More Random Acts of Kindness Stories
From Leslie Smith

Dear Readers

I was a traveling nurse (just recently stopped) and one of the most wonderful times in my life was when I was driving north for Christmas.... I found a $20 bill and decided to put it to use.... I paid for tolls for the people behind me and with that act of kindness--many smiles were brought to others faces as well as mine... some people caught up with me and waved thank you, some had cars full of kids and presents and the waves made my day... so random acts of kindness are wonderful and brought smiles to many people that day... the most fun was trying to get the toll takers to do it... they looked at me as if I had lost my mind when I said--I would like to pay the toll for the 3 people behind me... but some of them really got into it... it is a special memory and one I hold in my heart every day.....

More Random Acts of Kindness Stories
From Kathy Hall

Dear Readers:

We started a Random Acts of Kindness Award in my small elementary school. Each week I hold a meeting called, "Family Meeting" with my fifth graders at Giant City School. We have positive remarks to others and personal statements as part of our meeting. But, the most popular part of our family meeting is our Random Acts of Kindness Award. Students share acts they have witnessed around school and our community during the week. We then vote on the most outstanding act(s) and award the person a trophy "The Fifth Grade Random Acts of Kindness Award." The trophy stays with the person for one week and then returns to fifth grade the following Friday.

In this way we hope to recognize kindness, focus on the positive, and sow seeds of kindness around our school and community. Hopefully they sprout and grow! I know one thing, the children love to talk about the kindness they see in their world. Too often we center on the negative, so we practice on talking about the good and positive parts!

From Aviva Cohen

Dear Readers:

I find that there is nothing more satisfying than doing something nice for someone else. A few weeks ago I was at the corner store, and there was this lady in front of me in line. She seemed very confused when the cashier asked her to pay $38.00. She had about $5.00 in her wallet, and she began to cry. The cashier became very impatient and told her that she cannot buy these items because she did not have enough money. So, I told the cashier not to worry about it, that I would pay the difference. The cashier gave me a funny look, but I really felt for this woman.

Anyway, I paid for my groceries and left the store. When I got outside, the lady was standing there. I asked her what was wrong. She said that she could not remember where she lived, and she began to cry. I named off a few streets around the area but she had no clue. While I was talking to the lady, a car pulled up and a woman jumped out of the car, frantic. It was this lady's daughter. I explained that her mother could not remember where she lived. The daughter told me that she had Alzheimer's Disease and that she had been wandering off a lot lately. Then the daughter noticed that her mother had 3 bags of groceries and wondered where she got the money to pay for them. I was not sure if I should tell her that I paid for them, but I did. 

The daughter wanted to pay me back, and I said no thank you. I really felt sorry for them because they did not look like a well- to- do family. So, the daughter said thank you and I said good bye. I felt so fulfilled and happy right through the day, because making others feel good makes me feel good. I know that if this situation happened again, I would do the same thing.

From Val Warner

Dear Readers:

Leaving the stress of city living behind, my three year old daughter, Jana, and I strolled along the beach. It was our family's first time on Maui - December 1978. Within minutes we spotted a woman wearing a pareo with a plumeria blossom in her hair, and we were mesmerized by the graceful way she sifted through handfuls of sand.

"Niihau shells", she explained. "Sometimes if you're very patient you can find them here". Her name was Taire and each day thereafter I joined her to search for these precious, tiny shells that looked like freckles in the sand. The few I found were added to hers which she later made into necklaces. In our tranquil hours together I learned of Tiare's kindly Polynesian ways and her gentle wisdom had a profound effect on me. 

With each year's return to Maui I looked for her, only to be disappointed. 
Until this year...walking on the beach once again with Jana, now nineteen, I stopped transfixed by the vision of Tiare. I was afraid she might not remember me, but her warm embrace told me she had. Shyly she reached into her bag and gave my daughter a Niihau necklace. 

Time, fate, and generosity blended this moment into pure Aloha.

From Jay Fiset

The Child Who Stole My Heart...

Dear Readers:

While on vacation in Mexico over Christmas, I always enjoyed buying the wares of the young Mexican vendors; chicklets, candies, blankets, (actually I don't care what their wares are I just want to buy them!) It never ceases to amaze me that kids the ages of 3 to 5 are actually working, and it may well be the work they will do the rest of their lives because if the family is poor enough to have the kids working at these ages, you know they are not going to school and will very likely get caught in the trap of no education and poverty.

One experience stands out in my mind. Cory (my wife) and I went to McDonalds for a hamburger, (yes, we were a little home sick.) As we went in, there was a woman begging at the door and she had with her a young boy who I would guess was about 2 years old. I sat and watched him from inside McDonalds. He was only about 2 feet tall, very fine build with a head that seemed perfectly round about the size of a cantaloupe, and short black hair. His face was dirty, not so much in a unkempt way, but more like a young boy who had been left to his own devices and his smile shone like none other I have ever seen.

The more I watched him the more I was drawn to him. He was playing with a stick (almost as long as he was tall) on the front step and as people left McDonalds, if he was not too enraptured in playing with his stick, he would flash a mischievous smile and hold his hand out for the Peso. You could tell he did not care if he got one or not, he was just trying to help out his Mom who was doing the real begging.

