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These stories were written by people like you. Read how their lives were changed for the better by adopting positive values. Be inspired by them.
I had the privilege of witnessing an experience I will always remember. It occurred in the busy parking lot of a grocery store. An elderly woman was struggling to maneuver her grocery cart and unload it. A young man walking by stopped, turned around, and returned to the side of the woman. He asked if he could help her and lifted the groceries into her trunk (a very easy task for him). She smile... MORE
Values:
COURTESY
An unusual blizzard hit our area of Oklahoma on Christmas Eve. We're not set up to clear the roads from a huge storm like that. A couple of weeks later there were many parking lots and side streets that were still icy. I pulled into a parking spot at a grocery store and my tires slid a bit on the ice. My bumper bumped the SUV in the next spot. It left a smudge on the bumper, and the owner wa... MORE
Values:
FORGIVENESS
My family runs races together, but I frequently run 5ks by myself. It was at a 5k in Tulsa where I really figured out what the whole running community is about. I was about a half a mile away from the finish line when I noticed a girl about 7 or 8 years old who was walking by herself. I had noticed her running earlier with her mom and her mother had run ahead of her after an argument. After gl... MORE
Values:
REACHING OUT
It was late at night after working as referrees for a High School basketball game, that my husband and another referee stopped in at a 24-hour convenience store and asked to cash the High School's single paycheck so they could split their earnings. The elderly woman working at the till agreed to cash the local check, but mis-counted the cash and gave them $20 extra back. When the two men coun... MORE
Values:
HONESTY
I was on the phone with my dad while I was standing in line at a McDonald's, getting my sister some lunch. On the phone I was asking my dad to borrow ten dollars because I had plans to take the train later that day, as I didn't get my paycheck for a few days. I was broke.
While I was explaining my situation to him an old woman turned around and stuck her arm out to me, with ten dollars in h... MORE
Values:
HELPING OTHERS
I have two sons, ages 14 and 11. About four years ago we had a discussion about how lucky we were to be healthy and that there are many children who are sick. I told them about the Make a Wish Foundation and they wanted to do something to contribute to that great organization. They bought a bubble gum machine, called all around town and finally (after a lot of rejection) got permission to put i... MORE
Values:
HELPING OTHERS
January 12, 2010
My name is Erica F. I am a Flight Attendant for US Airways. This morning on a flight from Charlotte, NC to Phoenix, AZ I witnessed an amazing transformation not only in me but also in many of the passengers on board our flight. I was approached by our First Class flight attendant while I was preparing the accounting machine for in-flight sales. She said that a kind First ... MORE
Values:
GENEROSITY
I am a volunteer for The American Diabetes Association (ADA). I am on the planning committee for a one day cycling event called 'Tour de Cure'. It is sponsored by the ADA and the proceeds of this event, are used for diabetes research and program funding.
While I was talking to people about our 'Tour de Cure' event in downtown Denver one day in July of 2008, I met a young lad from Oklahoma na... MORE
Values:
HELPING OTHERS
I am 11 years old and I have learned something important.
I was at school and we were going to a presentation about a program called Rachel's Challenge. Some of you may have heard of it, and it taught me something. I have realized that we are in a bad state in the world. I had decided, then and there, this will be my life's work.
I went to the man presenting the program and told him this;
"... MORE
Values:
COMPASSION
When I was about 7, my Father gave me regular task to perform- taking out the trash. I noticed that my friend Bobby next door had the same chore , but always seemed to miss or forget? I thought that was not right and asked my Father about it one night. What he said has been with me ever since: Responsibility is doing what needs to be done even when no one is there or even if no one EVER knows! MORE
Values:
RESPONSIBILITY
Listening is important to me because if you don’t listen you can’t become a successful leader. If someone is trying to tell you something important and you don’t listen then you won’t know what to do or how to help. Not listening can cause major problems. If a doctor doesn’t listen to his patient he is not going to know what to fix or how to contact with the patient. MORE
Values:
LISTENING
Last week I was sitting in the lobby of a medical building when I heard an elderly woman talking on the phone about her husband. His name was Ed and he dropped her off for her doctors appointment, and was going to park the car and wait for her. She was so upset because he never came back to get her and she stated, "He has never left me alone before". As she described her situation to the per... MORE
Values:
COURTESY
My story is about my best friend, Charlotte. The reason I am writing a story about her is because she never thinks of herself, only of others. Her goal in life is to give to others and not take for herself. I have never seen her think of herself first.
Her husband has MS, and is a paraplegic. He can lock his legs to help her transfer him from the wheelchair to other places, but she mus... MORE
Values:
CARING
The entrance you have just passed through is the equivalent to my old front door
The family pictures that were proudly hung on display, aren’t hanging there anymore
Once inside you will meet, a young lady who will ask you to sign your name in a big book
I’d like to see who was remembered today, but I don’t think that I’m allowed to look
Sometimes those around me act hopeless and lost whi... MORE
Values:
LIVE LIFE
On another lazy Humboldt afternoon, thanks was given for the rescue of a young woman from the extremely dangerous and cold waters of the Pacific Ocean in Shelter Cove, Ca. The brave Volunteer Shelter Cove Fire/Rescue Department saved a young woman from a near fatal hypothermia drowning off of remote Northern California's rugged coast.
The volunteers are extremely courageous and heroic in the... MORE
Values:
COURAGE
PREPARATION
Two years ago my grandfather was diagnosed with heart disease. When they told him he had 8 months to live he said "I'll go when I go." He was not put down by it and he acted as if everything was fine. He went out for walks, went shopping,and even though it was clear there was something wrong he carried on with his normal life style. We all were very upset but seeing him happy no matter what mad... MORE
Values:
COURAGE
A person who inspires me to live out my dreams would have to be my mom. She has accomplished so many things in her life and has always provided for my brother and I when we thought things couldn’t get any worse. She has always put her kids before the world and still went out and accomplished the world. She has shown me that even when times are tough, there’s hope for tomorrow. That makes me wan... MORE
Values:
LIVE YOUR DREAMS
The first time I met Debbie, I felt very welcomed. I had heard many stories of Debbie’s horse club and that they practiced day and night with no breaks. I was told that Debbie yelled constantly and was mean to her students. But none of this was true. Debbie began coaching me in horse judging and riding when I was in my freshman year of high school. She taught me a lot in the first couple of mon... MORE
Values:
LIVE YOUR DREAMS
The first time I was placed on a horse, I knew that this was going to be my life from then on out. My aunt taught me to ride ever since I was in diapers. But when I moved down to Charlotte, I realized that my aunt had opened so many doors to different endless opportunities for me. One of those doors I have walked into was representing the United States in Wales with the United States Mounted... MORE
Values:
LIVE YOUR DREAMS
My dream is to become an orthodontist, soar to new heights, and impact the world. Ever since the day I got braces, I thought about how cool it would be for me to become an orthodontist and make other teens like me have more beautiful smiles. The thought of helping other people overcome fear of their image or self-esteem became so real to me the day that I got my braces off two years later. ... MORE
Values:
LIVE YOUR DREAMS