Kindness Reminders

I received a comment on our blog a couple of days ago from Julia introducing me to a documentary in the works called American Bear — an adventure in the kindness of strangers. This has everything I love: 1) a grass roots kindness experiment about the goodness in human nature, 2) a couple of adventure seeking artist who love people, 3) a ukulele playing dude and young lady wise beyond her years.

Featuring projects about kindness is what String-Ring's Kindness Community blog is about. So let me help spread the word and introduce you to two young film students and their inspiring journey exploring American culture and people.

Christine Baker, with help from her yellow Lab named Jessie, launched Walk4Good™ just after the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Christine had overslept by 15 minutes on 9/11, which kept her from being at the base of the World Trade Center when the towers were struck. I read her story in a PRWeb article earlier this month.

From the article: "Every year since 2001, one singular thought has dominated my mind: I have not done enough to justify the gift of my life. I finally decided to change that, so I founded Walk4Good.”

To be honest, I'm not much of a believer in the "ask and ye shall receive" biblical promise. People argue if coincidences like this are proof of the power of prayer, or simply just another act of well-timed human kindness. Maybe both? Regardless, this gave me those "feel good" chills in the upper shoulder area.

The first words out of this heroin addict's mouth when a Secret Santa tries to give him a hundred dollar bill, "I didn't earn that." Incredulously, he took the money and sobbed in the Christmas miracle. I'm cheering for this guy and his family.

From the CBS Evening News

The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has a Holiday Hugs program each year for all gold-level Commit for Life members' (those who have given blood 4 times this year) participation. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, any gold-level Commit for Life member has the opportunity to write a note attached to a holiday-huggable teddy bear that will be hand-delivered by the "reindeer brigade" to a blood recipient spending the holidays in the hospital.

Remember my post last month about Boom Boom! Cards? This is the deck of “call to action” cards with simple acts of kindness prompts you commit and then track on their website. Well I discovered greeting cards recently called Kindness Recycled™ Cards that are also designed to be registered, passed along, and tracked online. These cards consist of a ‘compliment,’ ‘service,’ or ‘just because' message on one side and registration instructions on the other.

How it works (from the website)
For those who have purchased the cards: Register your card id # online on our website and share your thoughts.
When you're ready, pass your card to a deserving person.
Watch your card travel online and see how far it travels!