These Random Acts of Kindness Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Anna Quintana - Author
By

PUBLISHED Nov. 9 2018, 10:20 a.m. ET

UPDATED Jan. 15 2020, 3:11 p.m. ET

world kindness day acts of kindness
Source: Facebook, Twitter

If you have lost faith in humanity, don't despair because there are still a lot of good people out there. In 2018 alone, there has been so many random acts of kindness, that we have lost count. From a woman hugging a stranger's toddler at a neighborhood football game to a simple cup of coffee at just the right moment, it's often the smallest acts of kindness that go the farthest. 

So, on this World Kindness Day — celebrated annually on Nov. 13 — take some inspiration from these everyday people (and some celebs) who went out of their way to make someone else feel better, without asking anything in return.

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1. This random act of kindness at the doctor's office.

One woman was at the doctor's office was having trouble filling out a form while holding her sleeping toddler. Luckily, a kind stranger was there to help. "This man, from across the room, asks her if she would like for him to hold her baby while she did her paperwork," a woman who witnessed the exchange wrote on Facebook. "She smiled and said that would be wonderful!! This man went over there and rocked and loved on that baby like he was his!! My heart melted!!!" 

2. This random act of kindness at a football game.

A moment between a woman and young boy went viral after his aunt shared the sweet story on Facebook. The duo had initially met two weeks prior and bonded right away. "Fast forward to tonight... not long after we sat down at the game Isaiah spotted her," Star Balloon-Bradley explained. "She waved at him and he made his way up to her. I thought their interaction would be the same as last time but I was wrong. Isaiah walked right up to her smiling, crawled in her lap and laid his head down on her shoulder."

She continued, "She welcomed him with open arms. This lady patted and rocked Isaiah to sleep like she had given birth to him. It was the sweetest!!" 

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3. This random act of kindness by Ludacris.

random acts of kindness
Source: Getty Images

One struggling in writer in Atlanta was in for a huge surprise when the rapper Ludacris payed for her groceries at Whole Foods. "We shook hands. Then I hugged him, shedding tears on the tattoo on his shoulder," Therra Jaramillo wrote after Ludacris paid for her groceries. "I thanked him but I was so stunned that even as we made small talk (he asked me about my four dogs) I tripped over my words, all the while thinking, "I'm talking to an angel. Should I tell him? Should I tell him he's an angel?"

However, when she asked for his name, he said he "was just a guy." The cashier eventually told Therra it was the hip-hop star who picked up the bill. "What Ludacris had no way of knowing is that my husband died of brain cancer and climbing out of that hole, emotionally, physically, and financially, has devastated me for most of four years. I won't lie. I've struggled in ways I didn't know a human could struggle and still survive," Therra continued. "What Ludacris had no way of knowing is that I'm Hurricane Katrina survivor and I lost my mother because of that unnatural disaster. What Ludacris had no way of knowing is that his quiet kindness and generous gesture came at a moment when my candle was out. He used his personal light to fire up my own. Isn't that what we should be doing for each other?"

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4. These teen's random act of kindness.

A mom in Ohio took to social media after witnessing three teenage boys go out of their way to help a homeless man. "A car of three teenage boys pulled in to the gas station, parked their car, they all got out and one by one took their wallets out and handed this homeless man some cash," she wrote in a now viral post. "They then shook his hand and went on their way. Let’s stop giving attention to the youth that do these horrible acts and start giving attention to THESE kind of kids. Maybe we will start a new kindness trend & make kids famous for these kind of things. THIS is the kind of stuff I want to see go viral & clogging up my Facebook feed." 

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5. This kind 8-year-old girl.

random act of kindness
Source: Twitter

Anupriya, an 8-year-old girl from India, had been saving for four years to buy a bike. However, when floods devastated her neighboring state of Kerala, she decided to use her hard-earned money to help the flood victims. "I saw the people suffering in the floods in Kerala. So I asked my father to give all the money I had saved in my piggy banks to them," she told The New Indian Express

When a local businessman heard of Anupriya's selfless act, he gifted the young girl with a new bike for every year of her life. "Anupriya, parnam to you. You are a noble soul and wish you spread the good around. Hero is too pleased to give you one bike every year of your life," he tweeted. 

