It has been said that “the more love you give away, the more love you will receive”. Whether or not this is the impetus for doing a good deed, most people wouldn’t dare take a chance of doing something that would result in bad karma. These people opted to be kind and help their fellow human beings, resulting in not just good karma but good vibes all around.
1. Coffee Karma
Every morning, I'd stop by a drive-thru coffee joint on my route to work. Once, while waiting to place my order, I spotted a man and his young child, who looked likely to be about nine or ten, engaged in deep conversation in the vehicle behind me.
Suddenly, the man shook his head despairingly and the child's spirits seemed to deflate. I speculated maybe the father lacked sufficient funds to get his child a warm chocolate drink or something similar.
As soon as I placed my order, I approached the window and instructed the barista to charge the man's order to me, and made sure to include a hot chocolate. Then, to my surprise, I discovered a sad twist. It turned out their order was just a single small hot chocolate.
I inferred that the man was there solely to treat his child, despite his inability to afford anything for himself, which appeared to be causing the child's disappointment.
So, I asked them to augment the order by adding a large black coffee for the man and upgrading the hot chocolate. They did, and I left. The following day, as I stopped for my usual coffee, the barista unexpectedly extended his hand out of the window towards me. He wore a peculiar expression, so I asked him what was up.
He then narrated how the man had been moved to tears when they served him the coffee and hot chocolate, informing him it had been prepaid. The man then handed them his money and suggested they use it to serve the next customer if it was enough. The impact his simple action had was tremendous.
This random act of kindness sparked a chain reaction that lasted for a total of 22 cars, only ending when one unfortunate lady couldn't afford the four large drinks ordered by the customer behind her. The barista described it as a remarkable display of compassionate humanity he hadn't witnessed in a long time.
He reached out for a handshake as a sign of appreciation and respect, and I obliged. To top it off, he handed me my coffee for that day at the house. I've always viewed that as my just reward for good karma.
2. Pet Peeve
While standing in line at the pet clinic, the fellow in front of me didn't have enough to pay his bill—he was short by $25. He promised to come back and settle it by Friday. However, the receptionist explained that the clinic's rules required full payment before a pet could be discharged. This would mean additional costs to house the pet overnight and three more days of separation from its home.
The man withdrew into one of the consultation rooms to discuss his cat's situation further with the vet. Seizing the opportunity, I offered to the receptionist to cover the remaining part of his bill. A couple of days later, I received two cards.
One from the clinic appreciating my kindness to a fellow patron, and another from the man expressing his thanks. The whole experience left me feeling great throughout the week. Hands down, that has been the most rewarding $25 I've ever spent.
3. Stop The Bus!
I once was living in Australia during their scorching summer season, with the temperature hitting nearly 43°C (109°F) in the cooler shaded areas. As I was exiting a store, I spotted an elderly gentleman of about 80 years rushing to catch a bus. Unfortunately, the bus driver didn't notice him. He was quite upset and was cursing out of frustration.
So, I approached him and inquired about his destination. Despite the fact that he needed to go in a completely different direction than I was headed, I offered him a ride back home. And because I'd just picked up a six-pack of refreshing cold beverages, I was able to provide him one as well.
4. Caught In The Middle
I was coming home from a family vacation on a Southwest Airlines flight. If you're not familiar with the airline, they don't assign seats. Instead, you're given a boarding number and you get to choose your seat once you've boarded the plane. As I stepped onboard, a relatively large man in the aisle seat caught my attention. He waved at me from a row with an empty middle seat, and a man occupying the window seat.
As I approached his row, he requested I take the empty center seat. I was confused at first—but he soon clarified his unusual request. He only flies Southwest, and his strategy is to find the smallest passenger to sit next to him, with the aim of keeping everyone comfortable. Mind you, I wouldn't describe myself as "tiny," being a decently petite woman.
Thinking why not, I decided to take up his offer and sat down. Throughout the flight, we managed to maintain our comfort. He carefully rested his hands on his lap to avoid encroaching on my space, despite my reassurances that I didn't mind. We sparked up a conversation and shared laughs, making it one of my most memorable flights.
5. Everything Came Up Roses
For Valentine's Day, I'd put together a bouquet of around fifteen roses for my girlfriend at the time. While commuting on the bus, I found myself sitting opposite a girl, who was a few years younger than me. I settled into my seat, placing the vase of roses next to me, all set to text my girlfriend about her surprise. It was then when I noticed something heartbreaking.
The girl start crying, apparently after spotting the roses. My assumption was that she had ended things with her boyfriend recently. As I prepared to exit the bus at my stop, I decided to pick four roses from my girlfriend's bouquet. "You know, these were meant for my girlfriend, but it seems like you might need them more right now. Here's wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day," I said, presenting her with the flowers.
The smile which broadened across her face was heartwarming and she timidly mumbled a "Thank you". Then, with a friendly smile of my own, I turned and stepped off the bus.
6. Sailin’ Away
So, here's what happened. My buddy and I were strolling on the beach when we spotted this row boat just floating aimlessly. Taking the initiative, we rolled up our pants, waded out, found some objects to use as oars and rowed it back to the closest boathouse. Turns out, they had the owner's information on file.
We gave him a call and explained the situation. The owner asked us to stay put until he arrived. He then generously rewarded both of us with £50 (around $60). Talk about a nice little payback from the universe, right?
7. Two-Fur-One Deal
A couple of years back, I was taking a leisurely stroll with my dog in the local park during the evening. We came across a small brook hidden amidst dense woods. Suddenly, my dog's attention was piqued by something towards the brook and I noticed a moving fuzz. Acting reflexively, I called out, "Doggy! Here, doggy!"
To my surprise, not one but two big, fluffy dogs burst out of the brush, tail wagging happily and came towards us. Both dogs had collars, however, the only leash I had was being used by my dog.
Knowing my dog was friendly, I persuaded one of the runaways to come closer before securing its collar. Despite my efforts, the other dog remained unable to capture, though it stuck around not wanting to be left alone.
