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Daily Question, June 3

When have I been moved by kindness?

  • Malag

    Looking at the love bestowed on my dog by his nearest and dearest.

  • Dusty Su
    2021 is my year of kindness. I’ve made a personal project of it.Recently, after nearly 12 months of government harassment and stress (I was forced to return to Australia due to COVID after a 40-year absence and didn’t exist on record) kindness overcame.I refused to be unkind when met with unkindness. I refused to lie and dance a non-genuine dance to meet false criteria. I promised myself and all who would listen that I would not stoop to low levels and above all, would be kind no matter what...

    2021 is my year of kindness. I’ve made a personal project of it.Recently, after nearly 12 months of government harassment and stress (I was forced to return to Australia due to COVID after a 40-year absence and didn’t exist on record) kindness overcame.I refused to be unkind when met with unkindness. I refused to lie and dance a non-genuine dance to meet false criteria. I promised myself and all who would listen that I would not stoop to low levels and above all, would be kind no matter what was thrown at me. And a lot was thrown at me. Two weeks ago, at rock bottom, miraculously a patient, low ranking, but kind government worker (a new Australian who understood the struggles) got on board my case. Within minutes he found ways to legitimize me and my claims. Within 24 hours of that, my entire relationship to every government department, caseworker, government counselor, and gp and the impossible requirements they foisted on me, turned into acts of respect and equanimity. Boom, a year of anxiety, depression, being relentlessly devalued dissolved.

    The resolve to be kind and another person’s kind response triumphed all.

    I am celebrating the power of kindness and its wit to win. I am grateful a stranger on the other end of the phone changed everything for me in seconds with his kindness.

    Read More
  • Don Jones

    When I am thinking cold and lonely, the way my kelpie dog comes close without invitation. She is such a pure, loving Soul.

  • Cathie
    Taking my 80+ year old mother on a trip to Europe for her BD, we ended up in Venice Italy for a few nights. One evening, we went out exploring and then planned to find a place to eat. Well, after our short walk-about mom was tired and hungry. And, unbeknownst to us, a cruise ship landed and there wasn’t a table to be found. After trying several restaurants and told they had no table available, we went back to a restaurant at which we had eaten a few days earlier and asked how long the wait. Th...

    Taking my 80+ year old mother on a trip to Europe for her BD, we ended up in Venice Italy for a few nights. One evening, we went out exploring and then planned to find a place to eat.
    Well, after our short walk-about mom was tired and hungry.
    And, unbeknownst to us, a cruise ship landed and there wasn’t a table to be found.
    After trying several restaurants and told they had no table available, we went back to a restaurant at which we had eaten a few days earlier and asked how long the wait. The owner saw us again and said that “mama cannot be made to wait!”
    He setup a table for 3 in a doorway and seated us immediately.
    I was nearly moved to tears at this thoughtful gesture!

    Read More
  • dcdeb

    When walking down a street and someone approached me and gave me a twenty dollar bill.

  • Linda

    Reading all the comments today has made my heart sing! Thank you all for sharing your stories.

  • Vinitha

    I get moved by kindness when some random stranger finds it in his/her heart to help another person without expecting anything in return. To not be noticed by anyone, to not seek validation for his/her act of kindness from other people, but to just going out of your way to help a person when no one is watching. Each act helps the world become a better place. And knowing that people do that moves me.

  • GregC

    When I see someone that needs help, and I think I can help them.

  • Mike S

    Last Sunday I was an usher at our church and an elderly woman walking slowly and steadily with a cane got out of the car and I immediately felt a sense of compassion for her. I asked her her name and she gave it to me as I extend my arm for her to lean on. I helped her up the steps into a seat promising her that the friend she was looking for would find her. It felt to me like a sweet moment, and good.

  • Carol

    I was bullied as a child and seldom felt safe. I found it hard to trust myself and others. But, as an adult, I’ve been the recipient of so many instances of kindnesses that are healing.. Every thing from a gracious smile to being taken in and told I had a home for as long as I needed it. Kindness can be transformative. It opens physical, emotional and spiritual doors. Kindness can move mountains!

  • Toni
    Yesterday I found out that a man I knew who was in recovery for 15 years died of a sudden heart attack. He was known for helping many others who were sick and suffering. A man who he sponsored for 9 years wrote a tribute to him and asked for donations for his burial on a go fund me site. They met at an intervention that was set up on his horse and buggy ride in Central Park when he was at his bottom. That meeting changed his life. Not only was he grateful for his mentorship but made him the best...

    Yesterday I found out that a man I knew who was in recovery for 15 years died of a sudden heart attack. He was known for helping many others who were sick and suffering. A man who he sponsored for 9 years wrote a tribute to him and asked for donations for his burial on a go fund me site. They met at an intervention that was set up on his horse and buggy ride in Central Park when he was at his bottom. That meeting changed his life. Not only was he grateful for his mentorship but made him the best man at his wedding. He praised him for his devotion to helping others and his friendship every time he spoke at an AA meeting. He is paying tribute to his sponsor by a last horse a buggy ride that will end at the funeral home. So far $24,000 has been collected by friends and loved ones.

    Read More
  • Yram

    I fell off a porch step about 3 years ago and broke my femur. No one was around. I called for help and finally three teens heard my plea and came from the park. Salveo alerted my husband and stayed with me until the paramedics took me to the hospital. He even returned the next day to find out from my husband how I was. I have never seen him again. An angel?

    .

  • Chester

    There are daily expressions of kindness in my household, in my workplace, in my daily encounters – it is kindness that binds relationships amidst the myriad of clumsy, intentional and/or unintentional offenses.

