In a fast-paced and often loud world, it’s easy to overlook the incredible impact that simple acts of kindness can have. Kindness can emerge in unexpected ways, through the actions of strangers, subtle gestures, and moments that surprise us. The stories shared here are unique, yet they all share a common thread:
they evoke emotions and serve as a reminder that goodness still exists, even when no one is watching.
100% kindness is truly a superpower!! I grew up in a tough financial situation, with my mom sometimes sending me to school with just plain bread because she couldn’t afford anything else. There was an older girl who would often watch me as I ate, but she never spoke to me.
At the end of the school year, her well-dressed mother approached me, and I was taken aback when she held my hand and hugged me in front of everyone. To my surprise, she told me, “I see you’re a bright girl, and life hasn’t treated you kindly… so I will. You can choose any major you want in college, and I’ll pay for it.” At 15, I was already worrying about how to afford college.
I was a diligent student, but even with a scholarship, pursuing medicine seemed impossible. Her words felt like a miracle, and I couldn’t hold back the tears. Soon after, she invited me and her daughter to their home.
She shared that she had grown up poor as well and was helped to attend law school, and now it was her chance to pass on that kindness. I graduated from medical school last year, and we’ve kept in touch ever since. I can’t thank her enough.
A couple of years ago, I suffered a stroke and went through a tough time filled with confusion and depression. My insurance company would often leave me stranded after appointments. After one visit, I waited for nine hours for a ride home until my phone died.
Fortunately, I found an all-night urgent care nearby, and the doctor and staff kindly covered my ride home and even offered me pizza and water. I still send them gifts each year as a small token of my gratitude. I was at the store when an elderly woman in front of me suddenly realized she didn’t have enough money.
She felt embarrassed and mumbled about putting things back. Before she could react, a man behind me stepped in and said, “I’ve got this.” She froze, and tears filled her eyes. He then whispered, “I grew up hungry.
Not today.” It moved me to tears as well. Sometimes, everyday heroes are just regular people in jeans and hoodies. At 21, I got lost in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo without GPS or English signs.
I was really panicking when a tiny old woman noticed me. Even though she didn’t speak any English, she took my hand and walked me for 20 minutes to my hotel, smiling the whole way. When we arrived, she simply waved and walked off, not seeking any thanks.
I still think of her nearly 20 years later. I remember sitting in a park, quietly crying. A man walking his dog came over and sat down beside me without saying a word.
He took out a sandwich, broke it in half, and offered me one. We shared that moment in silence. He never asked why I was crying, but when I finished, he gave my shoulder a reassuring pat and said, “Hang in there,” before leaving.
It was exactly what I needed. When I was homeless, a kind lady took me and my cat into her home. I’ll never forget that time.
She cooked delicious meals, and I truly felt like part of her family as I played with her son and their dog. It was a short stay, but I’ll cherish it forever. I hope to find her again someday to show her how much she impacted my life, to prove that her kindness meant something.
One day, my suitcase tore open on the stairs of the metro, and people just walked by. But one man stopped to help me collect my things, even using his own belt to tie it up. He missed his train to help me.
When I apologized, he laughed and said, “Trains come every 10 minutes. Kindness doesn’t.” That phrase resonated with me so much that I even had it tattooed on my arm. I lost my wallet in the city center and assumed it was gone forever.
Two days later, I received a package containing my wallet, all my cards, and a note that said, “Found this near the fountain. I added $20 because I know how awful losing things can feel. Pay it forward someday.” No name, no return address—just a generous act that I still treasure.
On a rainy Friday, I left a terrible job interview only to receive a rejection email ten minutes later while in the backseat of a cab. I broke down in tears, embarrassed but unable to stop. The driver quietly pulled over to a side street, turned off the meter, and handed me some tissues, saying, “You’ll get a better one.” He didn’t even charge me for the ride.
One time, my husband and I had no groceries and only about $9 to our name. We went to the grocery store for some bread, eggs, and milk. In line, a woman behind us had just one item, so we let her go ahead.
In return, she paid for our groceries and even got us a $50 Walmart gift card. This gesture inspired me to help others in similar situations by covering the rest of their bills at grocery stores or fast-food places. An elderly man who lived in my building passed away without any family or visitors.
I attended the small funeral, expecting to be alone, but discovered there were flowers and cards from the mailman, shop owner, doorman, and others. They didn’t know him well, but they all felt he mattered, and that realization was incredibly touching. While kindness is all around us, life can still throw unexpected challenges our way.
Sally recently experienced a difficult situation when her father chose to leave his inheritance to his stepdaughter because Sally does not have children. You can read her story here.