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6. This random act of kindness at Walmart.

random act of kindness
Source: ABC

A Walmart cashier took the time to paint a disabled customers' nails during her break after the in-store salon turned her away. For Ebony, who worked at the Subway, it was just the right thing to do. "I just wanted to make her day special. I didn't really want her day to be ruined. That's why I did it. And plus she's a sweetie," she told ABC 12. "We're not trying to bash the nail salon. We're not trying to make them lose customers, make them look bad. But maybe spread awareness that no matter the person, who they are, what color they are, disability, whatever, they're people too." 

She continued, "She's a girly girl. She's just like you, me, Tasia, my daughter, anybody. She wants to look pretty, you know, and so why can't she?"

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7. This random act of kindness at Olive Garden.

A waitress at a North Carolina Olive Garden went viral by taking care of a busy mom's toddler so she can eat. The grateful mom, Courtney Pedigo, expressed her gratitude for Nianni Rudder on Facebook writing, "Girl, you will never truly know how appreciative I am for tonight. I seriously admire you, Not only because you took the time to bribe my bratty little human with sweets so I could eat but because you are so so strong," Courtney gushed. "I know your Mom is looking down from Heaven with the BIGGEST smile and so incredibly proud of the woman you are. I aspire to be the go getter you are and like I told my dad on our way home it has to take someone with a strong heart and mind to do what you do bc I know I couldn’t!" 

Nianni was overwhelmed by the love, writing, "It was my pleasure to help. Your family was the sweetest ever. Thank you guys for blessing my day with your presence." 

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8. This random act of kindness by The Rock.

random act of kindness
Source: Instagram

The only thing bigger Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's biceps is his heart — which he proved when he surprised his cousin and longtime stuntman with a truck. "Over the course of my career, my stunt double (and cousin) Tanoai Reed @samoanstuntman has broken multiple bones, severed tendons, torn ligaments & just been an overall dominating bad ass achieving several “Stuntman of the Year” honors. All done with one goal in mind — deliver the best movie possible to the world," The Rock captioned a video of the moment on Instagram. "I had this custom pick up truck delivered just in time to surprise him (he’s still recovering from a stunt injury) while we give what he thought was going to be an interview about our careers together. As you’ll see the moment I put my hands on my hips, that’s the drivers cue to pull away and reveal the big surprise.  Not only does Tanoai represent our family and my career with relentless commitment and passion. He also represents an entire Hollywood stunt community that is truly the backbone of our business.  Love you uso and thank you for the blood, sweat, tears and years. We’re just getting started. Enjoy your new truck!" 

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9. This random act of kindness from a dad.

random act kindness
Source: https://twitter.com/morganp_2018/status/1002738234659692546

Morgan Porterfield shared a story about her handicapped father saving his pocket change to buy her coffee — and the sweet moment went viral. "As some know my dad is mentally and physically handicapped and so especially now that he’s older he’s unable to work or earn an income but he’s been saving his pocket change for the past month for some reason and I thought nothing of it til I came home from work to this today," she tweeted, along with a photo of a note that read, "Coffee money Love, Dad." 

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10. This random act of kindness from a stranger on the internet.

random act kindness
Source: Twitter

A woman helped a complete stranger — who reached out to her from Brazil on Twitter randomly — with his English homework, so he could impress his crush. As expected, their conversation went viral on the social media platform — and Olivia Joy was celebrated for taking the time out to help a stranger. "So my fellow Brazilians struggling with English are asking for more help and for my INSTA so here it is @_oliviamaloney I love being an international tutor," she jokingly tweeted. 

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11. When Nintendo went above and beyond for a dying fan.

random act of kindness
Source: Twitter

When Chris Taylor, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, revealed his dying wish was to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate before its release, Nintendo promptly sent two of the video game company's reps to his home. "WE DID IT GUYS. Today two Nintendo reps came down with the E3 demo of Smash Ultimate and I got to play it for 32 hours with a local friend, my brother and my mom," Chris tweeted. "I got pictures incoming but still like holy s--t. Thanks to everyone who did this for me, you're all the real champ." Sadly, he passed away a few days after playing. 

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12. This random act of kindness from a brother to his sister.

random act kindness
Source: Twitter

After finding out his sister was actually his half-sister, one brother moved his sibling to tears by giving her the sweetest gift. Along with a package of her favorite snacks, he also wrote her a note that read, "I just wanted to let you know how much I love you. I don't care what people say, you are always going to be my sister — my full blooded sister. You are the best thing that happened to me, I love you with all my heart. Thank you for helping me on my worst and thank you for leading me the right way. I will always be there for you, just like you always been there for me. I love you." 

