1.  Romantic Anniversary Flowers – An item that has always been a symbol of love and affection, anniversary flowers are the perfect way to celebrate your ever growing bond. Many different outlets around the web offer romantic anniversary flowers as attractive arrangements that your significant other is sure to love.  Flowers are perhaps the classic gesture of romantic love known to man and woman.

2.  Vacation – Just you and your special someone far away from the stresses of everyday life is a great way to rediscover and reinforce why you fell in love in the first place. Second honeymoons or simple vacations to get away from it all are one of the best ways to rekindle your love or celebrate a love that grows stronger with each passing day.

3.  Relive your Dating Days – Remember the days where you were just two people who happened to find each other. Have dinner at the places you used to frequent while dating and relive some of the events that made you fall for each other in the first place. These memories allow you to remember why you fell in love in the first place and how your love has grown over time.

4.  Leave Notes Around for your Spouse – This is a simple and interesting way to show them how much you love them. Scatter notes around the house that outline their unique qualities and why they are the one you’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with. White intimate things as well and create a celebration gift that will catch your spouse off guard and warm their heart.

5.  Relive your Wedding – By simply having dinner at the place of your wedding reception and staying in the same hotel, it becomes possible to bring back numerous memories about your special night. The event also gives you time to reflect on how your love has grown and how your feelings for each other have evolved further beyond what you could possibly imagine.

6.  Have a Romantic Night in – Celebrating your anniversary doesn’t necessarily have to cost a lot of money. By simply renting a movie and spending the night with your spouse, the two of you can have a stress-free night in together with just the two of you. If you have kids make sure to get a sitter and clear up any other prior engagements in order to have the night clear for the two of you.

7.  Relive your First Dance – One of the biggest symbols of weddings is the first dance that the newlyweds share as one. Go out to your favorite place and relive the first dance.

8.  Renew your Vows – Renewing your vows can be a great way to symbolize the ongoing relationship and further reinforcing the feeling that you want to spend the rest of your life with your spouse. Update your vows and express to them once again how much they mean to you.

9.  Cook Together – A great way to accompany romantic anniversary flowers is by adding some delicious food to the table. Many couples who have loved each other for long periods of time find that the most intimate moments they share is when they are in the kitchen. Spend your anniversary doing something you love with the person that you love.

10.  Sleep in – Simple yet incredibly meaningful, sleeping in with your spouse shows them that no matter what events have transpired over time, they are always the most important person in your life. Clear your schedule and spend the morning with the person you love.

Garth Poorman crossing the Bay of St. Louis

Garth Poorman hopes to get from New York to New Orleans by relying chiefly on the kindness of strangers for shelter, meals, and a place to stay each night. Embarking from his home in New York on August 29, 2009 with only an Iphone, laptop, a few snacks, three changes of clothing, some foot-care products, and a Steinbeck novel, Poorman began his trek across the country on foot. With nothing more than a positive attitude and a feeling that “something good will happen” Poorman must count on acts of kindness in order to complete his journey.

Each day Poorman enters his location and destination on Google maps and finds the shortest distance to get there on foot. Unfortunately, the site doesn’t offer him a place to rest each night. He must rely on a network of strangers, friends, and friends of friends of friends to provide him with a place to stay, regular meals, and other necessities for his journey. His goal is a study in the kindness of strangers and the extent in which they are willing to go in order to help a fellow person. Poorman never questioned his ability to physically make the walk, but rather wanted to find out if he could it with the help of people he didn’t know.

Poorman reveals the fact that connections with strangers is commonplace if there is a slight network already, another individual who knows one of the parties and can speak positively of them. He has illustrated that it is more rare among those with no connection whatsoever, but it still happens. After over 100 days of walking, he has had only one scary experience. Walking 18 miles a day, rain or shine, Poorman continues his journey which is nearing its end. Poorman has chronicled his journey on his blog www.PoormanWalking.com and overwhelmingly proven the kindness of strangers and how simple acts of kindness can make all the difference in the world.

Christmas is the perfect time to show acts of kindness and build a stronger sense of community. The spirit of the holiday is undeniable and Christmas kindness is legendary. Many individuals may be too busy during the year and random acts of kindness may slip their mind. This holiday season, make a point to enrich the lives of the less fortunate as well as those close to your heart. Here are some simple acts of kindness that make a big difference and can make the holidays more enjoyable for all involved.

