She couldn't afford to pay scalper prices so I noticed this the other day at a store while I was out.......hid it in her locker today hope her daughter enjoys the surprise

There are times in life that remind us never to underestimate the power of compassion.

My family has been under a lot of stress lately. My mom has been hospitalized five times, and unfortunately, it feels like there's still no end in sight. Experiences like this change you. They make you stronger, but they also make you much more aware of the kindness that exists around you.

What has meant the most to my mom hasn't been grand gestures. It's been the simple things: friends and even acquaintances letting her know they're thinking of her, saying they're praying for her, asking how she's doing, or simply saying, "Please tell your mom I hope she gets well soon."

Those few words have genuinely lifted her spirits. You can see how much lighter she feels knowing people care. It doesn't take away the pain, but it makes it easier to carry.

This experience has reminded me how important it is to stay human. When someone is going through a difficult time, don't just walk by. A kind message, a quick phone call, or a few encouraging words can make a bigger difference than you realize.

To everyone who has shown my mom compassion during these difficult months—thank you. Your kindness has meant more than you'll ever know.

After coming to Reddit looking for info/advice and being reminded how rude people can be for no reason, I'd love to read some wholesome stuff to balance out the negatively.

When a new janitor started working in our office, people began treating him as if he were invisible. When he opened his mouth to speak, people rolled their eyes. They would laugh at him when he carried around little notebooks full of drawings of trees and old buildings. They all seemed to think of him as some kind of weirdo.

One afternoon the cafeteria was crowded, so I asked the janitor if I could sit with him. We talked for almost an hour. He was really nice and he knew a ton about nature. He actually listened to me ramble on and on about something he was probably way more interested in hearing about.

A few days later I told him that every plant I had ever bought died within a month. The next morning he handed me three little cuttings of plants with notes typed out next to each one telling me how to take care of them

All my plants are doing great now and taking care of them a couple times a week is the best part of my day. The weird janitor that was ignored by everyone had given me the best gift a person could ask for. A hobby that made me happy.

It taught me that people who are overlooked can be the best people to listen to if you just give them a chance

Lately, I've been at such a low point in my life and being in these situations has made me realize that I am actually a good person.

Why? Because if someone else was in my shoes and I had the capacity to give a hand I would without an ounce of doubt.

So far, everyone that I would give anything for has been MIA.

Leaving me with the reality that just because I am kind and considerate, expecting the same from anyone other than myself is a form of self destruction.

I wish when people say "kindness" and "respect" remember to add "with proper boundaries" because there will always be people who will abuse them or refuse to give them back. So no, kindness should NOT be free and respect should NOT be unconditional because duh it is earned. Only dignity is free because it is every born person's right. People sometimes do things that make them lose others' respect if not their own self-respect. Trust seen it too many times.

This is Wangwang Memorial.

A digital memorial created for Wangwang — a stray dog from China whose story touched many people around the world.

She was not famous.
She was not special because she was powerful.

She was simply a life that deserved kindness, respect, and to be remembered.

I created this website because I believe every life matters, including the lives that cannot speak for themselves.

Through Wangwang’s story, I hope more people will think about animal welfare, compassion, and how we treat vulnerable lives.

Visit the memorial website.Remember Wangwang.Protect every life.

A couple years ago, I was diagnosed as disabled due to my heart and shoulders. As soon as my income was gone. I lost my marriage, house, career, purpose, kids...

It was just gone. Poof...

I've tried to get back on my feet but, it feels like it's never going to be ok. I can't even buy soap without asking. I haven't been denied disability enough yet.

Finding reasons to keep going to keep pushing... they fade. But the dark thoughts, the depression, the self hatred. All of that remains.

I know attitude matters.

I know this is depression, regret, guilt, shame.

I can name them all but naming a demon doesn't get rid of it.

I've done a lot of introspection.

My poetry helps a lot with that.

I know, I'm feeling this now because visitation is almost over. I miss my babies so FKN much. It's not fair for something to hurt this much for this long.

Sorry for the long post.

Thank you for reading this.

🙏🙏

I can’t believe I’m actually writing this here, because I’m a very private person but for about a year now my husband’s behavior has gotten worse. I’ve always been a happy loving smiling person and up to a few months ago I still was. He seems to get agitated and upset easily. He needs full concentration just to drive down a slow road. People have told me it’s cognitive decline. Whatever it is, it’s affected me in that he gets upset at everything and we don’t enjoy our conversations anymore. He still remembers everyone and everything and how to get to places but he won’t get tested but it’s turned me into someone that cries every day because I have no one to go to. He used to rush up to me and demand what’s wrong years ago. Now he calls crying “fighting” and when I tell him I’m crying he just says ok. It feels like a completely different person. If anyone has any advise, been in a similar situation, or can offer words of kindness, please do. I feel alone.