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13. This woman who bought coffee for a "stranger."

act of kindness
Source: Twitter

A retired teacher bought coffee for a stranger who was low on cash — only to discover it was country superstar Keith Urban. "For three years, I have made a resolution to once a week treat someone at Wawa," Ruth Reed wrote on Facebook. "This man was short a few dollars. He asked a lady with him if she had money. I jumped in and said I would pay and explained why. He thanked me and asked my name. I asked him his and he told me it was Keith. I said that he did look like Keith Urban. He said he was." 

She continued, "I didn't believe him. I asked where Nicole was and who was the lady. He finally said that I could ask his bodyguard. It was then I realized what an idiot I was."

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14. This random act of kindness on an airplane.

One teen single-handedly restored people's faith in humanity when she helped a deaf and blind passenger onboard her flight. "That's when this lovely young woman came into the picture. 15 years old, she learned ASL because she had dyslexia and it was the easiest foreign language for her to learn. For the rest of the flight she attended to Tim and made sure his needs were met," another passenger shared on Facebook. "Huge kudos to the flight attendants of Alaska Airlines who went above and beyond to meet Tim's needs. I can't say enough about this beautiful young woman named Clara who didn't think twice about helping her fellow passenger. It was a beautiful reminder, in this time of too much awfulness, that there are still good, good people who are willing to look out for each other." 

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15. This random act of kindness courtesy J.K. Rowling.

J.K Rowling surprised a student — and Harry Potter fan — in the Himalayas after her teacher reached out to her on Twitter. "HELLO, WORLD. SO @jk_rowling SENT A HUGE GIFT BOX FOR KULSUM AND FRIENDS," the teacher enthusiastically tweeted at the time. "HANDWRITTEN NOTE, INSCRIBED BOOK, AND THIS IS ALMOST TOO MUCH TO HANDLE. We are so thrilled and squeaky, I cannot even. Thank you so much, Ms Rowling." 

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16. Another act of kindness on an airplane.

Jessica Rudeen was traveling with a 3-month-old and 4-year-old and was completely overwhelmed. However, a strange came to her rescue and helped her settle the kids in for the flight. " During the flight, he colored and watched a movie with Caroline, he engaged in conversation and showed her all the things outside. By the end of the flight, he was Caroline’s best friend. I’m not sure if he caught the kiss she landed on his shoulder while they were looking out the window," Jessica explained in a viral Facebook post. "This guy, Todd, showed me kindness and compassion that I’ve never known from another person. His wife, he said, had a similar experience when their two boys were young and a stranger showed her the same kindness. I am blown away by God’s hand in this because we could have been placed next to anyone, but we were seated next to one of the nicest men I have ever met in my life." 

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17. When NFL player Jermaine Gresham helped a stranded traveler.

Arizona Cardinals star Jermaine Gresham was at the right place at the right time for one student who couldn't get on her flight after her credit card was denied. "I’m crying as I write this and as I board the flight. This man was an angel. I stop him as he’s sitting in first class and try to give him my money but he just shook me off and told me to pay it forward," the student tweeted. "My heart is so happy. There are good people in this world. Be that person for someone because I know after this I sure will be." It wasn't until after the exchange that she realized it was Jermaine. 

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18. This random act of kindness at Starbucks.

Something as simple as buying a stranger a cup of coffee can go a long way. "Yesterday I bought coffee for the lady behind me at Starbucks... later in the day I found this is my mailbox," Mackenzie tweeted. "Small acts can make a big difference folks, spread some kindness." 

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19. This rent-a-mom.

random acts of kindnes
Source: Facebook

A mom named Sara Cunnigham offered to stand in at a LGBTQ weddings when biological parents refuse to attend. "PSA. If you need a mom to attend your same-sex wedding because your biological mom won't. Call me. I'm there. I'll be your biggest fan. I'll even bring the bubbles," she captioned a photo on Facebook. "The post came from hearing from several same-sex couples — how their parents refuse to attend their wedding, or even acknowledge their relationships," she explained. "People need hope — I sure do — and we need to be that for each other in any way, shape, or form. Hope never disappoints.

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20. And then there was Drake.

random act of kindness
Source: YouTube

In his music video for his single "God's Plan," Drake dropped a $1 million to spread some kindness around, doing everything from paying for strangers' groceries at a Miami supermarket to presenting a scholarship check to the University of Miami. 

Now, go out there and spread some kindness.  

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