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A homeless veteran, Robert, who had gone without food for over a day, was seeking spare change at a gas station in Redlands, California, when he caught the attention of Max Zahir. In a generous gesture, Max invited Robert to join him for lunch at a nearby burger drive-through. During their meal, Robert expressed his gratitude, which deeply moved Max. He made a commitment to help Robert further, saying, “I go to work every day around 4 o’clock, and if you meet me at that gas station, I’m going to buy you lunch or dinner.” Max encouraged Robert to stay positive and hopeful, emphasizing the importance of paying it forward once he gets back on his feet. As they shared a heartfelt hug, Robert was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to him, breaking down in tears and expressing his appreciation, saying, “Nobody’s shown me this much kindness in a while. Thank you… bless you… bless you… thank you, man.”            In a bid to inspire others to assist homeless veterans, Max shared their meal experience online, which caught the attention of many. This led him to raise over $20,000 to provide sleeping bags, blankets, and food for homeless veterans during the winter months. Additionally, Max offered Robert a job at his restaurant, so he could stand on his own and not wholly depend on the goodwill of other people alone for his daily sustenance. When the gracious winds of providence tend to favour us, it is wise that we don’t look down on anyone, EXCEPT if it’s to admire their shoes.

Cyn Symone, a traveler, missed her first flight to Los Angeles. Little did she know that this unexpected delay would lead her to become a guardian angel for a struggling family in need of love and kindness. Symone headed to the baggage claim area. As she waited, she decided to use the restroom. There, she met a woman crying loudly in Spanish. Although they didn’t share a common language, Symone felt moved to help. After returning to the bathroom several times while waiting for her luggage, Symone overheard the woman say, “The bus doesn’t come until tomorrow.” This statement revealed the woman’s distress and the reason for her tears. Symone approached the woman and asked if she had Zelle or CashApp to receive financial assistance. When the woman replied no, Symone offered to pay for a hotel room for the night. The woman stopped crying and opened the stall door, revealing a small child sitting on the floor next to her. Symone felt immense sense of joy in being able to help the woman and her child, rather than spending money on unnecessary things. She accompanied them to the nearby Marriott hotel and secured a room for them. Reflecting on the incident, Symone wondered how many people had entered the bathroom before her and ignored the woman’s cries for help. She realized that most would not have noticed the child sitting next to the distraught mother. “I’m glad I said something because she was super sweet and appreciative, and she had a baby with her,” Her willingness to step in and help, despite the language barrier, demonstrates the universal language of empathy and support. Here, it also reminds us that even in the midst of our own challenges, we have the power to uplift others and be a beacon of hope in their darkest moments. It goes without saying, that sometimes greatest blessings can arise from unexpected delays and chance encounters. Not every missed opportunity is a setback; sometimes the Universe places us in situations where we can uplift others who are struggling and unable to help themselves.

Mauricio, a young man who had been living under a bridge on Federal Road, found solace and support from the kind-hearted workers at a nearby tyre shop. His story serves as a testament to the power of compassion and the impact a community can have when they come together to help those in need. It all began when Jose Madrid, one of the tyre shop workers, encountered Mauricio while searching for food and water. Moved by the young man’s plight, Jose bought him a burger and inquired about his situation. Mauricio shared that he had run away from home because he broke a window on his dad’s work van.  The tyre shop workers, noticing Mauricio’s daily visits, took it upon themselves to provide him with food, clothes, and shoes. However, without any means to contact Mauricio’s family directly, they were unable to facilitate his speedy return home.   As the days passed, the workers continued to support Mauricio, ensuring he had the basic necessities to survive. Their efforts paid off when Jose was able to locate Mauricio’s father and inform him of his son’s whereabouts. In a heartwarming reunion, Mauricio was reunited with his father, who expressed gratitude for the tyre shop workers’ kindness. “I appreciate all your efforts to locate my son,” he said, his voice filled with relief and appreciation. The tyre shop workers, through their selfless acts of kindness, not only provided Mauricio with the basic necessities, they also helped reconnect him with his family, giving him a second chance at a better life. For the sake of kindness and humanity, it is reasonable that we at times observe the people around us to find out if there’s a situation where we can do something positive to help. For truly we owe each other kindness, and lots of it.