To prevent them from darting off, I herded them into the vacant, secure tennis court and rang the number inscribed on the collar of the friendlier dog. A suspicious sounding woman responded to my call.
I inquired, "Are you the owner of two dogs?" She replied cautiously, "Yessss?" I remarked, "It seems your dogs fancied a trip to the park all by themselves". She responded frustratedly, "Not again?! We just mended that fence. I'll be right there". I patiently awaited her arrival with her kids, and she was really grateful, apologizing for her earlier apprehension.
She was exasperated with the dogs for running off once more yet immensely relieved that someone had found them and got in touch. As luck would have it, we were repaid with a good render. Our own dog managed to run free from our yard whilst I was away for work.
My husband, having dozed off on the couch, was awakened by our neighbor from across the street, who'd found our dog. He'd noticed our dog running dangerously across the bustling road close to our home and lured him back with sausages.
8. Returning The Favor
On my way home, I pulled over at a service station to refuel. Ahead of me in line to pay were these two young lovebirds immersed in conversation. I couldn't help but eavesdrop on their chat about only having $20 left, unsure if that would be enough for fuel to reach home, let alone to buy essentials. It was clear they had a major trek ahead.
As they approached the cashier, I silently handed him my credit card, instructing him to fill their tank. The pair turned and gaped at me—then the lady broke down in tears. I assured them, "Go grab yourselves some sandwiches and drinks, I've got you covered".
They showered me with gratitude, almost too much I'd say. I suggested that, given the chance, they should do the same for someone else someday. Around fifteen years ago, somebody did the same for me, essentially being my lifesaver, getting me home for Christmas.
9. An Ounce Of Prevention
I was hanging out at a bar with my buddy one night, when I spotted a very drunk girl heading out the door. A suspicious guy who had been sitting alone all night, eyeing the women, suddenly rose and followed her.
Alarmed, I pointed this out to my friend, and we decided to step outside to check things out. The man was offering her a ride home, so we quickly approached them before she could answer.
"Got a cigarette I could borrow?" my friend casually asked them. The girl handed one over and we hung around chatting with her for a bit.
The uneasy-going man shot us a few dirty looks, but eventually, he went back into the bar. So, we hailed her a cab and felt a wave of relief knowing we probably prevented something bad from happening.
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10. Spare Parts
A few years back, I was the proud owner of a Mustang. I remember one particular instance when I swapped the standard headlights of my car with new ones that I had purchased from eBay. At that point, I was still studying and often saw another similar looking Mustang, same color and everything, regularly parked nearby.
One day, I noticed that its headlight was smashed. So, what I did was, I went back home, packed up my original headlight, and dropped it off at the other car's door. The following day, I saw that the person had installed it. That moment made me really happy.
11. This Deed Was A Homerun
I was a ticket seller for a minor league baseball team. Every Tuesday, we had a special offer: buy two tickets for $9, even though they usually cost $9.99 each. But we were strictly instructed only to share this deal if customers asked about it. Then one game day, mid-shift, a family of six walks up, clearly not having much money to spare.
They requested six "of the cheapest tickets". At $6 per ticket, the total was more than they could afford. The glum faces on the parents were a clear sign to me of the grim news they were about to share with their kids: no baseball game today.
Seeing their disappointment, I decided to steer the conversation. "Did I hear you ask about discounted tickets?" When they looked perplexed, I went on, "Yes indeed, tonight we have a two-for-$9 ticket offer, sponsored by Whole Foods! It's great that you asked about it! Give me a moment, let me process that for you."
So I arranged for them to have much better seats than what they intended to buy, and managed to save them about $10 in the process. The parents were relieved, the kids were overjoyed, and the dad took a moment to personally thank me later on. That day was incredibly fulfilling.
12. Good Mood Food
One rainy afternoon, I found myself in the drive-thru at Arby's. The order speaker wasn't working, so an employee was stationed there to pass orders to the kitchen using a walkie-talkie.
The guy didn't have an umbrella to shield from the rain, so I handed him mine when I pulled up. I was then instantly greeted with good karma—they didn't make me pay for my meal at the window. What goes around really does come around.
13. Feeding The Hungry
I was participating in an overseas study program in Florence, Italy, along with a group of friends from college. On the eve of our departure, we had to tidy up our apartments. During this, we noticed that we had gathered a surplus of food from our fridges and cupboards that we couldn't possibly finish.
To prevent it from going wasted, we packed up the remaining food and handed it out to the homeless people who usually congregated near Santo Spirito church. It felt incredibly rewarding to provide them with what could be a week's worth of meals. Emotions ran high as they continuously expressed their gratitude with heartfelt "Grazie Mille".
14. The Start Of Something Good
One afternoon, I was heading home, patiently waiting at a traffic light that led directly to my apartment. It was the peak of rush hour and I was just observing the busy traffic when something caught my eye. There was this car creeping along, signifying to turn right. Amidst the chorus of honks, I saw a man trying to push his stalled pickup truck from the driver’s side window.
As soon as I grasped what was happening, I secured my car in park mode and hurried to assist him. Now picture this—I'm a young, petite girl, only sixteen then, and wearing flats accompanied by a flowered skirt. I quickly got to his side and commenced pushing from the passenger side window.
Suddenly, it turned into a communal effort as folks from the cars behind mine, and some burly lads from the neighboring Taco Bell pitched in. I couldn't help but ponder whether anyone would've stepped up to assist if I hadn't initiated. To this day, reminiscing about that selfless act brings a smile to my face.
15. Stop And See The Light
In mid-afternoon, I found myself at a predominantly populated intersection in a less upscale part of town, behind the wheel of my swanky convertible. Despite the modest traffic, there were plenty of folks out and about.
While waiting at a red light, I noticed a man, exiting a rundown, junk-filled pickup truck on the left turn lane. It was quite evident he was bracing to push his truck once the light shifted to green; his fellow traveler in the driver's seat seemed unprepared to help.
