It has been long believed that humans are inherently selfish, doing whatever needed to perpetuate their own survival. Recently, a study done by the University of California, Berkley suggests that we are evolving toward the more benevolent side of the spectrum. The study by social psychologists suggests that we are evolving to be more cooperative and compassionate in our quest to survive and thrive. Scientists believe that we are successful as a species because of our nurturing and altruistic tendencies as opposed to an ‘every man for himself’ type of mentality. Taking care of our young and those in need is considered our most primal and our strongest instinct, our ability to cooperate as a species has been a large factor in the success of the human race, and the flow continues to head in that direction.

Recent scientific evidence has found that surprisingly, our brains are actually wired to be benevolent. The study, led by UC Berkeley graduate student Laura Saslow and Sarina Rodrigues of Oregon State University, found that people with a particular variation of the oxytocin gene receptor are more adept at reading the emotional state of others, and get less stressed out under tense circumstances. Oxytocin is secreted into the bloodstream and brain promoting social interaction, romantic love, and other positive functions. White studies show that bonding can lead to a longer and healthier life, the question is focused on how these traits ensure our survival.

A study to answer this question came up with the results that those who were more giving and nicer to their peers had a better relationship with them as well as more influence. Those who remained self centered were shunned by their peers and at times even hated. In light of recent discoveries concluding that the human brain is geared toward acts of kindness and the benefits that benevolence yields, scientists are increasingly beginning to wonder why such large amounts of selfishness exists. Positive psychology is being studied at an increasing rate throughout the United States, and there are interesting results pertaining to the study and how it can help cultivate a better society. Studies on children have also concluded that those less geared toward material possessions and competitive activities are more resilient and compassionate adults.

Results of various studies have connected a sympathetic touch with the release of oxytocin and a calming of the body. Scientists have amassed strong evidence to support the theory that humans are wired to be sympathetic and that kindness is our strongest instinct.

Most people are so busy that it is impossible to slow down every once in awhile and say thank you to those who perform an act of kindness. Random act of Kindness Day is a chance to pay it acts of kindness forward.

Friday, Nov. 13 will be the inauguralRandom Act of Kindness Dayin our area. Before that date, cards will be circulated throughout the community. The cards will encourage the cardholder to perform a simple act of kindness for someone — a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, or someone they don’t even know — and hand the card over to that person, encouraging him/her to do the same.

There are many different types of action that people can use as their kind act: buy someone a coffee, congratulate someone on a job well done, act as a sounding board for another, even something as simple as holding open a door for someone with their hands full. Each act provides us with an opportunity to connect with a member of our community.

These types of ‘holidays’ are popping up all over the place in select cities. Hopefully one day we can all set aside a day to pay it forward.

Random Act of Kindness cards will be available at the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area, located in the Dundee Wealth office, 27 Coldwater St. E. For more information, please call 259-1163.

I recently read a blog post pertaining to authorities in Newcastle saying that the kindness of strangers could kill. The Northumbria police force is cracking down on begging in the city of Newcastle with a campaign illustrating that most of the money given to the homeless is spent on drugs or alcohol. The authorities instead encourage people to give the money to charities made for the homeless.

As much as I can see the angle that authorities are taking in this stance, to me it somewhat defeats the purpose of random acts of kindness. Sure, there are people who take the time to give to charity and budget it out very carefully, but then again there are people who do not. Some individuals will give to those in dire need based on a whim with no prior meditation of doing so.

To me, scaring individuals out of performing kind acts is baffling. There are absolutely beggars who will spend the money on drugs and alcohol, but then again there are some who spend it on legitimate needs. Why should those who are stuck and doing all they can to better their situation be penalized for those who are using the money to buy detrimental substances. Besides, shouldn’t it be the job of the authorities to clean up the amount of drugs on the street rather than encouraging people not to give beggars money to purchase them?

I must say that discouraging random acts of kindness is a truly sad thing to preach. I would have to imagine that charities and organizations to aid the homeless do all they can, but couldn’t possibly reach everyone in need. Being a huge fan of random acts of kindness, I believe that it’s worth a few people, or even more to buy detrimental substances so that somebody less fortunate can buy a meal.

A Vancouver non-profit group by the name of Big Give decided to see how difficult it would be to hand out 100 acts of free kindness in 100 minutes. At first, most individuals were unreceptive to their offers and simply ignored their offerings of free hugs and free flowers. Vigilant in their quest, the volunteers held their ground and continued to offer free acts of kindness to all of those passing by.

Eventually, and for whatever reason, the people on the cold streets of Vancouver became more receptive to the idea of free kindness. Soon every passer by was accepting hugs from the volunteers and posing for pictures with them. The response was so overwhelming that they soon were offered free coffee and other items from Vancouver residents.

Think about how long you work on a daily basis and think about how small 100 minutes of that time is. Furthermore, think about how easy it would be to take five or even one minute out of your day to perform an act of kindness toward another. Most individuals can be unreceptive to kindness at first as the video showed, but deep down acts of kindness will brighten everyone’s day.

Check out more of the Be kind 2 Others movement at their website http://www.bekind2movement.org/

The new column in the USA today titled the Kindness Community picked the first winner of their  Kindness Community Hero yesterday. Mike Ball of Whitmore Lake, Michigan was the first to receive this honor with his work in founding Lost Voices – Creative Journeys for Youth at Risk.

Ball started the foundation by realizing how much impact that artistic expression can have on youngsters. The Lost Voices program, which was founded in 2007 offers workshops for youth that has been incarcerated and those who run the risk. Many of these incarcerated youth come from families with histories of incarceration, abuse, and neglect, and have few, if any, positive relationships with adults. Programs such as Lost Voices has been proven by studies to greatly reduce the risk of children in these situations to become involved in criminal activity or be incarcerated as an adult.

Each summer, Ball, a nationally syndicated columnist and humorist,  along with folk and blues musicians like Josh White, Jr., Kitty Donohoe, and “blues master” Robert Jones  help the kids compose their own folks or blues music and then gives them the opportunity to perform their compositions in front of a crowd at a professionally-staged concert. Ball hopes to expand his foundation and expand his effort across the United States. The USA today award will hopefully give his foundation enough attention for some major funding sources to jump on board.

For more information on Lost Voices, visit their website or see a video of their work.

Mike Ball and his Lost Voices Organization

New assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder Maurice cheeks has been a member of the NBA for quite some time. The former member of the 1983 championship winning Philadelphia 76ers and the former coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. He became an icon of kindness during a 2003 playoff game between the Trail Blazers and the Dallas Mavericks. It is now remembered as the ‘Maurice Cheeks Moment’.

