When on campus for more than one day, it is rewarding for me when students return on the days following our initial introduction. Two such students are Elizabeth and Ivey, geology geniuses on this campus. These girls rock, pardon the pun. Both of them are thrilled with becoming on-campus and off-campus ambassadors for One Million Acts Of Kindness. They are on board for living a lifetime of kindness. David, who has a future broadcasting career, is a student reporter/anchor for VSU-TV Live. He interviewed me for an upcoming segment on his station. His questions about The Bus Tour, were thought provoking and to the point. A good quality to have in any industry. The two days I spent at this campus, gave me the time to talk with nearly eight hundred students.

Pulling into a large parking lot, to turn the bus around on this unfamiliar campus, was the best thing I did today. It was a lot to the on-campus Presbyterian Church. I was told by some men associated with the church that I shouldn’t miss the opportunity to talk to Tar, the assistant pastor. Tar is a woman with a heart of gold, after touring the bus for nearly a half hour, she said that this was just what she needed today. She is going to network the message of One Million Acts of Kindness to her school. I pulled on campus and creatively parked The Kindness Bus in a high-traffic area. The other best thing that happened was talking to Bobbie Warren, from the English Department. Before I knew it, she had talked me into talking to a classroom full of students. I love when opportunities like these present themselves. Thank you to everyone involved in this last- minute professorship. This campus had no shortage of interested students. Many were already aware of this movement, one student already had a sticker from his friend at UGA. While on campus, another best thing happened. I heard from a kindergarten teacher I met last evening. She told me her family is now on their personal quest of one million acts of kindness. As I began writing this blog, Sara, one of the students from the classroom I visited today, and her friend Christina, stopped by to get a first-hand briefing on my mission. They are thrilled at the prospect of being a positive influence on this world…another best thing. The final best thing just happened, the manager at this local eatery just gave me ten free meal tickets to pass out to students on campus tomorrow…true to the Truett spirit.

“Without water, agriculture ceases to exist” Bogart seemed to comprehend this quote as he guarded this source of water for today’s picture. ABAC is a beautiful campus complete with rolling farmland.
On this campus I was able to pull into a very visible spot on its western edge. I talked to as many students as I could as they made their way to class, I was even able to find a very interested Professor of History, James Galt-Brown. He assured me he had the perfect spot for his sticker; the door to his office. One of the terrific campus librarians stated that a movement like this is needed sooner than later. She sent a mass email to all faculty on campus. The highlight of the day was to be interviewed and photographed by Beverly Manning and Leahann Driscoll for the college newspaper, Stallion. During the interview we talked of all the amenities on the bus, including the flat air mattress. I was floored to see the two of them later in the afternoon with a new air mattress as they approached me in a local eatery. These two beautiful girls are now on their way to one million acts of kindness. One million thanks girls.

I’ve never done something so easy and I’ve never done something so hard. First the easy… It seems that nearly everyone I have contact with, wants to see a change for the better in this world. We seem to have strayed away from core values which most of us would like to return to. A return to times when life was simpler. A time when everyone respected each other and cared for one another. A sense of neighborhood. People want a return to those times. That is why this movement is so easy. Over the last few days there have been six students who have vowed to perform one million acts of kindness in their lives. They know that this is what it will take to help this troubled world. This movement is being embraced by nearly everyone, a slam dunk if you will. Now for the hard…My air mattress has a leak which can’t be repaired…yes Bogart had a hand (paw) in it. Boy is a plywood bed hard.

Spring Break is right around the corner for colleges and the Kindness Bus Tour has yet to make it to the Florida border. Yikes!!  We pulled into this central-Georgia campus and were approached by dozens of students; half wanted to see the bus and the other half wanted to meet Bogart. I am finally getting used to this reaction. After the initial crowd dispersed, we were instructed to the location of today’s photo, a picture of Bogart and a seated, Jesse Mercer, a new supporter of One Million Acts of Kindness. Danae and Tiffany were happy to cross the campus to meet Bogart and learn of our mission. Today’s visit was brief but impactful to the students we met.  

  During the course of this past weekend, we made contact with over two-hundred people as we traveled about. Everyone wants to know about this mission. Everyone wants to be a part of this mission. While enjoying a rare quiet moment, I was asked by two high school students if I would talk to their group. I was thrilled as I made my way outside to see a very large McDonough Presbyterian Church bus filled with anxious high school students. I love the spontaneity of this mission. Thank you for the invite to talk to your group.