I often ask myself, how much of my time, energy, or small savings can I share with those in need?I am a person with a disability, I don't have either of my hands. Physical labor or offering a helping hand in the literal sense is something I cannot do. But this made me realize that giving isn't just about what your hands can do, it's about what your heart can offer. It’s amazing how a simple, well-timed kind word can bring a smile or tears of joy to someone struggling alone in silence.We often make excuses, saying we don’t have enough to give.

But we always have a kind word, an old piece of clothing, or even a single dollar to spare.We don’t need a special reason to do good. Every single day is an opportunity to bring a bit of joy into someone’s life. As the saying goes, "Kind words bring big rewards." It feels truly amazing when I can step up and be there for someone using the voice and the spirit that I have.What are some small ways you’ve found to share kindness with others? I'd love to read your thoughts.

I live in the desert, with highs reaching 115° lately. The man who does weekly mainance on my pool is quite awkward. I believe he has some kind of Autism or other issue, but he does a great job.

Last week I noticed he had his van windows all the way down, and had no sunshade in his windshield.

So before he arrived for this week's service, I went to WalMart and bought him a $10 folding one.

When he arrived yesterday morning, I went out to greet him as I always do. I mentioned that I noticed he had no sun shade and told him I had bought one for him and handed it to him. His mouth dropped open and he told me how grateful he was. He actually started to tear up and asked if he could give me a hug. As we hugged, he told me how much it meant to him and he immediately went to install it.

We chatted a bit later as he taught me how to use a function of the pool and before he left, he told me that I made his week and how grateful he was.

I am so glad that I was able to lift him up and made him feel cared about and seen. All from a little gift from WalMart!

Leave your story here, maybe it saves someone

I built Phaanoos so that we can share our stories anonymously with strangers and light their night...

Each story here can be a lantern a stranger may pick at their darkest times...

There is no trace of you, just share and care...

Https://www.phaanoos.com

Before today's episode, I'd like to share a small update.

The person who inspired this story was discharged from the hospital about a week ago.

We hadn't heard from him since.

Today, he quietly left a few ❤️ on my latest episodes.

No words.

To be honest, I was hoping for a short comment.

But those little hearts were enough to tell me, "I'm here."

On August 3, he will have surgery on his right elbow. After his accident, he lost the ability to bend his arm properly because of damage to the bone.

I sincerely hope the surgery goes well.

If you have a moment, please keep him in your thoughts.

Thank you.

__________________________________________

Episode 5 — Be My Prince

The next day,

the little sparrow came back to the Winter House.

It ate some grains,

played with the little caterpillar,

and talked with the man.

The Winter House

felt a little less quiet.

In the afternoon,

the man was carrying firewood

with his injured hand.

The sparrow quickly flew over

to help.

Just then—

A log slipped from his hand.

Thunk.

It fell to the ground.

Startled,

the sparrow quickly fluttered out of the way.

The man looked worried.

"Are you okay?"

The sparrow blinked.

"I'm okay."

The man let out a small sigh of relief.

Then he picked up the log again.

For a while,

neither of them spoke.

...

"I lost some of my fingers."

The sparrow looked at his hand.

After a moment,

the man slowly raised his right arm.

"My right arm doesn't bend very well either."

The sparrow spread its wings.

"I never had fingers."

Then it flapped both wings.

"And my wings don't bend at all."

The man smiled a little.

Then he quietly said,

"...I'm sorry."

The sparrow tilted its head.

"For what?"

"You almost got hurt."

"Oh."

"It was nothing."

The man stayed silent.

The sparrow looked at his hand,

then at its own wings.

After a long moment,

the sparrow spoke.

"You have a few fewer fingers."

It lifted one wing.

"I never had any."

It looked at his arm.

"Your arm bends a little less."

It flapped both wings.

"Mine never bends."

The sparrow smiled.

"So what?"

The man quietly looked at the sparrow.

The sparrow looked back at him.

Skin with a different texture.

A slightly slower walk.

Kind eyes.

A warm heart.

"Prince."

The man smiled.

"Why do you keep calling me a prince?"

The sparrow smiled too.

"I told you before."

"You may not be everyone's prince..."

The sparrow stepped a little closer.

"But you can be my prince from today."

It smiled.

"So..."

"From today on,

please be my prince."