The setting is Rose Garden, home of the Trail Blazers who were in a must win situation against a Dallas team that already had a two game lead in the best of seven series. Natalie Gilbert, a 13-year-old eighth-grade winner of a promotion walked out to center court to perform the National Anthem. She woke up with the flu that day, though, and felt awful as she stood before 20,000 amped fans.

A smile, small toy, or a fleece pillow might seem insignificant, but it means a lot to children at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia a ray of comfort during a difficult time. These small acts of kindness has earned 12 year old Dustin Darby the October Kids Wish Network’s Hero of the Month. The Kids Wish Network is a national children’s charity that has various programs, including wish-granting for children with life-threatening illnesses and the Hero of the Month program, which recognizes children with nonlife-threatening illnesses who have faced many difficulties and often endured a lot of pain.

The organization cooperates with many organizations from around the country and awards one child per facility the award. Recipients are awarded with a medal, certificate, t shirt, and a retail gift card. Dustin suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, more commonly known as brittle bone disease, and has broken more than 120 bones and had more surgeries than most grown adults. He received the award not only for the pain that he has endured, but for the fact that his family buys small gifts for the children at Shiner’s and makes IV pillows for them. Dustin also talks to children before they get surgery in an attempt to comfort them and help them through their experience.

Dustin is also a hunter and, thanks to the Tony Semple Foundation for Hope, was chosen to be one of four disabled hunters flown to Michigan for a hunting trip in September 2007. When given a $400 gift certificate, Dustin also offered to take one of the nurses from the hospital to Wal-Mart and buy her a few things, but she declined explaining that it was his money and he could spend it however he wanted. It’s good to see children at a young age reaching out to others and putting them before themselves. Perhaps the entire world could learn something from 12 year old Dustin Darby.

London’s Kindness Offensive has been gaining quite a bit of media coverage as of late with their approach to inspiring love and kindness in those around them. Their goal is simply to have as much fun as possible while spreading kindness and encouraging others to do the same. Both small and large scale random acts of kindness have been performed by the Kindness Offensive with the help of volunteers, companies, and charities in the London area and gained the organization quite the following.

In an attempt to sway the impersonal disregard for others that is present in the London Metropolis, the Kindness Offensive is well known for its experiment that awarded everyday people for acts of kindness. A member of the offensive would be bait, and pose as a common person in need of a helping hand. The rest of the team would lie in wait until someone came up to the stranger and offered a helping hand. The rest of the team would then out of nowhere come up to the person and begin praising their kindness.

The Kindness Offensive has been carrying out random acts of kindness over the last year in a bid to encourage good vibes in the capital. One of the most successful events took place on Shrove Tuesday, last February, when they gave out thousands of free pancakes from a diner in central London and they donated half a million more to charitable organizations. Being covered in the media quite frequently by London publications by awarding random acts of kindness with such items as medals, champagne, and flowers. The hope is that the spectacle will not only be fun for witnesses and participants, but it will inspire others to see the joy that kindness toward others can bring, and how quickly it can spread.

Donating over 25 tons of food to the needy and over 35 tons of toys to good causes, the Kindness Offensive has touched the life of countless Brits. Armed with a confetti cannon, the Kindness Offensive shows no signs on stopping in their quest to spread kindness all over London and eventually further.

Join the Offensive

Statesman Journal October 26, 2009

A local program on Salem’s fringe has brought health and veterinary care to the pets of homeless people. The clinic offered free vaccinations and medication to the pets as part of an attempt to increase public health and provide care for animals whose owners can’t afford it.

Veterinarian Mark Stoenner of the Willamette Valley Animal Hospital in Keizer saw more than a dozen animals on Sunday. The makeshift clinic was a small building near Cascades Gateway Park – a Southeast camping area for the homeless and their pets. As their pets received health exams, their owners socialized, ate spaghetti and talked about their pets.

This is not the first time that Salem has held one of these clinics which is usually supplemented by a barbecue. They have been occurring monthly since May and are the result of teamwork by the Willamette Valley Animal Hospital, the Marion County animal shelter and Prodigal House Ministries, a non-profit organization.

The goal is to provide each pet with a health exam, vaccinations, and a full set of flea and deworming medications. They also spay and neuter the pets. Lending a helping hand to the homeless and their pets as well as promoting public safety is the two part benefit to these clinics. The outreach program which is fully supported by donations has treated over 80 pets owned by homeless people.

Many of the homeless in the Salem area avoid shelters because they don’t allow pets who they have become very attached to. The outreach program has shown a great deal of kindness for giving the pets of the homeless something just as important as the love of their owners.

A New Approach to Philanthropy and Generosity

Razoo is a site dedicated to ensuring that individuals and businesses alike get the most from their acts of kindness. The revolutionary idea offers customers the ability to choose from different fund raising and donating options with incredible tracking capabilities and easy sign up. The easy and streamlined approach to philanthropy makes Razoo easy for anyone to use and become a part of a community of generosity. Razoo lets users donate to any registered U.S. charity, assist fundraisers and nonprofit organizations in finding donors through social media and other fund raising tools.

“Our company aims to address a huge unmet need in the philanthropic space: the need for a comprehensive donor-oriented giving platform, where ordinary people can find both the inspiration to make a difference and the tools to turn that inspiration into real change.”

Tell your story, upload photos or videos, and track your donations with their system, that is mapped out and incredibly easy to understand. All of the donations are paid 100% to the nonprofit or charities that you choose as well as detailed stats on each organization. The Internet can also be used as an instrument of good; Razoo fully harnesses its power and allows you to connect with other individuals around the globe. Philanthropy is not just for the rich and famous, but anyone who has the will to give and show generosity. See what technology, awesome customer support, and an all encompassing approach to philanthropy can do for you.

A Random Act of Kindness Lands Ohio Man in Jail

What began as a random act of kindness for one person led to them being locked up for the night and facing charges. This person was trying to have a little fun while performing acts of kindness that for some reason local authorities didn’t find too amusing. A witness in the Akron, Ohio area saw a person dressed as a clown putting quarters in every parking meter on the street that had a car parked at it. He was stopped by police and when they found out what he was doing was arrested. He spent the night in jail and is facing charges of fines for his random act of kindness.