Glancing around, it looked as if several passersby might lend a hand but remained undecided. Given the beautiful weather and my upbeat mood, enhanced by no imminent commitments, I reckoned it was time for some spontaneous goodwill.
Upon hitting the hazard lights, I sprang up, assuming my position behind the vehicle, ready to put my back to good use when the light switched. The pickup's owner seemed taken aback as this seemingly prosperous stranger in a sharp convertible arrived to assist. Nevertheless, with a reassuring, "Let's do this", his initial surprise was swiftly replaced by gratitude.
He mumbled about his sister exhausting the fuel and pointed towards the gas station across the junction. While bystanders merely circumvented our conundrum without offering aid, the sense of satisfaction I felt for extending a helping hand was immeasurable.
Although I'm not heavily into volunteering, such moments serve as a heartwarming reminder of the positive impact kindness can have on another's day.
16. Breaking The Stigma
I spent a day in NYC, planning to get my visa, all set for moving to Spain the coming term. My itinerary provided spare hours, so I strolled around iconic Manhattan, stopping by the famous St. Bart's. Here, I engaged in a chat with a frail homeless man from Cuba, who didn't know much English. The clock struck twelve, so I invited him to join me for lunch.
In between bites, he shared his life's journey—and it was a whirlwind. It involved escaping Cuba in the 80's due to his orientation, and a few years back, discovering he was HIV positive. This led to him losing his employment and residency. He rummaged through his bag, revealing a collection of different medications. He also confided about his family disassociating from him.
Consequently, he settled into a life on the American streets where he struggled with the language, yearned for his homeland, and faced rejection from his kin. Once he finished narrating his journey and his meal, I purchased him some fresh fruits, drinks, and a few non-perishable food items. I then accompanied him to buy his essential AIDS medication.
Later, we strolled back to St. Bart's, which happened to be en-route to my bus station, and he broke down, voicing how he had been overlooked for days. We exchanged comforting smiles before I embarked on my bus, leaving behind the bustling NYC.
17. Weekend Getaway
During my university years, I once found a stray dog loitering on my staircase with no owner or lead to be seen. Settling on the steps, I extended my hand and the dog confidently trotted over, displaying a pretty good temperament. I figured it must've escaped from a close-by home.
So, I managed to fashion a makeshift leash and led it upstairs to give it some slices of deli meat and a cool bowl of water. Its name tag was smeared with mud, making it hard to read.
It was nearing close of business on a Friday, precisely 4:55 PM, and the town offices were soon to lock up for the weekend. Understanding that the dog rightfully belonged to someone, I made the decision to adopt it temporarily until I could reach out on the coming Monday. Over the weekend, I picked up some dog food, a proper leash, and a fun toy for the pooch.
Monday finally came and I managed to get a hold of the owner—he had been searching relentlessly for his pet for the last three weeks. On hearing the news that his dog was safe, he broke down and we both ended up shedding a few tears.
Grateful and relieved, he tried to offer me a $100 reward, claiming it was all he could muster. However, I politely declined—the dog, who proved to be an absolute sweetheart and extremely well-behaved, never caused any trouble or uttered a single bark.
18. Soft-Pedaling The Situation
One afternoon, I was heading back from the office on the bus when a guy with a pretty rough exterior boarded. Clad in worn-out clothes, he had an aged look with a scruffy, grey beard, giving an impression that he might be homeless.
He sat down, clutching his bicycle. Exhibiting agitation, he cursed under his breath and struck his bike, glaring at fellow passengers and snapping at them. His erratic behaviour and wild-eyed stare alerted everyone, making us maintain a safe distance.
I observed him for a while and deduced that he was struggling to express his frustration to those around him. His loud, nonsensical outbursts coupled with threats startled folks on the bus. Observing him continuously striking his bike, I glimpsed the cause of his irritation—a dislodged bicycle chain. Mustering up some courage, I got up, swiftly crossing the aisle towards him, and stooped near the bicycle.
Startled, he seemed ready to explode at my approach. But I raised my hands, signaling my intention to help him. With steady hands, I fixed the chain back onto the bicycle, lifted the wheel and demonstrated that it was operational again.
He reacted with an overwhelming burst of joy, showering my hand with kisses, clinging to his bicycle, and grinning from ear to ear. The tension that had been suffocating the bus swiftly evaporated. Everyone breathed easy as he calmed down. As the bus pulled into the next stop, he departed, leaving us all in peace.
19. Filled Up With Gratitude
I don't often have the chance to do good deeds for people I don't know, but once, when I was at the gas pump, this story unfolded. A woman approached me while her baby waited in the car behind me.
She said, "Excuse me, but I'm just trying to get home and I've run out of gas. Could you help me out with a few dollars?" I checked my wallet and found only a few one-dollar bills and a twenty-dollar note.
Deciding to give her the full amount, her reaction was unexpected—she began crying in gratitude. Seeing her reaction, I simply said, "I've got kids too. I can imagine the stress if I were unable to get home".
20. A Wrong Number Made Things Right
A few years back, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unlisted number. It shared my area code, which wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Due to the close resemblance of my number to a nearby pizza parlour's, I frequently received erroneous calls. Typically, I would clarify their mistake, tell them they should have dialed eight instead of zero, and take the call.
The hairs on my back stood up. The caller's voice was familiar, albeit distorted by intermittent static. He told me that he was out of gas and asked if I could bring him a can. I recognised the voice as a mutual friend's, though we weren't close by any measure. Regardless, I felt sympathetically inclined to help him. He divulged where he was stranded—a spot not too far from where I lived.
Familiar with the area, I promptly loaded a gas can in my Jeep and set out. Upon reaching there, an unfamiliar vehicle was sitting idle. Two men disembarked as I neared and I froze. A tad puzzled, I realised that I had no clue who these people were. A gut reaction encouraged me to drive on, but having already slowed down as I came closer, I decided to stop.
Exchanging pleasantries led to the discovery that the man dialed my number by mistake, thinking it was his brother-in-law's. Regardless of the mix-up, I helped them out by bringing them to a gas station. In return, he bought me a six-pack as a token of gratitude.
