When choosing to do good begets the best reward

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289104/Homeless-man-returned-diamond-engagement-ring-receives-175K-donations-reconnected-long-lost-family-16-years.html

Homeless man who returned diamond engagement ring receives over $175K in donations and is reconnected with his long-lost family after 16 years

Kindness of the Day wishes Billy Ray Harris the best of luck in his fresh start on life!

 

Read the full article here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289104/Homeless-man-returned-diamond-engagement-ring-receives-175K-donations-reconnected-long-lost-family-16-years.html

Runner Steps Up for Kindness

http://www.arizona.edu/features/runner-steps-kindness

“I saw what you did,” Meyer says with a friendly smile, “and I wanted to give you this bracelet as a way to acknowledge your act of kindness.”

Read the article…

http://www.arizona.edu/features/runner-steps-kindness

Virtual superpowers prompt real kindness

http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/virtual-superpowers-prompt-real-kindness/

Enough of the violent shooting games, there are some people for whom there is no line between their XBox and reality.   Let’s channel our superior intelligence into things that are actually intelligent…

While several studies have shown that playing violent videogames can encourage aggressive behavior, the new research suggests that games could be designed to train people to be more empathetic in the real world.

To test this hypothesis, the researchers needed to choose a superhuman ability that could only be simulated in virtual reality, but that people would also subconsciously identify as a “do-gooder” superpower.

Continue reading… http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/virtual-superpowers-prompt-real-kindness/

The Littlest Change

http://www.newburyportnews.com/lifestyle/x1746082360/Spreading-kindness

The Littlest Change

Spreading kindness

Amesbury women create website to inspire acts of giving

Have you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness by a complete stranger who went out of his or her way to lighten your burden? If you live in Amesbury, your chances of being treated to such an act are greater than ever, thanks to a new business that is geared toward making folks feel cared about and connected to each other…

Read full article:  http://www.newburyportnews.com/lifestyle/x1746082360/Spreading-kindness

Paradigm shift for 2013

http://www.thewesterlysun.com/news/acts-of-kindness-inspired-by-storm-and-tragedy-are-multiplying/article_635f5a0e-5177-11e2-8864-001a4bcf887a.html

After the recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, our new year’s wish for 2013 is for more kindness to be paid forward and be felt around the world.  The world didn’t end on December 21, 2012, but maybe it marks instead a symbolic end in how life is today, and that a change is coming.

Happy new year to all!

Quick-thinking heroine

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rider_helps_prevent_repeat_SaJC8GbcH3UuMgdFpXdrXN

The world needs more people like Doreen Winkler — with her quick thinking and genuine concern for others helped avert another disaster in the subway.  Along with two other people, she helped an inebriated man up the platform after he had stumbled onto the tracks.

It would’ve made for a better picture on the front page,  instead of  the tragedy just a few days earlier.

Way to go, Doreen!

Everyone is important

Life’s Important Lessons

Cleaning Lady

(forwarded to me via email)

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:

“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times–she was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if  the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely ” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people.  All are significant.  They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.” 

I’ve never forgotten that lesson.  I also learned her name was Dorothy.

Stop the selfishness

http://www.outsideonline.com/news-from-the-field/Plan-to-Import-Beluga-Whales-Raises-Protests.html

http://www.solarnavigator.net/animal_kingdom/cetaceans/beluga_whale.htm

I protest!

Haven’t we done enough damage and abuse to the environment?  Seriously, who died and made us king of exploiting everything on Planet Earth?

No animal deserves life in a cage, there is absolutely no justification to take even one more of these creatures from their natural habitat.  If there is the noble mission to do research for their benefit, then humans should do so in the ocean where they live.  It’s sad how we use our “superior” intelligence to take advantage of creatures who cannot do anything to fight our agressiveness.  We cannot keep exploiting animals for our selfish pleasure and purposes.

The only time that one more beluga whale can be added to a zoo is when he knocks on their door, and asks to move in.

“What can I do to help?”

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/tens-thousands-residents-sift-possessions-rebuild-lives-fortunate-started-driving-hard-hit-areas-offering-gas-shoes-pizza-article-1.1196248

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/11/gala_canceled_ny_public_librar.html

After this tragic disaster attacked innocent people and took away everything from some, New Yorkers have emerged energized and can’t get enough of helping one another.  In the hard hit areas there’s mountains of donated clothes and trucks of food going out to the homeless, cold, and hungry.  Neighbors helping neighbors, strangers helping strangers.  Hurricane Sandy may have destroyed billions in property, but it also reminded people of our innate goodness towards one another.  We mourn for the lives lost, but property can eventually be replaced.  Kindness and generosity extended during this time will have a more lasting impact than the catastrophe will.

More stories :

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50134462n

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20121107/gerritsen-beach/hurricane-sandys-good-samaritans-go-extremes-help

spvolunteernetwork.org/ShowFeedLink.aspx/link/www.samaritanspurse.org%2findex.php%2farticles%2fgod_opens_doors_in_new_jersey%2f

http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/se_mass/attleboro-man-helping-ny-sandy-victims

Unity and cooperation after Hurricane Sandy’s disastrous NY vacation

http://www.ny1.com/content/171575/soldiers-bring-knowledge-to-brooklyn-rescue-effort

http://teamrubiconusa.org/

Last night
she
came,
livid,
night-blue,
wine-red:
the tempest
with her
hair of water
, eyes of cold fire-
last night she wanted
to sleep on earth.
— “Ode to the Storm,” Pablo Neruda

Despite centuries of technological advancement, we are still humbled by forces of nature beyond our control.  The only sensible reaction we can have to storms such as this is to stay out of its way as much as we can, and afterwards help others who have been unfortunately affected.  Thanks to Team Rubicon and other volunteers in their efforts to reach out to people and extend their skilled and much-needed assistance.  After the devastating damage and loss, the rainbow brings hope and courage to continue and recover.