Feed the Hungry – Instead of buying extra food and expensive gifts, set aside a small portion of your Christmas budget to feed those who can’t afford a succulent Christmas dinner. A small act of kindness such as donating to a soup kitchen or donating canned goods to various food drives is a great way to spread Christmas kindness and help those less fortunate enjoy their holiday. No matter what religion one embraces, all of them teach the lesson of kindness toward others and donating to the less fortunate in their time of need. The perfect time to perform random acts of kindness, help build a better society, and uplift those in need of your charity. Start by donating extra canned goods (and not just the creamed corn) then perhaps buy some food that your family likes during the holidays and donate it to your local shelter.

Cook a healthy meal for the holidays – Avoid going on a diet after the holidays. Your guests would likely appreciate a Christmas meal consisting of more than just deep friend greasy foods. Instead of stuffing yourself with unhealthy food, create a versatile meal that compliments both vegetarians and omnivores alike. Cooking extra vegetarian dishes is not very difficult, and those who don’t eat meat and those who choose to be healthy will greatly appreciate it. The traditional spread may be classic and delicious, but it’s good to have healthy alternatives.

Cheer up the sick – Those who are in the most need of kindness during the holiday season are those in the hospital who might miss most of the Christmas festivities. Pay a visit to those who may be alone during the holidays, give them small gifts, and generally uplift them. Sometimes the best way to cure physical and emotional pain is simple human interaction. It may not seem like a monumental event, but one gift from a total stranger may make their holiday memorable.

Donate gifts to charity – Think about the amount of old gifts laying around the house, items that the kids no longer use, that you no longer use. Many of these are probably in good enough condition for those less fortunate to enjoy. The average American house/garage/storage space is absolutely overflowing with old items that individuals simply refused to let go of. This holiday season, why not donate some of those gifts to organizations aimed at helping those in need of a little holiday spirit. An old, outdated toy may not mean much to you or your children, but might mean the world to those who can’t afford Christmas gifts.

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.

Earlier, we covered the You In? campaign that is being launched by Yahoo encouraging visitors to share their acts of kindness. Hoping to perpetuate acts of kindness around the world, this campaign is designed to bring individuals to a centralized location and share the goodness of the human experience. Great idea, no doubt. However, the views of You In? apparently do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo and its CEO.

Known for her off color comments and brutal honesty, Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz told financial analysts Tuesday that the Woods story is “better than Michael Jackson dying”

Apparently it is easier to sell advertising space next to a scandal than a coffin. I guess on one hand Bartz is commenting on a level of honesty that is much more sincere than most corporations, but is that the type of honesty that Yahoo needs? Especially when they’re in the process of encouraging acts of kindness and strengthening bonds between our fellow person?

One view is that the crass comment was a encouragement to be honest, even if it’s not exactly what others want to hear. Inspire those around you by telling them what they might not necessarily want to hear. Tell your wife yes she looks fat in that dress, that your child probably won’t become a professional athlete, about your late night excursions to your mistress’.

A pure idea indeed, but always a terrible idea. Everyone does some heinous things in their lifetime, but there is a time and place to be honest. Bartz may have been underlining some subtext during her speech, but I can’t imagine that being the correct answer for the time. Especially when you’re trying to inspire the world. If she said the whole “God bless Tiger Woods” phrase ironically, it would make a shred of sense, but I don’t believe that to be the case.

I suppose its the nature of the world, and what we hope to change, if even slightly. Even those who are replying to the stories with comments such as “Can we drop the Tiger Woods crap” are guilty as well, as am I. It’s compelling stuff, great for advertising, and I would imagine a cash cow for Yahoo. I would have waited until after the launch of You In?, however to exclaim how great scandal is for business.

Just a thought.

A number of sites have adopted the idea of paying it forward with status updates and acts of kindness neatly documented on the Internet. Yahoo has launched the You In? campaign in order to share acts of kindness online.

Here’s how Yahoo describes the campaign:

“Help us create a ripple of good around the world with purple acts of kindness. Update your status to share what you’re doing to spread holiday joy, then inspire others to join you by asking, “You in?”Yahoo! will also be doing our own purple acts of kindness inspired by your updates. So whether you pay for someone’s groceries or drop off a coat for the homeless, you’ll be encouraging people around the world to join in acts of kindness.”

