10 Stories That Prove Kindness Always Wins Over Hate

Sometimes, kindness doesn’t cost much or anything, but it may change someone’s life completely. You’ll see it in these stories from everyday people who decided to do something good, even when no one was watching. Each story shows that being kind doesn’t make you weak; it makes you powerful.

• I was a server for a while and my coworker was pretty new. They’d sent most staff home because it was late and, how it always happens, we got super busy. My coworker was struggling and got a terribly rude table.
  They didn’t seem to understand that they weren’t the only customers in the restaurant, and we were understaffed. They made her cry and have a meltdown. We’ve all been there, so I took over the table and, after they left, put $15 on the table so she would see she got a “tip” from the table.
  I never told her I put money on the table for her, and seeing her confidence grow from that was what I was hoping for (her response after was something like “wow! I must not be as terrible a server as I thought I was! Maybe I’m getting the hang of it after all”). — © MaxtheCatismyFav / Reddit
• My next-door neighbor is 78. She’s lived alone since her husband passed. My friends and I used to throw backyard parties in college. I always felt bad about the noise, but she never said a word.
  One day, her lawnmower broke, and I offered to help. She told me, “Son, don’t worry about the noise. Hearing your laughter reminds me that life goes on.” I teared up right there.
  Now I mow her lawn every weekend, no questions asked, and try to spend time with her whenever I can.

• I (26F) used to stop by a small coffee shop in Portland every morning. I was going through a rough patch, just lost my job and was barely holding it together.
  One morning, the barista, Anna, noticed I seemed off and said, “Hey, I got you today.” She refused to take my money and added, “You’ll pay me back when life gets better.”
  Two months later, I landed a new job, went back, and tried to repay her. She just smiled and said, “Pay it forward.”
  So I did. Every Friday, I buy coffee for the next person in line. It’s been a year, and I still do it.
• I saw a neighbor boy practicing his jump shot into some tree branches in his front yard. I had a portable hoop in the back from when I moved in that was taking up space. So I walked over and offered him the hoop for free.
  I only lived there for the next year or 2, but it was almost non-stop basketball dribble next door after that. I saw him, his sister, parents, aunts, uncles, even a grandparent or 2 all take a couple shots at the hoop over time. It felt good to know his family got so much use out of it. — © critical_fail1 / Reddit

• When my dad passed away, I was on the verge of depression. My roommate adopted a dog from the shelter without asking me to cheer me up, and I was annoyed.
  But the little guy, a scrappy brown mutt named Toby, started following me around everywhere. I’d come home from work, and he’d greet me like I was his favorite person. He really helped me move on with my life and appreciate the little things.
• My Dad ran into an old high school friend he hadn’t seen in years. He learned that the man had cancer, that he had no family except a son in college in another state, and that he was basically dealing with it all by himself.
  So my Dad started taking him to his appointments and out to lunch. He even organized how to take his crazy number of prescriptions, since it was confusing to figure out when to take them when they all had different times and requirements (There were about 18 of them, I think he said).
  Then, when his friend died, my Dad helped his son do all of the end of life arrangements. My Dad is my hero. He is such a giving person and I strive to be like him. — © LaeliaCatt / Reddit
• I was explaining to one of my friends from choir that, since I’m no longer working, I can’t afford to sign up for the summer. She immediately offered to pay for my term and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Before I could finish thanking her, she messaged me saying that she already signed me up and paid because “That’s what Choir Moms do.” — © musicalfreak / Reddit

• There was a kid in my neighborhood, maybe 10 years old, riding a half-broken bike with one pedal missing. I’m a mechanic, so I offered to fix it. Took me 15 minutes and some spare parts I had lying around.
  Two weeks later, I found a note in my mailbox: “Thank you for fixing my bike. Now I can visit my grandma every day.” It was signed “Eli, age 10.” I still keep that note in my garage.
• This past Christmas, I knew one of my coworkers, a single mom with three kids, recently divorced, and just moved back home from across the country, was worried about money and the upcoming holiday. I wanted to help, but I didn’t want to hurt her pride.
  I gave my closing manager $50 to give to her anonymously. It wasn’t much; I couldn’t spare a lot. I still don’t know how she reacted or if she told anyone. She’s a nice lady and works really hard. — © Ohanothernerd / Reddit
• My dad left when I was born. Mom worked as a waitress to raise me. I wanted to go to college, but she said, “Start working at the diner.”
  Frustrated, I shouted, “It’s YOUR fault we’re poor!” She just smiled. I had no other choice, so I started to work while also studying in my free time.
  I froze when I found out years later that she had been covering extra shifts to save up money for me, just so I could go to college. She asked me to work so that I could contribute and learn the value of hard work and money.
  She gave me her savings on my birthday! Now I’m off to college to be a doctor, and I’m so grateful to my mom. Love her.

Previously, a reader wrote to us, sharing why he refuses to help his broke parents, sparking debate. Read it here: I Refuse to Help My Broke Parents, I’m Not a Free ATM