kindness

Vanessa Howard knows what it’s like to have nothing – and that’s why she is giving back to girls and women who are facing the same struggles she did. When Howard was just a teen, she was the victim of domestic abuse, had three children of her own, and just $1.75 to her name, according to CBS News. The youth eventually got the courage to leave her “drug-infested” household in Tampa Florida, to see if she could make it on her own. Howard eventually met with a landlord who let her rent an apartment because he believed it was destiny that he was supposed to help the unfortunate young mother. She then started working at local beauty salons to be able to support her three daughters. Decades later, Howard was finally able to open her own business, and aptly named it the Giving Hands Hair Salon. As a means of uplifting other girls living in poverty around Tampa, the 62-year-old provides free services one day a month. Almost 300 women and girls from transitional housing and homeless shelters have benefited from Howard’s free styling. “I believe everything we go through we go through for purpose. I truly believe that nothing happens by coincidence,” Howard told CBS News. “I would encourage other broken women, business owners — all of us have a story and I believe that we should use what we’ve been through to help others.” And Howard is very right on this one, when we survive a certain darkness, may we have the heart to help others in similar situations, and more.

By the time these Mexican bakers were ready to go home, the floodwaters were already too high. Instead of worrying about the fate of their city, however, they decided to put their talents to good use and bake hundreds of loaves of bread for their fellow hurricane victims. The four bakers of El Bolillo Bakery in Houston, Texas had been working a late shift when the water levels on the street became too dangerous. The bakery, which specializes in Mexican pastries and sweet treats, was able to stay relatively dry throughout the storm. Additionally, the facilities still had electricity. So, the cooks got to work making pan dulce – a kind of Mexican sweet bread – all through the day and night. By the time they were rescued, the bakers had already used over 4,000 pounds of flour. The cooks then spent the next couple days distributing the bread to emergency shelters around the city. The gesture is even sweeter than the bread they were handing out.

While bus drivers are required to stick to their schedules, this compassionate driver did not mind stopping along his route to check up on a distressed teenage girl. When the unidentified driver reportedly saw the youngster on Tuesday morning, he exited the bus to ask if she was okay. She then said that she had gotten lost and she was worried that she would be late to her first day of high school. The driver then called her a cab, gave her some fare money, and walked her to a nearby grocery store where she could be picked up. One of the bus’s passengers, Lynsey Jayes of Leeds, England, posted a photo of the driver with the caption describing his good deed. “This bus driver on the Number 16 this morning deserves a huge pat on the back,” Jayes wrote on Facebook. “A young girl waiting for the bus at the wrong side of the road and was upset she would be late for her first day at high school. “The driver not only phoned her a taxi, he walked her to Tesco and he paid for it. “Now that is a reason, I don’t mind my bus running late for.” It will be a most noble thing to do, if we continue to make kindness an integral part of all we. Let’s infuse it into every role in our everyday lives.

After living with bipolar disorder and autism all of his life, 10-year-old Haden Edwards has finally discovered one thing that can calm him down: taking care of his little brother Max. Max, who is a 7-year-old struggling with a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis, usually suffers from many symptoms, such as gastrointestinal cramps, motor tics, and a weakened immune system. He underwent an unsuccessful brain surgery in August 2016 and the time is quickly approaching where his parents must decide to try again or start chemotherapy. When Haden started escorting Max to his doctor’s appointments, he started to realize how tough his baby brother really was. So, he asked his mother, Cynthia Davis, if he could have money to buy some toys for Max. Though she said that he could mow the lawn or do the dishes for allowance money, Haden decided he would use his skills as an artist instead. Haden set up a table on the family’s front lawn with a sign saying “Selling Drawings For Mad Max: $1”. When his mother put out a plea on Facebook for friends to take Haden up on his offer, 30 people arrived in under 30 minutes to request a picture from the young artist. Haden has since raised over $1,000 through his special drawings. All of the money he earns, he puts towards Max; whether it’s taking him out for ice cream or buying him LEGOs. His compassion has also infected the rest of his life; he now volunteers at Meals on Wheels, buys meals for local police officers, holds fundraisers for organizations in need, and grows out his hair so he can donate it to Locks of Love. The positive thing about kindness, the shockwaves of its impact travel far, reaching distance and spaces unexpected.