Like many sites of this nature, the idea hinges around sharing in detail your random acts of kindness and plots them on a global map. The site revolves around briefly describing your good deed in a Yahoo status message, which is then plotted on a global map. Right now messages include things like “Connie is buying coffee for everyone at work today. You in?” and “Dropped off supplies to the local Humane Society and to the local women’s shelter”. And then there are gems like this one: “I just returned a case of wine that was mistakenly delivered to our house. Husband had to be dragged along w/this decision.”

The program also allows Flickr uploads to visually represent good deeds and acts of kindness. With only 161 updates so far, the campaign is not exploding, but it’s difficult to knock a campaign based around kindness. Flickr only has a few submissions, but the program is expected to pick up in the next month or so.

Yahoo should also think about incorporating Facebook or Twitter into the event in order to increase the exposure of a great campaign that anybody can participate in.

Aside from ‘You In?’, Yahoo also runs regular monthly campaigns though its Yahoo For Good program.

November is a time where kindness and sharing are brought to the forefront. Veteran’s Day, World Kindness Day, and Thanksgiving are all holidays which celevbrate the kindness of strangers and the importance of thinking of others above oneself. World Kindness Day is a celebration of passing kindness forward and looking out for our fellow person, but we believe that every day should be celebrated in this fashion. The same goes for Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. On these holidays we make time for others and give thanks to those who have stood by us through thick and thin. Again, this is a facet of life that should be celebrated on any given day.

Our duty to think of others and celebrate those who have sacrificed for us should not be a month long celebration, but an idea embraced throughout the world on every possible occasion. We shouldn’t need an official day to perform random acts of kindness and celebrate togetherness and sacrifice. November may very well be kindness moth, but why should we lock up our benevolence and courtesy for others as soon as December rolls around?

No matter your race, gender, or creed, this Thanksgiving think about what is really important to you and others and how you can incorporate that into your daily life. Time is Love encourages individuals to take the information contained in these pages and apply it to their everyday living. Sure, if every month was November, we would have an excuse to treat others kindly at all times. With the right mentality and motivation for improving the overall life for everyone, why not make every month November? There are plenty of ways to get involved with community and pay kindness forward in very simplistic ways.

Join our effort to spread kindness across the world beyond the moth of November. Give thanks, spread kindness, and build a better world.

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.

There are certain parts of the world that just seem to emanate kindness. While on a recent trip to New Hampshire, I found myself in what seemed to be a paralell universe. I’m from New York and accustomed to rudeness, selfishness, and all around disdain for other human beings. Years of having doors slammed in my face, taxis stolen from me, and endless counts of people honking their horn when I move too slow have made me quite jaded. This mentality was not the same in New Hampshire. People were nice and it blew me away.

At one point during the trip my wife and I stopped to look at a map on the side of the road  and a complete stranger actually came up to us and ask if we were lost and needed help. We were so dumbfounded that it took us a few seconds to reply. It seems as the stories of kindness keep getting more and more rare. We all have the tales of when a complete stranger stopped to help change a tire or jump our car, but that was a long time ago. Perhaps its the declining economy or other global issues that have made people more selfish, but its during times like these where a ripple of kindness can turn into a tidal wave. Kindness does not have to be native to a certain part of the country/world.

Even though it’s not cool to be kind, part of us wants to be kind. We just need someone to show us how, someone to break the pattern our culture has trapped us in. Considerate acts have a ripple effect, and we remember them long afterward. Kindness is contagious and now is the best time to spread the condition. In the face of trying economic times and social strife, it is absolutely necessary that we begin behaving like caring individuals. The next time yous see someone in need, simply take the time to help them out. The old saying ‘what goes around comes around’ is absolutely true. Starting shaping your karmic fate for the better right now by participating in random acts of kindness.

Raining Kindness

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.

The anniversary of the Summer of love which took place in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco was recently celebrated with the West Fest concert in Golden Gate Park. A celebration of counterculture, West Fest offered visitors a free concert complete with music, art, beat generation speakers, and advocates from such movements as the Anti-war Movement and the Green Movement. What happened in the summer of 1967 has become known as the height of bohemian culture and an embodiment of the Woodstock generation.

