Don’t Wait to Be a Hero

Posted in Kindness

Don’t wait til you make your first million to make a difference in somebody’s life.  If you have something to give, give it now. Serve food to a food kitchen, clean up a neighborhood park, be a mentor. Not every day is going to offer us a chance to save somebody’s life, but every day offers us an opportunity to affect one.

It’s funny, we had a different post ready to go this morning until I stumbled upon this TED talk. Not only does it have an inspiring and motivational message, a reminder that every bit counts, but it also ties in nicely with One Day Without Shoes, which is today.
By the simple act of taking off your shoes today, you will help raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life and affect the lives of millions of children around the world.

How will you affect somebody’s life today?

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Random Acts of Niceness

Posted in Kindness

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

—Aesop, Greek fabulist

Never underestimate the impact of a single act of kindness. Back in 2008, a small gesture by a stranger inspired Melissa Morris Ivone to remind all of us that “a little NICE goes a long way” by sharing wonderful reader-submitted stories of random acts of kindness on her blog Operation NICE. Kindness is contagious and if every one of us was a little bit nicer to the people we encounter each day, perhaps the world would be a much better place.

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Laughter is the Best Medicine

Posted in Laughter

Dr. Kataria believes that laughter is a cure all, that it can cure both psychological and physical ailments.  So in 1995 he started the first “laughter club” and now there are more than 6,000 laughter clubs in 60 countries. I know it sounds crazy, but try it for yourself. It’s simple, just stand or sit face to face with someone or in a group and start laughing for no reason. Before you know it the fake laughter will become real and contagious. So what are you waiting for? Laugh your heart out!

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How to Live an Optimistic Life

Posted in Optimism

The Optimist Creed:

Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.
To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

The Optimist Creed was written by Christian D Larson and published in 1912 in his book, Your Forces and How to Use Them.

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Listen to Your Heart

Posted in Philanthropy

At age 18 Maggie Doyne set out on a backpacking trip around the world.  Where this journey led her is amazing and inspiring.

I have come so far from that girl, with the backpack, but most of all, now more than ever, I know that anything is possible. My heart is full and the future is exciting. There is so much, still, to do.

Hear more of her story after the jump.

Continue reading »

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The World You Desired Can Be Won

Posted in Life

Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it’s yours.

— Ayn Rand, Author

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Connecting the World Through Music

Posted in Music

Playing For Change was started back in 2005 with the goal to:

…inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race.

In the past 6 years they have released multiple albums and toured the world several times over. You can support Playing for Change by pre-ordering their second studio album Songs Around the World, Part 2 which will be released on May 10, 2011 and check out the Playing for Change website for more information, videos and inspiration.

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Expand Your Conciousness

Posted in Motivation

When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.

— Patanjali

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Advice From a Rapper, Yo!

Posted in Life

Inspiration can be found almost anywhere, believe it or not, including rap songs.    Advice From A Rapper shares a new inspirational quote from a different rap star each week, beautifully illustrated by Jessica Wright.  This illustration features a lyric from “Me Against The World” which can be found on 2Pac’s Greatest Hits album. “Get ready cuz yo days bout to get a whole  lot betta. You feel me?” Word!

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The Power to Choose Your Own Path

Posted in Life

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

— Dr. Seuss, bestselling author and cartoonist
From the book Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

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