21. School Boy’s Santa
Around eight years back, during the festive season, my dad decided to spread a little cheer at my little brother's school. He approached the school's principal but rather than asking for any specific names, he wanted to know if there was a family that was in need and could do with a little help in getting gifts and other things.
The principal at the school told my dad about a single mother struggling to keep life together for her two young kids, a boy and a girl, after her husband left them. With this information in hand, we went on a shopping spree at Toys"R"Us.
We got all sorts of awesome stuff like Hot Wheels, Barbie dolls, shiny new bikes—basically, the kind of toys I dreamed of having when I was a kid. It also included in our list a few things to help the mom unwind and relax, like bath salts and fuzzy slippers. To top it all, we included gift cards for Walmart and the local grocery store so that they could buy whatever additional things they might need.
When we delivered these items to the school, the principal was incredibly moved. He was overjoyed to witness such kindness and he expressed it by shaking my father's hand with watery eyes. My dad just brushed it off coolly, happy to have been of help. To keep our gift a surprise, we left before the school finished for the day. The principal then called the mother for a quick meeting and handed her the gifts.
The note this mother left afterwards was heartwarming, to say the least. My dad continued this tradition of playing the Secret Santa the next year too. This time, there were three families in need and, without skipping a beat, my dad decided to extend his help to all three.
My father still carries on this yearly tradition, asking us to keep it a secret to ensure that the news doesn't spread through word of mouth. He isn't super-rich, religious, or looking for something in return. He is just an awesome dad!
22. Open And Shut Case
There's a guy who lives nearby—he only has one leg, and uses crutches for moving around. I always catch sight of him tidying up trash during my walk to school. A couple of months back, while getting a birthday card, I saw him again.
He was trying to push open the store's door, struggling to balance on his crutches. Once the door opened, he had to awkwardly shuffle in while the door brushed against him.
What really stung, though, was noticing that everyone inside just stood by and watched him struggle. So, I stepped in and held the door for him. He turned to me, smiled, and said, "Thank you." We exited the shop at the same time, and again, I held the door for him.
Outside, he shared with me that not many people offered him help like I did. Holding a door open might not seem like a grand gesture, but it made my day. I think the happiness I felt was my good karma.
23. Towing The Line
During a stroll through my neighborhood, an elderly woman approached seeking a payphone. It seemed she had lost her way while driving and was attempting to locate a gas station for directions when she unexpectedly hit a curb, causing a tire to burst. She was in desperate need to ring a tow service, but I stepped in to help out instead.
I diligently replaced her damaged tire with her spare one, and then provided her with precise directions to get her back on track. She kindly wanted my contact details in order to send a token of gratitude, be it money or a gift. But, I modestly refused and bid her good day.
24. Lending A Helping Hand
In my college dorm, there lived a student who used a wheelchair. Unable to utilize his hands, he maneuvered his mechanical chair using his mouth. I wasn't a drinker, so one Friday, while everyone else decided to hit the bars, I stayed in.
Some inconsiderate folks from our floor thought it was a good idea to take the wheelchair-bound student for drinks. After they got inebriated, they did the unthinkable—they irresponsibly left him stranded in the town center.
Somehow, he managed to make it back to our dorm and began banging his chair against my door. No one else was around, and he noticed my light was on. His slurred speech made him difficult to comprehend, but I gathered that he urgently needed to use the restroom and be settled in bed for the night.
I was clueless as to why no one was available to help him that evening, but I knew I couldn't leave him stranded. I really stepped up to the plate—I assisted him onto his bed, removed his shirt and jeans, and made him comfortable. He then pointed out to a bottle attached to his hospital-style bed, indicating he wanted to pee into it.
Of course, he needed help. So, I guided him to use the bottle, and once he was done, I emptied and cleaned the container. As I turned around to bid him goodnight, I saw him lying there with a wide grin on his face. I reckon that was probably the kindest act I've performed for a stranger.
25. Meter Made
Upon completing my final exam in college, my eyes caught sight of a line of six cars parked outside the exam building, all with expired meters. I felt confident about my performance in the exam and knew that I was on my way to earning my degree.
However, some students were still grappling with their tests, with 20–30 minutes remaining. So, I decided to lend a hand. I fetched some change and topped up all six parking meters, ensuring an additional 30 minutes for each. This would cover the rest of the exam time plus a bit extra.
After completing this act of kindness, I hopped on my bike and pedaled away, bursting with joy.
26. Makin’ It Great Again
Not too long ago, my roommates and I got a craving for some pizza, so we decided to order from Pizza Hut. The delivery guy soon showed up, we got our hot pizzas and eagerly started eating. Suddenly, about ten minutes into our meal, we heard this noisy car revving its engine outside our house.
Looking out the window, we saw it was the delivery guy's car. The hood was up and it was parked halfway on our driveway. He also seemed to have called a colleague for help.
Curious, I decided to go outside and see what was going on. Clearly, the car wasn't in a position to move. The delivery guy explained to me that the transmission was totally messed up. I attempted to check the fluid levels, but there was no dipstick, only a filler cap.
The delivery guy suggested I get in and try to move it. So I did—I released the parking brake and the car edged forward. I shifted it to reverse, and surprisingly, it still went forward.
Even when I switched to park, the car kept moving forward. Realizing this, I finally understood the issue. "Ah, I see what's happening here. Your shifter cable is broken," I told him. I then went over to the engine and was able to confirm my suspicion—the end of his shifter cable was ancient, worn, and had slipped off the shift lever.
I managed to fix it temporarily with a couple of zip ties and amazingly, the car was drivable again. For him, it was like hitting the jackpot. "It's my lucky day!" he gushed. I just replied, "Indeed, you managed to break down in front of a mechanic."
His colleague jokingly commented, "Did they even tip you? Cause you need to tip him back!" Laughing, I waved him off, saying, "Don't bother. Just make sure to get a new shift cable." His buddy then replied, "You know, I've been at Pizza Hut for eight years and I've never seen anything like this. I thought you were just coming out to shoo us off your lawn".
