Show A Little Kindness This November

Candyflossuk

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I have worked at an accountants since i was 18 and from around 21 i was studying for my AAT professional qualification. I had just bought my first home with my boyfriend and i had also gone on a massive diet. I put myself under so much pressure, denying myself food, staying up until all hours studying, not wanting to let my boss down. One day at work i just collapsed in a heap, crying, under the strain. The tax advisor there was an older lady, and she offered to drive me home. She drove me home, put the kettle on and started on the huge sinkful of washing up. She dried up, put all the crockery away, sat down and drank tea with me, checked I was ok and left. Her quiet, comforting manner settled me down and I've never forgotten it. We are still friends, 14 years down the line and her having retired. And I passed, no problems!!

Both my daughters were in hospital having heart surgery and it worked out that one had surgery one day and the other the next....I couldn't be in intensive care with one and on the ward with the other so this woman who's daughter was on the ward kept a close eye on my daughter who was in the next bed. Without her I wouldn't of got through the days... Her daughter was about 14 and so cheery and kept saying keep smiling to my daughters even when she was rushing to the bathroom to be sick she was telling us to keep smiling....
On the day we left hospital we got them a big bunch of flowers and a card for the great help they'd been...They are such good friends now because of the random kindness they showed me.

I was queuing in a traffic jam after a difficult week, and suddenly there was a noise and steam coming from under the bonnet.
My car wouldn't go and everyone was having to go round me. Two elderly men appeared from the houses at the side of the road. I asked if I could phone the car rescue people, but they helped me push the car to the side of the road, and told me to go round to the back garden and one of the wives would make me a cup of tea. They put on a new jubilee clip and topped up the oil, and then told me it was fixed and sent me on my way. I think they'd quite enjoyed themselves rescuing a damsel in distress. It felt so kind of them - a boon after a stressful week, when it could have been the straw that broke the camel's back, but instead turned into a lovely memory.

When I was little my grandma used to say 'it's nice to be nice'. She would encourage me to give up my seat on the bus, carry shopping for neighbours, or just generally try to be helpful whenever I saw an opportunity. Grandma passed away a long time ago now but thanks to her, I've tried to be nice and offer help to others whenever possible.

Usually, seeing someone smile or having them say thanks is enough of a reward but I can offer a specific example of how being nice definitely does generate benefits.

At work I used to sit by the photocopier and each day I saw people having problems using it. They always seemed to be struggling to load paper, clear paper jams or even just figure out how to operate it.

Using Granny's theory that by being nice to others I would feel good about myself I taped a note to the copier giving my name and pointing out where I sat. I said 'if you're having problems, these are the contact details for the engineers - but if it's just jammed paper or you need a hand, give me a shout first and I'll help if I can.'

When I was applying for a promotion one of the interviewers actually said to me 'aren't you the lady who helps with the photocopier?' Apparently I'd offered to help him one day when he was quite stressed about getting items copied for a meeting and it made a big difference to his day.

Do I need to add that I got the promotion? Just goes to show that it really is nice to be nice and that little acts of kindness can come back when you least expect it!

I was looking to adopt a dog from my local rescue centre. In one of the kennels, looking rather sorry for herself, with very little hair on her body and quite thin, she leaned against the bars of the cage and gazed up at me with pleading brown eyes.
I took her home and for all her life that kind, gentle dog was the best friend any woman could wish for. I am so glad she chose me.

While experiencing a time of homelessness due to a bout of depression following a bereavement, I walked into a Chapel one Thursday evening, told the Pastor my situation and without asking him for anything, he offered to take me to a local hostel where he paid for food and accommodation for the night. He did this again later too. Now, I like to give to the homeless as I am able to.

I found a phone in the toilets and gave it in to the bar so if they ever came back looking for it it'd be there

When I was at University, I became quite ill. I was miserable, away from home, sick and falling behind with my work. I spent more time in the doctors than I did partying and as a result I struggled to make new friends.
I was so sad that I rang home a lot. I missed my mum and my family and was close to giving it all up.

When my Grandma found out that I was ill, she asked my mum for my Uni address and passed it on to her sisters. Then she and my great aunts started writing me cards and letters. They told me that they were proud of me and that they missed me. Sometimes they'd include money or little jokey presents to cheer me up. I pinned all the letters to my notice board to remind me that someone out there cared - even if it felt like no one at University did. It really give me the strength and determination to carry on and finish my degree.

Letter writing is so out of fashion these days which is a shame because it's so lovely to receive one.

When I was at secondary school I was bullied quite badly at lunchtime, my mother was at her wits end as I didn't want to go to school and wasn't eating. Luckily a friend of a friend of my mothers who I'd never met lived a couple of streets away from the school and I was invited to go there at lunchtime each day. I took my sandwiches and a cup of tea was made for me, this went on for 3 years and I have never forgotten their kindness. I always try to be kind and considerate whenever I can.

I was walking to school to pick my children up when i saw a old man fall over so i ran over and picked him up he was clearly shaken & said thanks i then offered to walk him home but he said no but i insisted and walked him to his door to make sure he was ok, i was then running late for my children but i knew they would'nt mind when i told them why, i dont see it as a act of kindness its what everyone should be like.

Whilst waiting in the queue with others at the busy supermarket checkout, I saw an elderly lady sitting on a chair, on the far side of the checkout operator.

The woman in front of me bought 2 bunches of flowers from the display at the counter & after paying, walked over to the elderly lady & gave her a bunch. She had obviously seen her too, & elderly lady's face lit up with a huge smile!!

It makes you think, I wish I'd have thought of that, but I will now.