The Impact of a Stranger’s Kindness

Sometimes, the universe conspires to help us—through human hands.

Kindnesses shared with us can be small and subtle, like a head nod, a wink, or a wave. They might be thoughtful gestures—a door held open, your coffee paid for by the person ahead of you, or a surprise share of fresh-picked strawberries left on your doorstep by a friend. And sometimes, they’re grand, life-altering kindnesses from a stranger that stay with us forever.

For me, that moment came when I was just sixteen years old. I was sobbing in an airport in Rio de Janeiro, clutching my going-away gifts, with no money left to pay the unexpected departure tariff to leave the country. In my panic, feeling utterly abandoned and hopeless, a man in a cowboy hat approached me.

He told me not to worry, that he’d take care of it and make sure I got home.

And he did.

I never saw him again. I didn’t know his last name. But to this day, I’m still in awe of the immense kindness I received from a stranger, who helped me without asking for anything in return.

Restoring Our Faith in Humanity

In a world that can feel so disconnected and lonely, strangers still show up. Their kindness is often the bridge between isolation and belonging.

Encounters like mine with Cowboy Joe remind us that goodness exists. Especially today, when negativity fills our newsfeeds, these reminders matter. They show us that love still shows up in surprising ways to restore our faith in humanity. I know I need those reminders, and maybe you do too.

How Can We Pass It On?

Small gestures can create lasting impact, often far beyond what we see. When we feel seen and appreciated, we respond with a more open heart. Kindness ripples outward—when we’re recipients of it, we’re more likely to pass it on, to look for ways to be kind to others.

Here are 5 simple ways to share kindness today:

🤠 Offer a sincere compliment to someone you pass today – you never know how much they might need to hear it.

🤠  Let someone move ahead of you in line, no matter how rushed you feel.

🤠 Leave an encouraging sticky note in a public place as a surprise for a stranger to find.

🤠 Write a short thank you email or text to someone whose work often goes unnoticed.

🤠 “When you receive exceptional service, don’t just say thank you – tell their manager too. It’s a simple act that can have a big impact.”

Who Are the Strangers Who Shaped Your Story?

Take a moment today to think about them. If you can, reach out and thank them. And if not, keep their kindness alive by passing it on.

✨ To read more about my encounter with Cowboy Joe and the strangers who became family, check out Chapter 2 of Gifts of Gratitude.