Tina's blog

I just viewed this video The Kindness Center posted on Facebook. Must share! http://www.facebook.com/93dollarclub

Chrissy from Babeskin (sans-link because they are redesigning their website now but definitely worth a future visit) had this video posted on Facebook and I simply fell in love with this foundation because it touched two important issues that are close to my heart. (1) Teaching young people about the joy and responsibilities of charity work, and (2) bridging the gap between the young and senior citizens. I was a volunteer in a nursing home during the time I went to college and realize the importance of companionship for the elderly. Rachel Doyle was ONLY 17 years old when she started the first GlamourGals chapter to honor her own grandmother. Rachel you are beautiful!
This is Vashti talking about her favorite moment volunteering ...

Dee Finch from www.Peoplefood4Dogs.com is a volunteer with pug rescue. She sent me an email about a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Yardo Ducic, who reconstructed this abused pug's jaw so the dog could chew and bark once again. The dog was most likely kicked in the face to cause the injury and then abandoned. When one of Dee's fellow pug rescue volunteers contacted a surgeon known for reconstructing people's faces, either after some kind of surgery or some kind of cancer of the face or neck at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, he had this to say, "It's one of those things — you don't do it for any reason other than you feel like you are supposed to." Dr. Ducic contacted a medical equipment company for donating supplies such as instruments, plates, and screws that are very expensive.

You've probably heard many stories about drive-through customers paying it backwards. If you are not familiar with this, it is when you pay for the next person in line hoping they too will continue the chain of kindness. I'm always impressed that so many people are willing to play the kindness game. After all, you're putting yourself out there with a risk that the patron behind you may not be so gracious about your "gorilla goodness" practice. When I received an email from Carrie Rocha, it reminded me of my concerns that made me hesitant to play this popular game. But in the end, I think the DJ in this video clip hits the nail on the head. The disc-jockey says, "Maybe it would be a good thing to pay for somebody who is confused by it and begrudges the gesture, because they may need it the most. It is a baby step to practicing generosity that gets easier each time you do it." I would agree. The little thrill you get knowing you've brightened a stranger's day is addictive...

For me, forgiveness is an important process even though I'm really not much of a grudge holder. It is the art of apologizing that I haven't learned to quite master. I tend to stammer like someone with a speech disorder, sweat profusely, and become nauseous when I ask for forgiveness. I'm not sure if this is due to the fear of rejection, but I am sure that it ain't pretty! The old quote, "It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission" just doesn't apply to me. But whether you're prone to harbor ill feelings or an awkward apologizer like myself, know that forgiveness is a divine gift with tremendous power...

Have you seen what Michael at The Kindness Center is doing to celebrate a heart-centered lifestyle? I'd heard about this man and his programs before and it is worth while to check it out. (watch the 24 Hrs. of Kindness video - the mace story is funny!)

I'm hearing a lot of terms lately that sound like oxymorons. Jargon we are not used to hearing in the business world, a world driven by profit at any cost. Terms like karmic management, enlightened business practices, and concepts such as implementing sustainable business practices. Sounds like they've changed the rules in this game from when I took Marketing 101 in college 20+ years ago. At least some folks are playing by a new set of objectives. And when I stumble upon one I love to help spread the word. NouvelleVie is one such company that has joined the movement towards social consciousness in the market place. Their mission is to save children and they do this by supporting women (mom) artisans. It is so refreshing to see fair trade practices, eco-friendly products, combined with charitable opportunities in the commerce sector which is usually all about competing and winning.

You've probably heard about Etsy.com, the website that sells handmade items from independent artist. Well, Mandy Minor enlightened me on the practice of Esty's PIF (Pay it Forward) items. I had seen items marked this way but had no clue what it meant.

This began with one shop owner's idea to do something nice by marking certain items PIF. This means free of charge but keep in mind that each shop has their own terms. Some items sold just for the cost of material, or the artist may be offering a pattern for you to use FREE, and some may offer EVERYTHING (including item plus shipping and listing fee) FREE, FREE, FREE. The understanding is that when doing a Pay It Forward, you agree to do a nice deed for someone else. This could mean offering one of your items PIF if you are a seller, or just performing a random act of kindness in your community. What a beautiful concept. Thanks for the information Mandy!

I've seen the KIND energy bars at our local grocery store for a couple of years now and today I finally picked one up to find out exactly what they were selling. I knew the obvious since they were in the health foods section of the store - An energy bar made from ingredients you can pronounce. More natural, wholesome, not over-processed, and yummy it was! You could actually see the pieces of fruit and whole nuts through the package.

Remember the Kindness Ring experiment? I had this idea to follow the chain of kindness to see it grow by giving a complete stranger a String-Ring with this message on the box: You've been chosen to receive this String-Ring, the Kindness Reminder Ring, to wear because you've been caught being kind. Since kindness is contagious, please Pass it On! When you witness a stranger doing something kind, pass the ring on to them and send me a message about your experience. Hopefully, they too, will Pass Kindness On.