Forget money - Kindness is what really makes the world go round.
Have you ever realized how much a kind gesture can change the world? Your kindness and goodwill may not seem like a large scale contribution to society, but that one decision to help another person can impact their entire life. With so much uncertainty in the world, and the lack of control we seem to have over most things, the least we can do is be kind to each other.
Redditor u/4reddityo asked people What is the kindest thing you've done or seen?, and heartwarming and wholesome stories of good deeds poured in.
10. Mom's uniting
"When my wife gave birth to our firstborn, the woman she had shared a ward with while in the early stages of labour had a stillbirth.
After giving birth, rather than spending time bonding with her newborn, my exhausted wife gave me our son and spent 3 hours comforting and consoling this woman. Something about the bond of mothers seemed to connect them.
The woman and her husband have since become close family friends and had two beautiful children after this - they still credit the support we (mostly my wife) gave them in the period of time after the stillbirth, especially in those three hours, with helping them get through their grief."
9. Servers supporting servers
Giphy"I was a server for a while and my coworker was pretty new. They'd sent most staff home because it was late and, how it always happens, we got super busy. My coworker was struggling and got a terribly rude table. They didn't seem to understand that they weren't the only customers in the restaurant and we were understaffed. They made her cry and have a meltdown. We've all been there, so I took over the table and, after they left, put $15 on the table so she would see she got a 'tip' from the table. I never told her I put money on the table for her, and seeing her confidence grow from that was what I was hoping for (her response after was something like 'wow! I must not be as terrible of a server as I thought I was! Maybe I'm getting the hang out it after all')."
8. This stranger kept cool during a freak accident
"I broke my foot while bouldering a week into my semester abroad. I had never been out of the country before, so I was absolutely panicking. A total stranger came right over after I fell, recorded important info for the paramedics, and spent the next ten or so minutes while waiting for the ambulance asking me questions about my studies and my research (I'd mentioned I was a student). He asked such thoughtful questions and was so kind and able to calm me down even though I was absolutely freaking out."
7. Being able to see the impact your donation has is eye opening
"I donated stem cells to a stranger. I matched with them almost a year ago and the procedure was completed in December. It's a very impersonal experience because of the anonymity of it. I didn't know anything about the patient I was donating to and they knew nothing about me.
It wasn't until I received a letter from her (this morning no less) that it really hit me how much of an impact it had on her life. For me it was a cheek swab I did in college four years ago and then a random email saying that I had matched with someone. It was eye opening to read her letter because after the pandemic I hadn't really thought about it for awhile. Of course, it was a profound experience donating lifesaving stem cells to someone, but not knowing where those cells were going after the procedure left me feeling sorta empty."
6. This amazing gift idea requires kindness from many
"I reached out to dozens of people my dad has known and told me stories about throughout the years - cousins, relatives, coworkers, groomsmen, friends throughout his adult years, friends from childhood, and even from his recently-deceased dad before he passed away. I asked them if they could share a memory or picture they had of him.
I was overwhelmed by the responses! So many people wrote back, even people I had missed but had heard about it through the grapevine! It was so kind of those people to dig through their archives and spend the time to do that.
I compiled them all into a box and gave it to him for his 60th birthday. My dad and the rest of our family all really enjoyed reading the letters and seeing long lost photographs."
5. This heroic bus driver
"In 6th grade, it was 2 stops away from my stop a man was just laying on the sidewalk, our bus was stopped for a long time, I noticed the bus driver wasnt on the bus and I looked outside and the guy was just laying there, our bus driver is rlly nice so her being the nice lady she is she rushes out of the bus, check his pulse and calls an ambulance, the bad part was some people on my bus were talking ***** saying 'I bet he overdosed on something' and almost after that my mom comes to pick me up, turns out the next day our bus driver said 'The man from yesterday didn't overdose, he went into diabetic shock (or I think that's what she said' but she basically saved someone"
4. This is why "If you see something, say something" works
"An older gentlemen tried to ship an envelope to his 'grandson' from a shipping company I worked at. The way he acted and the things he said threw up too many red flags in my head, so (against company policy), I opened the envelope after he left and inside of it was 5 figures in cash. I called the cops and told them to get in touch with the man and try to figure out what was going on. As it turns out, someone had called the older man and said his grandson was in the hospital and if they didn't send the money he would get a surgery that was badly needed. The older man couldn't get in touch with the grandson by phone so he panicked and sent the money to the address they provided. We were able to stop it from happening and get the money back to him. He said it was basically his life savings.