This generous act of kindness ended up with an arrest? Are you kidding me? What has the world come to when a selfless act of kindness ended up in charges brought by the city. Has our society become so jaded that a person simply acting out of the goodness of their heart should be arrested? There may be some law against putting quarters in parking meters, I don’t know, but it seems as though the least that the police could do is let the clown off with a warning. It’s up to bloggers and media to bring positive stories to the public so that kindness is not such an anomaly in society and stories like this don’t occur again. We are all pushing for the poor kindness clown and hope that too many stories like this don’t squash acts of kindness.

This story was taken from the Random Acts of Kindness Blog

The Idea Behind Paying it Forward

The term Pay It Forward represents an act of kindness that will positively impact another’s life. This term is usually designated to small and random acts of kindness that anyone is capable of achieving. Sure, you could donate 1,000 to charity, and that would be a wonderful act of kindness, but paying it forward is more geared toward simpler tasks that are encouraged on a daily basis.

According to the original post by Belinda Munoz, author of the blog The Halfway Point: Choosing Positivity, the main goal of paying it forward is to take the focus off of oneself and analyze how they can brighten someone else’s day. Looking out for number one and taking what is offered and what you’ve earned is human nature. Giving is much less intrinsic in our nature, but the benefits can be just as rewarding. Knowing that you brightened someone else’s day and asked nothing in return is a gift in itself and worth experiencing.

Photo courtesy of http://thehalfwaypoint.net/2009/09/50-simple-ways-to-pay-it-forward/

50 Ideas for Random acts of Kindness

1. put a quarter in a meter, any meter, that’s about to expire
2. leave a copy of a really great book you’ve read in a cafe for someone else to enjoy
3. be nice to the customer service people who are trying to help you with your technological difficulties
4. tip your restaurant server generously
5. thank the cooks, waitstaff and bussers personally
6. say something nice or funny or goofy to the toll booth attendant (like, “Don’t drive too fast, now” or “Glad to have encountered you today”, or something less hokey)
7. forgive a driver directing road rage at you
8. buy or pack a meal for a homeless person (or give him/her your to-go box from a restaurant)
9. give a warm coat to a homeless person
10. offer to do pro bono work on a project where your skills are needed
11. mentor someone
12. make a donation
13. say a prayer or whisper a kind wish for someone
14. compliment a stranger
15. send a box of donuts or bagels or muffins to a construction site
16. next time you leave a foreign country, give all or some of what’s left of your currency to someone who resides in that country
17. next time you’re at the airport, offer to pull the bags belonging to a woman or a mother with child out of the conveyor belt
18. praise generously
19. give local tips (re: restaurants, sights, etc.) to a tourist
20. show respect equally to all human beings
21. put a tip in a street musician’s jar
22. let someone cut in front of you at the grocery store
23. tell a funny joke to a stranger
24. give someone a chance to prove him or herself
25. encourage someone to pursue their dream
26. allow someone to let his or her light shine
27. show support to an artist or writer or musician
28. hold the door open for someone
29. tip a cab driver generously
30. teach a child something you wish you knew at that age
31. smile at someone who’s sad
32. smile at strangers
33. offer sincere, kind words to someone who’s hurting
34. visit a hospice and spend some time with a terminally ill patient
35. volunteer at a battered women’s shelter
36. spend some time with a senior citizen living alone
37. give up your seat on a crowded bus or train or ferry
38. inspire someone to be the best that they can be
39. give someone the benefit of the doubt
40. offer to babysit for a single mother
41. offer the FedEx, UPS or DHL delivery person something to drink especially on a warm day
42. help a pregnant lady
43. sit and talk with a homeless person and learn their story
44. loan something to someone and forget about it
45. loan money on Kiva
46. contribute to a friend’s child’s education fund
47. give blood
48. show respect to a soldier regardless of your pacifism
49. donate to or volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
50. replace an angry or bitter thought toward someone with a loving thought (or at least try)

Just think about the difference it would make if everyone did at least one of these things every day. Most of them don’t cost any money and have the ability to brighten the day of one or more individuals. As a society, it is about time we took the time to love others; it just might solve some of the social crisis we are faced with. It’s at least worth a shot right?

Inspirational User Submitted Acts of Kindness

HelpOthers.org is an inspirational site that features almost 100% unique user submitted content. A great example of people taking the iniative and uniting in a cause, the site offers true and inspirational stories and kindness cards to pass on to people in your life. Encouraging others to submit their stories of kindness big and small, HelpOthers.org has built a wonderfully inspiring site on the simple basis of performing good deeds for those around them. With frequent (very frequent) posting and user commenting, it’s clear that the site has the right formula for spreading the word of the power of positive thinking.

Here is an example of one of their beautifully written user submitted stories from October 15, 2009

How Far One Small Act of Kindness Can Go

–posted by SS on Oct 15, 2009

When I first heard about Smile Cards through my pseudo room-mate, I thought it was a brilliantly novel idea – making someone smile and then asking them to do the same for one more person. I tried tagging some people with the cards and only then realised that it is tougher for us by nature to really do something nice. But then once you start, our own expectation rises and what we would have considered nice early on would then become a norm, and thus challenging oneself to go beyond that.

I then got the opportunity to ship these Smile Cards to other people like me who wanted to share the smiles. I thought this would be great to do because not only was I ‘volunteering’ my time, I was also helping make a difference without leaving the confines of my four walls, and so I jumped on the idea.

The first few times I thought about how people wanted to use these cards and imagined smiles being passed, but soon, it became monotonous and then just became another task on my to-do list. However, as with Karma and other things in life…when things have to happen, they do. One day as I was shipping yet another bunch of cards, I came across the reason why one person wanted these cards. He said, “My dad has just been diagnosed as having cancer, so I’m pretty down in the dumps. I was in Central Park, on a recent holiday, and some people were giving out free cookies, which just made me smile inside. I wanted to pay it forward.”

The people who were sharing smiles and cookies were my pseudo roomie and the NYC gang, and this bit of cross-country paying-it-forward and the ability to share smiles hit right home. This is what it really is about. Shipping Smile Cards and tagging people with it can have positive repercussions more than I could imagine. It was amazing how far one small act of kindness can go.

In my own personal life, I try and do the small courteous gestures that I can in the day and smile at anyone passing by, for you never know that person’s story or the day that they have had. And when someone flashes a smile back at you for even a tiny gesture as giving them your seat on the underground, you know its all worth it.

And from that day onwards, each time I was shipping cards, I was in the moment, just thinking and imagining how an individual’s story of how they planned to use the cards might play out. From teachers wanting to use the cards as a project for her students, to people wanting to help out old people, to people just leaving them in books they leave on the train – the stories of kindness are numerous and limitless. And on days when things aren’t going my way, shipping smile cards helps. It reminds me of the warmth of the human heart and somehow it reminds me that every dark cloud has a silver lining and after every dark night, there is a new dawn.

