There was a 2 ton piece of granite in an area of my yard a couple of houses ago. Pushed to its resting place during the last ice-age the rock was in a far-off corner, going unnoticed and grown over in this river valley carved nearly 20,000 years ago. Going unnoticed, that is, until I noticed it. I wanted everyone else to notice it so I decided to move it to a new spot at the end of my drive near the road. I also decided to make this the most famous rock in my town, by carving a bronze plaque into it. The effect was immediate. The road is used as a bicycle trail and running trail as well as a main commute route for parents taking their children to school. The lesson to all who stop to read the words on the plaque is simple, making it easy for everyone to live out its message. Thousands have viewed this rock in its new location over the past 5 years. I drove out of my way to see this “most famous” rock when I was in Cleveland a week ago. It is still there, inspiring all who choose to read its message.

Witnessing an act of kindness becomes contagious, immediately having influence upon the viewer. One bit of information I share with my audience as I travel is that One Million Acts Of Kindness is an individual goal that needs to happen individually but also by hundreds of millions in this country and by billions across the globe. It is possible!! Individuals going about living their lives but with a constant mind-set of kindness. To me, this is how we change hatred toward our fellow man. It is also how we live longer, healthier, more satisfying lives.
Earlier this week I met Charley Johnson and a few members of his team from the Pay It Forward Foundation. Charley created a Pay It Forward wristband program which has spread across the globe. The premise is to have the wristband be used as a reminder to spread kind acts to others and then pass it on. The 1st annual Pay It Forward Experience Conference is October 19-21 featuring many well known speakers, what a great way to spread kindness.
The days are growing shorter very quickly, as well as the weather becoming more fall-like. I am going to ride 3 “century rides” in the next 7 days honoring 3 individuals.

Attention Homes’ 4th Annual Kaleidoscope; Reflections of a Brighter Future fundraiser was a success beyond all expectations. Invited by Attention Homes benefactor, Jackie Long, this was a special evening of meeting staff, board members, volunteers and donors. This evening afforded me the opportunity to talk with those involved with helping teens who often times leave home because of domestic violence, sexual abuse,neglect, drug use and many other social issues. What a great way to get important information from these professionals who work on a daily basis with these at-risk youth.
I of course took The Kindness Bus and Kindness Bicycle and wore one of the shirts I wear when I ride, as a conversation starter. It proved effective, as many individuals wanted to know what was written on the shirt beneath my sport coat.
My personal highlight of the evening was talking at great length with 2 young men whose lives have been transformed because of Attention Homes. There have been 6,000 such success stories in the 45 years of existence of this wonderful organization.
Thank you to Jackie Long and Jim Rianoshek, Executive Director of Attention Homes for giving me the opportunity to attend this very special event.

Feather Berkower travels the country presenting workshops on keeping children safe from sexual predators. She is a 25-year veteran in this field, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Master’s of Social Welfare. Brilliant, is the word that comes to mind in describing her knowledge and the means she uses to present information to her audience. I attended one of her workshops today as a guest of the Blue Sky Bridge Child and Family Advocacy Center in Boulder, Colorado. These courses are a must for all parents and caregivers everywhere!! Parenting Safe Children courses, if used as presented, could literally stop predators, dead in their tracks. The courses educate parents and caregivers what makes children vulnerable to sexual abuse, they empower children by teaching about body-safety rules, teach the techniques for screening caregivers effectively, and they teach policies, reporting guidelines and screening techniques for organizations.
Feather co-authored “Off Limits,” a parenting book that presents easy to follow guidelines for keeping children, homes and communities off limits to child sexual abusers.  Her website is www.parentingsafechildren.com
Please spread word of these workshops to everyone you know!!

Since I arrived in Boulder, Colorado I have been told by several individuals that I must visit Attention Homes, a residential treatment, counseling and safe shelter for at-risk youth. I stopped in to schedule a meeting with one of the counselors and was fortunate to have a conversation with Executive Director, Jim Rianoshek. This center provides for the needs of abused, neglected, troubled, delinquent and recovering youth through positive adult role models, lessons in life skills and a team of experienced and caring counselors. They are a safety net when there is nowhere else to turn.
Today’s ride was shortened by a wind storm that seemed to come out of nowhere. The signs on The Kindness Bicycle act like sails, creating the feeling as if I am wind surfing.
During my ride I met Sue and David who are Boulder residents. Their level of interest in what I am doing is 2nd to none. Andrew, another Boulder resident, who has had one of my stickers on his computer for the last few years said, “It is good to finally put a face to the mission.”

The Kitchen Community www.thekitchencommunity.org is a new nonprofit, founded in 2011, connecting children to real food by creating Learning Gardens in elementary schools across America. In two day’s time I serendipitously met two individuals, Jessica and Bert, on two separate occasions who told me of their involvement in The Kitchen Community. I had to research this organization and then I realized I had to write about it.
Started by the philanthropic arm of The Kitchen, a restaurant in Boulder, Colorado, this organization’s goal is to get wholesome food in the lunchrooms of schools across America. Teaching children wise nutrition choices in food is impossible when there are no foods of nutritional value from which to choose. Because of the deficit of nutrition, the United States has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity and childhood diabetes in the world.
The same can be said for kindness. Teaching children wise choices in caring for and respecting one another is impossible when there is a lack of any choice of values. Curriculum needs to reach classrooms to make up the deficit of core values which aren’t being taught at home.
Today’s ride was incredible through the CU campus, along Boulder Creek and through the streets of Boulder.

Blue Sky Bridge had their 1st annual “Champions for Children” event this evening. The team of staff, volunteers and advocates from Blue Sky Bridge put together an evening to honor those who helped with volunteering, education, donating, leadership and advocating for the well-being of children in need. Rueben’s Bistro, a local restaurant in Boulder provided the food, drinks and space for this event. Executive Director, Judy Toran Cousin led the evening’s festivities, keeping the audience informed of the award recipient’s charitable deeds. I had the honor of talking with a number of the award recipients. Well respected, Boulder County District Attorney, Stan Garnett is doing incredible work protecting children from harm and some children from further harm from perpetrators. He thanked me for the mission I am on to raise awareness. Donor, Chuck Marcy took the time at evening’s end to talk with me outside by The Kindness Bicycle. Chuck and his wife Cindy play an integral part in keeping Blue Sky Bridge operating. What an evening of well over 100 attendees, many who already heard of One Million acts Of Kindness because of the staff at Blue Sky Bridge. Thank you to everyone.
During my ride today I had more conversations than most days. Betsy and Sandy who are educators stopped me as I was arriving back at The Kindness Bus, they left with Kindness Certificates to spread across the State of Arizona.