West Fest Summer of Love Celebration

The Summer of Love

The term Summer of Love refers to the summer of 1967 when as many as 100,000 people converged on the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco creating a society of cultural and political rebellion. Hippies had gathered in many other locations including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, Washington D.C., Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and all across Europe, but San Francisco was the center of the counterculture.

Music, drug use, free love, creative expression, and politics fueled this society and the Summer of Love became one of the defining moments of the 1960s. The world had not expected such a large gathering of youth and the Summer of Love in Haight-Ashbury was seen as somewhat of a social experiment. Everything was shared, often among total strangers including food, love, and even health care.

The Summer of Love also saw some of the worst violence in some U.S. cities as Detroit and Newark. While the Summer of Love was happening in various cities around the world, some cities were facing racial discrimination against African-Americans leading to anger and rioting.

Many of the inhabitants of Haight-Ashbury were college and high school students on spring break as well as teenage runaways. The increasing population alarmed the San Francisco authorities whose primary directive was to keep the hippies away. The national media was alerted to the growing numbers and helped popularize the movement. The mainstream media coverage of the hippie life in Haight-Ashbury was covered by such writers as Hunter S. Thompson in the New York Times; its activities were reported on almost daily. The community also hate its own media publication titled the San Francisco Oracle whose readership topped a half-million at its peak.

Music also played a large part in the popularization of the counterculture movement. Such artists living in the community as Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, and Janis Joplin had become national stars. Around thee same time the Mamas & the Papas recorded the hit song San Francisco (Flowers in Your Hair).

Free food, free drugs, free love, and a free clinic drew as man as 100,000 young people to the Haight-Ashbury community to join a popularized hippie experience. Unfortunately for the movement, the community could not support the high influx of middle-class vacationers, college students, and other individuals itching for the experience. Overcrowding, homelessness, hunger, drug problems, and crime eventually caused many people to leave in the fall to resume their college studies.

On October 6, 1967 the remaining Haight-Ashbury inhabitants held a mock funeral signifying the “Death of the Hippie” signifying that the collective gathering of the counterculture had ended.

The legacy of the Summer of Love had a profound effect on the country and the entire world. Those who had gone to the Haight-Ashbury district brought new ideals, behaviors, and styles of fashion to the major cities around the globe. The Summer of Love is still celebrated as one of the major events in the counterculture of the 1960s and an event that changed the entire world.

Summer of Love Gathering

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<h3>Many Americans are Wondering Why</h3>

U.S. President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace prize, gaining him praise and scrutiny from all around the world. The first year leader of the United States has been awarded more for vision than achievement so far in his term, which is drawing the eyes of the world. Media coverage has been highly split on whether or not President Obama has achieved the necessary peace goals to deserve such a high honor. His plans for the future do involve pulling out of Iraq, but many of the policies that Bush started are still in effect. Many people are still wondering why he won, and whether or not the pre-empive prize will be worth it.

Polls have shown that many Americans don’t think that Obama deserves the award, but the defense has been given that his visions have inspired audiences worldwide. The question remains, is that enough to deserve the prestigious award, or was it given entirely too prematurely? Despite the mixed feelings on whether or not his vision of kindness and peace will be realized, Obama now has an obligation to enact his policies and show people that the award was well deserved. Regardless of whether or not he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize at the moment is hardly as important as how the remainder of his term will shape the world. Many see the award as an endorsement more than a recognition of achievement, and this may be the case. However, those who are truly dedicated to kindness and a better society overall will be keeping a close watch on President Obama and how he plans to earn his award.

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.

No Kill Animal Shelter Hopes to House More Animals

Homeless dogs and cats are an epidemic in the United States, and many individuals are not happy with the way some institutions are handling the overpopulation of their facilities. Many animals are euthanized if there isn’t room to take them and they are not adopted by a certain date. Operation Kindness is the largest and oldest animal shelter in North Texas with a strict no kill policy. Operation Kindness won’t take animals if they don’t have room for them, and its policy has connected deeply with people.
Operation Kindness was a perfect fit for the start of ActionCOACH’s global initiative Coaching for a Cause, a program that gives charities and non-profits pro bono coaching. The institution is hoping to expand through this program and have the ability to house more animals. Their efforts to increase their fund raising capabilities will result in expansion of the program and hopefully more safe homes for stray animals until they are adopted. More programs like Operation Kindness are beginning to spring up around the country as animal shelters face the difficult task of putting animals down to make room for more. It seems as though the epidemic of animal population will never be completely solved, but at least with programs such as Operation Kindness, there are some organizations who are taking steps in the right direction.