The stories are well written stories  are plentiful and a true source of inspiration for those committed to hearing the goodness in others as opposed to the negative aspects of the human race. Moderation and a great design free of advertisement makes HelpOthers.org the epitome of integrity and positivity. For more information and how to become a part of their inspirational user driven community, visit their site at http://www.helpothers.org

Philadelphia Eagles Announce New Program Encouraging Kindness Toward Animals

After signing convicted dog fighter Michael Vick and receiving media scrutiny, the Philadelphia Eagles football franchise has decided to donate to animal welfare groups. And guess who their spokesman is?

The program which is known as TAWK (Treating Animals With Kindness) was unveiled on Monday and aims to reduce animal abuse, end dogfighting, and encourage spaying and neutering pets.

The Eagles awarded grants of $50,000 each to Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, the Humane Society of Berks County and the Humane Society of the United States.

Vick, who served 18 months in prison for dog fighting is currently working with children to discourage dogfighting.

This act of philanthropy makes one wonder if the Philadelphia Eagles are simply trying to get the media off of their back, or if the football franchise are actually concerned with protecting the rights of animals. I suppose their intentions aren’t really the issue, but the help that the societies are receiving. Perhaps Vick has genuinely learned the error of his ways and hopes to create a positive impact for younger generations, or perhaps this is part of his probation.

Either way, this is one of the first stunts of this kind as far as the National Football League goes, and the donations have been quite generous. This could be a large step for the Philadelphia area animal shelters, and could perhaps spread its way across the country as more teams offer similar programs.

User Submitted Acts of Kindness

A Million Moments of Kindness is an attempt to join with many individuals to create a network of positive stories to be broadcasted to the world. One of the many efforts to change the type of news that people are subjected to, A Million Moments of Kindness documents user submitted random acts of kindness, philanthropy, kindness of strangers, and generosity collected from all around the world. The hope is to create a positive impact on people’s lives through positive news.

Behind the blog and movement is MamaRed, officially known as Jerilynne Knight, has brought love, laughter, joy, and hugs since she could toddle around saying “wuv you” to anyone who would listen.

she is committed to helping others find their own gifts, their own essence and living life full out…a life that is juicy, jazzed, joyful™. Charged up. Kicking booty and taking names along the way. Filled with passion, purpose and spirit (which is, by the way, how she got the name for her company).

From the top of her red hair to the tips of her red painted nails, she believes everyone counts. Everyone matters. And everyone has a special gift to share with the world.

Big acts, small acts, any act counts. A Million Moments of Kindness will use any piece of technology and the help of their readers to spread the positive word. This site is about as genuine as it gets. Real people achieving real acts of kindness, an organizer who is more dedicated to the cause, and free of advertisements and marketing distractions. A Million Moments of Kindness is the real deal; an initiative to band together and change the world in positive fashion.

For more, check out the site at http://www.onemillionacts.com/blog/

MamaRed a.k.a. Jerilynne Knight

Random Act of Kindness from an Unlikely Source

posted by Firecrystals, on Oct 12, 2009 from http://www.helpothers.org

My house is located on a very busy road.  There are frequently huge trailers whizzing by at high speeds, and it is virtually impossible to get across the street to the nearby hospital.

One evening, when I was coming out of the house with my 6 year old cousin, I saw a drunkard by the house, talking to himself.  I smiled at him and then proceeded to stand by the curb, waiting for an opportunity to cross the street.  This man then came over to us and started showering us with blessings for a long life and good fortune, all simply because I gave him a smile.

After wishing such kindness on us, he actually stopped the traffic on the road and helped us to get across the road without any difficulty.  As we parted, he simply smiled and waved at us as he plodded away.

Moral of the Story:  Never underestimate the power of a smile.

Helpothers.org is a site dedicated to spreading stories of kindness to their readers in hopes that it will impact people’s lives. You can read more stories at their site, contribute your own, receive some ideas on how to spread kindness, or order kindness cards to pass out to loved ones as well as strangers. A growing number of these sites will hopefully cause a shift in how we treat others for a brighter tomorrow.

A New Site Dedicated to Tracking Acts of Kindness

Since 2008, RakTrak.com has been dedicated to simply going out into the world and committing random acts of kindness in hopes that people would catch on-and they have. They are also dedicated to reporting all acts of kindness that they hear about in order to spread good news to the masses. It’s more than often that the public is exposed to the negative events going around in their communities. Seldom do people hear the encouraging news of positive impact in their communities. In order for us to change as a society for the better, the good must be covered more than the bad.

We live in world where plenty bad happens, but what we are exposed to can change our entire perception on the world. RakTrak is dedicated to keeping track of random acts of kindness and encouraging recipients to pass them on to the next individual. The site keeps track of acts of kindness and sets more in motion. In addition to having cards that users can purchase and help track their acts of kindness, the site has many ideas on how to brighten someone’s day. Ideas both big and small can be put in motion and documented throughout the globe as the acts of kindness continue to be passed.

Their blog, similar to this one, documents company’s acts of kindness as well as companies doing their part on a large scale in making the world a better place, and a forum where users can submit their own stories. People should be aware of the good things happening in their communities as well as the negative. RakTrak illustrates just how much goes on in the world ever day and passes that information onto their users. Check out their site and join the movement at http://www.raktrak.com.

Image courtesy of RakTrak.com

Leading U.S. Newspaper to Offer new Section of Kindness

“Kindness: New Ways we Give and Volunteer” is the latest category in USA Today‘’s commitment to cause-driven content. Curated by Christie Garten, the online community illustrates how acts of kindness and calls for social change are impacting society and offering individuals new ways to contribute. The section will outline steps that individuals are taking to make the world a better place and fresh new approaches to philanthropy.

Including a search engine powered by good2gether, the section will include ongoing coverage of local charities, volunteering, innovations in technology toward a good cause, and all forms of positive involvement. Found at kindness.usatoday.com, the site utilizes all of the social networking tools that USA Today uses in their original format including forums, blogs, commenting, contacting authors directly, and messaging other users. The community based program will let users connect and learn from other readers about how to make a positive impact. USA Today is the country’s leading newspaper, and the focus on positive contact and coverage is sure to make a difference.

