Was waiting in line at a petrol station with a few mates in the car. Guy and girl in a Toyota Yaris pull up beside us as they are driving out. Guy leans out the window and passes me a note and says “That’s for your petrol” and then drives off.

The note read – “Just because. Have a wonderful weekend”.

Folded inside were 2 fifty dollar notes.

Last week I was at work, when I saw some people were on a FISH seminar; I read the book some time ago, and had some extra books, so I decided to get some Bookcrossing bookmarks; and give these extra copies to the facilitator. She was worried because, in her words you probably will not get the books ever again, to which I replied Don’t worry Sharon; just ask the people to whom you give the books so simply Pass Them Forward when they’re finished with them; That way many other people can benefit from the lessons in this great story; Then I gave her a couple of PIF Cards to give away from the book. She seemed very thankful!

Yesterday I read the stories of acts of kindness in the December edition of the Readers Digest and felt very inspired to make this a part of life.
Today, I arrived at work only to be shown a great example of this generosity.
Last week my boss won a prize at our company Christmas function. This prize was a weekend away and everyone wished they had won.
This morning, she came to me and gave me her prize. I did not know how to react. Only after reading these stories in the Readers Digest, I realized that she wished me to have this gift, and if I refused to take it, I would be taking away her sense of doing good and wellbeing. I can only say a huge big thank you and wish all good thing for you.
I know that I will certainly be passing on some good deeds from this random act of kindness.

I read your article in the RD Dec issue and had to share this with you.

With my husband (temp) overseas, my dad became very unwell after surgery and had to be admitted to ICU in Cairns.
I drove around looking for a carpark that was free but couldn’t find one. I decided that I would park in the car park and pay the fine. (I didn’t have my wallet on me).
As I was locking my car, a wonderful, kind and caring young man asked me if I wanted his parking ticket to place on my dash. I had tears running down my face (for my Dad) in sadness and coupled with tears of joy from this stranger, it made me feel like someone was watching over me. With all the different “rages” out there, it is so nice to have love, compassion and kindness still in our community. Thank you to the stranger in the red car.
Karen

Was in the front yard of my sisters waiting for her to arrive home after a long hot happy day spent at a friends pool…. As i sat i watched an elderly lady crossing the busy road with her shopping bag and walking cane… As she walked past on the footpath, there was an unmistakeable air of sadness and pain smothering her… i said hello and stood up and asked her if she was ok or would like a cold drink? She looked up with a terrible sadness in her eyes, said thankyou and declined the drink but proceeded to tell me her 2nd son in 8 months had died 6 days before leaving her alone with no husband and now no children…. She gave me a heartfelt cuddle which i squeezed her right back and she thanked me for being so kind and taking the time to ask an old lady who was a complete stranger how she was feeling… I think its now my turn to pass her kindness and selflessness onto someone else, for it was her who looked through her own tragedy and gave kind words to me… My children and i from that moment always say hello and ask people who “feel down” if there is anything we can do for them, instead of feeling awkward and looking away…

Years ago, I was on the red traffic light between Hume Highway & the Elizabeth Drive heading towards Liverpool, NSW. From my car, I saw a little old lady bent over a shopping trolley pushing it uphill! The trolley was not very particularly co-operative having a mind of its own; it just refused to go straight and with each step and push, the trolley leaned towards the gutter jamming as it went.

As soon as the lights went green, I changed my course and made a quick right turn and headed towards her direction. It took me about 10mins to get back to where I first saw the old lady, but she did not progress much as it was a real battle even for anyone younger – I tried pushing it to get a feel of how hard it was.

It was near impossible to stop on Elizabeth Drive and it had a No Stopping sign all along the way. I pulled up a few metres ahead of her and left my Give Way caution blinker on. It took me a while before I could open my door as the on coming traffic was unforgiving and not slowing down. I left my 8 year old daughter locked in the car while I walked towards the little lady.

