Everything Under The Sun: A Dose Of Kindness Every Day

One of the affirmation memes on the Facebook page.

Today I am doing something just a bit different. I want to share some inspiration from LIFE VEST INSIDE (LVI), an organization whose mission is to "unite and empower the world with kindness." They have several different projects and offer various tools so that everyone can become "a catalyst for positive change", essentially making the world a better place one person, one act at a time.

One thing that LVI does is to send out a daily newsletter. If you check out the website, you can sign up for a daily dose of positive thinking to motivate you to perform acts of kindness. The site also has a blog and today we check out The Daily Kindness Digest #37.

There is a daily kindness quote from ARTHUR C. CLARKE, who hosted a few PBS series, such as Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World, along with wearing several other career and vocational hats. He said, "The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible."

Next comes an act of kindness: "Have a friend who has a major event happening. such as a birthday party, wedding, or graduation? Offer to go and take behind the scenes photos for them! The pictures will be a great keepsake to remind them of a great time in their life." What would be a behind the scenes theme for a photo? First thing that comes to mind is the preparation. Photos of making the birthday cake and the gathering of the guests before the official birthday party start; adding final touches to wedding gown and tuxedo, such as boutineer, removing the bouquet from its delivery box, any antics by the flower girl and ring bearer; family photos with the graduate, both in cap and gown, and in the clothes being worn underneath, a close-up of the diploma; all of those informal pictures that no one else thought to photograph.

Then comes a positive affirmation: "I awaken in the morning feeling happy and enthusiastic about life." Even if you happen not to feel that this is true as you are starting your day, repeat it to yourself several times and think over the meaning of this affirmation, and before long, your mood will rise, and you'll feel the truth of this statement.

Finally, there is a youtube video about a 14-year-old boy, Marcus Ugarte, who appeared on the Ellen Degeneres Show. He and his father had spotted a neighboring house on fire during the night and they ran over, while the boy called "911". Both of them entered the house after they spotted the mother exiting the front door. They encountered the father running down the stairs, his face covered with soot. The father was coughing and couldn't talk; he pointed up the stairs. Marcus knew that there was a son, eight years old, whom he hadn't seen. He tried the bedroom door, but it was locked. Another neighbor had a ladder and it was propped under the bedroom window. As Marcus climbed the ladder, the young boy started coming out onto the ladder. When Marcus reached him, he tucked the young boy under his arm and helped him down the ladder. For his quick thinking and willingness to help during a crisis, he became known as a hero and received several gifts from Ellen.

LVI recognizes Kindness Ambassadors, this one Ann Kopel.

So, if a dose of kindness is something that will inspire you, check out the website and sign up for the newsletter. Not only could you be making someone else's day, you'll also be helping yourself to a kinder, healthier life.