Ten advocacy and non-profit organizations have already signed up as supporters of the section including PGA Tour Charities, Ronald McDonald House of Charities, H&R Block, and Samsung; a full list can be found at sharing.usatoday.com. With an average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA Today and an award winning website, the message of kindness of strangers and love will undoubtedly reach a large number of readers. The first issue includes an essay written by House star Olivia Wilde about what it means to give back, an article of how social media sites are being used to attract people to charitable contributions, and how individuals are serving in their community.

Golfers Gather to Support Generosity and Kindness

The Jonathan Rizzo Foundation has been part of Kingston, MA community for years. But over the past few years, demand for services and falling donations has made the foundation struggle. The foundation’s eighth annual Memorial Golf Classic tees off Tuesday, Oct. 13, and organizers say there are still slots available for golfers.

Kingston residents Mary and Mike Rizzo began the foundation after their 19 year old son Jonathan was murdered. Regarded as the person who was always willing to help others in such a high capacity that his parents opened an extra seat at the dinner table just in case. Jonathan’s spirit lives on in the foundation.

the Kingston area and a few small programs that help families.

“We look to help people who fall through the cracks, not people on welfare, these are people who hit a run of bad luck and they don’t qualify for anything else,” Mike Rizzo said.

“We called Jonathan the herder of stray cats. He’d bring home the outcasts, the kids who weren’t the most popular. He was very self-confident and brought out the best in people. We hope to do the same kind of thing: to help people who are down on their luck and can’t get help anywhere else.”

The Rizzos believe that a small ripple of kindness goes a long way and encourage people to become a part of the program that has helped many different individuals with nowhere left to turn.

Jonathan Rizzo Photo courtesy of http://www.wickedlocal.com/halifax

The tournament

There are a few golf spots left to participate in the Tuesday, Oct. 13, tournament and it is not too late to register. To register for golf, darts or dinner, or to make a donation, visit www.jonathanrizzofoundation.org.

This year, the foundation will raffle off a $1,000 cash prize during a helicopter ball drop. The foundation hopes to sell 1,000 tickets and the helicopter will drop 1,000 numbered golf balls onto the green; the ball that lands closest to the hole wins.

Auction items include a trip to Aruba, a hockey stick autographed by the Boston Bruins, and two tickets to the NHL’s Winter Classic at Fenway Park Jan. 1 between the Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Raffle tickets will be sold at the door and at the following locations this weekend:

· Dunkin’ Donuts, Route 44, from 8 a.m. to noon

· Dunkin’ Donuts, Route 27, from 8 a.m. to noon

· Foodies in Duxbury, from 8 a.m. to noon

· Holy Family Church in Duxbury after all the Sunday morning masses

The Time is Love Approach to Kindness

There are many stories and sites out there that have indeed outlined many acts of kindness. A good number of sites offer awards for amazing acts of kindness, fame, and other perks that sometimes come with a generous heart. These are amazing stories of compassion and love that a site like Time is Love needs; the random acts of kindness that make the headlines.

We are also interested in the acts of kindness that don’t make the local news and reach maybe no more than one person. Every little act of kindness whether it is holding the door for a complete stranger or donating to your local charity counts toward a better society for us all. We hope to document all acts of kindness submitted by our readers in order to raise awareness about the stream of kindness that constantly runs through the world, but that we hardly hear about.

Most individuals expect nothing more from their acts of kindness than a ‘thank you’ or smile. Tell us about your random acts of kindness, love, or tips on how to become a better person by signing up on Time is Love and posting your amazing stories.

Photo courtesy of cheermup.net

Brighton Mechanics Help out Red Cross

Michigan mechanics were the focus of a breakthrough story in kindness when they helped fix a Red Cross van free of charge. Mechanics at A&H Transmission and Auto Repair in Brighton were the ones responsible for this incredible act of kindness.

Diane Serra, executive director of the Livingston County chapter, said the 1998 Dodge Caravan had been used as a secondary field vehicle for response to disasters and emergencies. However, volunteers hadn’t used the minivan for months because it made so much noise and the dashboard lights were always going on. The vehicle had 120,000 miles on it, and the organization didn’t have the money to fix it.

The van was primarily used to rush supplies to emergency situations before its problems. The mechanics performed over $1,500 in repairs including fixing the brakes, struts, sway bar link, and performing a front end alignment and oil change. During hard economic times, A & H has stepped up and performed a kind act for a good cause. This is not the first time they’ve helped those in need, though.

Two years ago, the mechanics at A&H spent their own time fixing up a donated 1995 Ford Escort station wagon that was given to a Livingston County woman who was a survivor of domestic violence.

Acts of Kindness that will Blow your Mind

Here are some of the latest acts of kindness that are truly out of the ordinary. Time is Love has covered some random acts of kindness and other stories of kindness, and find more extraordinary achievements in benevolence daily. Everyone is encouraged to do their part to make the world a better place for all. These stories are some of the most touching and memorable acts of kindness collected so far.

Darkness

79 year old Jo Parry had recently been diagnosed with macular degeneration and completely lost her vision. A widow with no children or family members in the area, Parry wondered how she would deal with her condition. But thanks to some generous people in her area, she is supplied with the necessities. Deli chef Mike Reed noticed her having trouble reading the menu and noticed how frustrated she became. He now delivers food to her once or twice a week. She call in her order and he drops it off at her house, claiming it’s on the way home.

“I tell her her house is on the way, but it’s not quite,” says Reed, who drops by after his shift. “It’s not too far out of the way,” said Reed.

Parry’s hairdresser also picks her up for her appointments.

Healing a Soldier

Inga Guen still recalls the day when her son supplied her with a life changing phone call.

Her son Karim is part of an organization that visits recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and told her about one unforgettable victim.

Sergeant David Battle is a tank gunner who had been blown up in Iraq and lost both of his legs, an arm, and a hip. Battle was raised by his grandmother who had died while he was overseas, so he had no family left. He had woken up from a coma and didn’t want to talk to anyone. Karim thought that Battle would open up to his mother, so she nervously accepted and began visiting Battle. She now visits him once a week and brings him his favorite foods as well as new clothes that are easy to slip on. She had a ramp installed at her home and brings Battle to the beach. Guen continues to give Battle hope and encourages him to get an education, referring to him as her adopted son, one of her dreams for him is to have a car constructed so that when he leaves rehab he is able to drive.

When Guen visited Battle on Mother’s Day, he gave her a gift. “I opened the box,” she says, “and it was his Purple Heart.” With his good arm, Battle hugged her tight.

Sing me to Sleep

Linda Cassell had known Jumoke Adebimpe only a few weeks, but there was Adebimpe, curled up in a hospice bed next to Cassell’s one-year-old son, singing the boy to sleep.

