I live in the midwest where we get a lot of snow. One night I got off work late and it was nearly a white out with all the driving snow. I caught up to a county snow plow and followed him the next 20 miles to my home town. We were the only two vehicles on the road. He pulled into the same gas station I did to fuel up. When I went inside to pay I picked out a big chocolate chip cookie and told the clerk to give it to the plow truck driver when he came in to pay. I appreciated that he was out working late in terrible conditions so that I could make it home safely!

Each year I send betewen 100 and 200 Christmas cards out to prisoners across the country who get little or no mail. I do this all out of pocket and it has been such a blessing. I have seen men and women turn their lives around and change their entire attitudes just because I sent them a Christmas card and let them know someone cares and someone is praying for them. Many have become pen pals and many have been released and are now doing fine in the outside world. I had one man even quit a gang he had been in for 30 years. It is amazing what a simple card and stamp can do. I would love to be able to send more cards but the cost of stamps prevents that.

Lent this year begins Feb. 22, and Ends on April 5. This year, I have decided that rather than giving up something for the Lenten season, I am going to do a RAK for someone each day. Just thought some others who celebrate Lent might want to consider this as well!

So I went through a toll bridge on the way to school yesterday and the car ahead of me paid for me!!!! Wow!!! How completely unexpected and sweet, right? I remembered to pay that completely random act of kindness forward too when I went through the other toll bridge on the way home. Bonus for me...there were 4 people in the car that I paid for, so I paid able to pay that kindness back 4x over - yeah!! (Please don't get me wrong...not yeah for me, but yeah to the possibility that each of them pay it forward too).

The month of December there are hundreds of bell ringers standing outside for the Salvation Army. My husband and I give the bell ringers a $10 gift card for McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, or whatever is the closest. They are always so surprised and appreciative. Especially on a particularly cold day, it gives them a place to just sit and have a meal on us.

When getting off the Kennedy Expressway at many exits there is usually at least one homeless man or woman with a sign. My husband and I always have $10 or $15 McDonald's ,Burger King, Subway, etc. gift cards with us and pass one out the window to the people. The responses have always been great. A different way to give!

I read "Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler" by Margery Cuyler. Then I photocopied the hearts in the book and every time I "catch" my students in a random act of kindness I ring a bell and announce what they did. The other students clap and give a thumbs up and we put the heart on the bulletin board titled after the book.

I had gone to sonic on my break to pick up something to eat and drink and a drink for my friend. After I ordered at the drive thru window, I noticed that there were three cars in front of me and it was taking a long time for the orders to be delivered. I thought great; they need to hurry up because I have to get back to work. When I finally arrived at the window to pay, the window attendant told me that I did not owe anything because the guy in front of me paid for my order. I was shocked. I couldn't believe a random person would just pay for someone else's order. I was touched by this gesture of kindness and returned this gesture and paid for the order of the person who was behind me. Paying it forward can really brighten a person's day. You never know whose life you may touch as a result.

Although English is not my native language and I don’t live in the US, I still want to share a small story that has deeply touched me today with you. Today, just as I stood in front of the elevator, about to take my bike down to the first floor. A student of my school kindly asked me, “Are you going to the first floor?” I nodded and said yes.

I thought she was going to take the same elevator. Instead, she pressed the button for me and she walked downstairs. It happened so fast that I didn’t even have a chance to say thank you to her, but I could still remember her smile. After that, I was riding my bike back home. The road was slippery because of rain. While I was about to make a turn, I fell over from my bike and my things were scattered over the floor. At that moment about 5 high school students from the same school helped me to pick up my book bag and stuff.

I kept saying thank you to them and felt heart warming. They did leave a great impression on me. The most amazing thing had happened to me. After I returned to the apartment and took my bike in the elevator. While the door was about to close, suddenly, the door opened. A college girl rushed into the elevator and said sorry to me. She was even happier than the first. I could tell that from her beaming smile and her full energy. I looked at her eyes and her eyes were smiling, too. I was really surprised to see that. I have never met a stranger treating me this kind.

Before I left, she said goodbye to me energetically. I thought to myself how amazing everything had happened on my way home. I was deeply touched and decided to do the same things just like them. That thought brought me to this website and encouraged me to write down the story today. I committed to myself that I would reach out my helping hand and gave people a big smile whenever I could.

I send out notes of encouragement to soldiers in Afghanistan telling them I appreciate their service for everything. I don't sign my name, wishing to remain anonymous. I also send encouraging notes to people in my community and church. I tell them I appreciate what they do and how valuable they are, again remaining anonymous.