27. Along For The Ride
During my holiday break, I planned to attend an anime convention. Suddenly, I noticed a distressed girl. I approached her and asked, "What's wrong?" She explained that her bus pass was empty and she needed to head home. My first suggestion was, "How about contacting your mom?" However, she mentioned her phone was dead. So, I offered mine to her. Unfortunately, after five attempts, there was still no answer.
Scanning the area for any staff, I then gestured for her to come with me. We walked towards the train, and she thanked me but wondered aloud, "But how will I leave the station?" Deciding to accompany her for the ride, I used my card to open the exit for her. As she prepared to depart, my phone started to ring.
The caller was her mother; thus, I had her pause. After a five-minute conversation, she said her mom would be picking her up, and we said our goodbyes. As a token of gratitude, I received a peck on my cheek before I returned to my convention plans.
28. An Accidental Encounter
Once, I was driving cross-country toward Sacramento when, during my journey through Utah, I saw an accident unfold in front of me. An elderly lady fell asleep at the wheel and her car spiraled into the median ditch, flipping over numerous times until it came to a stop, overturned.
Immediately, I pulled over and helped her out of the car, staying by her side until the police arrived. I waited around to recount the incident to them and to ensure that the paramedics could confirm her wellbeing. From our conversation, I learned about her sad situation—she was on her way to San Francisco to spend time with her daughter, who was sadly battling cancer.
After standing by while her vehicle got towed and all the paperwork got sorted, I decided to give her a lift across three states all the way to her destination in San Francisco. Even though doing this delayed my trip by a day, I didn't mind. Considering the circumstances, she was having a rough time and I was glad to lend her a hand.
29. Happy Landings
Right after high school, I moved out and found myself living alone, about six hours away from my family home. Without a TV or internet, I purchased a skateboard, an old hobby I was hoping to revive to keep myself entertained. However, a demanding job and a girlfriend kept me busy, so the skateboard kinda got neglected.
The skateboard stayed untouched in my car's trunk for some weeks. One day, while driving, I spotted a boy with a worn-out skateboard, so I decided to stop. Naturally, the young guy got a little spooked as I headed toward my car's trunk. To reassure him, I just said, "Relax," before reaching into my trunk and presenting him with my board.
At first, he couldn't believe what was happening, but he accepted the gift. Interestingly, it was the same make and model he'd been using, only difference being the wheels and, of course, mine was new and untouched.
What a fantastic coincidence! He asked if there was a special reason that I gave him the board, but honestly, there wasn't one. I just felt like it. I hopped back in my car and continued to work. Over the next year, it was really cool to see him whizzing around town on that board.
30. A Kind Reminder
Back when I was in the sixth grade, there was this one kid who always sat alone. He was a bit different, and for whatever reason, no one wanted to be his friend. I still recall him vividly. He had severe eczema all over his body and was constantly scratching. More often than not, he was the butt of jokes among the other students. I spoke to him here and there but not regularly.
One day, I saw him playing all by himself. It saddened me to see him so isolated. I couldn't sit by and do nothing, so I decided to address my entire class, all 40 of them. I told them about this boy, how lone and out of place he seemed, always playing by himself.
I urged them to remember that he was there, that he existed just like the rest of us. I reminded them to treat him the same way they would their pals. I encouraged them to engage with him, even if it was just a quick chat or an invite to join in on a game.
The specifics of my speech are a bit fuzzy, but I remember it was powerful enough to make some classmates tear up. From that day on, they started including him, treating him with the kindness and respect he deserved.
The transformation was amazing; he was much happier. Thirteen years later, we continue to be good friends, and I get to see him often. It's a beautiful case of karma at work.
31. Big Box Boost
One day, while I was in a Walmart parking lot, a man approached me, talking softly. I soon understood he was telling me he had just been released from prison and needed financial help to reach his sister's place or somewhere similar. It was apparent he felt embarrassed asking strangers for assistance.
Luckily, I had a $20 bill on me, which I handed over to him. Upon receiving it, he began to weep and wrapped me in a hug. That interaction was probably the first time I felt like I truly impacted someone's life.
32. Taking Charge
During my third year at university, I found myself enrolled in a dreadfully dull religious studies course. Suddenly, a fellow student I'd never really interacted with before collapsed and began shaking violently on the floor. Everyone else seemed petrified, including our professor, but I moved into action.
Feeling like a superhero, I quickly stepped in. I sprinted over to him and shifting nearby tables and chairs so he wouldn't hurt himself. Rapidly assigning tasks, I instructed one student to dial emergency services while pointing another towards the mission of procuring some form of cloth—a coat or tablecloth perhaps—that could be used as a cushion once the seizure subsided.
The seizure seemed to last an eternity, roughly a minute, after which he simply lay there, unconscious but still breathing. I rummaged through his backpack to find his wallet and ID for the arriving EMTs.
Next, I retrieved his phone so we could inform his family. Tragically, when the professor reached his wife, we discovered she was already in the hospital, having just given birth to their son the day before.
But the situation ended with a miracle—two weeks later, our classmate returned as though nothing had occurred. Nonetheless, I stayed extra watchful of him in the sessions that followed.
33. Finally Free
There was a woman suffering from MS who happened to live in a mobile home of some dealers from whom I used to occasionally buy weed. She just appeared out of the blue, and I didn't probe too much since I wasn't really close to these guys, I was just one of their customers.
One day, I went to their place and knocked, but got no response, except for a soft voice inviting me to come in. Inside, I saw the same woman laying on a mattress right in the center of the room.
It was a hot summer day, and without air conditioning, she was sweating profusely and pleading for a drink. "Absolutely", I said to her, hastening to find a glass from the messy cabinets lying around.
I wasn't even panicking about the owners coming back abruptly, in fact, I was pretty much seething at the idea, daring them to walk in on me. So, I helped her hydrate herself and curiously, asked, "Why are you here?" She informed me that her family was paying these guys to look after her.