Christopher Cassell, Linda’s son had shown signs of developmental problems his whole life, and at times woulds top breathing. An MRI showed that his brain had stopped growing, most likely from a mitochondrial malfunction. Adebimbe had learned of Cassell’s plight through Grace Community Church in Arlington. As soon as the Cassells were recognized by the church for outreach, people begun performing numerous acts of kindness to help them through their suffering.

In an e-mail Adebimbe learned that doctors had given Christopher only days to live, and he was being taken to Capital Hospice in Arlington. She hadn’t yet met the family, but the urge to provide any comfort she could was strong. She drove to the hospice.

When Cassell mentioned that her son loved music, Adebimbe began singing to him. Adebimpe, 29, has a beautiful voice—a contralto, she’d sung in an opera group at George Washington University. She would serenade little Cristopher; if he was restless, he would fall right asleep.

When Crisopher died, Cassell asked Adebimpe to sing the song “For Good,” from Wicked, at the funeral. Her kindness helped Cassell through an extremely difficult time and is still a large part of her healing process.

Housing Help

Julia Kramer and Tom Oberdorfe were looking for a better wedding gift that the conventional registry gifts. They decided to have their loved ones donate the money they would normally spend on gifts to a worthy cause. This came in the form of a non-profit organization Northern Virginia Family Service. The NVFS was created for single mothers and their children, offering not only housing, but education on parenting, job hunting, and budgeting.

Kramer and Oberdorfe have hosted 3 fundraising events for NVFS where over 100 friends and colleagues have dished out $150 each for a night of dinner and dancing. So far the couple has raised $65,000. They haven’t raised enough to buy a townhouse in Virginia for a needy family, but are well on their way. They continue to organize events in hopes that they can make a positive impact with their generous act of kindness.

London Focuses on Spreading Acts of Kindness Far and Wide

A London program began today in an attempt to eliminate hate within the country. The 1,000 Acts of Kindness Challenge began after attacks on two gay men in the city. The London Urban Services Organization is spearheading the campaign to spread kindness instead of hate. Organized by Meredith Fraser, the program was created after she realized how powerless most people feel in stopping hate.

“These (hate) incidents impact people’s lives daily,” Fraser said.

“Kindness spreads just as easily as hatred does.”

The simple idea is to perform random acts of kindness and focus on what we can all do to help others. Looking at what we can do as opposed to what we can’t do is the key to the already successful campaign. A site is being launched today where participants can register, keep track of their acts of kindness, and see a tabulation of the events at the end of the month.

The point is that being nice to someone can brighten both people’s days, and it doesn’t take much work, Fraser said.

“It doesn’t take a herculean effort to be kind” she said. “It’s free, and anyone can do it.”

For ideas on what you can do to help spread kindness, check out our 22 Random Acts of Kindness that Anyone Can do.

Reporter Will Depend on Acts of Kindness to get Home

CBS Early Show weather anchor Dave Price has undertaken a new experiment which will gauge the kindness of America’s people. Armed with only $50, a one way ticket to an unknown destination, and technology to document his travels, he will try to make his way home within 7 days. His safe return will hinge souly on the kindness of Americans.

On October 1st, Price will begin his journey, arriving at an undisclosed location with no checks, no credit cards, and no form of transportation. He will have only technology to document his travels $50 cash, and his ID. Price may be forced to work for his meals, lodging, and rides; his destination will be unknown. Failure or success will depend on help from others.

Check out the early show on October 2nd for a satellite feed of Price at his starting destination and follow his journey through the depths of America.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Speaker Steve Foran Talks About the True Meaning of Kindness

Below is an excerpt from an article written by Steve Foran, a speaker and writer based in Halifax

WHEN NOTED anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked how she knew when she had found the beginnings of civilization, she replied, “A healed femur.”

Thousands of years ago, one would not have been able to survive a broken femur unless there were others willing to hunt, fish, feed, and generally take care of the injured. According to Foran, this is what defines us as a civilization; the willingness and ability to care for others as well as ourselves.

In 2007, he spoke to generous people in the Nova Scotia area, and analyzed how generous people measured their kindness-in time or money. He concluded the seemingly basic ideas that generous individuals were grateful, and had the desire to help others. As simple as this may seem, individuals who truly are grateful for what they’ve been given and desire to spread kindness with no strings attached is not as common as it would seem.

Foran concluded that giving is an integral part of human nature, just as a mother selflessly gives herself to her child. The idea hinges upon the idea of being free of judgment and giving regardless of the perception of others. Giving with no expectations of reward or revere is what draws the line between generous people and most of the population who sees selfless acts as futile.

As a society, there is a slow shift toward the direction of kindness and charity, but there are undoubtedly many steps that still need to be taken in order to achieve a better well being among humanity. Mead defined civilization as people having the capacity to care for others as well as themselves, with judgment and condemning others serving no practical purpose.

Foran believes that within time, more studies will show a shift in generosity as well as reasons certain individuals feel compelled to give to others. Perhaps as a society, we will one day learn that taking care of others is necessary in our advancement.

Read the original story Kindness an impressive act of giving.

Inventing New Ways to Spread Kindness

Ever want to put a program into action to help others and make a positive impact, but don’t think you have enough resources? The Pass it Forward program is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting together programs composed of individuals with similar ideas on how to make a positive impact on their community. Pass it Forward allows individuals to use their passion to use and develop programs to help others and make the world a better place.

Everyone has a gift, and PIF encourages all individuals to use their gift to help others. All programs must abide by the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, character, citizenship,  respect, responsibility, fairness, and caring. The program must also be acceptable to 100% of people in order for it to become an official Pass it Forward program. The idea is to create community programs that everyone can embrace, so that we can move ahead together as a society.

A part of the We are the World nonprofit organization, Pass it Forward has a group of mentors that will help individuals put their project together, as well as find others that they can contact with similar ideas. Mentors can supply proteges with all the tools necessary to put their unique talents to use in the fashion on nonprofit organization.

For more information on how you can combine efforts with caring inividuals around the world to make a difference, check out the Pass it Forward website at http://www.aunitedworld.org.

Rachel’s Challenge Dedicated to Kindness and Love

Since I found out about Rachael’s Challenge, stories of the program catching on across the world have been surfacing daily. Created in response to the 1999 shooting sat Columbine High School. Rachael Scott, who was the first victim of the Columbine shooting had a reputation for kindness and an essay to prove her commitment to kindness and togetherness.