Looking at this, one would really need to appreciate the fact that if we open up our minds to being kind, compassionate and loving, not even age can dampen our resolve to impact lives positively. If there was any doubt that Kamden Houshan and Paul Burnett would be friends forever, there certainly is not anymore. The soon-to-be 3rd graders do everything together: from munching on McDonald’s happy meals, to playing at the park. The two have been nearly inseparable since they met in kindergarten several years ago. So when Paul noticed that Kamden was struggling with his wheelchair, he didn’t hesitate to help. Kamden became a paraplegic when he was born with a massive tumor embedded in his spine. Though doctors were able to remove the tumor in surgery, the 8-year-old boy was left paralyzed. Kamden’s last wheelchair was so heavy and bulky, it prevented the youth from being able to freely maneuver household doorways. Since it could not fit into the bathroom, Kamden’s mother always had to carry him, which put excessive stress on her body. Then in August, Kamden was able to test drive a lighter wheelchair model – and he was astounded by how much of a positive difference it made in his life. Unfortunately, insurance could not cover the cost of another wheelchair for another few years. Meanwhile, Paul had learned about GoFundMe from watching YouTube videos. Upon hearing about his friend’s troubles, he asked his parents if he could start a campaign for his Kamden. In a matter of weeks, Kamden’s page had raised $5,500 – roughly $2,000 more than their original goal. “Thank you all for being part of this wonderful journey to get Kamden his wheelchair … Paul and Kamden have been all smiles knowing that Kamden is getting what he needs,” wrote Paul’s mother.

It was none of his business, maybe, but Malyk Bonnet didn’t like the way the guy at the bus stop was treating the woman he was with. And she looked scared. He thought maybe he should intervene, but how? Bonnet decided to keep his eye on the couple and follow his instincts. The 17-year-old cook had just completed a shift at work in Montreal, Canada, and saw his chance to help when the man asked him for money, saying he and the woman needed bus fare to get to the town of Laval, some 25 miles (40km) away. Thinking on his feet, Bonnet not only got the money for them, but also announced that he, too, was headed to Laval. He hopped on the same bus as the couple, and when they stood up to get off, Bonnet stood up, too, and offered to buy them dinner. Pretending to go to the restroom, Bonnet instead borrowed a stranger’s cell phone to call police. So good was the teen’s facade that when law enforcement arrived to arrest the man and escort the woman to safety, the kidnapper had no idea it was Bonnet who had tipped them off. “The woman looked at me, and she was almost crying, and I said to myself, ‘I did good,’” Bonnet told News outlets. He did more than good, according to Laval Police Lieutenant Daniel Guérin, in his 24 years of policing, he’s never seen anything quite like what Bonnet did. Bonnet didn’t even know the police were already searching for the couple. The 29-year-old woman had reportedly been kidnapped a few hours earlier, and authorities were pretty sure they knew by whom—a dangerous ex-boyfriend who was under a court order to stay away from her. The Laval cops were so impressed with Bonnet’s decision-making, which they said probably saved the woman’s life, that they took up a collection to reimburse him for the money he spent. They raised $255 for the quick-witted young hero. Bonnet was delighted to have his cash returned, and his proud mother bought up eight newspapers as keepsakes. For the greater good of humanity, there should be boundaries to how we mind our own business. In all our endeavors, let us prioritize humanity above all other interests.

