People generally aren’t used to kindness from strangers. Most of us are too wrapped up in our lives to pay much attention to anyone else.
That’s why it’s so striking when strangers do something unexpected. The act may be as simple as holding the door open for someone else, or letting a person go first in line. Even the smallest actions can have an impact.
With some people, though, the well of generosity runs deep. They do incredible things to improve other lives, opening their pocketbooks or going the extra mile in unexpected ways.
Each of these actions changed lives, and in some cases saved lives. And nearly each one inspired others to act a little kinder or give more of themselves. Good deeds are funny like that.
Click ahead to see 10 acts of generosity that did more than make people smile.
Buying a stranger’s wedding dress
Liz Jensen found the perfect wedding dress last month at a Utah dress shop. When she went to pay for it, she learned that another woman had already taken care of the $495 cost.
The other woman had been at the shop trying on dresses at the same time. Instead of buying one for herself, she pointed to Jensen and said she wanted to buy Jensen’s dress.
“I was just so incredibly touched,” Jensen told WQAD. “To have that person who can look inside themselves to do something nice for someone else, it’s something I’ll never forget for sure.”
Jensen said she plans to share the story to guests at her wedding and encourage them to do something kind for others