The story kind of got big and the news ran a story on it and apparently its a scam that happens to a lotttt of old people. We started this kind of club to reach out to nursing homes and try and educate people about it, and a lot of people were not aware of anything like that happening. A lot of good came from me just being nosey."
3. They went above and beyond for a stranger
"I was talking to some random guy in the bar, and he said he was having surgery the next day and didn't have someone to pick him up after. I ended up driving him there, sitting with him before he went back, calling his parents when he got out, sitting with him in recovery, picking up his post op meds, driving him home, and making sure he was okay before I left. Never saw him again, and that's okay."
2. Even after so many years, this dad was a great friend
"My Dad ran into an old high school friend he hadn't seen in years. He learned that the man had cancer, that he had no family except a son in college in another state and that he was basically dealing with it all by himself. So my Dad started taking him to his appointments and out to lunch. He even organized how to take his crazy number of prescriptions since it was confusing to figure out when to take them when they all had different times and requirements (There were about 18 of them I think he said). Then, when his friend died, my Dad helped his son do all of the end of life arrangements. My Dad is my hero. He is such a giving person and I strive to be like him."
1. This hoop found the perfect home
Giphy"I saw a neighbor boy practicing his jump shot into some tree branches in his front yard. I had a portable hoop in the back from when I moved in that was taking up space. So I walked over and offered him the hoop for free. I only lived there for the next year or 2, but it was almost non-stop basketball dribble next door after that. I saw him, his sister, parents, aunts, uncles, even a grandparent or 2 all take a couple shots at the hoop over time. It felt good to know his family got so much use out of it."
Do you have something to confess to George? Text "Secrets" or "" to +1 (310) 299-9390 to talk to him about it.
People Break Down The Kindest Thing A Stranger Has Ever Done For Them Without Asking For Anything In Return
It's comforting to know that there is still some good in the world. There are so many genuinely kind people that exist, and with the way the world is now, it can be easy to lose sight of that. A lot of people have really big hearts, and are willing to help another person in need- even if they're a stranger. Here are a few stories of encounters with kind strangers.
u/keepcalmandbecalm asked: What's the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for you, without asking for anything in return?
What a kind soul.
I was totally down on my luck living out of a hotel, I did have a job but not enough money to stay there until my check came.
A friend of mine bought me lunch and was telling that they couldn't help with much but this is what they had, which was $300 short.
I guess we had talked about it but I don't remember. The next thing I know this guy at the next table is leaving and he tells me not to go until he comes back.
His girlfriend / wife stayed behind even though they had paid the bill. He was back in a few minutes and he hands me $300.
I asked him for his contact info and said he didn't want it back and to keep working to stay off the streets. The man literally stopped my mom and I from becoming homeless.
I still have a job and I am in a nice apartment now but I will always remember that man's generosity. I have tried to help other people as much as I can to pay him back in some way.
Thanks for the question. It reminded me of one man's generosity of spirit and kindness and I think we all need that right now.
Happy Valentine's Day.
GiphyA stranger bought myself and my ex dinner on Valentine's Day and the waitress said he was so happy to do it. I guess he was a widower, and doing a kind thing was enough to keep him happy through tough times. Thank you stranger.
That's so heartwarming!
It really makes a difference.
I was 18 and living away from home for the first time (from the UK, moved to Canada). I couldn't afford much so I'd walked two miles through the snow to buy bedding in a discount shop and was having a miserable day. The woman in front of me in the cashier queue put $50 on a store voucher card, handed it to me and walked away before I had a chance to react.
In the middle of a tough day, it really made a difference. Definitely the most memorable random act of kindness I've ever experienced.
That was kind of her.
When I was in Middle School, I crashed my bike in front of the supermarket. It wasn't bad, but I was shaken up. An older lady pulled over and picked me up and took me back to my home. I don't remember her name. It was so sweet.
I'd cry too.
GiphyI was struggling through college, had maybe $30 in my account and REALLY needed gas (I commuted 25 miles to campus every day). I pull in and it's full, but a guy waves me down to pull in behind him. He says "hey I bought more than I needed so there's about $10 of gas still on there."
