One week from today begins a week of kindness, with the start of One Million Acts Of Kindness Week. This event, its 4th year, is all about helping out your community with a much needed project. A link to the specifics and sign-up form is below.

Every town I visit, parking of The Kindness Bus in a highly visible location is one of my top criteria. Many times I need to be creative without becoming a parking scofflaw. By far, one of the most important connections I make when I arrive in town is to befriend the parking officers. I like to know what I can and can’t do in their town. Most officers love The Kindness Bus and a number of them have said, “I could never ticket a bus like that.”
From small towns to large metropolitan population centers, The Kindness Bus has a growing fan base of parking officers.
Johnny from South Beach, in today’s photo, is one of those fans.

On recommendation of Hollywood businessman, Mark Lavallee, The Kindness Bus Tour went to the tailgate party before the Jimmy Buffett concert this evening. I originally didn’t think this would be a good fit, but it turned out to be amazing!
So many business people and professionals are Parrot Heads. I met teachers, counselors and psychologists. I was in good company.
I weaved The Kindness Bicycle between all the rows of tents and vehicles for nearly 6 hours. It was a wonderful captive audience and Bogart and I took advantage of it.
I heard from a number of people during the course of the night that the guitarist in the Coral Reefer Band, Jim Mayer visits schools with an anti-bully campaign he founded. His website is www.unclejimrocks.com
For the entire evening I felt like a bus driver in paradise.

SPEA teaches teens to be the “first line of defense” in preventing suicide, since teens who make a plan to end their life tell a friend. SPEA has delivered its proven program, Recognizing Teen Depression and Preventing Suicide, to more than 110,000 students since December 2000 and currently serves 130 Northeast Ohio high schools.  SPEA’s professional instructors teach teens to identify peers who may be suffering from major depression or may be at risk of suicide; how to respond; and where to refer.  Self-referral is also encouraged.

Our goal is to cause at-risk students to seek and receive treatment from a mental health professional, as treatment is life altering and often lifesaving. Evidence-based research validates our program’s success. SPEA saves families from the unfathomable loss of a child to suicide and helps teens live healthy, productive lives.  With your help, we will serve 16,000 teens during 2013.

I love south Florida, its residents and visitors. It is one vast population center along most of its east coast, especially the 70 or so miles from Miami to Palm Beach. Everyone is in such a good mood and the response to One Million Acts Of Kindness has always been well received. This is my 4th trip to south Florida in The Kindness Bus.
The Kindness Bicycle made its way to schools today. Kathy, who has a child at Hollywood Hills Elementary School was very gracious for the fact I stopped by. She volunteered to spread word of the mission throughout the school community.
A local businessman, Mark Lavallee, who discovered The Kindness Bus during his run of The Miami Marathon met with me to brainstorm some of the ways to promote One Million Acts Of Kindness, going forward. Thank you Mark for your interest, insight and your generosity.
Tonight I took part in Laughter Yoga. What a great stress release. Friends, Goddess and Noah, lead wonderful classes throughout south Florida. They charge nothing, it is one way they are giving back to community. What great fun was had. Their website www.zeblaru.com can help you learn to laugh and be happy.

Javier Garçon and I met a few days ago and he was immediately set on having me visit his school. Countless emails and phone calls later, made it possible for me to make a last minute visit. He was “right on the money” with his suggestion. Having The Kindness Bus and Kindness Bicycle on campus was a very nice touch.
School of Justice Professor, Selena M. Respass made exception and invited me into her classroom to address her students. What a nice visit, having the attention of these very interested individuals. The message of The Power of One was an inspiration and was a perfect dovetail with her teachings.
The remainder of the day was spent in the Bay Harbor Islands area of Dade County.

Today was the day to plant more seeds for future visits to Miami Beach schools on my return trips over the next several years. I stopped at all the public schools on this island, including the Scott Rakow Youth Center.
Roxanne a senior at Miami Beach High School is hoping to be a pediatrician, she thinks that the One Million Acts Of Kindness Certificates are just what the doctor ordered. Miss Woods the security guard was equally taken by a goal of kindness. The middle school and elementary school counselors will be getting back in touch with me for visits in the future.
What a great day for riding all around Miami Beach. It just doesn’t get any better than this.