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

Kindness Blog offering Inspiration and Positive News

I’m A Nice Person is one of the better kindness blogs that the Internet has to offer. Full of ideas and news of kindness, I’m A Nice Person gives readers an incredibly positive source of world news and information. User submitted stories as well as breakthrough stories around the world act as a hub for information and inspiration, I’m A Nice Person has everything that a good kindness blog needs. Here are some reasons why Time is Love found I’m A Nice Person one of the better sources for kindness on the web.

Photo courtesy of http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/im-a-nice-person-com-kindness-blog

Nice Stories

Submitted by users from all around the world, this is your chance to get involved with the movement and share your positive experiences with the rest of cyberspace. Simply sign up and submit your own stories. There is also an option to see the latest kindness news and a top 10 list based on votes, views, and comments. Similar to the Time is Love section, I’m A Nice Person realizes the importance of its readers to bring positive deeds to those around them.

Nice News

Users and admins keep track of the most positive and current news stories to pass along to their readers. Breakthrough stories of compassion, kindness, philanthropy, and love are all documented in this section. Video and image uploads make the section even more informative and entertaining as only the most positive stories are submitted. Unlike the local and national news that flood the airwaves, nice news from I’m A Good Person highlights the positive aspects of humanity rather than the negative.

Nice Links and Merch

A great network of kindness blogs united in a similar mission; to change how people treat each other and the news that they are supplied with. They also offer merchandise to give as gifts or enjoy yourself such as shirts, hats, and stuffed animals. The extensive network has many different sites and affiliates that give readers an entire new realm in which to receive news. I’m A Nice Person is a great kindness blog full of user contributions, a well maintained site, and interesting positive stories from all around the globe. Truly making the world a better place.

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.

A True Story of Love and Inspiration

When I was seventeen I met an incredible person who was to become my mentor and my best friend. His name was Frank and he was the most Christian person I had ever met. Ironically, he had little personal knowledge of Christianity, yet was profoundly giving. His detachment from material objects and concern for others caused him to exude an air of peace and love.

I grew up poor in the most affluent county in America, the eldest of eight siblings. There were times when government surplus milk, processed cheese and cereal was about all we had to eat. I was shy and reserved, sitting precariously somewhere on the autistic spectrum. I wore old clothes that didn’t fit (high-water pants) white socks and pointed black laced-up shoes. Frank was athletic and worldly in the sense that he fully understood what was wrong with the society we lived in,  and had a plan to fix it.

I met Frank a college freshman while a junior in high school. I was writing a report on the feudal system for a history class. I was an aspiring seminarian and Frank was a Hippie before it became fashionable. A conversation ensued and we exchanged some philosophical insights on the report, and life in general. A friendship was born. We began to spend our free time together and would run his dogs for hours through the Rockefeller estate in Tarrytown, NY. Often we would converse about the domestic and foreign socio-political events of the sixties as we went on these long walks in the woods. Together we sought to work out our own particular reality, and our respective places in the world.

Once when I was at his home, Frank noticed me admiring the new long leather jacket he was wearing. He immediately took it off and handed it to me.

“Its yours, please take it.” Was all he said.

After repeated attempts to return it, I knew by the tone of his voice that there was no refusing this precious gift. To this day I remember the sweet smell of the supple Italian leather and the contrast of the bright red lining of a jacket, which became a coat for me, due to my shorter stature.

I felt his love and friendship wrap around me, as I put the coat on. I was as close to tears, as I am right now forty years later. I had just learned a powerful lesson about giving. I feel blest to have been on the receiving end this time so I could fully appreciate the spiritual impact of a precious gift freely given. Once felt, one can truly understand the tremendous joy and appreciation those who are in need feel toward their benefactors. To give is a precious gift, for both.

When I got home I found a silk white scarf and topped off my attire. These were to become my new vestments. From that day forward, I wore my new black leather jacket day and night, spring through winter, for many years thereafter. It was one of my most cherished possessions. I only took it off  when I went to bed. It became the icon of friendship and selflessness, which I vowed to carry forward into the world. You can get a glimpse at it in the pictures with the article.