She had been passed onto these lowlifes through a web of mutual connections. I assured her that I would contact her family and make it clear that the current arrangements were not acceptable. She shared their contact information, and after heading to my own home, I gave them a call.
They were under the impression that they were doing the right thing by depositing money into a bank account for the last six months as the guys were telling them they were taking her out for daily walks in the beach.
It felt strange to them that they never got to interact with her directly, but they never suspected any foul play. They were naturally furious once they heard about the actual condition.
I shared the location of the trailer and offered to guide them when they arrived, although I emphasized that I wouldn't step inside. They didn't waste time and booked their flight immediately. I went back the next day, and the dodgy dealers were in.
Part of me feared they might catch wind of the plan and move her away someplace else, but luckily, I managed to stay under the radar. The woman and I were exchanging covert glances whenever we weren't being watched. When they finally stepped out, I pretended she had asked for another glass of water. I whispered to her while providing her with the fresh cup, "You're going home. Your family will arrive later today".
Lost for words, all she could do was nod and cry, her hands reaching for mine. I held them. I wanted to share her tears more than I'd like to admit, but I urged her to compose herself, so we wouldn't raise any eyebrows. Her family arrived, and although they didn't need my guidance, they did the needful. I didn't perceive my actions to be of a heroic nature; it was simply the right thing to do by anyone's standards.
34. A Cup Of Kindness Changed Everything
Once upon a time, I worked at Starbucks and it wasn't so bad, except for a few self-important customers. But hey, it paid the bills! One day a elderly woman walked in, looking quite sad. This wasn't the usual "I'm using my dad's credit card" customer, so I was intrigued.
Asking how her day was, she requested a cup of coffee, insisting she was alright, but her sorrowful demeanor begged to differ. Probing gently, she looked at me tearfully and confessed, "No dear, I'm not. My husband is dying, and I need to learn how to live without him."
Turns out, her husband was her do-it-all guy, doing everything from house chores to pumping gas. Now, he was losing his life. My heart sunk. I handed her the cup of coffee, telling her no payment was needed. The woman broke down in tears. Since it was quiet in the store, we spent some extra time with her.
When my manager hugged her, she confessed this was the kindest act she'd experienced. All I had done was uncharged her coffee. Though, the tale didn't stop there. I later got a call from an afternoon manager. A young lady had called asking about me.
The lady's granddaughter had been told about our morning encounter and was profusely thanking us for changing her grandma's outlook. I was moved beyond words. Fast forward, three weeks later, on a typical Sunday workday.
Between two work rushes, a large group entered. Always a challenge, but I braced for it with a smile. An elderly lady approached me, holding my hand. It was the same woman. When I inquired about her husband, she said, "That's why I'm here, dear.
“I wanted to tell you that my husband passed away. His funeral was yesterday, and the family is here for the service. The other thing, I shared about the coffee you gave me. I don't know if you realize, but that cup of coffee reshaped my view on my husband's life.
“I came to say thank you. I'd like you to meet my family. They have something to share." She introduced me to her crowd, and they all thanked me. At this point, everyone was emotional. The strangest part was, a simple cup of coffee had touched so many lives and even allowed me to share in the celebration of a stranger's life with his family.
35. Giving A Stranger A Chance
Once, while commuting by bus to the suburb where my car was parked outside of DC, I overheard a man upfront asking the driver about the journey time to an intersection close to my home. He was anxious about reaching a job interview at a nearby Safeway within 10 minutes. From my usual bus rides, I knew he couldn't possibly make it on time.
As my car was nearby, I realized I could probably get him to the location in time. Despite knowing that my gesture might be perceived as strange—me being a petite white woman offering a ride to a large African American man—I decided to take the chance.
I reassured him that my car was just at the upcoming stop, and that I was heading in the same direction. Thankfully, he agreed. Once in the car, he shared how he had been on a two-hour journey across three different buses and had been job hunting for over half a year. We managed to reach the Safeway right on time.
As he thanked me, asking how he could repay the favor, I told him to simply pay the kindness forward. I never found out if he landed the job, but I'm glad he got his opportunity. After all, everyone deserves a fair shot.
36. A Little Lawn Went A Long Way
I used to live next to a wonderful retired couple, and the husband, Gary, was a retired Vietnam Vet—a genuinely good person. As a kid, Gary stepped in and taught me how to golf when my dad was frequently away on duty, earning a special place in my heart.
But around four years ago, life dealt him a tough hand—doctors diagnosed him with brain cancer giving him roughly nine months to live. Initially, several relatives lived nearby and would often help with tasks like yard maintenance and home repairs. Sadly, as time passed, less and less family continued to stop by.
Eventually, it was only his eldest son, Jeff, that still made the effort, notwithstanding his two jobs and lengthy commute. Recognizing Jeff's burden, I offered to take over Gary's lawn and leaf upkeep to lighten his load.
When Jeff tried to compensate me, I declined—and we both experienced a heartfelt and tear-filled moment between us. I explained that I thought of his dad like a second father to me. Expected to live for merely nine months at diagnosis, strong-willed Gary carried on for four more years.
He's weathered many cycles of chemo, however, he recently made the brave choice to forego any further treatment, opting instead for serenity.
37. Rescued Rider
Once, when I was 12, I made my way down a narrow side path off the main ski run. This path, barely wide enough for a single person, was normally empty and bordered by thick trees. As I turned a bend, I came across a young boy, about eight years old, wedged in a tree well off the side of the path.
I stopped immediately and spent about 20 minutes helping him free himself. After we managed to get him out of the well and his skis, I guided him back to the primary skiing area. Based on snippets of conversation I caught, it seemed as though the poor kid had been trapped there for over an hour.
38. One For The Road
My girlfriend and I were on an adventure to Oregon, trying to find the perfect place to set up our new home. We stopped at a rest area, where we noticed a man who seemed to be having trouble with his car. I went over and offered assistance, thinking it was overheating due to a water leak. It turns out, he had quite the tale.
