Choosing not to lend a helping hand up to, or not getting involved in the comfort of someone in need of protection is tantamount to the preservation of bullying.
Be a hero to everyone you possibly can. Choose to embrace the less-popular individual. Help someone who is having a hard time. Just a few kind words and a show of support can work wonders for someone who is hurting. It will be like “Chicken Soup for the Soul” to not only the individual but to you as well. Be a light so bright to the world, that it shines right through a palm tree.
Today was a huge day of talking with individuals and families from the Treasure Coast of Florida. It seems the feeling is unanimous that the messages I am trying to promote are “spot on.”

What a huge day of meeting people along the Treasure Coast of Florida. There are four separate events taking place this weekend in Vero Beach and One Million Acts Of Kindness will be very visible at all of them.
Early in the day, I met a very caring mom and her son. Bryce has Asperger’s Syndrome  and his mom, Rebecca is there every step of the way for him. Azperger’s is a high functioning form of Autism and because of this they are picked on more than any group of adolescents. “It is as if they have a target on their back,” she said. Rebecca started Puzzled Families, a support group for local parents who had nowhere else to turn. What a great way to help an entire community of people.
Sara from the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County was an instant fan of The Kindness Bicycle and its signs. We got into a lengthy conversation about how people “bully” their pets. She works for this fantastic organization that helps animals who need a helping paw up.
I visited the Vero Beach Rotary’s fundraiser, they are doing so much for so many throughout their community and beyond.
Late in the day, Beth, Peter and Karen invited me to join them for a hot tea. Beth is a special needs teacher in Raleigh and loved seeing the “Overcome bullying through love”  sign on The Kindness Bicycle. She is going to research the News-2-You website for the article that was written a couple of years ago. Every special needs organization should know about this great resource. Their domain is www.news2you.n2y.com
Thank you to Danielle and the Ocean Grill for the generosity this evening.

One of my favorite sculptures in Vero Beach, Florida is of a sea turtle with paintings of children throughout the world on its shell. On the base are beautifully descriptive words that all of us should embrace in our lives. These 34 words if embodied, can lead to a happier life and even lead to less suicide in our society.
These are the words;

Inspire, Respect, Share, Forgive, Listen, Support, Meditate, Imagine, Accept, Understand,  Strive, Resolve Communicate, Revere, Solve, Progress, Thank, Create, Motivate, Hug, Give, Believe, Persevere, Build, Unite, Volunteer, Try, Laugh, Promote, Cheer, Redefine, Dream, Hope and Love.
There are many other words you can add to this list to begin the road to an “even better you.”
Thank you to the Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774 for providing accommodations for The Kindness Bus Tour.

Making my way to have some much needed work done on The Kindness Bus, I stopped to make the rounds in Fort Pierce. The waterfront in this small historic downtown area is sensational. I met with one of my good friends James, I met a few years ago while on The Kindness Bus Tour. He is a big help when I come to this town and is going to promote the Ring Our Country with Kindness all throughout Fort Pierce.
Today I visited Saint Andrew’s Elementary School, Barbara Bradford the Headmaster’s assistant was thrilled I stopped with Bogart to their school. Several teachers took the time to congratulate me on my ride.
I met Pam, a single mother of two teenagers is holding down two jobs to make ends meet. She has always let her children know that when trouble looks them in the eye, to just walk away. Her words reminded me of a great man, Jim “Pap” McIntyre who I met in Vero Beach a couple of years ago, he wrote the words, “Don’t fight, walk away.” Pap passed away about a month before I made it back to Vero. What an honor it was to have known such a kind man.

“My grandson was bullied, I love what you are doing,” a retired Delray resident said to me at The Kindness Bus. He told me that a lot of parents are “dropping the ball” raising their kids. He as a grandparent had to step up to negotiate, bringing an end to it. He is clearly a loving family man.
Jessica and her good friend Jessica were spending a lot of time at The Kindness Bicycle as I watched from a distance. I headed their way when it seemed that there might be something to their pause. Jessica thanked me for raising awareness about Adolescent Suicide. Just two months ago her brother took his life and before that her step-brother did as well. She wants everyone to know that there is another way out of depression and that is getting the help you need. The problems you are facing today will soon be over. Hang on to your life with all your might. Someone needs you in a very big way.
Laura a young 40 year old, was bullied through middle school. She sought the friendship of another group of kids for safety. She also turned to studying and saw that being smart was a way to “rise above” the taunting.
I visited Pine Grove Elementary School in Delray today. Ms. Bethel, the Community Resource Specialist and Ms. Lindor, one of the Guidance Counselors were enthused that I took the time to meet with them.
Thank you to Megan who treated me to a gift certificate to a coffe chain.
A huge Kindness Bus Tour thank you to the 3 juniors from Atlantic Community High School for their interest and for desiring to arrange a visit to their school in the near future.

As I make my way around the perimeter of the country, I am finding that kids are pretty much the same everywhere. They face the same problems and deal with the same issues and nearly everyone of them, by the time they are 18, know someone who has taken their life. It is a story that is taking place across the world in huge numbers. There is a big interest amongst students in helping to stop these ever-increasing deaths.
I met Benji, a very caring high school student who is interested in helping people who are struggling with life. He wants to make it a profession, and from our conversation, I can tell he will have a positive impact on many lives. There needs to be more Benjis in the world.