I almost started crying, because that got me almost four gallons of gas. It really helped me out in a bad time, and I'm forever grateful.
50K tickets.
Some old couple gave my son 50k tickets at the arcade.
The husband was dying, this was their last trip, and had been collecting tickets for over 10 years.
That's a beautiful gesture.
Last year, we had to take our dog of 17 years to the vet to be put to sleep. It is a small office, so I am sure our bawling was easily heard from our room as we sat with her in final moments. As we were leaving, we had a nice conversation with a lady that happened to be picking up her dog. She offered her condolences, and the vet said I could just come back tomorrow to pay our bill.
I called the next day to find out how much I owed and found out that nice lady had paid our bill for us. That is easily the nicest thing a stranger has done for me.
Very sweet.
GiphyWhen I was homeless and living in my truck my truck broke down.
There was a guy who lived in a house across the street from where my truck broke down and he came out and helped me figure out that the alternator had died, took me to the auto parts store paid for my new alternator and they said that it would be the next day before it would get in.
He offered to let me spend the night at his house with his family and I got to shower and a good meal and a place to sleep and the next day he took me back to the auto parts store to pick up the alternator helped me install it and gave me a little bit of cash to send me on my way.
He's a good dude and I hope everything's still going great for him.
Pay it forward.
When I was 19, had a flat tire and a kind stranger and his daughter were walking past and the dad stopped to changed my flat without any hesitation. After that, I asked my dad to teach me and have helped people change their tire.
Thanks Connie!
An old lady I met on an Amtrak train when I was ten years old found out I was interested in coins. She asked me for my address and promised to send me "a couple books."
A few weeks later, a big package arrived on my doorstep. Inside was her entire coin collection, most of it carefully cataloged and arranged in coin books.
Thanks, Connie, I still think of this!
They say actions speak louder, yet some words are hard to forget.
A confidence boost can last a lifetime. Genuine and kind words can feel hard to come by, and so when we do receive a heartfelt compliment, it can really improve our mood.
Redditor u/BiggestFlower asked, "What's the best compliment you ever received?" And people shared heartwarming stories of when others were suprisingly kind to them.
20. Actually charming!
"I have social anxiety, I'm always apologizing for how awkward I am, people always tell me they didn't even notice because I'm really charming.
I disagree, but thank you"
19. When you actually inspire other people
"someone told me that they wish they could be the type of person i was like they aspire to be"
18. Let your laugh loose
Giphy"My boyfriend once told me he loves the way I laugh and thats the reason he always tries to be funny around me. My laugh sounds stupid as hell but Ive definitely laughed a lot more ever since"
17. Being the favorite friend is great
"My friend told me her mom (who is extremely picky amongst her friends) said I was her favorite. So that's a bunch of happiness noises from me."
16. Some much needed reassurance
"'Doesn't matter what you do, you'll always be my friend.' I'm very afraid to do or say the wrong thing and lose the few friends i do have. So that was very sweet."
15. Making a difference in someone's day
"I used to work in a call centre and took a call from a woman. She was crying for pretty much the whole call but halfway through she said to me 'Your voice sounds nice, I'm glad you answered the phone. I wouldn't have been able to talk to anyone else'. I left that job over two years ago but that has always stuck with me."
14. I'm kind of jealous...
"Being voted most unique by my high school class. I know those stupid things don't mean anything, but everyone else was asking for votes. I didn't ask for any votes, and I'm just happy to know that I was the weird kid in school completely legitimately. I didnt have to ask for any votes."
13. Cool snap back
"When a girl I crushed on hard told me I looked good wearing my snap back. It just felt very genuine and she is good with body language."
12. And you're no loser!
"Had to leave a P. E lesson in high school to do an exam, one of my classmates said 'good luck' and the P. E teacher said 'luck's for loosers mate he won't need it'. Still think about that when I need a bit of encouragement."
11. Children speak the truth
"Not the best but the funniest. My five year old nephew told me:'You look old but you don't act old'"
10. A false compliment
Giphy"Somebody once told me I was the rare person who always tries to do the right thing even when there's nothing to be gained or there are consequences.
I mean, she's wrong, but it was nice."
9. Oof, indeed
"I was the best man at my friend's wedding, and his mother-in-law said that she wished her daughter married me instead. Oof."
8. Great feedback is always welcome
"Philosophy prof told me that my student lecture on Schopenhauer was the best student lecture he heard in his career, and he had assigned a lecture to every student, every semester, for decades."
