, “Terrible, my dad died.” She ran around register and hugged me. After a moment, she released her embrace, taking half-step back. This time, pulling her into a hug, I said, “I get it. I’m sorry. Yeah, I lost my dad two years ago. Wasn’t supposed to die either.”

Paul Haury

As Hurricane Helene bore down on us, our home suffered damage from strong winds and lost power for an extended period. We gathered what food we could and packed our car, setting off northward to escape the storm's aftermath. However, we were unaware of how widespread the destruction was, and soon found ourselves unable to locate shelter or fuel to continue our journey. Stranded in Gaffney, South Carolina, we encountered three kind strangers who came to our aid. These Good Samaritans provided us with gas cans, funnels, and fuel to help us resume our travels. Despite our offers, they refused any payment for their assistance. These unnamed heroes renewed my belief in the inherent goodness of people, and I'm deeply grateful for their selfless acts.

Carol S.

As a therapy dog team, I go to school with my therapy dog, Carmel, to help children become kinder humans and better learners. One day, we were helping second graders in their book project inspired by my dog. They were working in collaboration. At one point, the teacher whispered to me: Look at these two children in the back. They never work together and now they do because Carmel has inspired them to be kind to each other.

Barbara Vokatis

A young child at the park fell and scraped their knee. Before the parents could react, another child playing nearby immediately ran over, offered a colorful bandage from their pocket, and stayed to comfort the hurt child until they stopped crying.

Betty Lucas

In 2004 I went with a small group to Spain to walk the El Camino. In a place so unfamiliar and having been separated from the group for the last 4 days of the trip, I found myself without enough euros to do anything except stay for the remainder of three nights in a monastery. Going into the center of the basilica each morning without enough to purchase a cup of coffee, I panhandled, which put me in a state of humility as I had never felt before. I was a stranger in a foreign country, among strangers who were willing to give one or two euros without question, to a stranger who was in need. Human kindness in a faraway place they gave of themselves.

Linda Forrester Pitocco

While walking through our local park, I witnessed a young man assist an elderly woman who had fallen. He carefully helped her up, checked on her condition, and even offered to call a taxi for her. His quick thinking and selfless act were truly inspiring.

Bill Morrison

A year ago, I lost my husband of two decades to the relentless toll of type 1 diabetes and kidney failure. To cope, I turned to TikTok, sharing my raw grief in one-minute segments. The response was overwhelming. Countless widows reached out, their stories mirroring my own. One woman, Laurie, whose husband had died tragically in a motorcycle accident, connected with me deeply. We shared our experiences, finding solace in a mutual understanding that few others could provide. On the somber anniversary of my husband's passing, Laurie flew across the country to be by my side. Together, we planted a gardenia bush, mixing his ashes into the soil. Her silent presence spoke volumes, offering a comfort that words could never match.

Carol Davis

I work with kids who have experienced tragedy, trauma, and loss. One of my youngest kiddos lost her mother at the hands of her father. An amazing organization called Keepers of the Innocent spent an entire (hot) Saturday constructing a new swing set for her at her caregiver's home. The smile on this child's face was priceless.

Melissa Hughes

While waiting in line at the grocery store, one time, I saw a mother struggling to manage her groceries while keeping her two young children calm. One of the kids dropped their toy, and before she could bend down to pick it up, a man behind her quickly stepped forward, grabbed the toy, and handed it back to the child with a smile. He then offered to help load her groceries onto the conveyor belt. The mother looked relieved and grateful, thanking him for his kindness. It was a simple act, but it made a big difference in her day.

Craig Williamson

For the first time, I was navigating my 92 year young mom in the wheelchair. We were at a small cafe. A few Harley Davidson bikers were inside. They began to move and I apologized for disrupting their lunch. A bit later, one of them greeted us as we exited. He and the shop owner had moved a motorcycle off the street and to a side alleyway. They put the helmet, vest and gloves onto my mom as she sat and leaned by the bike. Such patience, joy and all around heartwarming moments; the kindness of strangers.

Hope Blecher

I was at a grocery store where you have to bring or buy your own bags. When the cashier was bagging my groceries in the bags I brought, we ran out. A kind stranger behind me offered to pay for one of their store's bags for me, even though they were quite expensive. It was a very unexpected and generous gesture.

Margaret Wexler

When my mom was in hospice and nearing her last days on earth, I was touched by the genuine kindness of a nursing home caregiver. After gently lifting my frail mother from her chair and tucking her into bed, the nursing assistant caressed Mom’s head while leaning over her to say, “You are so sweet.” Then she asked how I was doing. Her kindness moved me to tears then and still does today. Hers was a simple act of kindness, but it was just what I needed in that moment. It helped me to cope, knowing that in this woman’s eyes my mom wasn’t just a patient. She cared for and saw her as a person of great worth.