  • SK

    When I have received unexpected gifts- plants, for my garden; small hostess gifts; when my PEO ladies picked me up at the airport and got me to Davie’s house late at night; the Pendleton blanket given to me; every kind and wonderful moment I was able to spend with my parents and grandma Ike over the years. Their gifts of love and books and reading were amazing.

    • Mica

      PEO – Wow, SK, that’s a name from my past. My mother’s mother was a member.

  • DeVonna
    One day I was sweeping my front porch when I saw two elementary aged boys begin to beat up another boy. I didn't even throw down my broom but ran out onto the sidewalk and scolded the two boys who were being mean. They hung their heads and submitted to my scolding while I helped the other boy up and brushed him off, and helped him pick up his books. I'm still surprised the boys listened to me. The reason why I intervened is because I've been that picked on boy. I was moved by my own experience...

    One day I was sweeping my front porch when I saw two elementary aged boys begin to beat up another boy. I didn’t even throw down my broom but ran out onto the sidewalk and scolded the two boys who were being mean. They hung their heads and submitted to my scolding while I helped the other boy up and brushed him off, and helped him pick up his books. I’m still surprised the boys listened to me.
    The reason why I intervened is because I’ve been that picked on boy. I was moved by my own experience.

    Read More
  • Trish
    So much kindness has touched my life. One of the most profound incidents occurred many moons ago when I had young children. My husband & I were celebrating our anniversary in San Francisco & I became terribly ill and ended up in the hospital for over a month. My mom flew out to be with me so my husband could be with our children in Michigan. She sat with me everyday, all day for several weeks without one complaint. During that same time I met a doctor whose face is ingrained in my head b...

    So much kindness has touched my life. One of the most profound incidents occurred many moons ago when I had young children. My husband & I were celebrating our anniversary in San Francisco & I became terribly ill and ended up in the hospital for over a month. My mom flew out to be with me so my husband could be with our children in Michigan. She sat with me everyday, all day for several weeks without one complaint. During that same time I met a doctor whose face is ingrained in my head because of his kindness toward me. They both helped to save my life: truly….

    Read More
  • sunnypatti
    Many times, but one of the biggest moments that sticks out in my mind was a little over 4 years ago. I was going thru a divorce and had decided that filing bankruptcy was the next step. My divorce attorney recommended a bankruptcy attorney, and prepared me for the cost of what was going to happen. I go see the bankruptcy attorney, nervous as can be because money was super tight. He goes thru the basics with me, and after listening to my story, he looks at me and tells me he's going to take my ca...

    Many times, but one of the biggest moments that sticks out in my mind was a little over 4 years ago. I was going thru a divorce and had decided that filing bankruptcy was the next step. My divorce attorney recommended a bankruptcy attorney, and prepared me for the cost of what was going to happen. I go see the bankruptcy attorney, nervous as can be because money was super tight. He goes thru the basics with me, and after listening to my story, he looks at me and tells me he’s going to take my case pro bono. Me being me, I instantly start to cry, so he excuses himself and hands me a box of tissues. He did not have to take my case for free, and I will never ever forget his kindness and how it made me feel.

    Read More
  • Michele

    I have been moved by kindness often when you look for it. Yesterday at work, a co worker brought in some bean dip and chips for everyone. The salty went well with the coconut brownies I had brought in. I still remember the young volunteers who clean graves on Memorial/Veterans Day – that kindness was very moving.

  • Kevin
    Kindness, whether receiving or extending, remains as one of the most life-nourishing properties I could ever receive, or, have the privilege and duty to extend to my sisters and brothers whenever possible. One of my favorite Quaker luminaries (1616-1679), had this to say about kindness: “Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; And bearing one with another, And forgiving one another, And not laying accusations One against another; But praying one for another, And helping one anoth...

    Kindness, whether receiving or extending, remains as one of the most life-nourishing properties I could ever receive, or, have the privilege and duty to extend to my sisters and brothers whenever possible. One of my favorite Quaker luminaries (1616-1679), had this to say about kindness:

    “Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness;
    And bearing one with another,
    And forgiving one another,
    And not laying accusations
    One against another;
    But praying one for another,
    And helping one another
    Up with a tender hand.”
    – Isaac Penington

    Read More
  • Howie Geib
    I was leading a tour a few years ago in The Mid South of the US. A historical tour of Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. The guests were all from Britain, and the very first day in Washington DC a single traveller, a woman, fell at the Lincoln Memorial and broke her forearm. It was her dominant hand of course. She was recently widowed and so deeply triggered by this calamitous beginning (and seemingly to her abrupt ending) of her holiday. After discussion she decided to make an effort t...

    I was leading a tour a few years ago in The Mid South of the US. A historical tour of Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. The guests were all from Britain, and the very first day in Washington DC a single traveller, a woman, fell at the Lincoln Memorial and broke her forearm. It was her dominant hand of course. She was recently widowed and so deeply triggered by this calamitous beginning (and seemingly to her abrupt ending) of her holiday.

    After discussion she decided to make an effort to carry on knowing at any time she could decide to curtail her travel and return home. What happened then was all the women in the group took turns helping her each morning get ready for breakfast…as she really couldn’t easily cope with showering and such. She was very embarrassed and resistant to this help, yet the women persisted.

    At the end of the 10 day trip (she made it to the end) she told us all that since her husband had died she had not been able to accept any assistance from anyone. And this trip had forced her to see that her resistance was a kind of pride that wasn’t helpful to her. It was a breakthrough for her.

    Read More
    • Christine

      My widow heart is emotional by this story. It could have been me, and how I would have enjoyed such kindness. Someone once said “not asking for help is not using all your strength”.

      • Mica

        My divorced eyes are wet, Christine and Howie Geib

    • Trish

      Beautiful example of kindness

    • Kevin

      Beautiful Story, Howie. Thank you!

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