Though you are no longer with us, I can never say enough – Francis, son of St. Martin, Thank you from the bottom of my heart! May I never forget that there are those in the world who’s needs are much greater than my own.

Christopher Cole

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.

A Horrifyingly Good Chance to get Involved

The Bone Bash is an event that will offer food, live music, giveaways, and much more to benefit those who suffer from Arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation is an organization committed to the education, prevention, and research of Arthritis. The Royal Oak Music Theater will host the Detroit installment of the event offering guests food, drinks, art, and the opportunity to donate to a worthy cause. Over 2.5 million adults and 10,300 children in Michigan suffer from Arthritis, costing the state an estimated $56 billion in lost wages and medical costs. The Arthritis Foundation donates 91% of its proceeds to leading Universities, research initiatives, statewide programs, and summer camps designed for Michigan youth who suffer from Arthritis and related diseases.

Bring your best Halloween costume for a frighteningly good time complete with local art, costume contests, and food courtesy of local Detroit restaurants. With Bone Bash event being held all over the country, no matter where you are, here is your chance to enjoy local fare, drinks, and a costume party that will benefit a good cause.

For more information visit the official Bone Bash Detroit site.

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.

Cooking With your Children a Great way to Spend Quality Time

One of the first places that families can look for engagement and quality time with their children is in the kitchen. Studies have shown that children who spend time with their parents in the kitchen eat healthier foods, are more confident and learn valuable life and academic skills when they cook with their families. Some kitchen time with your kids is a great way to spend quality time and help their development even with a busy schedule.

When engaging your children in the kitchen it is always important to remember that they are children. A tray may get dropped here and there, but consistency and patience is the key. Choose recipes that are easy to make and within their age limit. Give them directions, but let them exercise freedom while cooking so that the full experience is realized. Children at age 2 can scrub and clean food, at 3 they can decorate cookies or put toppings on pizza, and 5-year-olds can measure ingredients, knead dough, or stir with a spoon. Also make your children part of the decision making process in what to prepare. Give them something to engage in while the food is cooking as well, so that they don’t associate the experience with any form of boredom.

Experts on the subject advise setting a day aside to prepare food with your children, and recommend preparing multiple dishes that can be used as leftovers for the rest of the week. It is also possible to use utensils at hand to enhance their cooking experience instead of spending money on cooking sets. Smaller utensils that are more suited to their needs means that they will have their own set of tools. Children can also help with cleanup. Get in the habit of buying them their own cleanup device and setting aside a separate bowl to toss vegetable peels and other scraps to help eliminate messes.

During busy times it is often difficult to spend time with your children in a meaningful manner. Cooking with your children can teach them valuable lessons and aid them in their development.

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.

A Time When Love was Truly Free

1967 marked the gathering of over 100,000 individuals committed to changing society for the better and living in harmony with their fellow man. Converging in the neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco, hippies from all around the state gathered for a political and cultural rebellion. The melting pot of sexual freedom, psychoactive drugs, music, politics, and creative expression became a defining moment of the 1960s and the counterculture revolution.

The unexpected gathering of individuals created a society that reflected values unlike any other. The alternative lifestyles of inhabitants of Haight-Ashbury included communal living, free and often shared resources between total strangers, and free love. The experiment also had the ironic effect of inducing riots in such areas as Detroit and Newark as a result of race riots and insurrections.

Inspired by beats of the 1950s who declared themselves free of the grip of authoritarian order, the Haight-Ashbury community was built on rejection of American commercialism. The society largely hinged on the use of drugs in order to find and establish a new sense of reality. Preceded by the Human Be-In held in Golden Gate Park on January 14, 1967, the Summer of Love was announced by Haight-Ashbury’s own paper titled the San Francisco Oracle.

Authorities in the area were instructed to keep the hippies away as high school and college students funneled into Haight-Ashbury during spring break of 1967. The event was covered daily by media, including Hunter S. Thompson of the New York Times and the music of the era that was originally designed to promote the Monterey Pop Festival.

The result of the Summer of Love marked a huge event in how people viewed living together in society. Free love, free drugs, a store that gave away basic necessities to anyone who needed them, and a free clinic that is still in operation today was just some of the impact that the Summer of Love had on 1960s society.