Alyson K.

There are two shows I watched during COVID-19 and have returned to in moments of great cultural sadness. 1) “Dear…” where famous people (eg. Spike Lee, Oprah- actors, activists, athletes, etc) read letters they had received from people whose lives were positively impacted by them. Short, sweet & deeply moving moments of human impact! 2) “The Great British Baking Show” where contestants help each other to plate their dishes, cry when their competitors get voted off, hold hands and hug each other. That sense of supportive unity feels so necessary.

Tamsin Astor

I met respectful Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji (a trendy teacher of Advaita Vedanta) in 2005 – a period of my life wrapped in turmoil and angst. His residential retreats that taught Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita by the banks of the river Ganga, his benevolent disposition in granting me special one-on-one audiences, and even allowing me to even cook for him in his kitchen, brought the much-needed clarity, love, and grounding I needed. He used to say: “You do not just wake up and become the butterfly. Growth is but a patient process”. These words still light me up!

Minnku Buttar

An elderly woman I did not know was approached in the parking lot by a transient asking for money. I could see the frightened look on her face. I approached her, and stood between her and the transient. I could tell then that he was harmless just needing help. I spoke briefly with him, gave him a few dollars. He left and the elderly woman broke down in tears, thanking me, clutching her purse and wanting to offer something in return. I gave her my phone number and said let's have lunch one day, its been several since.

Lynn Forrester Pitocco

Once I was at a café when an elderly woman realized she had forgotten her wallet. As she turned to leave, a young man behind her quickly offered to pay for her coffee and breakfast. She was moved to tears and tried to decline, but he insisted, saying, "Let me make your day better." She accepted with a grateful smile. This small act of kindness uplifted everyone around them, creating a ripple of warmth and connection among strangers. It was a beautiful reminder that even the smallest gestures can brighten someone's day and inspire others to do the same.

Ipek Williamson

While food shopping, I had a beautiful encounter. Greeting a man sitting in a cart, we smiled at each other. I said, "You have the most beautiful smile." He replied, "It's God's smile." We talked about his life, multiple cancer challenges, and bountiful blessings. I then noticed his right leg was completely amputated. Yet here was this man with a radiant smile and bright outlook filled with love, faith, and gratitude instead of anger, callousness, or hopelessness. We shared holiday greetings before parting. Despite his circumstances, he espoused the beauty and wonder of life. I marveled at his outlook—a sweet lesson that whatever we face, we can create beauty and love. Let faith, hope, and love be constant companions, filling you with inner wealth.

Dr. Jo Anne White

The other day, when speaking to a coach, he told me, “In other words, you know what to do, and you do nothing.” What? Nothing? What is he talking about? I’m an action girly. Then…after thinking about it, after feeling what he said, inside the deepest regions of my blood, cells, and wholeness, my body stopped resisting. It stopped denying the truth. He was right. Right on target; hit the nail on the head. And I wanted so profoundly to change that. And I realized how I feel about my voice, the young voice I want to leave behind. Let her go and sail the deepest of seas to the other side of the earth. Every day I grow. And learn. I am beginning to acknowledge and honor my inner strength and it feel delicious!

Ruthie Urman

My university years were a rollercoaster of emotions, and exam season was particularly challenging. A simple act of kindness from a volunteer at a local charity shop made all the difference. They surprised me with a bag of delicious home-cooked meals, saying they wanted to ease my stress. It was the most thoughtful gesture I've ever received. Not only did it help me physically, but it also boosted my spirits and helped me perform better in my exams.

Dean Anderson

I live in a condo community and our power was out for several days. One of our neighbors had a generator and put a power bank outside so that all of his neighbors would be able to charge their cell phones. In addition, he placed a coffee maker out there as well and filled it with water. All you had to do was to bring your own K-Cup! What a thoughtful & wonderful thing to do.

Gloria M.

More than a decade ago, a retired marine's selfless act of donating stem cells gave me a lifeline. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at 20, I was told there was no cure. Thanks to his generosity, I've defied the odds and celebrated my 40th birthday this year. It's a truly remarkable journey, a testament to the incredible advancements in medicine and the power of human compassion.

Linda L.

Human kindness for me is really quite simple. It is waking up everyday and doing a few simple random acts of kindness wherever you may be. It can certainly be a game changer as you never know how the person receiving it may have needed it at the time. Perhaps there really is no better wisdom than kindness. Kindness is compassion. It is the folded bill you place in the homeless mans hand. It is the warm blanket that is placed on the sick persons body. It is the smile that transcends time that is felt by the person feeling unloved or uncared for. As stated in one of my favorite quotes: "Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life." May we continue to bless others with kindness as we too are graced with its blessings in return.

Loree Dittrich