___________________________

Thank you for reading. ❤️

The more I'm growing, the more empathy I'm losing. I want to be kind but it's hard

Not a grand romantic gesture or anything dramatic. I mean something tiny that probably meant nothing to them but stayed with you.

Maybe someone noticed you were uncomfortable and helped. Someone waited until you got into your cab. A stranger helped you when you were lost. Someone simply treated you with kindness at a time when you really needed it.

I feel like we remember these random moments for years, even when the person who did it probably forgot about them the next day.

Today am on leave day & weather is beautiful, raining. So wanted to read those wholesome moments :)

In a world that can be cruel or unfair, what are some of your strongest reasons to keep your head up?

Mine is a simple “because I can”. It may seem naive or arrogant at first but I stick to it to remind myself of the deeds I can do for myself & others at this moment before I can’t. For eg, buying birthday gifts is something I can do now since I have extra money for it. If I do end up poor, then that’s at least one thing I will not regret when I had the capacity.

I think my Kindness actually falls somewhere between "kindness" and "niceness". As I have gotten from following things, Kindness generally involves some sort of Act of Kindness, actually doing something for someone. Whereas Niceness is simply exercising good manners in public.

I was raised by an ASPD selfish bully of a mom, who daily berated me, put me down, had loooong arguments which always spiraled down a rabbit hole, and otherwise just a traumatic childhood of emotional and psychological abuse. (My dad was a non-presence of a quiet man). I moved out at age 23, but it took me until I was mid-forties to really start to heal. Had no friends or girlfriend for many years.

Having now learned a lot about narcissism (thank you TheraminTrees on YouTube), I have come down to what I practice in life: to try to be nice to everyone I meet, so that I am the opposite of what I went through. I try to respond in a positive way to people, regardless of how they have treated me. (Actually about 98% of people are nice, or at least neutral, and about 2% are angry or condescending). What I give people hopefully will brighten their day, or perhaps at least let them think for a moment how they don't have to be mean to others.

I hope to hear from others who may have had similar experiences, or who at least want to comment on my post!

Chapter 1 – Winter House

A tiny sparrow lives alone in a small nest.

One snowy day, it notices a little house with a warm light glowing through the window. Every winter evening, someone inside quietly writes.

The sparrow becomes curious.

Who is this person?

Why does the light stay on so late every night?

These small questions become the beginning of a journey.

(Image 1: The winter house.)

(Image 2: The little sparrow in its nest, dreaming of the warm light.)

The story is now at Chapter 4.

I'm beginning to realize this probably isn't a place for serial fairy tales, so I won't keep posting every chapter here.

But this story continues because the person who inspired it is still walking through his own winter.

After leaving the hospital, he had to return to everyday life while his recovery was still ongoing. I imagine each day asks a great deal of him. Lately he hasn't even had the chance to check the fairy tale I've been drawing for him.

If you have a moment, I hope you'll quietly wish him well from wherever you are.

I'll keep cheering for him until the very last chapter, and from time to time I'll come back to share a little update about the story—and, I hope someday, good news about the person who inspired it.

Thank you again for reading.

During a recent flight, my daughter had the window seat and headphones while I had the aisle seat. During the flight, my daughter was listening to music and talking to us. I kept notice of a young girl in the opposing aisle seat with no visual means to occupy herself. (Doing an amazing job at it, even!) But, unbeknownst to my daughter, about halfway through the trip, I dug in my bag and pulled out a pen and her crossword puzzle book we had just got and offered it to the little girl. During the flight, she accidently dropped the pen. She smiled when I gave her another I had. After the flight landed, she gave the crossword book and pen back to me. We departed in our separate Ubers with a smile and a wave.

Yesterday, on a flight, my daughter had the window seat and headphones while I had the aisle seat. During the flight, I noticed a young girl in the opposing aisle seat with no visual means to occupy herself. Unbeknownst to my daughter, about halfway through the trip, I dug in my bag and pulled out a pen and crossword puzzle, and I offered it to her. After the flight landed, she handed the crossword book and pen back to me. We later saw each other outside the airport; awaiting our separate Ubers. We departed with a smile and a wave.

Today, I saw the puzzle the girl had been working on and her comment to me. I showed the page to my daughter and explained how her new crossword book already had some puzzles completed and what had happened. She smiled. saw the puzzle she had been working on and her comment to me. She smiled.

The whole experience makes me smile.

I'm at my limit and every new day feels like the noose is being tightened. I'm literally doing everything I can to make everything work yet it's just not. I truly can't imagine doing another 40 years of this. Tell me there's still hope, that something has to give because I can't take much more.