Truly humans are kind natured, oftentimes humans will go all out to see another gets to achieve their goals. If this tempo is maintained, there’s nothing we can’t do as a species. Here’s an inspiring story of a college student who experienced an embrace of the humanity of humans, even far above his expectations. Fred Barley excited to return for his second semester at Gordon State College, the 19-year-old set off on his brother’s bicycle, carrying two duffel bags for the 50-mile journey to Barnesville, Georgia. Upon his arrival, he found that the school was not yet allowing students to enter the dormitories. Determined to make the most of his situation, Barley pitched a tent in the bushes on campus, planning to stay there for a few weeks while he searched for a job before classes began. However, police soon noticed Barley’s tent and approached him. After hearing his story, the officers decided to help him by offering to pay for two nights at a motel. Officer Richard Carreker expressed his admiration for Barley’s determination, stating, “We get to talking with him, asking where he’s from, and I’m like, man, this is crazy.” Barley felt humbled by their kindness, saying, “I’m black, and he didn’t care what colour I was. He just helped me, and that meant a lot.” The story gained traction when one of the officer’s wives shared it on Facebook, leading to a wave of support for Barley. Casey Blaney, a Good Samaritan, along with the motel owner, paid for Barley’s stay until he could move into the dormitory. When asked what he needed, Barley initially said he didn’t want anything, but after some encouragement, he admitted he was looking for a job. This request was quickly fulfilled when Debbie Adamson, the owner of DB’s Pizzeria, reached out and offered him a position. “I created a position for him before he walked in my door. I didn’t know his name… I didn’t care. I’ve been there, so I guess I had a soft spot for anyone who is very determined to succeed in life,” Adamson said. Blaney also set up a Facebook page for Fred and a GoFundMe account titled “Success for Fred,” which raised nearly $185,000 in just eight days. People generously donated clothes, school supplies, shoes, a new bike, and even a car, while others offered to cover his medical and dental expenses. “I was shocked by how much support people would give from Lamar County and beyond, even from people across the country that I’ve never met who just wanted to help,” Barley said. Despite the overwhelming generosity, Barley emphasized that the friendships he was forming were even more valuable than the material gifts. “Some of the gifts aren’t as important as the friends I’ve made. More important than everything — the clothes, the shoes — the relationships mean so much more to me,” he remarked. Humans are inherently kind and compassionate. It is our nature to wholeheartedly assist those in need, regardless of their religion, skin colour, or political boundaries. Let us continue to nurture this divine flame by practicing kindness without reservation, because there is only one race and that’s the human race.

Sometimes, all it takes to make an unforgettable difference in someone’s life is simply being a good listener. When kind words are added to this act of empathy, the impact becomes real and undeniable. Tim Sanders’ experience is a testament to this. By taking the time to listen to his employees and offer words of encouragement, he was able to make his employee give up on a wrong move. Tim Sanders is a leadership coach and former Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo. Sanders advises all of his employees to reach out to their workers and subordinates to show their appreciation for their work. He often tells the story of how he did just that, speaking to his staff individually, giving them positive feedback on their performance, and telling them that he appreciated their efforts. Sanders recalls telling one specific man how glad he was that the man came into his life. After Sanders visited with his team, he was shocked when that man turned up a few days later and gave him an expensive gift, an X-Box console. As it turns out, this employee had purchased the X-Box by pawning a revolver that he had intended to use to kill himself.  After hearing the small words of praise from his boss, the man decided to keep living and seek help for his depression. Just a few kind words were all it took to help him out of his suicidal funk. “Sometimes people just need people,” Sanders said. But I bring it to you this day that -at all times, people need people. If only we learn to listen without the intents to judge, if only we learn to speak without the intent to hurt, then we would be averting a whole lot of ugly incidences. May kindness and love for humanity guide our every move.

When the hearts of men are soaked in kindness, they tend to radiate an unusual aura and grace in the things they do. An Indian collected his first salary and decided to use it in a most kind way. After completing my postgraduate studies and securing a job, my mother asked me to donate a portion of my first salary to a nearby temple, as per the Indian tradition. However, I had a different perspective on this. Instead, I decided to do something more meaningful with my first salary. I gathered a group of 14-15 underprivileged children around a famous mall in Hasratganj, Lucknow, India, and took them to McDonald’s. As we were entering the mall, the security guards tried to stop us, questioning the presence of the children. They claimed that “these types of people” were not allowed in the mall. However, I stood my ground, asserting that the children were my responsibility, and I would ensure they did not disturb the environment. I ordered happy meals for all of us, and we spent 2-3 hours laughing, talking, and creating wonderful memories together. The children even spilled a few Pepsi-filled glasses, which the McDonald’s staff refilled for free, much to my surprise, considering how they started when I and the children first came in. There were several reasons behind my decision to do this. I never wanted to waste my hard-earned money on temple donations, and I thought this would be a better way to make the children feel accepted. Now, these children know me well, and whenever I pass by the area, we spend time together, playing, sharing jokes, and engaging in friendly banter. They call me by various endearing names like “Bhaiya” (Hindi for big brother), “Uncle,” and “Cha-cha” (Hindi for uncle), making me feel more accepted in their lives. This heartwarming act of kindness, where I used my first salary to treat underprivileged children to a meal, has left a lasting impact on both the children and me.  This does clearly serve as a reminder that small acts of compassion can leave long lasting imprints on the lives of those in need. May our resolve to be kind grow bigger than the desire for recognition and accolades from people, and may genuine kindness influence all our decisions.

