10 Heartwarming Stories That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Read about 10 true and touching stories that will restore your faith in humanity, and remind you of the kindness, determination, and compassion in our lives.

touching stories

10 Heartwarming Stories That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Introduction

It's easy to become bogged down by the negative headlines—conflict, division, and tragedy make headlines more than common acts of kindness do. But, while the papers, magazines, radio, and even social media give these headlines the attention they don't deserve, there are thousands of acts of kindness and courage occurring simultaneously, unnoticed. These stories are what help slowly restore our faith in humanity, showing us we still have compassion beating within our hearts.

The following are 10 heartwarming, true stories that will restore your faith in humanity— the stories where kindness transcends boundaries, strangers become heroes, and a simple action can change both of their lives forever.

1. The Man Who Took 20 Years to Plant a Forest

A young man named Jadav Payeng lived in the state of Assam, India, in the 1970s was found planting trees in a treeless sand bank. He was disturbed by the loss of habitat from that erosion in his homeland, so he began planting trees. He planted saplings day after day—by himself and mostly in silence over several decades. Armed with only his patience and vision that same treeless sand bank is now a vast forest—larger than New York's Central Park. The forest is alive with elephants, tigers, and untold numbers of birds, reptiles, and insects. Payeng, himself, has become a living example to proclaim that one person's quiet act can heal the earth and inspire millions.

2. The Restaurant Owner Who Fed Hungry People for Years

Michael Johnson from a the city of Minneapolis owns a restaurant that addresses the needs of the homeless population. A daily meal for those in need, is a day with a meal recovered from garbage, he watches homeless people rummage through trash for food. Rather than deny them a meal, he began a 'pay what you can' policy. For over a decade, he has offered a meal to anyone who can not purchase a meal--no questions asked. What began as his good, service-oriented deed became a humbling experience that he has shared with thousands. Not only did he offer thousands a meal, he also inspired many of his customers donate their leftovers, several dollars over and above their ordered meal, simply so that someone could have a meal. Johnson's act of humanity is the very essence of how we sustain habitat and repair food deserts for marginalized peoples.

3. The Frequency with Which the Teen Carried His Classmate

In Ohio, the high school student Carson Kissel realized that his friend with cerebral palsy was missing out on some field trips with him because of mobility issues. Rather than let his friend miss out, Carson started to carry him, on his back, through trails, taking stairs, and wandering through uneven terrain so they could experience it all together.

His quiet devotion illustrates that true friendship is all about lifting each other up, whether that is literally or metaphorically.

4.The Train Passengers who Imp4. Thulsin vely Saved a Life

In Australia, a man's leg got wedged between a train and the platform. Instead of freaking out, dozens of strangers banded together, and pushed and twisted the train just enough, that the man was freed before help arrived.

It was all captured on camera; it became a sharp representation of what can happen when strangers come together for a single cause: to help another human being.

5. The Teacher Who Spent her Bonus on Her Students

When Mrs. Wanda Smith, a teacher in Texas, received a bonus from her school district, she did not buy anything for herself. Instead, she purchased food, clothing, and supplies for students' families that were struggling. She even bought food for the field trips to ensure that no child missed out on the opportunity. The teacher's belief that every child is entitled to both dignity and opportunity touched the hearts of an entire community.

6. The Cyclists Who Saved a Lost Dog

During a long-distance bike race in Argentina, a group of cyclists noticed a dog running alongside them. The cyclists stopped to feed her and give her some water, but the dog wouldn't leave them. So, the cyclists carried her with them and no one was too concerned about their place in the race (especially at the back). Then at the finish line, one of the cyclists adopted the dog, rescuing her a forever home. This is a simple story, but it exemplifies that there is never a finish line for kindness.

7. The Man Who Converted a Bus into a Shower for the Homeless

As an ex-firefighter, Mark Bustos has seen first hand how a simple shower can restore dignity to someone who is living the life of a person on the street. He purchased an old bus, refurbished it to include showers, brought ancillary items such as the option of clean clothing, and began driving his bus around his city providing free hygiene service to homeless people. For many it was the first warm shower in months. This story reminds us that compassion can often begin with meeting the most basic human need.

8. The Airport Strangers who Raised $1,000 in Minutes

While boarding a plane at an airport gate, a man found out that a ticket to his father's funeral had, through an error, been booked for the wrong day. Even worse, the airline said they couldn't change it, unless the man paid a fare difference, which he simply couldn't afford. After hearing the man's story, several of the other passengers at the airline gate helped him out by handing him cash and expressed their desire to help him. In less than 5 minutes they had raised more than enough out of pure compassion to cover the difference. At that moment, when strangers left their own lives behind so they could become someone else's lifeline in their darkest hour, is so human, and inspiring to think about.

9 . The Father who Walked Through Snow to Reach a Patient

While in a blizzard in rural Canada, many roads were nearly impossible to pass. One patient in particular went critical while the ambulance was nowhere nearby. Pathologist Dr. Paul Mackey strapped on snow shoes and traveled for many hours deep into waist-deep snow to reach his patient’s home. Dr. MacKey’s determination saved a life—showing that the lives we devote ourselves to helping do not stop when it gets difficult.

10. The Boy Who Sold His Toys to Buy Medication for His Sick Neighbor

Eight-year old Noah James learned that his elderly neighbor was in need of very expensive medications. He didn't wait to be asked, but just set up a small table in front of his house to sell his favorite toys to raise money for the medicine. Soon the word spread and the whole community mobilized around Noah’s efforts, raising more than enough to pay for the medication. Noah’s caring and generous actions in order to help his neighbor, and simply with no urge for recognition—demonstrated that it does not matter about age when it comes to showing kindness.

Why These Stories Are Important

In a world where negativity sells, here's a chance to be reminded of three important truths:

Kindness has a ripple effect — One person's kindness provokes another person's kindness, which in turn inspires another.

Little things can matter — You don't need status, money, or power to improve a person's life.

Human beings crave connection — The best part of humanity is recognizing the hardships we all experience and working together to alleviate them.

Ways You Can Restore Your Faith in Humanity

You don't have to wait for any particular moment or scenario to demonstrate kindness the same way these stories have shown. Here are some little, ordinary moments you can create to improve another person's experience:

Offer to help an elderly neighbor carry their groceries in from their car.

Pay for someone else's coffee and don't expect anything in return.

Volunteer at your local shelter or food bank.

Write someone that has made a positive impact in your life a thank you note.

Listen to someone who needs to talk.

None of these gestures might feel grand, but for someone, it could be something they remember for a long time.