7. A graduation farewell
"That I could light up a million lives through the warmth of my personality. My teacher wrote this for me on my graduation."
5. A compliment can be life changing
"Someone once completed my biggest insecurity growing up.
He said he liked the shape of my nose."
4. High school compliments are unforgettable
"When I was 16 I got my braces off and was sitting at the lunch table at school afterwards. A hot and popular girl from my grade was walking by and said 'Whoa, you got your braces off. Let me see.' So I smiled and she said 'Wow, you look good... Like REALLY good!' And as a male that's one of the only compliments I've ever directly gotten. I'm 36 now and still remember it."
3. Cargo shorts 1, haters 0
"Right before the coronavirus my wife and I went ziplining. We were on our way to the set up and a daughter (maybe 5 or 6 years old) of one of the guys that was in our group said that she really liked my shorts. Take that cargo-shorts haters, you'll never steal my moment."
2. Untamable hair is beautiful
Giphy"I was out with my grandma and her friend and we were finishing lunch. Throwing our trash away when a stranger told me that I had beautiful hair. My hair doesn't want to listen to me and often poofs and frizzes, so this made me smile."
Do you have something to confess to George? Text "Secrets" or "" to +1 (310) 299-9390 to talk to him about it.
Raising a child takes a village, actually it takes the population of the world. We're all in the creation of a human together but we rarely take part. And even in adulthood people need help for survival from those that are not blood. Sometimes all anyone needs is a hug to let them know they aren't alone in the world. That can make all the difference. Some people are just born parents, not just to their own children but all others and they have know idea of the difference they make to others.
Redditor u/GreenChorizo wanted to know who has benefited from the kindness of parents that are not their own by asking.... What's the nicest thing someone else's parents did for you?
The View.
My mother and father in law showed up to my dad's viewing after he died since my wife (my best friend at the time) couldn't be there. I had not expected to see them and I was blown away that they'd come. Hynjia
As their Son.
My best friend's parents basically took me in as their son, I don't have a bad relationship with my parents or anything but when I lived with my dad during the summer I basically never left their house. They took me everywhere with them. I still consider them my adoptive family and see them every week since I moved back to my hometown. alltgethings1776
Refill.
GiphyMy girlfriend's Dad refilled my lunch account with money without me even saying anything about it. A swell guy he is. AtticusNari
Tears.
The first time I visited my bf's country his parents cried on the airport while dropping me off and later told me they cried on the car for the whole one hour drive back home. japzilian_de
'Happy Birthday'
One year my dad was in hospital recovering from a heart attack and I didn't really celebrate my birthday because we were all visiting, helping my mum and generally worrying about him. No big deal, didn't matter to me at all.
The next weekend I went to stay with a friend from uni and crashed at her parents' house. At dinner time they brought out a cake with candles and sang 'Happy Birthday' because she'd told them about everything that was going on. I thought it must be someone else's birthday at first! So kind of them and I've never forgotten it. charlie1701
anonymous.....
GiphyWhen my mother's mental illness was at her worst, my then-bf's mom learned that we had no heat (but electric was okay), and she bought multiple electric space heaters for us.
Later, the mother of my sister's best friend (at least, I strongly suspect it was her, but it was technically anonymous . . . whoever it was though, was definitely a parent) paid for my mother to go to a psychiatric hospital for a week.
Overall, so many parents and teachers in my town pitched in to make sure my sister and I were okay when our single mother's mental health went off the walls. There was the mom who dropped by to check on us every evening when we were home alone for a week when my mom was in said psychiatric hospital; another who brought us food. I'm sure I don't even know all the acts of kindness people did and I'm tearing up just thinking about it. sazed_sassypants
Bye Dad.
I am transgender. When I was 19, I got my top surgery and my unaccepting (at the time) father verbally berated me and manipulated me into thinking that because I went through our insurance, I screwed the family over (he basically told me that insurance works like a credit card and that I used up all the money the family had and no one in the family could use our insurance for the rest of the year thanks to me).
I couldn't handle the verbal abuse, and my family already treated me like garbage, so I decided to live in my car until I could live on my own, but my friends mom (who is a nurse) discovered this, and she offered to bring me in to their home and took care of me while I recovered. She changed my bandages and asked lots of questions so she could learn about my experience transitioning. On the day I moved there, the whole family stayed up late watching bad horror movies and they invited me to join. It was the first time I ever felt part of a family.
