kindness

A little boy in Guangdong province, China, experienced a miraculous escape after falling through an opening on a fourth-story window ledge, where he was left hanging by his neck. Fortunately, a courageous neighbor intervened, climbing through a window and gripping the building’s facade to support the child’s feet. This dramatic rescue was captured on video and later featured by a Sina news station. How truly beautiful are the hearts of those who go out there selflessly to save situations for others, they’re heroes which ought to be celebrated every minute of everyday.

A mother accumulated some positive karma by recycling her son’s old computer, a gesture that proved fortuitous when she discovered he had hidden $300 inside the device. Twelve-year-old Max had just returned from Boy Scout camp when he realized his computer’s central processing unit was missing. “He started screaming that his CPU was gone. That’s when we figured it out,” his mother recounted. Max had saved over $300 for next year’s camp, cleverly stashing the money inside the old computer to keep it away from his sister. Upon learning about the situation, the facility responsible for collecting used electronics from a New York landfill was eager to assist. “We were thrilled with Max’s mom for taking the initiative to recycle, so we wanted to do everything we could to help,” they stated. However, the challenge lay in sifting through thousands of old computers to locate Max’s hidden treasure. In the end, kindness prevailed albeit.

When individuals make mistakes, it is not the end of the road. By viewing their circumstances through a lens of kindness, we can extend compassion and support, offering pathways to redemption. With love and understanding, only a few situations are truly irredeemable. Teenagers in detention still deserve access to education. Near Washington, DC, a juvenile program for incarcerated youth has undergone a remarkable transformation, inspired by the legacy of poet Maya Angelou. At the Maya Angelou Academy, located within a juvenile correctional center surrounded by barbed wire and security personnel, 60 teenagers engage in learning within a modern educational environment. Where there were once shackles and abuse, the focus has shifted to fostering both emotional and intellectual development for these young individuals, now referred to as “scholars.”

A 7-year-old girl with autism in Brooklyn is safe after a quick-thinking neighbor intervened during a precarious situation. The young girl had crawled out of her window and was seen dancing and singing atop an air conditioner when she lost her balance and fell. Steve St. Bernard, a 52-year-old MTA bus driver, was waiting below with his arms ready to catch her. He successfully prevented what could have been a tragic accident. “I just prayed that I’d catch her,” St. Bernard recounted to the New York Daily News, explaining that he positioned himself directly underneath her as she fell.

A boy named Jamie Vautour, who uses a wheelchair, wanted to see his favorite band, Nickelback, in concert. Even though the bus workers in his town, Moncton, were on strike and not working, a kind person helped him out. This anonymous helper gave Jamie $200 to pay for a special ride that could fit his wheelchair and some extra money for souvenirs. Now, this same kind person has helped Jamie again! This time, they are sending him to see Bruce Springsteen, also known as “The Boss.” They paid for his tickets and transportation so he can enjoy the concert. Additionally, the concert is helping a local food shelter. This shelter is receiving donations because it is the official charity for Bruce Springsteen’s concert, just like it did for his concert in Toronto earlier this year.

In a moment of great need, the organization Mercy Chefs mobilized a retrofitted RV kitchen to provide hot meals to New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Sandy. “The demand there was overwhelming; I could set up six kitchens and still not meet everyone’s needs for a hot meal,” stated Gary LeBlanc, the founder of Mercy Chefs, two weeks ago. At the request of the Freeport mayor, the mobile kitchen was moved to Long Island to serve 1,000 individuals still residing in Nassau County emergency shelters, coinciding perfectly with the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition to feeding displaced families, LeBlanc’s team also offered meals to first responders and cleanup volunteers who worked tirelessly to restore affected neighborhoods. They began serving hot meals at the Freeport recreational center, with intents to provide a complete Thanksgiving feast on subsequently. Rev. Tina Baker from the Refuge Apostolic Church of Christ expressed gratitude, saying, “We asked ourselves how we could provide these families who have lost everything with a Thanksgiving meal. Mercy Chefs reached out and offered their help during this critical week. It’s truly a gift and a blessing!”

