This current Kindness Bicycle ride I am on is my third. My previous ride was to honor Wounded Warriors and Police & Firefighters killed in the line of duty and before that, a ride to raise awareness about Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse. On my rides in every town I visit, I try to visit these groups and individuals as often as possible, as they are never too far from my mind.
Today’s ride was all about being as visible as possible while riding as many miles as possible. I rode through all the heavily traveled areas of this island, talking with groups every time I turned around.
I visited the Marco Island Fire Department just as 3 pieces of their equipment were going out on a call. I met with Tom, a Firefighter who was on house watch. He loved hearing about my cross country ride honoring heroes.
Put an end to Bullying & Adolescent Suicide
In year 3 of this mission, I introduced a bicycle ride to my travels to raise
awareness about issues kids are having to deal with at far too young an age.
Bullying and Adolescent Suicide are two of these challenging burdens most kids
will unfairly have to overcome throughout the remainder of their lives. At rides
end we will have ridden enough miles to traveled the perimeter of the earth, twice.
Never Too Far From My Mind
January 8th, 2013Marco Island, Florida
January 7th, 2013
I headed south to Marco Island, Florida for the first of two days. The reception could not have been any better. My early morning visits were to area schools. I have been asked to return to give interviews about my travels to the students on their weekly school radio show.
The Marco Island City Hall was very helpful in recommending that I stop at the Chamber of Commerce so they could email blast their members.
Late in the day I visited Seacrest Country Day School in Naples. Evan, the girl’s soccer coach who had read about One Million Acts Of Kindness in the local newspaper, asked me if I would give an inspirational talk to his players. What a nice group of girls. They asked great questions after my talk and are going to write a quote on The Kindness Bus.
Kindness, Charity and Service
January 6th, 2013
The most important wage we earn, is that which is used for charity.Work of Art
January 5th, 2013
A captive audience was in my sights today as I made my way to an Art Fair in Naples, Florida sponsored by The von Liebig Art Center. The Kindness Bicycle weaved through the crowd of very interested art patrons.
The conversations were many and there was much interest from the thousands who walked this show in the perfect weather. Primarily parents and grandparents were in attendance and shared their viewpoints and life experiences of Bullying and Adolescent Suicide. I even came across 3 retired Firefighters from the Princeton Street Firehouse in Queens, New York. They loved the story of my ride for Heroes and of visiting their Firehouse this past summer.
The Kindness Bus had a prime parking spot for all to view as well. Every time I rolled by, someone was photographing the work of art.
Earlier in the day I talked with Chuck from the East Naples Fire Department. He loved the fact I dropped by to thank his house for the work they do.
Pure Perfection
January 4th, 2013
Some beaches have bike paths along their length. These are some of my favorite miles I log on The Kindness Bicycle. I take in the sights as people take in the sights of my signs. The beach in today’s photo does not have a bike path, making it hard to pedal its length, so I didn’t. (That was a joke, of course, a fun visual nonetheless.)
One of the toughest things I have to deal with as I ride, is being in the sun for hours on end. I do the best I can to ride in the early morning and evening hours. I try to find shaded areas and take many breaks in the mid-day. The greatest reward of being on the west coast of Florida is witnessing the setting sun. Every one of them is different, every one of them is pure perfection.
Sidewalk Art
January 3rd, 2013
I pedal The Kindness Bicycle at just the right speed. My average daily ride is 25 miles, which I can do in 2 hours if I wish but I am out for 12 hours on some days. If you do the math, my average speed is a perfect roll. Mine is the perfect office, a continually changing panorama of the United States. I take in every sight that I can as I ride. From snow capped mountains to ocean views to rolling countryside, it doesn’t get much better than what I see during the course of my day. It is the canvas of nature, an outdoor museum of every masterpiece ever created, which, if the viewer realizes, offers only beauty and love from its creator.
I also love man made art, from the amazing array of architecture, to found art that is there if you aren’t in too big of a hurried pace to find it. The heart I found on a sidewalk as I rode, prompted me to realize the expression of beauty and love, from its creator.
A Change in the Road
January 2nd, 2013
The Ring Our Country with Kindness ride to raise awareness about Bullying and Adolescent Suicide is going to have a minor name change but have a major focus change as we roll forward with this mission on a new course, a change in the road if you will. My new focus is to “prevent” Bullying and “prevent” Adolescent Suicide. Sure, by raising awareness, which we will continue to do, Bullying and Adolescent Suicide can be prevented, but with the focus on “preventing,” my mission becomes clearer. When you prevent, you save lives, and that is my one focus: To save kid’s lives.
Today’s photo is of a brick road in my hometown which was taken on my whirlwind visit for Christmas. It seems to be right off of a Currier & Ives print.