On Thanksgiving they even had me eat with them and asked my opinion about a name to give the new family puppy. She even offered to house me longer than I had intended , but I was ready to be on my own. I have always held her in the highest regard. The friend I stayed with is still very dear to my heart, even if we have become a little distant. fayekingdrag
Med School Future.
GiphyGood friend's dad who coached us back in the day in football, was on the head committee at my high school and he fought singlehandedly for me not to get kicked out my senior year, when I got a DUI. Kind of one of those who you know type of situations, but some people told me he was the only reason I got to stay. I feel like it definitely would have thrown my life path off a bit. I'm in medical school now. catfishjimmy39
Teeth.
The dentist mom of a friend identified a dental problem i had upon meeting me once and hooked me up with a cream that helped within a week. The-Tewby
Shoe Help.
Only thing I could think of on the fly was they bought me the steel toe boots I needed for my new job. My first payday was a two weeks away, my payday from my old job was keeping the lights on and food for the family, and I had to start work in two days. I told my buddy my problem, and asked if he had an extra pair laying around.
He said he didn't but he's check with his dad. They called me the next morning and told me they'd go to the store and buy me a pair. I got the cheapest pair they had but it got me started and I was able to pay them back and get me really good pair later. But at the time it certainly was a selfless gesture from two wonderful people. sbashe5
Best Dad Ever.
GiphyAfter a long term GF and I broke up, her dad would still call me up whenever he was in town and take me out for food because he missed finding new restaurants with me and wanted to make sure I was getting out of my apartment and my head.
I don't miss my ex, but I do miss her dad. i_draw_boats
Escape.
The parents of my best friend let me live with them for a month to help me escape from my abusive mother. I was 14. I didn't tell her but the police did. vankerina
Next Sunday.
Gf's mom helped pay my rent twice never asked her too let her know she didn't have to her reply? "She loves you. your family to us. I would do this for her I'm gonna do it for you" plan on getting engaged next Sunday. tolandxiv
Good people.
My dad died of cirrhosis when I was 17. He went into the hospital and stayed there for 3 weeks before he passed. In that time, my girlfriend's parents immediately offered me their home as my own. The fed me 3 meals/day. Made sure I had clean clothes. More importantly, they were there for me mentally. We had long talks. They legitimately cared about me and I'm so grateful for that. That was over 20 years ago and I still think about them. Good people. Sirnando138
In Grief.
GiphyThey came to my dad's funeral. I wasn't expecting them to be there, but the whole damn family showed up. It meant so much to me, that they were there. QueenMoogle
forever grateful.....
My parents thought going to the movies were a waste of money. The only way I can watch them is on cable, many months after. So my aunt found out about that and took my sister and I, along with her own kids to watch awesome movies like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and many more fantasy and scifi films. It sounds so simple but it was a pretty big deal for a kid. I'm forever grateful. rootingfordaenerys
My first love's mom bought me a car. I've always felt guilty about it. I don't deserve good people to do good thing like that for me... That car made it possible for me to do so many things. I probably wouldn't be where I am today without her generosity. Outrageous_Claims
My Fabulous Future.
My future wife's parents treat me as one of their own. They are some of the nicest people I've ever known. They completely accept me and don't judge me. I can safely say they are the parents that I wish I had. Reddit
Include Everyone.
My best friend had divorced parents who struggle financially and an abusive step dad. My parents made it a point to always include her in our vacations, and trips. Always let her spend the night or come to dinner with us whenever we wanted. She was basically my sister. During the summer she'd spend 2-3 weeks just chillin' with us.
Her dad had another family in Mexico and her mom was broke but worked a lot and always told her she was a burden. She's been my best friend for 10 years now. I'm really proud of my parents for including her in everything we did with no question. It was like "of course she's coming, if her mother's ok with it" <3. Admirable-Cat
Stay With Me.
GiphyLet me sleep in their basement, fed me warm meals, and let me shower at their house for weeks while I was kicked out of my house at 18 in the middle of a particularly cold winter.. All against the wishes of my parents who they were friends with. My second family showed up to help when my own family would not. Got so much love for them for that. I felt as though I had lost absolutely everything at that point in my life. They stayed by me. Whodamamuh