He'd been wronged back in California by an unfaithful ex-girlfriend and was now on his journey to Spokane, Washington to reach his parents' home.
Unfortunately, he was out of gas and cash, and hadn't eaten well because he'd been using all his money on gasoline. As it happened, we were traveling with a styrofoam cooler full of simple foodstuffs like bread, meat and cheese, as a budget-friendly alternative to regular fast food joints or restaurants. We decided to give him everything in there.
Then we drove a little further to the next gas station, filled up a jug with gasoline for him, and handed him a few hundred dollars so he could hopefully make it home.
39. This Dog Had Its Day
One frosty evening, I felt the urge to pick up some groceries. I was making my way into a local shop when a homeless man appealing to passersby for coins grabbed my attention. My job in downtown Los Angeles had me quite familiar with homelessness, yet I had grown accustomed to avoiding any sort of interaction.
Ordinarily, their pleas for spare change fell on deaf ears. But that night, something unusual sparked my interest. It wasn't the man, but his four-legged companion, a massive yet somehow scully dog part German Shepherd, part wolf, part mystery. The canine was towering, able to stand probably two feet taller than myself.
Despite its size, I could see the ribs beneath its fur, indicating that its last proper meal was likely days ago. As his owner continued his quest for aid, the dog and I locked eyes. Sadness echoed in its ears pulled back, triggering a wave of empathy within me. I dashed through my shopping, completing it in half an hour.
Speeding through the checkout process, I crossed my fingers, hoping to find the man and his dog still outside. Barely checking my change, I wheeled my cart out and let out a sigh of relief seeing them still there. Walking over, I initiated a conversation with a simple, "Excuse me, Sir". Both he and his dog stood to meet me.
As I handed him my spare change, I uttered, "This is for you". He gratefully welcomed it with a "Thank you, sir, and God bless you". But that wasn't all. I reached into my cart, pulling out a bag of essentials for the dog. Inside were two cans of dog food, a can opener, doggy biscuits, and a new bright red collar.
The homeless man's eyes welled up in response. He stammered, "Oh my God. Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much!" I could sense the dog understood the sentiment too. That same look of gratitude mirrored in its eyes, enhanced by an excited wag of its tail.
40. Pay It Forward
I came across a girl driving on a flat tire down the road's shoulder. She was nowhere near a service station and was at risk of damaging her wheel if she continued. As I began to change her tire, her father arrived.
He was all dressed up in professional clothing, which was a clear contrast to my attire, given my workplace didn't have a dress code. So, I reassured him and said he could relax while I'd quickly fix the tire.
Throughout the process, he kept insisting on helping me. He even offered to buy me breakfast or Starbucks, but I declined. After everything was done, he made a final effort to repay me. "I'd feel much better if I could just give you $20 or so for your trouble," he said.
But I replied, "No deal. Here's my proposition, though. You now owe me a good turn, and to balance the books, help the next person who needs it. Consider that, and we're even." For the rest of the day, I felt pretty great.
41. Big Tipper
When I was about five months pregnant, I was working evening shifts at a Waffle House in Texas while my husband was job hunting in California. On this particular evening, near the end of my shift, the diner was pretty quiet with just a handful of co-workers and one regular customer.
An unknown gentleman walked in and took a seat at the bar, ordering a cup of coffee. Over his coffee, he called me up a few times, showing curiosity about my husband, my due date, and the baby's gender. As he was leaving, he told me he had a gift for me that should be considered as a blessing.
He handed me a sealed envelope that I tucked into my apron, choosing to act respectfully and not open it in front of him. I thanked him and saw him out. Curiosity peaked among my co-workers as I narrated the incident. Reaching into my apron, I pulled out the envelope and it revealed a hefty wad of cash.
The topmost bill was a $20 note, but my co-worker pointed out that the bottom-most note was a $100 one. I counted all the bills, which ended up equalling $2,040. I still don't know who that mysterious gentleman was, but he definitely renewed my belief in kindness and respect.
42. A Win-Win Situation
When I was about 22, I went to an industry party for my company at a bowling alley. They handed out two raffle tickets to each person as we walked through the door. During the festivities, I drank myself silly and just had a great time. When the raffle time came, everyone was standing around pretty silent, patiently eyeing their tickets.
It got down to the last two prizes, and surprisingly enough, my ticket was called. I won a pretty cool little Kodak camera, and I was really excited since I wanted to buy myself one soon anyway. I stumbled back to my seat excitedly and volunteered my last ticket to whoever wanted it. A young couple threw their hands up, and I gave it to them.
Lo and behold, the next number called was for that ticket. The prize was for two round-trip tickets anywhere in the US, and they immediately tried to give it back to me to claim.
Being grateful for my camera, I told them to keep it and enjoy. When they got back from claiming the prize, they told me they had moved out to Los Angeles about five years prior and hadn't had the money to go back home to see their folks yet.
43. Keeping The Karma Going
One late-night, during a heavy rainstorm, I was cruising down a bustling street. Unexpectedly, I noticed that the stream of cars ahead of me was slowing down and peeling off to the side. At first, I figured there'd been a crash, but to my surprise, it was an elderly gentleman trying to push his stranded car off the main road and towards the shoulder.
My girlfriend was by my side, so I quickly decided to venture out into the relentless downpour, leaving her cosy in our car while I went to assist the man.
As it happened, he'd simply run out of fuel. Without a second thought, I accompanied him to a nearby store, bought a gas can, and filled it up at the pump. Following our pit stop, we returned to the old man's vehicle. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he warmly embraced me and whispered in my ear, "God Bless."
That moment sparked a new habit in me: I've since always made sure to stop and lend a helping hand to any motorist stuck in a bind. After all, putting positive vibes out there can only lead to collecting good karma down the road.
44. The Promise
Back when I was just a youngster, dad and I found ourselves standing in a queue. The woman ahead of us, surrounded by her kids, appeared to be a solo parent. Her demeanor was off, and we could tell something was wrong. Faced with a cash shortage of about $60 to cover her groceries, she seemed lost.