Many of the college students left the Haight-Ashbury community to resume their studies after spring break, and brought back ideas and experiences which would forever change the history of the country.

It can be argued that without the Summer of Love, that there would be no Woodstock 1969. Celebrations of the event have taken place all over the world, specifically in the San Francisco area. The second Summer of Love is celebrated particularly in the UK and represents the rise of Acid House music and the rave culture. The most current anniversary of the Summer of Love is Boots Hughston’s West Fest, which will be held on October 25th in Golden Gate Park; the same location as the first Human Be-In.

The Summer of Love has left behind a rich legacy of celebrating alternative lifestyle and showing that individuals can live free of societal norms and the idea that love really can be free.

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.

A Love Story Completed 40 Years Later

A Woodstock love has come full circle for past sweethearts Alan and Mary. Originally posted on Woodstock Story, the two were reunited 40 years after the legendary festival. Read The Wonderment that was my Woodstock 1969, or hear the coverage of the story on National Public Radio.

After being apart for 40 years, two free spirits who ran off to Woodstock 1969 together have been reunited. Allen and Mary experienced what it means to be truly free by attending the legendary festival during the summer of love and sharing an unbreakable bond. Thanks to a story submitted on www.WoodstockStory.com, the teenage lovers’ paths have crossed once again.

It was the day of Mary’s 40th high school reunion. She had returned from a wonderful night of conversations with people whom she hadn’t seen in forever. The great time and wonderful connections made with past faces made her think of her teenage love, Allen. She had made a few attempts to see what her teenage love was up to, but her attempts were met with little success. Still floating from the wonderful reunion, she decided to try again and conduct a Google search for Allen’s name. The results returned a story on Woodstock Story.com titled The Wonderment That Was…My Woodstock 1969.

As Mary began reading the story, an eerie feeling came over her. It was as though her Woodstock 1969 experience was being told with voracious detail right in front of her eyes. As she neared the bottom of the page, her heart sunk. The author of the story was Allen Rowe, her Woodstock love. The revelation that this was her story as well simply blew her away. She sat reeling for what had to have been close to an hour with memories flooding her mind. She was taken back to that fateful time in her life and the person with whom she shared the experience.

Allen Rowe had submitted the story of love and liberation on WoodstockStory.com a few months earlier. While searching for information on the Woodstock 40h anniversary, he came across the site and decided to share his Woodstock experience under the newly constructed story page. The genuine tale of peace and love was praised for its passion and believability, and The Wonderment That Was…My Woodstock 1969 had won a contest for a pair of tickets for the Heroes of Woodstock tour in Bethel, NY.

Rowe had also been frequently and unsuccessfully trying to contact Mary for 40 years and had all but given up hope. By winning the contest the story was distributed all across the web and placed on the front page of wwww.WoodstockStory.com. As fate would have it, Mary stumbled upon the story. She had found him. After years of lost connections, desperate searching, and agonizing separation, Mary had found Allen. Their Woodstock was only just beginning.

Overwhelmed, Mary contemplated whether or not to make contact with Allen. It had been 40 years since they last spoke. Not knowing how to handle the situation, Mary underwent a long inner dialogue on whether or not she would reply to the story or leave the memories buried in the past. Part of her wanted to be found, part of her did not. She made the decision to break the 40 years of seperation and post a short reply to the story, which read “I certainly can relate to this beautifully written story, I did not know you had such talent. Though it has been 40 years, I remember it too, I am the Mary written about in this story”.

Not long after she decided to make contact with Allen, Mary’s phone rang. On the other end was her long lost Woodstock 1969 love. Decades of absence from each other’s lives was quickly filled with blissful memories as they spent hours catching up on the phone. Recalling when they first fell in love; when they walked on the shores of Lake Ontario, hand in hand, wading barefoot through waves crashing on white sand; becoming soul-mates. They spoke of moments they shared while in love at Woodstock. Freedom, music which seemed to reach the heavens and the peace of Yasgur’s farm before the crowd arrived filled their conversation.

Right on cue, after 40 years, they once again were at Woodstock – together. They have since decided to maintain a friendship and meet again one day soon. For Allen and Mary, their Woodstock circle of love has come full zenith; they share an unbreakable bond forged when two teenage lovers ran away to Woodstock together, their spirits forever fused. They shared words and tears 40 years later, discussing the long list of ” what might have beens”.

