“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” ~ Albert Einstein
It’s not the best way to end the year with a quote like this, or perhaps maybe it is. Looking back on all that was, tends to make one look forward to how things could be. If inspired enough, an individual will do something about making a change for the good. With a New Year ahead, looking forward with good intentions is the best way to end the past year.
Albert Einstein, one of the most brilliant minds of all time, used his knowledge to make a prediction. He knew by looking to the past and seeing how frightening a world can become in a relatively short amount of time, he looked to the future to see the need to let generations not yet born, know the importance of working for a solution to global conflicts. Knowing what he knew, he made the most important statement of his life; it was a warning for everyone to consider the devastating effects of a future nuclear war, but also because of his words the promise for a world, which only knows peace, yet to come.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Service and charity to a cause is something we should all make time to do whenever possible. If you care enough about a cause, working to help that cause will bring reward to all those involved, including yourself.
Gandhi was dedicated to serving the people of India by gaining freedoms, improving living conditions and civil rights his life’s work. This was Gandhi’s passion. This is what brought peace for his countrymen and inner peace for himself. Gandhi was the most popular man in all of India, he gained the respect and admiration of it’s people by giving all his efforts to their needs. By having such popularity and admiration, riches beyond belief were his, just for the asking. This wasn’t his value system however. The inner peace Gandhi found, far outweighed the need for material goods in his life. Gandhi’s service to others, was the perfect embodiment of altruism.
One fact that I read, which impressed me the most about Gandhi, came from a children’s book. With all the respect and admiration he gained during the years of service to the people of his country and all of the material riches which were at his disposal, Gandhi chose only to be rich in his heart. The most loved and powerful man in all of India died with very few possessions. His sandals, eyeglasses, sari, plate, bowl, pocket watch and a few other items at the time of his death were valued at $200.

“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
1963 was a time in our nation’s history when there was much unrest in many of our cities, particularly the south. Many peaceful protests for freedoms started to become more physical. Some protests turned to riots. Our nation could have gone down a very frightening path. One seventeen minute speech changed all of that.
My favorite passage from the “I have a Dream” speech are the 19 words printed above. These beautiful words call for peace to a nation that could have taken that wrong path. These words are still very important today, not only for our nation but for the entire world as well.
In most of my in-classroom programs, I talk about what I like to call the “peaceful solutions” that Dr. King wanted for all people in our country to embrace. A new generation of children who need to know the importance of how differences can be settled by embracing peace in their own lives.
It has been nearly fifty years since these words have been spoken so eloquently. The short speech defused the “discontent” of the “sweltering summer” of 1963 in our country. These 19 words can also be used to defuse a disagreement between two individuals a well as creating “peaceful solutions” for nations around the world.
***This third of five blogs was posted two years ago. The series had such interest, that I have decided to post them again.

“Every kind act is a prayer” ~ Mother Teresa
I always have loved this quote by Mother Teresa. I believe it, and more. A prayer, simply put, is asking for something good to happen, a wish if you will, a solemn wish. A kind act is putting that wish into action; accomplishing what was prayed for through your actions for others. Kindness is belief and faith in action, embodied by prayer. Every time you perform a kind act, it fulfills someone’s need, someone’s wish, someone’s prayer. Having someone’s prayer answered because of your kind actions is the power behind prayer. A kind act is a prayer and a prayer is a kind act. To me, a kind act is as powerful as a prayer because a kind act takes physical action and a prayer takes spiritual strength. Kind acts aren’t typically viewed as being prayers and that is the beautiful thing about kindness, no one can take it away from us. We can pray through our actions anytime we want, anywhere we want and in any form of expression we’ve been taught.
Prayer hasn’t been taken from our schools, it is there in its physical form. We can do it in public buildings, in schools and no one can stop us. Pray all you want through your kind acts. Be the example you were meant to be to everyone. Do it especially in schools where it is needed the most. Kind acts are the most important actions in everyone’s lives, every moment of every day.

“My religion is very simple, my religion is kindness” ~ The Dalai Lama.
Kindness is the foundation of most religions. This tenet is at the core of most persons lives. A simple answer in a complicated world.
The Dalai Lama used this quote at the end of his message to people around the world on 9/11. It’s message was for people to only have kindness for others. It was a challenge for everyone to change their lives to counteract the evil acts which were becoming more frequent in all of our lives.
Thousands of years have gone by and thousands more will as the message of kindness remains constant. It is so simple to begin embracing kindness, one just needs to start. All of us have the opportunity with our next breath; this is the message of this beautiful man.
In five short days, a new calendar year begins. Many people create lofty New Year goals for themselves, only to fall short at times. What a great time to start working on the simplest goal in your life; Kindness. The simplest goal with the biggest impact. Please consider taking the kindness challenge by printing a Kindness Certificate at the top of this page, for everyone in your family and everyone you know.

Carolyn, a very proud woman who lives on the southeast side of Savannah, stopped me one day, to talk about the reason for The Kindness Bus. She became a fan immediately. She loves the fact that kindness is for everyone. She also believes that Christmas is for everyone, that is why she puts two Santa Claus figures on her front porch. “If it’s good, it’s good for everyone” she told me.
Carolyn thought her days of having Christmas for children, at her home, were over years ago, when the last of her 7 children, “got married off.” Due to unexpected circumstances, her 6 grandchildren began showing up to live with her. She is now raising the third generation of children in her family as 2 of her great-grandchildren have moved in with her. Christmas is a very special time for her as she loves the celebration of the month-long planning for the never-ending stream of children coming back to live with her. Merry Christmas Carolyn. Merry Christmas to Everyone!!

How can anyone resist the power of Bogart? That is the thought for next year’s bell ringing campaign for the Salvation Army. Bogart with a bell tied around his neck in front of a store is sure to increase revenue for this needy cause.
Started in 1865 by William Booth, the Salvation Army now tends to the needs of people across the world. From the beginnings in London this organization has a presence in 122 countries, helping with ongoing causes in these countries, as well as natural disasters when they strike. The Salvation Army is one of the most respected charities in the world.
My travels allow me to meet some amazing people along the way. People who have seen a need in their community and beyond and have decided to do something for the benefit of others. From a young girl at the age of 4 to a man in Canada who is 93. Dozens of people starting charities in order to lend a helping hand.  Everyone has the opportunity to help another in need, donating just a little of your time is a valuable asset to most charities. Who knows, you may discover a passion inside that can benefit people across the world.