After helping to rescue a young woman who had just escaped her kidnappers, this 65-year-old man then handed over his $7,000 reward because she was “the real hero”. Earl Melchert first saw 15-year-old Jasmine Block when he returned to his home in Alexandria, Minnesota last month in order to retrieve a diesel can that he had forgotten to grab earlier that day. The teen had only just escaped from a nearby abandoned house after her kidnappers had gone out to eat. After knocking on the doors of several neighboring homes without any luck, Block swam across a lake and started trekking across Melchert’s field when he spotted her. Melchert brought Block back to his home where they called the police and organized the arrest of her kidnappers. Ever since Block first disappeared, law enforcement officials had been offering $7,000 for any information on her whereabouts. When they handed Earl the check for the reward earlier this week, however, he immediately gave it to Block. “Today we witnessed an incredible example of kindness,” says Alexandria Police Chief Rick Wyffels. “Earl Melchert, the man who made the call everyone was waiting for … was presented with the reward money that had been offered by the Sarah Block family and an anonymous source.” “What no one expected was the kindness and generosity that came straight from Earl’s heart today. He believes that young lady that came running towards him that September day is the real hero and without hesitation, Earl handed the reward over to her, followed by a big hug.” “The family needs the money,” Melchert told the New York Times. “To me, yeah, that’s a lot of money, but they need it way more than I do.” How beautiful it is when we think kindly! How truly exhilarating when we learn to think selflessly.

Brennon Jones loves cutting hair, but there’s one thing he loves even more: cutting hair for the homeless. He’s been at it for a while now and knows how much of a difference it can make in each person’s life. In fact, he gives much more than haircuts as part of his Haircuts for the Homeless campaign in Philadelphia. According to News Outlets, Brennon says his haircuts are totally free. Additionally, he gives them food, clothing, and toiletries. The barber describes it as a makeover for the inside and outside, giving each homeless person a new look and newfound confidence. When a stranger named Sean Johnson found out about Brennon’s mission and the trouble he would have continuing into the winter, he decided to sacrifice the expansion of his own barbershop and opened up a new one — just for Brennon. In an interview with the news outlet, Sean explains: “It wasn’t about me giving a barbershop. I looked at it more as I built something and I want to see it keep going and I want to see it do a great thing.” Now, Brennon’s barbershop will feature days set exclusively for his homeless customers to come in and get their haircuts.

Some days unfold in unexpected ways, yet that shouldn’t excuse our emotional insensitivity towards the struggles of others. One man found himself having a particularly rough morning, consumed by self-pity. After running errands in Liberty, Missouri, and feeling overwhelmed by his ever-growing to-do list, he was leaving a store when something caught his eye. He noticed a woman, likely in her 60s, sitting in her car engrossed in a book—and she was bald. As he drove out of the parking lot, an overwhelming urge struck him to turn around, go back inside the store, and buy her some flowers. Despite feeling cranky and pressed for time, he decided to act on that impulse. He returned to the store and purchased a bouquet. Approaching the woman, he shared that he felt a “crazy urge” to bring her flowers, as if she “needed a smile.” To his surprise, she began to cry. As he drove past her car one last time, he glanced over and saw her in tears. Things may not be as dire as they seem. Let’s strive to cultivate a positive aura that can illuminate the lives of those around us.

You know those projects that make you feel as if you’re spinning your wheels and you’re going to lose whatever hair you have left? Cheryl Rice was working on one of those projects at work. She was frustrated. She felt stalled. She was dejected. Then a colleague gave her a card that changed everything. Often when we’re going through a rough time, we feel alone, and just having someone notice and understand makes all the difference between feeling invisible and feeling loved and supported. For Cheryl, that card bearing just two little words is what made her realize she wasn’t alone. The two words? You Matter. Cheryl couldn’t help but tear up when she read the message. “I’ve struggled at times with my own self-worth, and when I received the card, it felt like a question I carry around with me had been answered. I matter. That expression from her to me filled me up.” Cheryl was so touched by the gesture that she ordered 100 of her own cards to give away, first to family and friends and then to acquaintances. Eventually, she also started leaving cards in strategic locations to brighten strangers’ days—in the credit card holders at gas pumps, in library books, on car windshields. In these challenging times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, instead of directing our frustrations toward those around us, we should take this opportunity to recognize and appreciate the people in our lives. Let’s open our hearts and lend a listening ear to others, offering comforting words and support. After all, just as we matter, so do they. Together, we can navigate these turbulent waters with compassion and understanding.