After her death, members of her family have dedicated their time to carrying on the message of kindness as well as Rachel’s memory. Rachel’s Challenge is more than a suggestion to love one another, but a challenge presented to live together in harmony and reduce school violence.Teachers, students, and other advocates of a safer learning environment seem to have bought into the idea on a large scale.

Within the last week alone, more than nine schools have made the news by embracing Rachael’s Challenge. Quickly becoming the largest conduit for reducing bullying and high school violence, the program has been presented at over 30 schools this month in states from Colorado and all across the United States. Stories of schools holding presentations of Rachael’s Story are popping up daily all over the country. It appears as though the idea of an individual has sparked a wave of kindness and education across the academic stratosphere.

It’s wonderful to see the program gaining popularity in such great magnitude and continuing to positively influence schools across the country. Anyone who is interested in finding out more information about Rachael’s Challenge can visit the website at http://www.rachelschallenge.org/

Join the millions of students, teachers, and other individuals who have accepted the challenge of making our schools safer places to learn and develop.

The Kindness of Strangers

A cancer survivor in Ireland was recognized at the Quinn Healthcaresponsored awards in Dublin on Saturday for her selfless act of kindness toward another cancer patient who was also a complete stranger. Mother of two Ellen Thompson from Bay Estate earned a People of the Year Accolade for her selfless act of caring for cancer sufferer Kevin Kiely for the last two weeks of his life.

People of the Year Award Winner Eleanor Thompson and Kevin Kiely

Thompson met Kiely on a bus to St. Luke’s to volunteer and forged a friendship that lasted almost two years, and up to the day of Kiely’s death. During the time that Thompson was caring for Kiely, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Putting her own suffering aside, she looked after his home in Muirhevnamor when he was in hospital and called to him regularly after he returned to Dundalk, helping him with chores and messages.

Eleanor also helped Kevin rekindle his relationship with his brothers and sisters which he had drifted apart from around 20 years ago. As a member of the Grace Fellowship Church in Dundalk, Eleanor also helped Kevin rebuild his faith in God before he passed.

When Kiely’s health took a turn for the worse, he actually moved in with Thompson and cared for him up to the day of his death.

‘I was humbled and delighted to win the award. It was a great honour and an opportunity to bring Kevin’s life into the limelight, as well as the work of Dundalk Simon,’ said Thompson.

In times of tough economic times and bleak outlook for the future, it’s simple to feed off of the fear we are presented with on a daily basis. The time of counting on others to change the world for the better has simply come to an end. It will take the efforts of millions of individuals performing acts of kindness in order to change our disposition and eliminate fear in our lives. Think about how quickly an act of rudeness by another can ruin your already stressful day. Now, turn that around and recall the last time someone did something unexpectedly kind for you and how that set a wonderful outlook for the rest of the day.

Cynicism is infectious, but so is kindness. Random acts of kindness on a large scale can truly improve people’s outlooks and allow individuals to live together in harmony. Here are some ways to commit random acts of kindness that take little time and could change someone’s entire day.

1. Make a mixed CD for a friend.
2. Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru.
3. Tell a loved one how much you appreciate them.
4. Hold the door for someone.
5. Pay for a complete stranger’s dinner while at a restaurant.
6. Let someone jump ahead of you in line.
7. Compliment a total stranger.
8. Send someone a small gift anonymously.
9. Give someone a huge tip when they least expect it.
10. Pick up trash laying around.
11. Help someone with a flat change it.
12. Treat a friend to a movie or concert.
13. Walk a friend’s dog.
14. Write a thank you note for someone who did something nice for you.
15. Cover a co-workers shift.
16. give another driver your parking spot
17. Buy an inspirational book for a friend.
18. Volunteer.
19. Call a friend you haven’t called in awhile.
20. Leave your phone or laptop home next time you go out with a loved one.
21. Donate to a local charity or event.
22. Spend more quality time with family and friends.

Breakthroughs in Kindness, Generosity, and Philanthropy

It is undoubtedly difficult to find time to make a difference. Life truly can get in the way of helping others and creating a positive impact on the world around us. More than ever, people around the globe need help. An article by Time Magazine has outlined some cutting edge sites dedicated to making a difference worldwide and requiring little time from individuals.

Illustration by Karl Hilzinger

BeExtra.org – A site dedicated to outlining ways to make a big difference requiring just a few minutes of time. The micro-volunteering site uses technology to promote large advancements that anybody can participate in. From taking a picture on your phone of a local park to build a map of where children can play to using your smartphone to view and label photos for digital museum archives, BeExtra.com has hundreds of ways to help even with a full schedule. The site combines the technology which you’ll likely be using anyway to advance society and help others.

BeExtra.org Logo

IfWeRanTheWorld.com – Set to be launched this fall, the site breaks extraordinary causes into the smallest possible tasks. Encouraging users to dream big, the site tackles such issues as curing cancer and ending poverty, and gives individuals small, specific ways to work toward the desired goal. Truly a symbol that the smallest contribution can change the world, IfWeRanTheWorld.com encourages individuals to band together and achieve.

Kinded.com – Random acts of kindness have gotten a technology upgrade thanks to Kinded.com creator Daniel Lubetzky. Participants print kindness cards from the site and pass it on whenever they perform a good deed for another. The recipient of the card can then log on to the site, note where the good deed took place and continue the chain which is mapped out on the site. The myriad of good deeds documented on Kinded is a breath of fresh air in a society that often seems selfish, and some of the chains have even spanned oversees.

kinded card

AllForGood.org – Volunteer opportunities are quite plentiful around town if you know where to look. The problem is that oftentimes the listings are so spread out that it takes much valuable time finding the right listing. AllForGood.org combines the listings of traditional volunteer sites as well as social media sites such as Craigslist and Meetup, putting all of the listings in one nice and neat package.

Kiva.org – Make contributions to franchises oversees and monitor their progress using Kiva. With a minimum of $25, you can help build business in a developing country. There is also Wokai.org which allows micro loans in China. Donate to a good cause and have the piece of mind to know how the process is moving forward.

Kiva.org logo

SocialInvest.org – The site that shows users how to responsibly invest money into worthy causes. The ratio of 1 in 9 U.S. dollars already lie in socially responsible funds, with that number steadily rising. It’s a small step in directing money to the right causes, but a very simple to do.

Noteworthy Acts of Kindness

Think about the last time you remember hearing good news. The country and world has fallen on some black times, and good news is few and far between. People seem to be looking out exclusively for number one, and focusing on competition rather than sticking together.

Don’t lose all of your faith yet, though. Here are some of the biggest and most recent stories of kindness that may just restore your faith in humanity.