Who could have foreseen a simple story reuniting two individuals separated for 40 years? These teenage lovers’ paths may have never crossed again, despite their attempts to find each other. Their love has come full circle, they’ve found one another; the impossible has become a reality.

Submit your story today, share your Woodstock 1969 experience, and connect with Woodstock enthusiasts from around the world. Like Allen and Mary, your Woodstock story may be just beginning.

Alan Rowe

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.

Simple Ways to Improve Home Relationships

It is not at all uncommon for the home life to intensify the stress brought upon by daily life. Many individuals have the unfortunate plight of returning from a hard day at school or work only to clash with family members. It can be easily stated that a bad day at the office can follow a person home creating a negative situation for everyone. However, using a few guidelines and setting aside extra time to build relationships can circumvent these problems all together. Here are 7 ways to help make your household the haven that everyone sometimes needs.

Choose your words carefully – This may sound like a threat, but the fact is that everything you say plays a part in your child’s development and the relationship with your significant other. The household should be a conduit where individuals can freely express their feelings without fear of judgment, so be careful of what you say and how you say it.

Something as simple as how your phrases are chosen can have drastically different psychological effects. Say things that encourage your children to better themselves rather than suggesting that they have a character flaw. Psychologists will all tell you that children take parent’s criticisms to heart and how your words are chosen will inevitably shape who they will become.

Supply your kids with structure and order – An organized home structure offers something familiar to children and is a wonderful point of reference to resolve conflicts. Clear and concise rules create a more laid back home environment. When conflicts arise, there is no contention about whose right or wrong; develop a set of standards and stick to them.

A calm bedtime routine can do wonders for getting children to sleep, ensuring that they wake up well rested and in a good mood before they face the day. Inversely, this works for parents as well as it alleviates stress caused by household debates. Stick to your guns, but don’t be so inflexible that your child’s own individuality is stifled, it’s alright to deviate from the structure on some occasions.

The power of the family meeting – Family meetings are the perfect solution to any underlying problems that may be begging for a future blowup. Holding a weekly family meeting is a great way to alleviate concerns as well as share good things that happened. Making time during the busy week to get together and discuss important family issues ensures that everyone is on the same page and agrees with the rules. Take this time to clear the air of any problems, share positive experiences, and plan for important future events.

Time is Love – On any given day, there is a chance to connect with your loved ones and promote loving feelings. Studies have shown that children with parents who spend time hanging out with them tend to be more friendly and outgoing. The best way to convince children that we love them than spending time with them? Being a friend as well as a parent means that children are more likely to open up and express their true feelings rather than keeping them bottled up inside.

Encourage your children to treat others, including siblings and family members with kindness and respect. Sibling rivalries are unavoidable for sure, but teach children to make an effort to treat their brothers or sisters with kindness and fairness at least some of the time. A great way to strengthen bonds between your children is to encourage random acts of kindness and have them write down when they are shown kindness. This may relieve some of the stress involved next time an argument arises.

Traditions – Think back to your childhood; you would be hard pressed to remember most of it other than some of the rituals your family had. Setting aside time to participate in events as a family will create a positive memory that children will keep with them for a lifetime. Any positive family experience no matter the size will give children something to look forward to, and that they can rely on.

Handle challenges with compassion – There is no such thing as a perfect household. Everyone has internal struggle, arguments with loved ones, high and low points. Families sometimes fracture and other relationships are forged, which put pressure on even the strongest individuals. It is best to confront the problems and explain the score to family members. After a conflict, explain to children who may have overheard the fight that everything has been resolved. Leaving children unaware of the status of their parents can terrify them; don’t dodge problems and keep loved ones in the dark, but handle them immediately with a logical approach.

Couples only – Aside from making time to consider the needs of your children, it is important to set aside time to spend with your significant other. As wonderful as children are, they will inevitably put added pressure on a relationship. With the divorce rate already over 50%, people are finding it difficult to stay together already. Couples only time is apex in maintaining a strong bond between parents.

It can be as simple as dinner out or a walk, but time without the kids allows parents to remember why they fell in love with the other in the first place. Getting away from the kids on occasion is better for everyone, as problems can be discussed in an atmosphere that children who are present won’t find threatening.

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.