In 1935, when I was 10 years old, my family lived on the first floor of a walk-up apartment on 43rd Street in Brooklyn, New York. A few days before Christmas, I looked out the kitchen window to see my father sitting on the stoop, dejected and depressed, with tears in his eyes. A mailman, approaching our building, asked my father what was wrong. I heard my father say that he had used up his food vouchers and that the rent was past due. He had tried to work as a laborer through the Works Progress Administration, but he wasn’t a very strong man, and the work had been too hard for him. I was scared, having seen newspaper pictures of people being put out on the street with all their belongings. Just then, the mailman, looked at my father and asked, “Ike how much do you need?” My dad said he needed $33 for the rent, and without hesitation, he took $50 from his wallet and handed it to my father. My dad said, “I don’t know when I’ll be able to pay you back.” He put an arm around my father and said it would be okay if he paid him back or he didn’t pay him back. He noticed me looking through the window and said, “Isaac, things will not be this way forever. If you or your son will remember this day, there will be times in the future when someone needs your help. Help them within your means and tell them what happened this day. This will be my payback.” As long as he lived, my father helped others when he could, and I’ve done my best to do my part in paying forward, same generosity. The kindness and compassion shown by the mailman, a complete stranger, during our difficult time, left indelible prints on our family. His kindness and concern not only helped us in our time of need but also inspired us to pay it forward and help others whenever possible. Together, we can make the world better. Let’s keep T.A.L.K.ing

It’s easy to feel insignificant and powerless when faced with difficult situations or the desire to create meaningful change. We may doubt our abilities, skills, and knowledge, believing they are not enough to make a real difference. However, this notion may tend to limit us from being humane, when the need for our humanity comes calling. After the deadly shootings in Dallas, Texas, that left five police officers dead and half a dozen injured, two young girls, 12-year-old Lauren Roach and 11-year-old Landry Nelon wanted to do something to help their community, so they came up with an idea to start a lemonade stand. They had hoped to raise about $100 and donate their profits to the Assist the Officer Foundation. The foundation provides financial assistance to families of fallen police officers. But within minutes of opening the lemonade stand, they surpassed their goal. “We felt really bad for all the victims’ families,” said Lauren. “At first we thought we would get about $100, but after we got to about $5,000, we realized we could really get this really high.” Before the girls could even fully understand, they realized they had risen over $10,000. They accomplished it all in just two days. “People were just driving by,” said Lauren’s mother, Tracey Roach. “They didn’t want lemonade, they didn’t want anything, just giving them 20s, 50s, you name it, just giving money. And everybody saying, ‘Back the blue, back the blue, we support Dallas, we support families, help Dallas become a better place.’” “Once word spread on social media, we saw all types of people, ranging from college students and yard workers to someone who drove 30 minutes just to drop off money,” Lauren’s Mom added. The girls were proud to be able to hand over so much money to a cause they cared so deeply about. The Dallas Police Department Chairman, Frederick Frazier, awarded Laruen and Landry with a certificate of recognition for their compassion and dedication to helping others. Even as little children, they were able to point to a path of kindness that will stay green in the hearts of people for a very long time. So, let us not be deterred by feelings of inadequacy or the belief that we are too insignificant to make a change. Instead, let us embrace the power of kindness and recognize that each of us has the ability to positively influence the lives of those around us, regardless of our age or perceived limitations.

Certain acts of humans and animals have very strong therapeutic effects and the efficacy of kindness in healing and recuperation stands tall. Cassidy, a young girl battling Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, had been undergoing intense chemotherapy treatments to fight the disease. Despite the challenges, her mother, Kelly Pettit Huff, wanted to make her daughter’s birthday extra special.  As a surprise, Kelly bought tickets for Cassidy to attend the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas. Cassidy, who had been feeling unwell due to the side effects of her cancer treatment, started to feel better, and they decided to embark on the trip. At the festival, Cassidy was showered with love and support from strangers. Concertgoers approached her, offering high-fives, fist bumps, hugs, and words of encouragement. Many shared their own stories of battling cancer or supporting loved ones who were fighting the disease. Kelley was overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion shown to her daughter by these kind strangers. One particularly touching moment was when a shirtless cowboy asked Cassidy to dance with him. He twirled her around, dipped her, and even kissed her bald head, leaving Cassidy with a big smile on her face. This gesture brought her immense joy during a difficult time. Though the evening didn’t exactly go as they planned, Kelly remains grateful for the turn of events as they helped Cassidy pull through such a difficult situation. If our societies are laced with the fibers of love, kindness and compassion, anyone could pull through anything. Until we get to that goal of a completely kind and selfless world, let’s keep being kind for no reason.

Chris Salvatore, a 31-year-old actor, moved in next door to Norma Cook, an 89-year-old woman who lived alone with her beloved cat, Hermes. Despite their age difference, the two quickly became great friends through their regular friendly exchanges. When Norma’s health rapidly declined, and doctors said she could no longer live independently, because she needed a round the clock care and supervision, Salvatore stepped in to care for her. He invited Norma to move in with him, as her only other option was to go into a care facility. Salvatore felt he couldn’t bear to see his “grandmother” in a facility. For the next few months, Salvatore and Norma lived together, with Salvatore cooking for her, and the two spending time watching the news, talking, drinking champagne, and eating peanuts. Though the doctors had given them little hope, Salvatore and Norma were able to share a few more precious months together, making the most of the little time Norma had left. Sadly, Norma passed away on February 15, 2017. Salvatore was heartbroken, pondering on how Norma usually referred to him as “the grandchild she never had.”  Their heartwarming friendship, forged despite their age difference, is a testament to the power of compassion and the bonds that can spring up when we activate the full option of the humanity in us.