Dad, without hesitation, went ahead and footed the bill. While our financial status couldn't exactly be termed 'rich,' we had enough comfort to manage the month's expenses even after this.
The woman, overflowing with gratitude, managed to get dad's name and vowed to pay him back someday. Fast forward to two years later, and we received a call; it was that very woman.
She announced her presence outside our home, disclosing that her financial circumstances had improved and she was now in a position to repay the kindness. That's an event I'll always remember.
45. Parlez-Vous Français?
I happened to be in a Venice grocery store where a charming elderly French couple was shopping for cheese. But there was a significant language barrier—they only spoke French, and the store personnel seemed to communicate primarily in Italian or English.
Consequently, the staff couldn't assist the pair effectively with their shopping. I could see the couple having issues moving their cart and getting around. Drawing on my limited French skills, I figured out what items they were after and fetched them.
Suddenly, I felt extremely thankful for those extensive supermarket vocabulary sections in my French classes! The couple was immensely relieved and grateful—their happiness was infectious and really brightened up my day.
46. Saved By A Stranger
I found myself at a car rental joint in LAX airport. Unfortunately, they were way off schedule. Close to 20 people were lingering around, hoping for an available car, and the company was only renting out cars as they were returned. In this chaos, I noticed a young lady struggling to manage three kids, all under the age of seven.
Poor soul, she was placed at the back of the queue and it was clear that she was going to have to endure hours of waiting in this place with her upset children. As luck would have it, I was next but chose to switch spots with her. I ended up waiting for hours to receive what would have been her rental car.
"Rescued by an unknown person", was her heartfelt comment while expressing her gratitude to me.
47. A Meal In Itself
I'm an employee at an RSA club, a place where veterans and senior citizens gather to socialize, dance, and enjoy inexpensive drinks. Every Sunday, just before closing, we'd have a loyal patron drop by.
He'd typically treat himself to something modestly priced, and only occasionally opt for something a bit pricier. One Mother's Day, I was on shift after a busy lunch rush, and we were preparing to shut down with only around 30 minutes left.
Our customary patron arrived, but this time he brought along his wife and two children who weren't exactly decked out in fancy attire. They perused the menu with an apprehensive look that seemed to say, "this is pricey."
We observed them in a bit of a debate over their meal selection, before they finally approached the counter and settled on a single kid's portion of breaded fish.
That was their entire order for four people, on Mother's Day no less. The man paid using a pile of coins, and it was hard not to pity him as his family took their seats at a nearby table.
I headed into the kitchen while the cook started on their order. Noticing some remaining roast beef and semi-cooked chicken, I slipped them into the deep fryer and assured the chef I’d take care of disposing them.
I assembled a plate with the two chicken pieces and the roast, added the kid's fish and carried the plate to their table. Not wishing to embarrass them, I casually mentioned, "We had these extra portions, and since we're closing soon, I wasn't sure if you'd want them." The mother expressed her gratitude, and the father gave me a look filled with thankfulnes.
48. Looking At My Youth
I was grabbing some munchies at the discount shop during my laundry run at the nearby laundromat. In line, I spotted a kid about 11 years old ahead of me with a few things -- an airsoft gun, its bullets, a toy cap gun, and some caps. He inquired from the cashier the price of each item, saying if the airsoft proved too expensive, he would settle for the cap gun.
The cashier broke the news that he was short by $3 for the airsoft and its ammo. The kid teared up, resignedly settled for the cap gun. But it got worse. I watched him hand over the toys to his younger brother outside and apologizing, "I'm sorry, Nick, we just couldn't afford it". Nick, aged eight, started crying.
Between sobs, Nick said, "We saved for two weeks. James is just going to mock us again".
Moved, I bought two airsoft guns and three ammo sets each. I strolled out, handed the bag to the young boys with words, "Hey buddy, you left these inside". Seeing what was in the bag, they cried even harder but this time in joy and disbelief. They hugged me, asking why I did such a thing—and I felt a lump in my throat.
I told them their situation reminded me of my little brother and me at their age, and I would like them to give old James a taste of his medicine just once, for me.
They enthusiastically agreed, grumbling that James was a bully. Apparently, James had been tormenting them and shooting at them with his airsoft gun for the last few weeks.
49. Last Train To Lowell
One late Sunday evening, I was journeying back from my home to my school on a local train. It was indeed the last trip for the night. Coincidentally, a sweet Saudi girl, who barely understood English, occupied the seat opposite mine. We remained silent for most of our journey until she suddenly spoke up, asking when we'd arrive at Lowell.
The trick was, we weren't headed to Lowell, and she had no way of getting there by train until the next day. Consequently, I reached out to a few friends to secure a taxi service's number. When we arrived at my destination, I escorted her to the arranged taxi, covering the part of the fare that she couldn't.
50. Done In By A Good Deed
Before the age of mobile phones, I once assisted a lady whose vehicle had broken down on I-64 near my place in Midway. She was headed to Louisville, about an hour's drive away.
I decided to help her and her two young children by giving them a lift to my home, presuming my father would be able to help out. However, he had unexpectedly left a note informing us he was going away and wouldn't return until the next day.
Despite trying to contact everyone she knew, the lady found no one available to assist her. I couldn't bear leaving her and her kids on the roadside, so I did something unimaginable. I let her borrow my car. Back then, my car represented my freedom, being a 16-year-old country lad, yet I felt strongly compelled to help her.
She assured me that she would return the next day with her mechanic-relative to fetch her van and bring back my car. Yet, when she didn't show up and her van disappeared, I realized she wasn't coming back.
My only descriptions of her for my parents and the law enforcement officers were- a thin woman around 25-35 years old with two children aged approximately 1-3. We never heard from her once again.
A few months later, my dad got me another car, which wasn't as grand as my birthday gift when I turned 16. His advice was, "Look at this as a life lesson". Oddly, I felt no anger towards the woman. She appeared kind, and I trust she must have had a valid reason for not returning my car.
.Sources: Reddit