I helped the little old lady unload her groceries into my car at the same time offered her a lift. She happened to live down the road, although not to far to go, it was uphill all the way.

I dropped her off at her home on the ground floor of a block of flats. My daughter asked me if I knew the little old lady and I said no, I met her for the first time.

She said, “Wow, mum – that was nice. I will do the same too when I grow up!” She has since learned to pass it forward in many other little ways.

Although we were much delayed, it gave me a sense of happiness throughout the day. It made me and my daughter realised how lucky we were: with a car and going shopping for nice things whereas a single old lady had to cart her basic neccessities up the hill on a busy and unforgiving highway.

Next time, when we go about rushing for our what we want, we try to give some thoughts to less fortunate and less abled citizens like our little grand old lady. She was real sweet. It was very satisfying to have helped her, although just once as she refused my offer to take her shopping once a week.

I’m trying – really trying.

At the local swimming pool with the Grandchildren – I stopped walking to let a lovely lady past – she had a child in a stroller and trailed a number of children. She gave me the loveliest smile as she looked to stop to let me past.
Just then someone did a “bomb” into the pool and if I had kept walking and made her stop – all her family would have been soaked. I did feel good and enjoyed her smile.

Not retaliating is a good first step. Maybe he wasn’t thinking you are weak. He probably didn’t even expect any retaliation! However, you can show him you are nice -

Well, the next time you go out to collect your garbage bin, takes his in to his front porch, or when you trim your from lawn, give his a trim. Or share some fruits from your garden, if you have fruit trees. If not, when fruits are in season, by a box and give him half! Place a pif card in the fruit box or on top of his garbage bin.

Then wait and see ….

Hi,
An article about your website and benefits of act of kindness were well discussed in January 2009 Reader’s Digest.I feel much impressed about your concept of thinking.
You are doing a great service to our people. I am happy to be a part of your mission.I am planning in my mind to do a short film about the concepts of making ourself happier and others more. After I read your article,I felt like that. So I am keeping a update of Good deeds Register to collect as many instances. Probably, You should know that I am 19 yr old guy and I don’t know how I could make it out well.I am from kerala,India. This type of innovating style of kindness can bring changes. As it says that,”KINDNESS CAN CREATE A SIGNIFICANT WAVE OF CHANGE AROUND YOU”.

DIEGO’s RESPONSE:
Hello Vimal, and thanks for your heartfelt comments. I hope your intentions of making a movie around the idea come to fruition and you help raise awareness of this simple, yet powerful idea. As you might have read, we ourselves were inspired by a movie called “Pay it Forward” based on Catherine Ryan Hide’s book. Best wishes in your kindness journey.

i read a little about ur mission in the world i liked it i would like 2 contribute 2 it a little
hope u will include me &my views
thanks

DIEGO’s RESPONSE:
Hi Lovy, and thanks for your interest in our movement. To contribute a little all you need to do is download a copy of the PIF cards; print some and carry them with you; and then share them around as you do Random acts of kindness for friends or strangers. If you want some ideas on what acts of kindness you could do, please visit the ideas section of our web site

Good luck in your kindness journey.

You and Your Program are a God-Send. Keep up the Good work. Looking forward to introducing CCS Charity Org. Volunteers to your system.

Read the Kindness article in Reader Digest. The Kindness Virtue has been practiced by Budism for more then 2500 years with possitive results. It is part of the natural law teached by Budism as it was in the past and now still valid .

DIEGO’s RESPONSE:
Hello Andrew; thanks for dropping by and commenting on our cause. Yes, you are correct; Kindness is a virtue that has been encouraged and practiced by Buddhism for a few millennium; just as it was encouraged by Jesus and many other religious type. Of course it still valid! That is why we at Pass It Forward australia we are encouraging people to reconnect with it.

