How 15 Simple Acts of Kindness Have Changed Lives Forever
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In the midst of our fast-paced lives, it is the small acts of kindness that have the power to create everlasting memories. Recently, a question sparked a wave of heartwarming stories: “Can you recall a small act of kindness that left an indelible mark on your heart?” This inquiry encouraged individuals to share cherished moments when someone’s empathy and consideration touched their lives. The responses provided by users shed light on the profound impact that even the smallest gestures of kindness can have on the human spirit.
Helping Hand
To begin, a user replied, “I was given access to a shower and a hot meal after being homeless for 9 months.”
Another user added, “When I was younger, my mum was depressed, and we had very little money. It was either heating or eating a lot. An old lady around the corner from us would invite us over for tea sometimes or breakfast before school. She knitted me, my baby sister, and my mum cardigans, socks, and a blanket each during one winter when it was really bad.”
Genuine Compliment
One story was, “My first semester in college was horrible. I was (and still am) in a deep depression. One day I was walking home from school, and a guy running by said, “I like your shirt.” It was that simple. I didn’t know him, and I didn’t care at that moment. It made me feel happy because I got a genuine compliment. When I get compliments from friends or family, I often feel like they are giving me them because they are obligated to. This guy didn’t have to, so it felt real.”
Unexpected Gift
One amazing story was, “I was out of a job at a time when I had to support my mother. Finally landed one, but I had to walk back and forth, and I didn’t have any shoes that would hold up on the walk or the work. Went on Facebook, and Mom asked around for some hand-me-downs we could buy from someone. A day later, a very kind man showed up with a brand new pair of really nice shoes he had just bought me. He left before I could even get any money for him. I cried”
Comfort in Grief
Someone said, “I was at a terrible time of my life at 17, had a bad day at work, and then my train home was 1 hour+ late. I just started crying at the train station and was really wondering if it was all worth it. A woman just held me for a bit while I cried. She was a complete stranger, I’ve never seen her since, but I needed her. I think she saved my life that day.”
Another person shared, “After my Dad passed away, my depression kicked into overdrive. I went to the Doctor and got a prescription for antidepressants. While I was picking up my prescription, I started crying. When I apologized to the pharmacist for crying like a child, the pharmacist said, ” You don’t have to apologize. You recognize you have a problem, and you are trying to fix it. That is a brave thing.” It changed my perspective on treating my mental illness.”
Compassionate Stranger
A user shared, “I was nine years old, waiting for the school bus in Wisconsin winter. I had a thin coat, no hat or gloves. A woman driving past saw me and stopped, giving me a blanket from the back of her car. It was a long skinny one, so she wrapped it around my head and shoulders like a big scarf. I remember thanking her but being confused. I told her I didn’t know how I would give it back when I was done borrowing it. She hugged me and said not to worry. I still have that blanket.”
Food and Drinks
A kind story was, “At work, I was complaining about heartburn once. I was still pretty new to the job. Didnt really have any work friends. Felt like an outsider. My life outside of work was pretty sh****t as well. The bartender on shift overheard me and ran to a nearby coffee shop to get me chocolate milk. It definitely made the heartburn go away, but it was such a needlessly kind act. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. 2 years later, we’re still friends, and she is definitely one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.”
Supportive Teacher
One person shared, “My gym teacher purchased me lunch in 3rd grade after I dropped mine. I’m 34 years old and still remember this.”
A second person said, “I recorded a homemade album with my garage band in high school and handed out a few CDs. A few weeks later, my English teacher approached me with 5 pages of notes on what he liked and what I could improve on. He apparently got the CD from someone at the high school and listened to it all the way through (it was over an hour long). He didn’t know I was the singer and guitar player until he asked the person who gave him the CD. He said that if I ever got a shot in a studio, I would create something amazing. Thank you to all the teachers out there who believe in their students. It makes all the difference to some of us.”
Small Gestures
A funny comment was, “When I was little, I was waiting for my aunt in a supermarket. Whenever someone exited the supermarket, the doors were automatic, so every time someone left, I stood by the doors and pretended to magically open the doors. One person said, “Thank you.”
Rescue and Assistance
One story was, “Riding my bike on a long trip through Canada. With about 50 miles to go, I had a major mechanical failure. Stuck on the side of the road in a foreign country, within 5 minutes at least 10 cars had stopped to check on me. One guy loaded my bike in the back of his truck and drove me 30 miles to the border, where I could catch a ferry back to the US. Amazing kindness and generosity toward a stranger. He just asked that I pay it forward, and to date, I’ve helped 5 cyclists who were broken down in honor of that promise.”
Emotional Support
Volunteer Assistance
A user shared, “I literally coasted into a gas station out of gas on my motorcycle, then realized I didn’t have my wallet. Some lady saw me patting all my pockets, and I was upset and offered to fill up my tank. I only let her put $5 in, which on a bike is a lot. But it meant so much to me.”
Strangers’ Kindness
Another story was, “When I was at school, I helped a girl out when she was having a meltdown in the bathroom. A few weeks later, she pretended to be my friend who had been waiting to meet me when I was being followed home by two guys. We never saw each other outside of those two occasions, but I still think about her and hope she’s doing ok somewhere out there.”
Random Acts of Kindness
One story was, “I was at a concert, and a couple behind me gave me a VIP pass to get a picture with the artist because their friend couldn’t come Never will forget it.”
Empathy in Medical Situations
A scary moment was “I fainted walking up steps on my way to calculus at university. A stranger caught me and put me down on the landing. If it wasn’t for him, I would have gotten very hurt.”
Another moment was, “I broke my foot and was trying to limp my way across campus with crutches in the pouring rain. Someone ran over with their umbrella and walked across campus with me so I wouldn’t get rained on.”
Inclusion and Acceptance
Finally, someone said, “I was bullied in elementary school, and an older boy defended me. He became my first crush, and I still remember him.”
Source: Reddit
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