I became enraptured with watching him. He was simply the epitome of freedom, joy and childhood innocence. I decided that I wanted to do something for him (for me really), but I was not sure what. Money...no that would go to the entire family and I wanted to give him a gift. Clothes...where would I find clothes that small and I probably would not be able to run and get something and make it back before he and his mother moved on to their next spot.

It was then that I focused on his toy, this tiny dirty stick that through the imagination of a child at one moment was a sword, then a cane, then a pointer, and then a donkey. lt was then that it occurred to me: McDonalds always has toys for kids! That will be the gift I get him, a McHappy meal complete with a toy. So I went and got a McHappy meal and made my way to the door almost feeling guilty as I interrupted his enchantment with his stick. I handed him his pop first which he was hesitant to take but I smiled and he beamed his smile at me, (frankly, this smile alone made it worthwhile). Then I handed him the bag of food and toys which he really did not think could have been for him. He was so thrilled by a simple pop. In very poor Spanish I sputtered out, "For you, happy New Year." He grabbed the bag and ran across the step to his mother, "Mama, Mama, Mama."
I went back inside and finished my meal. I could not see him anywhere and I wondered if he ran off somewhere with his treasure or if his mom took the meal to be shared by the family. I wondered if one small fast-food meal and a cheap plastic toy would really make any difference at all for the little guy who stole my heart.

As Cory and I left McDonalds, tucked into the corner of the step with his mother beside him, was a beaming little boy with a pop between his legs, fries hanging out of his mouth and his new plastic treasure clamped in his left hand. With his right hand he waved furiously at me and then in perfect English said, "Thank you very much!"

I had a wonderful holiday and had many amazing experiences, but that little boy and the McHappy meal was the best reminder to me that the point of life and living is to reach out, make a difference and most importantly, that pure acts of giving and receiving are for me, the most powerful experiences of love.
To the little Mexican boy who right now is probably asking someone for a Peso, Muchos Gracious for the gift.

Jay Fiset is President of Personal Best Seminars Inc., a facilitator, program designer, author and entrepreneur. He can be reached at (403) 269-2378 or Email jay_fiset@worldweb.com

Founder Family Support Network

Dear Editor:

One of our volunteers brought your magazine and web site to my attention. I love it and the potential it provides us to make our world a kinder place to raise our children.

Five years ago I was a welfare mom struggling to find work and raise four children on a limited income. I knew I had special abilities, and I had neighbors who were struggling who had something to offer too. So I embarked on connecting families to one another so they could care and share resources with one another. Common sense told me that this would improve the quality of life for many in our communities and provide hope for our children's future. In February, 1993 we jumped through all the hoops to become a non-profit organization so agencies and schools would allow us to use their facilities for neighborhood gatherings and trainings for free. 

We have been a totally volunteer organization since our inception. There are over 200 families in our network now and we've received national attention for our effort. Our volunteers have provided over 10,000 volunteer hours helping their neighbors in need (most of them were referred by local agencies who ran out of funds.) 

With the help of four Microsoft volunteers who developed a state of the art database, we now are signing up Good Neighbors from all around the world who are committed to caring and sharing resources with their neighbors. We connect them either by phone or email. 

The Family Support Network is a grassroots movement...not a program. People are attracted to our effort...we do not advertise. We do share our good news on occasion which is why I am writing you. I was recognized as a Giraffe last year for sticking my neck out to make the world a better place. The Associated Press dawned us a leader in bringing in a more civil society and John McKnight of Northwest University acknowledged the Family Support Network as an innovative approach to asset-based community development.

We welcome you to visit our web site to learn more about us located on the Internet at:
www.family network.org/wecare.

Together we are making a difference to create a kinder and more caring society for our children's future.

From Kimberly Harding

Dear Readers:

I would like to share an act of kindness, which I practice regularly and which gives me great joy. I always carry at least $3 in my car and also in my pocket. I save it for the first person who asks if I can "spare some change". Smiling and maintaining eye contact, I always respond very cheerfully with a comment like, "Yes, I would love to" or "It would be my pleasure". And I give them the $3. I then replace it with my next $3 for the next person. I never spend this money myself. I honor that it is the possession of the next person who asks for it. Three dollars is a small amount, yet it means a lot to the person who expected 25 cents, especially, when delivered with joy and respect to them.

I also have taken to carrying items that I think the needy may be able to use. I carry hats and socks and gloves and an umbrella. Recently I put together some care packages for the homeless. It occurred to me that things like band-aids, toothpaste, aspirin, combs, as well as food would be of use. I imagined that they would need things to be non-breakable, so I chose plastic or paper containers. The folks who received them were delighted.

But I think it's not just that I give them things that matters. It's that I see them for the beautiful ray of lights that they are. I know that they are unique expressions of the Divine and that this is how they are at the current time, not who they are. I am glad to also give a hug and a smile, with the money. And I always remember it is they who bless me with an opportunity to be kind. What a joy. 

In fact, yesterday a young lady to whom I gave the three dollars and a hat, asked if I could use a spare pair of gloves she had! So I accepted them for the next person who needs them. I was touched that she wanted to give me something. She gave me more than she guesses.