Today I parked outside the shops in the CBD …on my return I found a note saying ring me on a mobile number..at first I thought it may have been a joke. I thought I suppose I should ring it to see if it’s a friend. But do you think I could find my new Iphone? I then read the other side of the note that said I have found something belonging to me..I flagged down the nearest 12 year old school student (who naturally had a mobile), gave his $2 and rang the woman who had found my phone. When we met I offered her a reward…she just laughed and said “pass it forward”…so came home, googled and now know what this means. Hopefully I’ll be able to pass it forward with my own good deed soon. Thanks K…Regards, JC

Years ago before I married, my best friend and I would regularly take vacations together driving around the U.S. We would take with us a cooler filled with ice and cans of soda. Whenever we came to a toll booth, we would pay our toll and then give the booth attendant an ice cold soda. They would look baffled first and then smile and thank us. We loved doing that!!

As a recruiter within this climate, times are tough for both us and our candidates.
Today, I was unsuccessful in picking up an excellent role within a well-known Australian bank.
It was not all bad however, as I told two of my best candidates to apply for the role directly and supplied the line manager’s details. I have no doubt that one will be successful in the role – and even though there won’t be any financial reward for myself, just helping people to get back into the workforce was reward enough.

all my life i have done nothing but good things to people. there some that thank you at the end and some that just don’t care about your kindness but over all my life has been blessed in so many ways. my kindness will keep passing forward.

I drive a tow truck as a part time job on the weekend. Coming across many people in need, I try to at least once a day provide a service and not charge them (tow, tire change, etc,) When they try to slip me some money in thanks, I refuse and tell them, “To pass this kindness forward, to promise me the will make a difference in someone elses life.” They are usually don’t know what to say, but agree. ( Some burst into tears and call me an angel because the bill could have been quite alot of money, that they didn’t have and weren’t planning on needing.)
Thank you PIF for helping make this world better, one person at a time.

Hello world. I recently went for my usual shop at Woolworths in Sydney, Oz. I stood behind an overloaded indian/sri lankan man carrying a massive potato sack along with his shopping. Beside me was a sobbing, terrified little boy staring down the steps and extending his hand for help. The father could not and scolded him in his language as he needed to get down those stairs. I quickly extended my hand and smiled and the little boy quickly placed his hand in mine and whispered something to his father who nodded to me that it was Okay. We walked down the stairs together swinging hands and smiling and when we reached he bottom I was humly rewarded by a warm hug and soft kiss on the cheek from the boy and a bowing of the head from his garteful dad. Kindness is universal, no words were exchanged just gestures,smiles & gratitude. There is always a way to show it, be kind and make someones day. : )

Optus reimbursed me (as a goodwill gesture) $14 which I had paid to a dodgy company for “free ringtones”. Thanks Optus.

I work at the forth busiest woolies in my area, i was working at my checkout with a Que 10 to 15 meters long i was going to be there for another 3 hours and I had run out of water and a lady came through saw my sittuation she bought me a bottle of water and left but the guy who was working behind me had been working the same amount of time but with no water so i poured half of the water into my prexisting bottle and passed him the new one. I have now just got one more person to pass to

from one to the others

I went to the US and visited a theme park when I was younger with some people from school. The lines were huge as it was NYE. While we took a break to have some tea, we got chatting to a lady who had an illness which entitled her to a pass to be able to join a shorter line at each ride. She said she was just getting a snack and heading home so gave us her pass to use for the rest of the night. She was also very friendly

Hi Guys,
My husband, invited 3 travelers to come to our house for a shower and dinner..then later a couple more friends came over, we had a great time! They really appreciated the shower, community and dinner.

USA….One day driving out of a shopping center I noticed on the sidewalk a trail of flower petals, as I drove down the street I was wondering where they came from as I topped the hill their was an elderly (75) man walking with to many bags of groceries and a bouquet of flowers, with each step one of the bags would hit the flowers and knock off the petals. I said to my daughter age 5 let’s help him get home, of course it is never easy to turn around when you want to but we did and asked if he would accept our help, he said yes. I asked about all the groceries and flowers, he said it was all for a special dinner for his wife’s birthday that she was very ill.
Janet