A tourist in Times Square witnessed a touching moment involving 25-year-old NYPD officer Lawrence DePrimo, who knelt on the cold sidewalk to speak with a homeless man with bare feet. Noticing blisters on the man’s feet, DePrimo inquired about his shoe size. He then entered a nearby Skechers store, where he purchased a pair of all-weather boots for $75, benefiting from a discount offered by the manager. According to the New York Times, the homeless man’s face lit up with joy upon receiving the boots. The moment was captured by Jennifer Foster, an Arizona sheriff’s office employee, who took the photo secretly as it reminded her of her father, also a police officer, who once helped a homeless person by buying them food. This incident underscores the idea that when we commit to being kind, we can find opportunities to show compassion in every situation.

Years ago, professional children’s performer Red Grammer faced a heartbreaking moment when his cherished Martin M-36 guitar was stolen from a baggage terminal after a delayed flight to LAX. Despite the passage of time, he continued to mourn the loss of the instrument, known for its “incredibly rich, sweet, and well-balanced tone.” Weeks turned into months; fate took an unexpected turn when Kyle Crabb unknowingly acquired the very same guitar. Upon bringing the guitar home, Crabb discovered a metal label inside the custom road case bearing the name “Red Grammer.” Trusting his instincts, he reached out to Grammer via email to inquire about the stolen guitar. In a post on Facebook, Grammer expressed his joy at the contact: “Imagine my excitement!” He shared that Crabb generously offered to return the guitar, acknowledging that while he loved it, it belonged to its rightful owner. Although Crabb felt regret over needing a guitar for himself, Red offered him his backup guitar along with some financial assistance to help ease the loss. Crabb eagerly accepted this offer. The two met in Seal Beach, California, where they exchanged instruments and Grammer had the opportunity to personally thank Crabb for reuniting him with his beloved guitar.

Scientists have recently explored the essence of human nature, leading to the conclusion that we are inherently good. This inquiry addresses a timeless question: Are humans naturally inclined to cooperate and assist others, even at a personal cost, or are we fundamentally selfish? Historically, thinkers like Augustine and Hobbes have argued that humans are born flawed and self-centered, while Rousseau posited that we are innately good and concerned for others. Recent scientific studies conducted by researchers from Harvard and Yale provide fresh insights into this debate. These studies involved a series of experiments with 2,068 participants, revealing that our instinctive response is often to cooperate rather than act selfishly. Participants who relied on their intuition—whether under time pressure or through priming—donated more to collective causes compared to those who reflected on their decisions. While these findings suggest a natural inclination toward cooperation, they raise further questions about whether this behavior is an intrinsic part of human nature or a result of social rewards. Cooperation can lead to social benefits, such as forming friendships and gaining social capital. Therefore, the researchers conducted additional studies to explore this dynamic. The overarching conclusion from these investigations is that while humans may not be strictly categorized as good or bad, our instinctive behaviors tend to favor cooperation over selfishness. This evidence does not definitively resolve the complexities of human nature but provides valuable insights into our tendencies. If human nature is defined by innate qualities, we might not fit neatly into categories of good or bad. However, if it is viewed as the sum of our automatic impulses, it appears that we are predominantly cooperative beings willing to contribute to the greater good, even at our own expense.

In a heartwarming tale from Calgary, a homeless woman made headlines when she discovered a purse containing over $10,000 in cash and chose to return it to its rightful owners, an Edmonton couple. Living in a shelter at the time, she demonstrated remarkable honesty and integrity, which resonated deeply with the couple. They were so moved by her actions that they decided to reward her with $500 as a token of appreciation for her honesty. The story didn’t end there. Inspired by her selflessness, a fund was established at a local bank to help her transition out of homelessness. Donations poured in from across Canada, showcasing the generosity and compassion of strangers who wanted to support her. The overwhelming response allowed her to secure a new apartment, marking a turning point in her life. This incident goes a long way reminding us of the goodness that can exist in humanity, even amidst challenging circumstances. The woman’s choice to return the money did change her own life as well as inspired others to contribute positively to their community. It illustrates how small acts of honesty can lead to significant change, creating ripples of kindness that can uplift those in need. Her story resonates with many who have faced adversity, showing that integrity can pave the way for new beginnings.