Photo courtesy of http://www.power-of-giving.com/

9/11 acts of kindness – Nearly a dozen people fanning from Portland to Salem engaged in random acts of kindness to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy. On a notoriously gloomy anniversary, these individuals helped to brighten the mood of Oregon locals. They bought a teacher school supplies, paid for a veteran’s groceries, and gave kids music lessons.

The program is called ‘Pay it forward 9/11‘ and was started by Kevin Teurff, president of EnviroMedia Inc. a marketing company specializing in environmental and public health clients. On the date of the September 11 attacks, Teurff was flying over the Atlantic after a European vacation when his plane was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. His flight, along with 36 others were kept there for three days. During that time, Gander locals offered trips to the store, home cooked meals, showers, and bedding to the 7,000 stranded passengers who were without luggage.

Since the first event in 2002, Teurff and his employees have been giving away thousands of dollars each 9/11 asking recipients to pay it forward.

Pay it Forward 9/11 participants

Random Acts of Kindness Day – New Zealand hopes to prove that it is the kindest nation in the world with it’s Random Acts of Kindness Day. The holiday has boasted some of the largest acts of kindness in the past including flights to Los Angeles and a Mexican cruise, but smaller acts of kindness such as free movie passes, t-shirt giveaways, and complimentary shoe shining are just as appreciated.

Organizer Megan Singleton states that bringing a smile to a person’s face doesn’t have to cost money, it can be as simple as bringing scones to work. She will be handing out wine in her neighborhood as a way to welcome people to the neighborhood and introduce herself.

I think everyone could agree that every country could use a similar holiday.

Bob Votruba and the kindness bus – Bob Votruba of Chester, Ohio is currently on the road encouraging people to engage in acts of kindness. The divorced father of three embarked on his ten year journey to spread love across the U.S. on August 31st of this year. Accompanied by his Boston terrier named Bogart, his destination is unknown, but kindness is on the itinerary.

He explains that the idea began after the Virgina Tech shootings of 2007. He saw that the country was heading in a bad direction and felt compelled to do something. He drove to Roanoke, VA. and stood quietly passing out ‘one million acts of kindness’ stickers. His presence was met warmly as he was hugged by parents of victims.

‘We have to do something. We have to turn our society around,” said Votruba.

Bob Votruba and Bogart

Deliberate Acts of Kindness – During tough economic times, health care is usually the first thing that people lose. Many individuals find themselves literally spending their last time on taking care of themselves or loved ones. The Ladies Hospital Aid Society is dedicated to offering help to those who need some assistance during tough economic times.

The society helps families and patients with external needs such as food and housing for loved ones so that patients can focus on making a full recovery. These deliberate acts of kindness are what keep the LHAS going and promote a better well being for Pittsburgh patients.

Rachael’s Challenge – The first victim in the Columbine shooting by the name of Rachael Joy Scott shattered the stereotype of teenagers being selfish and disrespectful. Before her death, she wrote an essay that has become the object of a program dedicated to helping others. Part of the essay read ‘I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same.’

Led by her uncle, Larry Scott, Rachel’s Challenge has turned the family’s tragedy into a conduit for caring. High school students from all around the country have embraced the message and started clubs dedicated to reaching out to other students and promoting kindness toward each other. Props should also be given to the Junior League of South Brevard, which finances about 90% of the program, a sum of $60,000.

Rachael Joy Scott

Acts of Kindness and why they Catch on so Quickly

The idea of performing random acts of kindness has been gaining popularity in recent times. The reason may be the dismal state of the world, or different underlying factors, but people are taking more initiative in brightening others’ days. Instances of individuals paying for the meals of total strangers without them even being aware has been more common in recent years, and even spreading throughout the community.

Unfortunately, there is no index outlining the top cities of random acts of kindness. Time is Love invites you to share your experiences or stories you’ve heard of anonymous acts of kindness. There is something about hearing these types of stories that triggers a feeling within us to do the same for others. Think of the cost of restoring one person’s faith in humanity. For the price of the coffee of the person behind you, they will feel wonderful for the rest of the day and likely brighten the mood of everyone around.

Taking that little bit of time (and perhaps money) is exactly what Time is Love is about. On a large enough scale, the smallest ripple in kindness can create a more harmonious world for all of us. We all share this earth, it only makes sense to treat each other with kindness in order to make every one’s experience in this life as pleasant as possible.

Kindness: so much more than a saying on a card...

Purdue Students Making Days Brighter for Students

On the Purdue campus in West Lafayette, Ind., there may not be two more well known people than the compliment guys. Every Wednesday, rain or shine from 12:30-2:30 the compliment guys stand outside of the chemistry lab under the bell tower with their ‘free compliments sign’, handing out kind words to all students who pass by.

Sophomores Cameron Brown and Brett Wescott are the guys behind the compliments. They started the practice in September after Brown, who was voted most outgoing in his high school class began the practice on his own. He asked his friend Wescott to join him and since then they have been bringing a smile to the face (usually) of students. They’ve been asked over and over why they are performing this task, and the response is always the same; they just like giving compliments.

In a time of economic crisis and thin job market, the compliment guys are bringing something nice into students lives who may feel a little down and hopeless. Their compliments are met with a mixed variety of responses: high fives, thank-yous, smiles, dirty looks, and the finger. They compliment guys appeared on Oprah in March, and are a great example of how the smallest act of kindness can change lives.

Help Build a Better World

In the fast paced and technologically rich environment we live in today, time has become a commodity in limited supply. Sure, we’d all like to spend more time with our friends, family, and help others, but life simply gets in the way for most people. Time is Love is about reallocating the time we normally spend obsessing over technology or our personal success to love others. Think back to the last time you had ‘quality time’ with someone. How much time did individuals spend check their phones, computers, or personal lives?

Time is Love is about forgetting the factors that dominate our lives and set aside time to love others. Whether it is spending more time with loved ones, doing something massive to benefit others, or simply holding a door for someone, it’s been proven throughout history that the smallest act of kindness can go a long way.

We all know the effects of healthy living. Exercising on a daily basis and eating healthy will make a person feel better throughout the day as well as overall. This is the same with performing acts of love and kindness to others. Displaying more acts of love and kindness is not only a concept, but it is part of an overall well being.

Here you will find stories big and small of examples of the best in human kindness as well as local and national events where you can get involved. Read, comment, get involved, or simply feel the warmth that a story of kindness can bring. Time is Love hopes to change how people look at the time they have, and make the world a happier place for everyone.